State v. Coffey

Defendant appeals from his conviction for burglary in the first degree, ORS 164.225, assigning error, inter alia, to the trial court’s failure to inquire into and rule on defendant’s request for appointment of new counsel. We conclude that the trial court so erred and reverse and remand for a new trial.

On January 30, 1997, defendant was charged with burglary in the first degree and theft in the second degree in connection with the theft of a VCR from his ex-mother-in-law’s home. At defendant’s arraignment on February 12, 1997, the court appointed counsel. Trial was set for May 8, 1997.

On…