Seymour v. State

Smith, Presiding Judge.

A jury found Charles Thomas Seymour guilty of arson. Following the denial of his amended motion for new trial, Seymour appeals, asserting several claims of error, including a claim that the trial court erred in denying him the right to represent himself. Because the trial court employed the wrong standard for determining whether Seymour knowingly and intelligently waived his right to counsel, we reverse this case for a new trial.

Construed in favor of the verdict, the record reveals that Seymour spent the night at his parent’s home. Around 11:00 p.m., Seymour’s father…