Where a defendant makes a timely and unequivocal request to proceed pro se, even after requesting representation, the defendant has a statutory right to represent himself. The Illinois Appellate Court, 1st District, 5th District, vacated and remanded a decision by Cook County Associate Judge Lauren Gottainer Edidin. Early April 13, 1998, James Pappas was murdered at the Citgo gas station where he worked. Antoine Smith was identified by a woman who witnessed him beating Pappas with a gun in the process of a robbery.  …