Eskridge v. Washington State Board of Prison Terms & Paroles

The Constitution of the State of Washington provides: “In criminal prosecutions, the accused shall have . . . the right to appeal in all cases . . . .” Wash. Const., Amend. 10. In 1935, after petitioner was convicted of murder in a Washington state court and sentenced to life imprisonment, he gave timely notice of appeal to the Supreme Court of the State. Washington law authorizes a trial judge to have a stenographic transcript of trial proceedings furnished an indigent defendant at public expense “if in his opinion justice will thereby be promoted.” Remington's Wash. Rev. Stat., 1932, §…