People v. Bolden

The principal opinion reverses upon defendant’s argument that the trial court erred:

“D ° ° in permitting defendant to proceed pro se at his preliminary hearing without full knowledge of the charge and penalties.”

Supreme Court Rule 401(a) contemplates that there may be a waiver of counsel if knowingly and understanding^ made. Colloquy quoted in the principle opinion discloses that defendant was tendered representation by the public defender and the record shows that the offer was firmly and persistently rejected. The cited Coleman v. Alabama was framed in the context that the State “failed to…