Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit February 5, 1991, 87-6681 (Bobby R. Savage v. Wayne Estelle, Warden)

O’SCANNLAIN, Circuit Judge:

In this case of first impression, we are called upon to determine whether a trial court may deny a criminal defendant’s right to represent himself at trial where the defendant’s severe speech impediment renders him unable to articulate his own defense.