Commonwealth v. Keller

Opinion by

Mr. Chief Justice Bell,

This is an appeal from the Order of the Court of Oyer and Terminer dismissing Keller’s petition for his release on bail. The unusual facts in this case require a detailed statement.

Petitioner and two co-defendants, all of whom were represented by counsel, were found guilty of second-degree murder in 1961. A sentence of not less than 10 nor more than 20 years was imposed.

On July 29, 1964, Keller filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus in the Court of Common Pleas, seeking his release from prison on the ground that he had been denied the benefit of counsel…