People v. Saint-Veltri

Opinion by

Judge CRISWELL.

Defendant, James E. Saint-Veltri, appeals the judgment of conviction entered on a jury verdict finding him guilty of one count of possession of a controlled substance (cocaine). We reverse and remand for a new trial.

I

Defendant first contends that the trial court failed to advise him adequately concerning his decision whether to testify at trial. We agree.

A trial court must seek to assure that a defendant’s waiver of the right to testify is voluntary, knowing, and intentional. People v. Curtis, 681 P.2d 504 (Colo.1984).

Further, in order to meet constitutional standards…