People v. Ussery

The defendant, Frances Sarah Ussery, was indicted for the offense of possession of cannabis, in an amount in excess of 30 grams and not to exceed 500 grams. After a bench trial she was found guilty and was sentenced by the Circuit Court of Kankakee County to a term of from 1 to 3 years. She appeals, contending (1) that she did not receive the assistance of counsel to which she was constitutionally entitled, and (2) that the court denied her the right to be represented by counsel of her own choice.

On August 20, 1972, at about 4 P.M., Herbert Pope, a Kankakee County deputy sheriff, received a…