Illinois Appellate Court
Criminal Court
Right to Counsel
Defendant convicted of aggravated battery after jury trial. Defendant claimed trial court abused its discretion by denying his right to self-representation. Defendant, who had been appointed an assistant PD, made pro se request on day of trial, which judge refused. Defendant became argumentative and was removed from courtroom, and trial proceeded in his absence. Court within its discretion to deny motion, as his motion was not unequivocal request to proceed pro se, as he asked to be allowed to go pro se or to be appointed a different PD; and motion not timely and was accompanied by implicit motion for continuance.