State v. Darnell

Defendant Calvin Charles Darnell appeals his conviction by a Pierce County jury for armed robbery. His sole contention on appeal is that he was denied a fair trial because of certain tactics and alleged misconduct of his counsel. Defense counsel was originally retained by defendant but later, upon a showing of indigency, was appointed by the court.

The question raised is whether defendant was denied effective assistance of counsel as required by the sixth amendment to the United States Constitution. Powell v. Alabama, 287 U.S. 45, 77 L. Ed. 158, 53 S. Ct. 55, 84 A.L.R. 527 (1932).

These are the…