People v. Pitman

Judgment convicting defendants of murder in the first degree, unanimously affirmed. Counsel were assigned to the defendants. Thereafter eaeh defendant asserted the right to defend pro se. The trial court acceded and at every stage of the trial each defendant controlled and prosecuted his own defense. The trial court, however, assigned two standby attorneys to eaeh defendant to advise and assist as requested by either defendant. The jury was instructed that the court had assigned the lawyers to the defendants to render whatever assistance eaeh might desire; that under the Federal and State…