Goffe v. State

A jury found Richard P. Goffe, Jr. guilty of rape while armed and rape.1 In his appeal from the guilty verdict of the jury, he raises two issues for our review:(1) Did the trial court commit reversible error when it failed to advise him of his right to a pauper attorney?(2) Were the prosecutor’s comments to the jury prejudicial?

We conclude that Goffe was not advised of his right to pauper attorney and that the prosecutor’s comments to the jury were prejudicial. We reverse and remand for a new trial.

I

Right to Counsel

Goffe was charged in a two count indictment on March 20,1975. He was…