Commonwealth v. Stokes

Stokes was indicted on July 8, 1981, for assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon on April 14, 1981, which took place at the close of a hearing before a judge of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston. Three court officers were removing Stokes from the courtroom when he kicked one of them in the neck.1

Stokes decided to represent himself on the present indictment. It rapidly became necessary, however, to have a succession of counsel appointed to represent him or, as stand-by counsel, to advise him. Beginning on January 21, 1983, his then stand-by counsel (appointed September 16,…