State v. Nutter

January 9, 1956, the defendant was by information charged with the murder of one Harold Pearce. January 19 defendant and counsel appeared and entered a plea of not guilty. February 3 defendant, with his attorney, in open court withdrew his plea of not guilty and entered a plea of guilty to the crime of murder. February 7 and 8 a hearing was had before the court to determine the degree of defendant’s offense. Upon conclusion thereof, the court found the offense to be murder in the first degree. Time being waived, on February 10 the court imposed the death penalty. Defendant appealed.

I.…