Gonzalez v. State

OPINION

in which KELLER, P.J., and MEYERS, PRICE, and COCHRAN, JJ„

joined.

The Issue

Ralph Gonzalez, appellant’s counsel of choice was disqualified as counsel on the *835State’s pretrial motion. The State argued that he would be a witness necessary to establish an essential fact on behalf of appellant and that the dual roles of advocate and witness would taint the jury, resulting in actual prejudice to the State. After conviction, appellant appealed, claiming among other things, that the trial court’s ruling dismissing his attorney violated his Sixth Amendment right to counsel of his choice.

We…