Neal v. Smith

Nichols, Justice.

James 0. Neal, while incarcerated in the State Prison at Reidsville under a life sentence for murder, imposed on May 23, 1966, filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus and a hearing was held thereon in the Superior Court of Tattnall County where the prisoner represented himself. The trial court remanded the prisoner to the custody of the warden and it is from this judgment that the prisoner appeals. Held:

1. The evidence introduced on the hearing authorized the trial court to find that the court where the murder charge was heard appointed counsel with some fifteen years…