Ex Parte Scudder

James A. Scudder, now known as James A. Sanders, petitions this Court for a writ of mandamus directing that he be allowed to represent himself on a direct appeal before the Court of Criminal Appeals. J. Russell Pigott, Scudder's appointed counsel on the direct appeal, petitions this Court for permission to withdraw as Scudder's counsel. We grant both Scudder's petition and Pigott's petition for the writ of mandamus.

Scudder was convicted in the Baldwin Circuit Court on October 7, 1999, on charges of stalking, harassment, and possession of forged instruments. On October 29, 1999, the trial…