Jackson v. State

Ruffin, Judge.

On February 3, 1992, a jury found Willie Jackson guilty of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and possession of marijuana. Over six years later, the trial court granted Jackson’s request for an out-of-time appeal. Jackson subsequently filed a motion for new trial, which the trial court denied. Proceeding pro se, Jackson now appeals, arguing that he was forced to trial without an attorney, denied effective assistance of counsel, excluded from a critical stage of the proceedings, and denied his rights to due process and a public hearing. For reasons that follow, we…