People v. Townsel

Eddie Townsel, petitioner, filed a post-conviction petition in accordance with the provisions of Article 122 of the Criminal Code (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1971, ch. 38, par. 122 — 1 et seq.) asking the trial court to vacate the judgment entered on May 19, 1967. On the oral motion of the State, the trial court denied the post-conviction petition without an evidentiary hearing. The petitioner appeals asserting he was denied effective assistance of counsel in said proceeding.

Petitioner, after a bench trial, was convicted of murder and sentenced to a term of 14 to 20 years. At the original trial 1 the…