People v. Vargas

Opinion

SIMS, J.

Defendant has appealed from a judgment of conviction sentencing him to state prison for furnishing a restricted dangerous drug in violation of former section 11912 (now § 11379) of the Health and Safety Code. The defendant, who absented himself from his trial on July 15, 1971, was not sentenced until after he was apprehended and taken into custody in February 1974, some 31 months later. He now contends that his conviction must be reversed (1) because the trial court erred in proceeding with the trial in his absence; (2) because he was denied the effective assistance of counsel…