Cohen v. State

OPINION

A jury found the appellant, Melvin Cohen, guilty of burglary, attempted grand larceny and possession of stolen property. Appellant was also adjudicated an habitual criminal.

The district judge at the time of the appellant’s arraignment offered to assign counsel to represent him. Appellant advised the court that he desired to make his own summation to the jury. The judge then, in effect, told him he could either represent himself throughout the trial or have an attorney do so. 1

Appellant now claims that the waiver of his right to counsel was not intelligently made. He also challenges the…