Paul Smith v. State

OPINION

GARY R. WADE, Presiding Judge.'

The petitioner, Paul Dan Smith, appeals the trial court’s denial of post-conviction relief. The single issue for review is whether the trial court erred by concluding that the petitioner had knowingly and voluntarily waived his right to counsel. We reverse the judgment of the trial court.

In 1996, the petitioner was indicted on four counts of burglary, three counts of theft, five counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, coercion of a witness, passing a worthless check, and felony escape. On September 12, 1996, the petitioner, pro se, entered…