The PEOPLE v. Merrieweather

An indictment returned to the circuit court of St. Clair County on June 21, 1954, charged the defendant, Lorenzo Merrieweather, with burglary and larceny. He was arraigned on June 25, 1954, at which time he was advised of his right to counsel and the public defender was appointed to defend him after he had stated under oath that he had no funds to employ an attorney. The cause was continued at defendant’s request until October 6, 1954, when, after a trial by jury, he was convicted of the charge and sentenced to the penitentiary for a term of from five to fifteen years. Appearing pro se and…