People v. Arguello

KELLY, Judge.

The defendant, Fidel Helario Arguello, appeals the judgment of conviction entered on a jury verdict of guilty of felony escape. Among other things, Arguello contends that the trial court erred in forcing him to trial without an attorney. He argues that this denied him his constitutional right to be represented by counsel. We reverse.

The facts here are undisputed. In 1981, Arguello allegedly escaped from the Pitkin County jail in Aspen, Colorado. In March 1984, Arguello was returned to Pitkin County from Nevada on a detainer to stand trial on the escape charges.

Upon his arrival in…