State argues McPhillips's requests were equivocal and untimely

Sarah Taggart, appearing for the State, told the panel the record shows equivocation: at moments McPhillips said he wanted to represent himself but also acknowledged he preferred a professional advocate and asked for more time. "He did equivocate," Taggart said, urging the court to consider the totality of the colloquies and the proximity to trial when evaluating the request.

Taggart acknowledged the colloquy could have been clearer and conceded that a judge might have done a better job explaining options, but she argued that the law treats late-in-the-game requests differently. She pointed the panel to authorities and practical concerns about disrupting a compressed trial schedule and emphasized the discretion trial courts possess when requests are made close to trial.