William Morrison, Defendant-Below v. State of Delaware, Plaintiff-Below, Appellee

Summary

The court held that Morrison did not knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily waive his Sixth Amendment right to counsel before representing himself at trial. Although the trial judge warned Morrison about court rules and the disadvantages of self-representation, the inquiry omitted several essential subjects, including the charges, potential punishments, defenses, mitigation, and the risks of acting as both attorney and accused. The conviction was therefore reversed and the case remanded for a new trial.