Hoffman v. Burke

Opinion by

Mr. Justice Chidsey,

On June 8, 1942, pursuant to a plea of guilty, entered in open court, the relator, Jacob L. Hoffman, was adjudged guilty of murder in the first degree and was sentenced to life imprisonment in Eastern State Penitentiary. It was not until October 8, 1952, more than ten years later, that the relator questioned the validity of the sentence imposed. He then filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus in the Court of Com- moil Pleas of Berks County alleging that lie was illegally detained. A rule to show cause why the writ should not issue was granted and answers…