Defendant, having been arrested and charged in domestic battery case for the 3rd time, rejected services of 6 attorneys and was urged by trial judge to accept services of attorney, and indicated that he wanted to proceed pro se. Defendant's waiver of counsel was not rendered ineffective by judge failing to specifically advise him at time of waiver about sentencing range. Defendant's statements and conduct show that he possessed a high degree of knowledge about charge, and he stated in opening that he was charged with a misdemeanor. State's comment in closing argument that Defendant was really a witness for the State, as he continued to victimize the victim during his cross-examination of her, was not sufficiently prejudicial to have affected fairness of trial. (PIERCE and HARRIS, concurring.)
Illinois Appellate Court
Criminal Court
Domestic Battery