Gerald Werth v. Thomas Bell

OPINION

BOGGS, Circuit Judge.

Gerald Werth, charged with robbing a Flint, Michigan convenience store, pleaded guilty to breaking and entering with the intent to commit larceny and to possession of burglar’s tools. Before he pleaded guilty, however, Werth attempted no fewer than seven times to assert his Sixth Amendment right to self-representation. The trial court denied his request summarily the first six times. The seventh time, the judge explained the nature of the charges against Werth, told him that she could not give him special training or treatment, and denied his request without giving…