United States v. Berlin Acey Odom

JAMES M. CARTER, Circuit Judge:

Appellant Odom was found guilty by a jury of violating the Dyer Act, 18 U.S.C. § 2312. Odom’s sole defense at trial was temporary insanity during the critical time of interstate transportation. Odom’s primary claim on appeal, where he is now represented by counsel, is that he should not have been permitted to act as his own counsel at trial. We find no merit to this and other claims of error.

Prior to the start of the trial, and while Odom was still represented by counsel, a hearing was held before the court on the issue of Odom’s competency to stand trial and to…