State v. Moorefield

CLARK, Judge. Upon his arrest on 6 August 1975, the defendant delivered to the arresting officer a petition for habeas corpus. Thereafter, defendant made numerous motions before, during, and after trial. Further, he filed a civil action in the federal court against Superior Court Judge Harry C. Martin, the Sheriffs of Buncombe and Catawba Counties, and various local officials alleg *40 ing violations of his constitutional rights and praying for damages in the sum of $1,200,000.00. He also petitioned the federal court to stay all proceedings in the state court. Many of his motions and petitions were based on his claim that there was a conspiracy among state and local officials to run him out of the state. The adverse rulings of the court were not the result of any lack of vociferous determination on his part. The defendant attempted to show violation of various constitutional rights and a conspiracy against him by judges, law enforcement officers, and other government officials. Throughout the trial the trial judge exhibited admirable patience and judicious restraint. The trial lasted three days. Only once was defendant found in contempt of court. The record on appeal exceeds 400 pages. Defendant offered the testimony of 23 witnesses, including the district attorney, and the court allowed him to recall 14 of them for further examination. Despite this effort, the defendant was unable to elicit any evidence of a conspiracy or any other evidence which tended to show his innocence of the crime charged. The defendant contends that the court erred in assigning counsel to assist him and then failing to adequately inform him of the limitations under which counsel would have to operate. Since defendant at no time claimed indigency, we do not have here an issue concerning the right of an indigent defendant as a matter of due process to court-appointed counsel. See Gideon v. Wainwright, 372 U.S. 335, 83 S.Ct. 792, 9 L.Ed. 2d 799 (1963). The defendant insisted that he wanted to defend himself. He informed the court that he had been to college for three years, that he had some experience in court, and that he was competent to defend himself except for “the formalities.” Judge Thornburg, obviously concerned about defendant’s lack of skill and experience, offered to find an attorney to assist him, with the understanding that defendant retain the responsibility for the defense of the case and with the understanding that the court would determine a reasonable fee which defendant would pay. The attorney was not appointed by the court but was recommended to the defendant, who conferred privately with counsel after his appearance, and then both returned to the courtroom. The record on appeal reveals that thereafter counsel assisted in making motions, and was present with defendant for consultation though the defendant examined all witnesses. We think it is clear that defendant requested and *41 was given the right to conduct his own defense, and that he requested and was given the right to employ counsel in an advisory capacity. He not only agreed to but insisted upon the limited participation by the attorney. State v. Robinson, 290 N.C. 56, 224 S.E. 2d 174 (1976), does not support defendant’s contention that this arrangement deprived him of his right to a fair trial. In that case the court held that, where, after discord between defendant and his court-appointed counsel, counsel began questioning the defendant’s only witness, then fell silent, and left defendant to take over the direct examination, it was prejudicial error since this procedure must have conveyed to the jury the impression that counsel attached little significance or credibility to the testimony of the witness or that the defendant and his counsel were at odds. No such impression could have been conveyed here since defendant conducted all defense matters in the presence of the jury. A party has the right to appear in 'propria persona or by counsel, but the right is alternative, and one has no right to appear both by himself and by counsel. State v. Phillip, 261 N.C. 263, 134 S.E. 2d 386 (1964). However, the trial court in its discretion may permit a defendant himself to cross-examine a witness. State v. Rogers, 12 N.C. App. 160, 182 S.E. 2d 660 (1971). The trial court in its discretion also may permit the defendant to conduct the defense and at the same time be furnished with the advice of a court-appointed attorney. People v. Pilgram, 160 Cal. App. 2d 528, 325 P. 2d 143 (1958); see Annot., 77 A.L.R. 2d 1233 (1961). In the case before us the defendant elected to conduct his defense and to have counsel present in an advisory capacity. It is apparent from the record on appeal that the defendant represented himself with remarkable redundancy and little skill or judgment, eliciting on cross-examination evidence prejudicial to his cause and failing to elicit from his own witnesses any evidence favorable to him. But the defendant, having insisted upon conducting his own defense, must endure the trial results in the absence of a showing of reversible error. The remaining assignments of error raise routine questions. By one assignment defendant contends the trial court should have declared a mistrial ex mero motu due to the carnival atmosphere of the trial. The record on appeal discloses the possibility that the defendant could have created a carnival atmosphere but for the patience and restraint of the presiding *42 judge. Another assignment raises the question of whether probable cause existed to issue the warrant under which defendant was arrested. Defendant was tried upon an indictment. Therefore, the question of probable cause to issue the warrant under which he was initially arrested has no effect on the jurisdiction of the trial court. State v. Hargett, 255 N.C. 412, 121 S.E. 2d 589 (1961). We have carefully considered all other assignments of error and find them to be without merit. No error. Judges Britt and Hedrick concur.