Hatfield v. State

Tom Glaze, Justice.

Michael Hatfield challenges his convictions for rape and kidnapping, for which he was sentenced to life in prison. On appeal, he does not challenge the sufficiency of the evidence. The point he argues is that the trial court erred in failing to obtain his knowing and intelligent waiver of his right to counsel and in permitting him to proceed pro se at trial. This appeal requires us to determine two issues: first, whether or not Hatfield waived his right to counsel; and second, whether he subsequently relinquished his right to self-representation by permitting his attorney…