United States v. Benjamin Charles Smith

HULL, Chief District Judge.

Arguing that his conviction should be reversed because the trial court violated his sixth and fourteenth amendment rights by denying him access to the legal material and facilities necessary for self-representation, the appellant in this case appeals the Judgment and Commitment Order entered after a jury verdict of guilty was returned against him on an escape charge. The issue in this case is whether a defendant who voluntarily waives his right to counsel, as well as standby counsel, is entitled to access to a law library pursuant to the sixth and fourteenth…