People v. Duffield

Ronald Duffield was convicted, on his plea of guilty, of manslaughter on May 25, 1967, in Cass County circuit court and sentenced to 8 to 15 years in prison. He requested appellate counsel about a year later, counsel was appointed, and a motion to withdraw his plea was filed. On September 12,1968, the motion was denied and claim of appeal filed seeking review of the conviction and the order denying the motion.

It appears that Duffield and the victim were drinking heavily, that they quarreled over a petty debt, and it was charged that Duffield, a much larger man, beat the victim insensible and…