Joseph Robert Devins v. Sherman H. Crouse, Warden

BREITENSTEIN, Circuit Judge.

In this habeas corpus action the appellant-petitioner seeks relief from a Kansas judgment. In the state criminal proceedings he was represented by court-appointed counsel and entered a plea of guilty. After sentence the judge and county attorney made a joint statement to the prison authorities, 1 the material portion of which reads:

“It is believed by the Court and County Attorney that this defendant is in need of mental treatment, as his record indicates an inability to exercise mature mental judgment.” 2

The court below appointed an attorney for the petitioner and…