State v. Martin

OPINION

FONES, Chief Justice.

The only issue before this Court is whether defendants are entitled as a matter of right in all circumstances to demand that the trial judge rule on the admissibility of each of defendant’s prior convictions before defendant makes an election whether to testify.

The facts relevant to that issue follow. Defendant was indicted, tried and convicted for second degree burglary, grand larceny and being an habitual criminal. Defendant filed a written motion prior to trial wherein the Court was requested to rule on the admissibility of seven prior convictions to enable…