Commonwealth v. Hawkins

The defendant, convicted of altering an assignment of a certificate of title (G. L. c. 90D, § 32[a]), alleges a miscellany of errors. 1. The defendant was advised by at least three judges of his right to counsel and had the benefit of two appointed counsel (he fired each) and two appointed standby counsel. The findings of September 28, 1983, indicate that the defendant affirmatively waived counsel, asserted a wish to represent himself at trial, and affirmatively acquiesced in the arrangement for standby counsel throughout the trial. Under these circumstances the defendant bore the burden of…