Commonwealth v. Velasquez

Opinion by

Mr. Justice Roberts,

On September 16, 1965, appellant appeared in court for his trial on a murder indictment. When the case was called appellant’s privately retained counsel requested leave to withdraw, and requested that the case be continued “for a date certain” to allow appellant time to obtain new counsel. These requests were made because appellant wished to proceed to trial, while counsel felt that appellant should plead guilty. The trial judge refused both requests, however, ruling that the trial must proceed. * There followed a one-half hour recess, after which appellant…