White v. State

900 So. 2d 1249, 2004 WL 1178269
Court of Criminal Appeals of Alabama·Decided May 28, 2004·No. CR-02-1607·Published·Cited by 14 cases

Opinion

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Larry Benjamin White was convicted of one count of murder made capital because it was committed during the commission of a robbery in the first degree, a violation of § 13A-5-40(a)(2), Ala. Code 1975; one count of murder made capital because it was committed during the commission of a burglary in the first degree, a violation of § 13A-5-40(a)(4), Ala. Code 1975; one count of robbery in the first degree, a violation of § 13A-8-41, Ala. Code 1975; and one count of burglary in the first degree, a violation of § 13A-7-5, Ala. Code 1975. White was sentenced to life imprisonment without possibility of parole for each of the capital-murder convictions and was sentenced to 99 years' imprisonment for each of the other convictions.

The evidence at trial established the following. The victim, Jolene Raybon, had lived with her aunt, Dorothy Madden, for 35 years. On February 23, 2000, Madden arrived home at about 7:30 p.m. and noticed the porch light was not on, which was unusual. When she walked to the front door to unlock it, the door "just pushed open," and there was a "plank" laying in front of the door. It was later determined that the front door had been pried open. *Page 1254 When Madden looked inside the door she saw Raybon sitting in a chair with blood all over her. Despite the fact that Raybon habitually wore a ring on each finger, earrings, and a gold necklace, Raybon was wearing only two rings and a black, plastic watch when her body was found. It was subsequently determined that five rings and a necklace were missing from Raybon's house. Evidence discovered during the investigation of Raybon's death resulted in White's being arrested and charged with two counts of capital murder, one count of first-degree burglary, and one count of first-degree robbery.

I.
First, White contends that the trial court violated his right to self-representation by denying his request to serve as his own counsel. White contends that he was prejudiced by this ruling because his appointed trial counsel refused to follow his directions at trial.

An accused "may waive his . . . right to counsel . . . after the court has ascertained that the defendant knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily desires to forgo that right." Rule 6.1(b), Ala.R.Crim.P. This right is constitutionally guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution and by Art. I, § 6, of the Alabama Constitution of 1901. See alsoFaretta v. California, 422 U.S. 806, 834, 95 S.Ct. 2525,45 L.Ed.2d 562 (1975); Tomlin v. State, 601 So.2d 124, 128 (Ala. 1991); Parker v. State, 455 So.2d 111, 112-13 (Ala.Crim.App. 1984); Luckie v. State, 55 Ala.App. 642, 644, 318 So.2d 337,339, cert. denied, 294 Ala. 764, 318 So.2d 341 (1975).

White was indicted on April 27, 2000, for the murder of Jolene Evette Raybon. Although there is no formal pleading in the record, the trial court noted in a bench note, dated October 27, 2000, that White requested to represent himself, and stated: "The Court conducted extensive colloquy with the defendant explaining his rights and ramifications of representing himself." The trial court continued resolution of this issue to a later date "[t]o allow defendant additional time to reconsider his request." (C. 2.) The "colloquy" referenced by the trial court is not included in the record. However, on October 23, 2001, almost one year after the bench note was made, the trial court entered an order denying White's request to serve as his own counsel, writing: "The Court finds from the seriousness of the alleged offense[s], it would not be in the best interest of the defendant to represent himself. . . . [D]efendant's request to represent himself in this matter is denied." However, in that same order, the trial court dismissed White's appointed attorneys, and appointed new attorneys to represent White. (C. 29.)

After the trial court dismissed White's first appointed attorneys, White did not reassert a request to serve as his own attorney. See Parker, 455 So.2d at 112 (trial court did not err by refusing to permit defendant to represent himself where the request was made after trial started). White was, however, permitted to be actively involved in his defense. For example, White made a pro se, oral motion during trial, arguing that a juror should have been removed from the jury because she was acquainted with the victim's family. (R. 760.) On another occasion, White was permitted to argue that he was prejudiced because members of the jury panel saw him wearing handcuffs and shackles. (R. 499-502.) Also, White's counsel, out of the hearing of the jury, stated:

"[DEFENSE COUNSEL]: Judge, you've had a lot of experience dealing with Mr. White and you know how cantankerous and irritable he can be. He's made us meticulously sit down with him *Page 1255 and go over [every] piece of evidence that is in this case, including all the photos and various things like that. He has pointed out to us numerous times, just in the little bit, that we didn't get a copy of that next exhibit that the State is fixing to offer, . . . [a]nd he's right. Today is the first time we've seen it. So we're objecting to the State attempting to offer it and show it at this point. . . ."

(R. 573-74.)

White states in his brief: "It is obvious from the pleadings in the case . . . that Mr. White was dissatisfied with his attorneys at the time as they ultimately sought to be relieved and were granted leave to withdraw and were then replaced by additional new appointed counsel." (See principal brief of White at 55.) White's dissatisfaction with his first attorneys appears to have been the basis for his request to serve as his own counsel, especially in light of the fact that White did not reassert his request to serve as his own counsel after new counsel was appointed. A request to represent one's self must be made "clearly and unequivocally." Faretta, 422 U.S. at 835,95 S.Ct. 2525. Other than his statement that his trial counsel failed to follow his directions, White has not shown how he was prejudiced by the trial court's refusal to let him serve as his own counsel. Based upon the facts and circumstances of this case, we do not find error in the trial court's refusal to allow White to serve as his own counsel.

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White v. State, 900 So. 2d 1249, 2004 WL 1178269 (Ala. Ct. App. 2004).

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