State v. Burkhart

OPINION

HENRY, Justice.

We granted certiorari in this criminal action in order to examine the constitutional right of a criminal defendant, who is represented by counsel, to cross-examine witnesses and to argue his own case.1

The Court of Criminal Appeals reversed defendant’s conviction for first degree burglary, and awarded a new trial, upon the authority of Wilson v. State, 50 Tenn. 232 (1871) and Faretta v. California, 422 U.S. 806, 95 S.Ct. 2525, 45 L.Ed.2d 562 (1975).

I

A proper construction of the Federal and State constitutional provisions is dependent upon an understanding of the…