Final answer:
Clarence Earl Gideon requested a court-appointed lawyer, which he was denied, leaving him to represent himself and ultimately contributing to his conviction. The subsequent Supreme Court ruling in his favor recognized the necessity of legal representation for a fair trial.
Step-by-step explanation:
At his trial, Clarence Earl Gideon asked the judge to provide him with a lawyer because he could not afford one. Considering the unanimous decision in Gideon v. Wainwright, which established that state courts are required to appoint attorneys for defendants unable to afford legal representation in felony cases, it is clear that having a lawyer could have significantly helped Gideon. The right to counsel is a fundamental component of a fair trial, as recognized by the Sixth Amendment.
Without legal representation, Gideon was at a disadvantage in presenting his defense, lacking the expertise to adequately challenge the prosecution's case or to present his own case effectively. Thus, the assistance of an attorney could have helped ensure that his trial was fair and that his rights were protected.