Jones v. State

Charged with robbery while armed with a firearm, Leroy Jones entered a guilty plea then, before sentencing, sought to withdraw the plea. He contends on appeal that the trial court erred in denying his motion to withdraw plea, a motion he drafted pro se at the trial court’s request. Because the trial court did not appoint conflict-free counsel to assist him, we reverse his conviction and seventeen-year sentence, and remand for further proceedings.

Sixteen years old at the time, Mr. Jones entered a guilty plea “straight up” before Judge Bryan on August 20, 2009, with appointed defense counsel,…