Court Opinion

ID: 9580246
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 22:03:29.871906+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:36:09.938302
License: Public Domain

*496Beasley, Judge,
dissenting in part.
Mercier and Nuzum were each charged in two separate accusations with criminal trespass in violation of OCGA §§ 16-7-21 (a) (two counts) and 16-7-21 (b) (3) (two counts), resulting from their participation in demonstrations occurring on December 31, 1989 and January 3, 1990. They were jointly tried and convicted of each offense.
They both signed a notice of appeal, with a certificate of service signed by someone designated as “next friend,” but only Mercier has pursued it.
1. To the extent there is an appeal by Nuzum, it should be dismissed. See dissent in Lee v. State, 203 Ga. App. 487 (417 SE2d 426) (1992). I do not reach the issue decided in Division 1.
2. Mercier was among 14 to 16 people who “pushed their way into” Atlanta Northside Family Planning Services on December 21, 1989, where they proceeded to throw chairs and handcuff themselves to the furniture. The clinic administrator summoned the police after requesting several times that they leave and receiving no response. The police advised the group that they were trespassing on private property and again asked them to leave. When they received no response, they arrested the demonstrators.
On January 3, 1990, Mercier was in a group of people who arrived at the Feminist Women’s Health Clinic. They disregarded “no trespass” signs and proceeded past police barricades onto the porch of the facility, where they sat blocking the entrance. The clinic manager identified herself to the group, informed them they were trespassing on private property and asked them to leave. They refused and the police were called. The same announcement was made in the presence of the police, and when the demonstrators again refused to leave, they were arrested.
Mercier, who is indigent, contends he was denied his right to counsel. A written request for the appointment of counsel who professed to be a born-again Christian, attended church regularly, and had personal experience at reading the Bible was initially submitted but later withdrawn, on the assertion that it had been made under extreme duress.
At trial appellant and other defendants refused the offer of counsel, requesting instead that they be represented by a specific person, who is not a member of the State Bar of Georgia. When the court explained that defendants were not entitled to be represented by a non-lawyer third party, they elected to proceed pro se. Over objection, the court nonetheless appointed an attorney to remain in the courtroom throughout the proceedings in an advisory capacity. He had had an opportunity to confer with each defendant. I concur in Division 2.
I concur in Division 7 as well as in Divisions 2 through 6.
*497Decided March 20, 1992.
Johnny Mercier, pro se.
David Nuzum, pro se.
James L. Webb, Solicitor, Helen A. Roan, R. Lee O’Brien, Jr., Assistant Solicitors, for appellee.