State v. Gillam

OPINION

ANDERSON, PAUL H., Justice.

Before and during his trial, appellant Rodney Gillam, an indigent defendant, repeatedly requested substitute counsel, but the district court refused the request in the absence of an exceptional circumstance affecting the appointed attorney’s ability or competence. The court also excluded *443Gillam from the courtroom on several occasions because of his conduct, including the majority of his trial. Following guilty verdicts on three first-degree murder charges and two second-degree murder charges,1 the court sentenced Gillam to life in prison on Ms first-degree…