Case ID: mich-app_34/html/0683-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Per Curiam.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

PEOPLE v. McEWEN
    Criminal Law—Right to Counsel—Waiver.
    Defendant was not denied his right to trial counsel where the record reveals that he twice refused offers of court-appointed counsel; defendant’s refusals amounted to a knowing and intelligent waiver of his right to counsel (GCR 1963, 785.3[1]).
    Reference for Points in Headnote
    21 Am Jur 2d, Criminal Law §§ 316, 317.
    Appeal from Kent, Stuart Hoffius, J.
    Submitted Division 3 June 10,1971, at Grand Rapids.
    (Docket No. 10383.)
    Decided June 28, 1971.
    Sylvester McEwen was convicted, on bis plea of guilty, of larceny in a building. Defendant appeals.
    Affirmed.
    
      Frank J. Kelley, Attorney General, Robert A. Derengoski, Solicitor General, James K. Miller, Prosecuting Attorney, and Donald A. Johnston, III, Chief Appellate Attorney, for the people.
    
      William J. Reyns, for defendant on appeal.
    Before: R. B. Burns, P. J., and Fitzgerald and J. H. Gillis, JJ.
   Per Curiam.

On December 26, 1969, defendant Sylvester

McEwen pled guilty to larceny in a building, MCLA § 750.360 (Stat Ann 1954 Rev § 28.592), before Kent County Circuit Judge Stuart Hoffius. On February 17, 1970, he was sentenced to 18 months to 4 years in prison.

Defendant was observed in a J. C. Penney store in Kentwood placing a man’s suit under his coat. He was arrested upon leaving the storé without paying for the suit.

On appeal, defendant alleges that he was denied trial counsel contrary to GCR 1963, 785.3(1). A review of the record reveals that the defendant twice refused the offer of legal representation. This amounts to a knowing and intelligent waiver of counsel. People v. Stearns (1968), 380 Mich 704.

Affirmed.