The Idaho Court of Appeals has upheld the conviction of a man who tried to fire his attorney just before the start of his drug trafficking trial.
In the unanimous ruling handed down Monday, the appellate judges found a delay for a new attorney would have inconvenienced the witnesses and people summoned for jury duty.
Marlin DeWitt was found guilty of trafficking in methamphetamine and sentenced to up to 10 years in prison in Idaho County’s 2nd District Court. In his appeal, DeWitt contended the lower court judge didn’t give him enough of a chance to explain why he wanted a new lawyer.
But the appellate judges disagreed, saying DeWitt had a chance to explain and his reasons for wanting a new attorney weren’t compelling. (AP)
