Opinion ID: 2295912
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: McCoy, Robinson and Gault

Text: McCoy, Robinson and Gault were jointly tried. None of them had filed a writing electing a mode of trial. McCoy was represented by Karl H. Goodman, Esq., Robinson by Charles Shuman, Esq., and Gault by Russell J. White, Esq. When the case was called for trial on 2 August 1978 each defendant acknowledged the representation and in answer to inquiry by the court stated that he was satisfied with the services rendered by his attorney in the defense of the case. The transcript reflects: THE COURT: Now, you have a right to a trial by jury. What's the choice there? MR. WHITE: As to Mr. Gault, Your Honor, he is aware that he has a right to a jury and he understands what a jury is, 12 people selected to hear his case. In which case they must return a unanimous verdict of guilt, either guilty or not guilty. He elects to waive that right and be tried by the court. THE COURT: Very well. Mr. McCoy? MR. GOODMAN: Yes, sir. As far as Mr. McCoy's concerned, court trial, Your Honor. Waiver of jury trial, the same as Mr. White just explained to his client. THE COURT: Mr. Robinson? MR. SHUMAN: Your Honor, Mr. Robinson's waiving his right to a jury trial and will take a court trial. He has been fully advised that, of his Constitutional right to a trial by a jury comprised of 12 people. And knowing that right he is waiving his Constitutional right to a jury trial. THE COURT: Very well then. The court asked for the pleas. Each counsel pleaded his client not guilty and trial proceeded. Each defendant was found guilty of grand larceny and sentences were imposed. The Court of Special Appeals affirmed the judgments. It said: A review of the record in this case convinces us that the mandatory requirements of Rule 735 d have been met. As indicated above, counsel for each appellant announced the waiver of a jury trial and explained his client's understanding of his right. At no time did the appellants, all of whom were present, voice any objection. Indeed, prior to the commencement of the State's case, each appellant indicated that he was satisfied with the services of his attorney. Together, all of this shows that each appellant made his election of a court trial with full knowledge of his right to a jury trial and each knowingly and voluntarily waived the right. [ McCoy v. State, 41 Md. App. at 674-675.] There was no inquiry of any of the defendants on the record as required by § d. All the court had before it on which to determine whether each defendant made the election of a court trial with full knowledge of his right to a jury trial and knowingly and voluntarily waived the right came from the defendant's counsel. As we have indicated, the responses to the inquiry must come from the defendant himself. Here counsel merely reported to the court that he had made inquiry of his client out of court and given the client the information necessary for an effective election. We have found that this is not sufficient under Rule 735. The judgments of the Court of Special Appeals as to McCoy, Robinson and Gault are reversed and the cases are remanded to that court with direction to reverse the judgments of the Circuit Court for Baltimore County and to remand to that court for new trials.