Taylor v. State

On 15 March 1973 the grand jury for Washington County indicted the appellant, Elmer Ray Taylor, for forging and uttering a check. On 2 April 1973 at his arraignment before Judge Irvine H. Rutledge in the Circuit Court for "Washington County, he represented himself, and pled not guilty to each of the two counts of the indictment. On 16 April 1973 he was brought to trial. Before trial began the following colloquy took place between Judge Paul W. Ottinger and appellant:

“Q. You are Elmer Ray Taylor?

“A. Yes sir.

“Q. Can you hear me alright?

“A. Yes, lean hear you.

“Q. You are how old?

“A. Fifty-two.

“Q.…