Bobby R. Savage v. Wayne Estelle, Warden

O’SCANNLAIN, Circuit Judge:

In this case of first impression, we are called upon to determine whether a trial court may deny a criminal defendant’s right to represent himself at trial where the defendant’s severe speech impediment renders him unable to articulate his own defense. The state trial judge imposed restrictions on defendant’s courtroom conduct which amounted to an effective denial of his right to proceed pro se. We conclude that under the controlling Supreme Court precedent the action was not error and therefore affirm the district court’s denial of a petition for a writ of habeas…