Bowers v. State

Maurice Bowers appeals his convictions for armed robbery with a firearm and battery, contending the trial court failed to conduct an adequate hearing as required by Faretta v. California, 422 U.S. 806, 95 S.Ct. 2525, 45 L.Ed.2d 562 (1975) and Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.111(d)(2) before allowing him to represent himself at trial. We agree and reverse.

A few months after a presiding judge conducted a hearing pursuant to Nelson v. State, 274 So.2d 256 (Fla. 4th DCA 1973), and concluded that appellant’s counsel was providing effective representation, appel*1231lant wrote a letter to the judge…