State v. Martin

LAVORATO, Justice.

A jury convicted the defendant, William G. Martin, of forgery. He appeals from a judgment of conviction and sentence, contending that the district court erred in allowing him to represent himself without determining that he made a knowing and intelligent waiver of his Sixth Amendment right to counsel. We agree and reverse and remand for a new trial.

I. Background Facts and Proceedings.

In early October 1996, Martin presented a personal check to Harold Shadle upon a long-closed account of a person named Robert Black. The check was made payable to Harold Shadle for $500 and was…