State Appellate Defender v. Saginaw Circuit Judge

The present case requires our review of the lower court’s order denying the State Appellate Defender’s motion to withdraw from its representation of Jessie Tate on appeal.

The facts giving rise to this controversy follow. Both Jessie Tate and his twin brother James were bound over to Saginaw County Circuit Court on charges of first-degree murder for the killing of Gregory Greer on June 30, 1977. Prior to trial, the lower court granted counsel’s request for separate counsel to represent each defendant.

On January 31, 1978, Jessie Tate pled guilty to the charge of second-degree murder. His…