Commonwealth ex rel. Hobbs v. Russell

Opinion by

Mr. Chief Justice Bell,

This is an appeal from the Order of the Court of Common Pleas No.' 8 of Philadelphia County denying, without hearing, defendant’s.petition for a writ of habeas corpus.

Relator came to trial on April 16, 1963, on two bills of indictment; one charged him with murder, and the other with voluntary and involuntary' manslaughter. Prior to the introduction of any testimony and after the District Attorney had certified that in his opinion* the case rose no higher than second degree murder, relator, while represented by counsel, pleaded; guilty to murder generally and…