Illinois Appellate Court
Criminal Court
Right to Counsel
Defendant represented himself pro se in jury trial, and was convicted of attempted first degree murder and aggravated battery. Court substantially complied with Rule 401(a) as to waiver of counsel prior to allowing Defendant to proceed to trial pro se. Court was not required to readmonish Defendant after Court adequately addressed Zehr factors in voir dire. Defendant criticized and rejected four assistant PDs appointed to represent him, two of whom were reappointed and then discharged, and proceeded pro se on seven different occasions. No indication that, had Defendant been re-admonished, his trial strategy would have changed or he would have been able to introduce medical records in evidence. Court was within its discretion in not appointing standby counsel; Defendant indicated familiarity with legal concepts, and likely would not have made a difference, given overwhelming evidence against Defendant. (GARCIA and CAHILL, concurring.)