Henry Bernard Lewis v. State of Mississippi

CARLTON, J., FOR THE COURT:

¶ 1. A jury found Henry Lewis guilty of possession of a firearm as a convicted felon. See Miss. Code Ann. § 97-37-5 (Rev. 2014). The Madison County Circuit Court then sentenced Lewis as a habitual offender to ten years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC). On appeal, Lewis argues the circuit judge committed reversible error by telling Lewis that he would have to represent himself at trial with standby counsel if he chose to give his own opening statement. Finding error, we reverse the circuit court's judgment and remand the case for a…