The People of the State of New York, Respondent v. John Smith, Appellant

Summary

The Court of Appeals held that the trial court erred by failing to conduct the required inquiry into the defendant's pro se request and therefore reversed the conviction and ordered a new trial. The Court affirmed that the defendant's right to self‑representation was not clearly and timely asserted, and it rejected the dissent's view that a new trial without counsel was the proper remedy.