People v. Armstrong

Defendant was convicted by a jury of second-degree murder on August 20,1968, MCLA § 750.317 (Stat Ann 1954 Rev § 28.549). He appeals as of right.

On the second day of the trial, defendant expressed a desire to discharge his retained counsel because the latter “was not doing anything”. Defendant said nothing as to his intention to either obtain another attorney or to defend himself in his own proper person. Indeed, defendant’s motives for dismissal of his attorney were so nebulous that the trial court was given the impression that defendant wished to substitute another attorney. Because the…