People v. Stabler

Defendant appeals from judgment entered upon jury verdict finding him guilty of escape from a prison camp (Pen. Code, § 4531). Convicted of first degree robbery, defendant was confined at San Quentin prison and was later assigned to a prison camp at Weott. At 7:30 p. m. April 16, 1960, he was in custody at the camp. At 9:30 p. m., he wasn’t. Months later, he was arrested and returned to Humboldt County for trial.

The public defender was appointed to represent him. At defendant’s insistence, before trial, the public defender’s office was relieved of its appointment. Defendant then asked…