*1 On September 28, 2017, the Court found that the defendant had waived counsel, noting that he had fired, rejected or threatened to sue no fewer than three court-appointed attorneys — offered at various stages of these cases even though defendant did not qualify for appointed*2
counsel — and one whom he had retained. That same date, after a Faretta inquiry, the Court also found that the defendant’s waiver of counsel was knowing and voluntary. See Faretta v. California, 422 U.S. 806 (1975); People v. Vivenzio, 62 NY2d 775 (1984). The Court set December 4, 2017, as a firm trial date, and warned the defendant that his cases would proceed on that date whether or not he had counsel.On the December 4, 2017, trial date, the defendant, for the first time, asked that counsel be appointed. The Court reaffirmed its prior findings that defendant had waived counsel, and recognizing that defendant’s last minute change of heart was nothing more than a delay tactic, denied the application. This written decision explains in more detail the factual record and the Court’s reasoning.I. THE CHARGESA. 2016NY016359The accusatory instrument in this case charged the defendant with disorderly conduct, Penal Law §§240.20(2) and (3), obstruction of governmental administration in the second degree, Penal Law §195.05, and resisting arrest, Penal Law §205.30. It alleged that, on March 9, 2016, defendant became obstreperous inside the Clerk’s Office at New York County Civil Court, then resisted Court Officers’ efforts to arrest him and remove him from the building. Before trial, the People filed a Prosecutor’s Information charging the defendant with three counts of disorderly conduct, under Penal Law §§240.20(1), (2) and (3).B. 2017NY029674After making several court appearances on the 2016 docket, defendant failed to appear on December 8, 2016, and the Court issued a bench warrant. Defendant was returned on the warrant, involuntarily, on May 25, 2017, when he was arraigned on Docket No. 2017NY029674, in which he was charged with petit larceny, Penal Law §155.25. The 2017 docket alleged that defendant had stolen property from the complainant. Before trial, the People filed a Prosecutor’s Information charging the defendant with one count each of
