Opinion ID: 773614
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: introduction

Text: 6 This matter is before the Court following petitioner John Fowler's appeal from the district court's denial of his application for writ of habeas corpus. Fowler contends that he was deprived of his right to counsel based on the trial court's failure to adequately inquire whether his waiver was made knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily. The district court granted a limited certificate of appealability on the sufficiency of Fowler's waiver of counsel. 7 Fowler was sentenced to twenty-four years of imprisonment for passing bad checks and theft by deception. Fowler represented himself at arraignment as well as at trial. He unsuccessfully appealed his conviction arguing, in part, that he was deprived of his right to counsel under the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments. Specifically, he argued that the trial court failed to properly ask whether he knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily waived his right to counsel. The state court of appeals found that given the totality of the circumstances, Fowler's waiver was knowing, intelligent, and voluntary. 8 The state court discussed Fowler's waiver of counsel with him at arraignment and again immediately prior to trial. During these limited interactions, Fowler was not informed of the dangers and disadvantages of self-representation. We find that the state court's decision that the waiver was proper based on the record is an unreasonable application of clearly established Supreme Court precedent. 9 For the following reasons, we VACATE the district court's denial of habeas relief and REMAND with instructions that the district court issue a writ of habeas corpus releasing Fowler from custody, if the state does not provide him a new trial within 90 days.