Conners

SUMMARY

Wallace Conners was convicted of receiving stolen property and money laundering. He contends reversal is required because the trial court erred in allowing him to represent himself at trial without first advising him of the penal consequences of conviction; he was denied a fair sentencing hearing; and the trial court erred in failing to stay the sentence for receiving stolen property under Penal Code section 654. He further claims his convictions must be reversed because there was insufficient evidence he had knowledge of any criminal activity.

We affirm Conners’s conviction, but conclude he is entitled to a new sentencing hearing and that his sentence for receiving stolen property should have been stayed.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

A second amended information filed October 27, 2006, charged Wallace Conners with receiving stolen property (Pen. Code, § 496, subd. (a)) and money laundering. (§ 186.10, subd. (a).) The information also alleged several prior felony convictions. The charges were in connection with five checks payable to Conners from the account of an entity called I Will Step Foundation, in amounts less than $10,000. The funds in I Will Step…