The right to counsel is a personal right which the accused may knowingly and intelligently waive either at the pretrial stage or at trial. Burton v. State, 260 Ark. 688, 543 S.W.2d 760 (1976); Evans v. State, 251 Ark. 151, 471 S.W.2d 346 (1971); Barger v. State, 249 Ark. 878, 462 S.W.2d 216 (1971); and Slaughter v. State, 240 Ark. 471, 400 S.W.2d 267 (1966). Here it clearly appears that the trial court was solicitous of appellant's constitutional rights and thoroughly advised him of them.