Opinion ID: 2122024
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: waiver of privilege against self-incrimination

Text: Defendant elected to testify during the guilt phase of trial. He now complains he did so only because counsel had rhetorically asked whether defendant would like to go to prison for many years without having    told his story. Defendant does not assert that he was not aware of his right not to testify. He argues only that counsel's question was tantamount to coercion because it assured a conviction unless defendant did so. Given the realities of this case, the question is more reasonably characterized as advice defense counsel would be expected to have imparted to defendant. Defendant's own testimony was, in fact, the sum and substance of his defense. No other evidence was offered to counter the considerable case the State assembled, which included testimony from the other criminal participants.