State v. Sweazea

CLEMENS, Presiding Judge.

A jury found defendant guilty of robbery first degree (§ 560.135, RSMo. 1969) and burglary second degree (§ 560.045, RSMo. 1969). The court sentenced him to concurrent terms of 20 and 10 years. Defendant appeals, contending he was denied time to employ counsel.

The court appointed a public defender to represent him and the cause was set and thereafter continued and reset several times. Eight months after arrest, on the day of trial, defendant filed several motions, including a motion to dismiss counsel and for continuance. Defendant testified he had encountered…