State Ex Rel. Bratcher v. Cooke

Caplan, Judge:

In this original proceeding in habeas corpus the petitioner, Clifford Bratcher, seeks release from the custody of respondent Ed Cooke, Sheriff of Boone County, on the ground that he was denied the right to appeal his conviction by reason of the incompetence of his counsel. In the alternative the petitioner prays that he be granted a new trial or that his original sentence be vacated and a new sentence be imposed so that his right to appeal may be revived.

Upon the aforesaid petition this Court, on December 6, 1971, granted a writ returnable January 18, 1972. On the latter date…