State v. Poitra

MESCHKE, Justice.

[¶ 1] Linus Poitra appealed a jury conviction finding him guilty of theft of property. We hold this record does not establish Poitra knowingly and intelligently waived his right to counsel, and we reverse and remand for a new trial.

[¶ 2] In February 1996, the State charged Poitra and Blaine Brunelle with theft of property for “knowingly obtain[ing] property valued in excess of $500.00 belonging to Northwest Industrial Supply by deception by falsely stating that they worked for Basic Concrete Company and charging said property to the account of Basie Concrete Company.” The…