Weldon v. State

Phipps, Judge.

Ronnie Weldon was convicted of sale of cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, and obstruction or hindering a law enforcement officer. He was sentenced to serve 45 years in prison. We reverse Weldon’s convictions and remand the case for a new trial because we find that the trial judge abused his discretion in the manner in which he attempted to control Weldon’s disruptive behavior.

When Weldon was brought into the courtroom for trial he moved for appointment of new counsel because he claimed that the public defender assigned to represent him had never visited…