Dist. Ct. did not err in denying defendant’s habeas petition challenging his conviction on charges of felony intimidation of witness, first-degree reckless injury and aggravated battery on ground that Wisconsin trial court violated his Sixth Amendment right to represent himself by finding that he could not represent himself at trial. While Dist. Ct. could properly conclude that trial court had violated defendant’s right to self-representation by basing denial on perception that otherwise competent defendant was not “ready or prepared” to represent himself, defendant waived said issue by pleading guilty to said charges. Moreover, under Gomez, 434 F.3d 940, defendant’s valid guilty plea waived any defects, including constitutional defects, in proceedings prior to entry of guilty plea. Also, defendant never made claim that his counseled guilty plea was unknowing or involuntary.
Federal 7th Circuit Court
Criminal Court
Sixth Amendment