Bell v. Lainson

In 1943 the grand jury of Polk County indicted plaintiff for rape, as’defined in section 12966, Code of Iowa, 1939 (now section 698.1, Code of 1954), charging he raped Rita Darline Flatt, a female child under the age of sixteen years. He was represented bjr attorneys, pleaded not guilty, was tried and convicted of the offense charged, his motion for new trial was denied and he was sentenced to imprisonment for life. Upon appeal the judgment was affirmed. State v. Bell (1944), 235 Iowa 767, 16 N.W.2d 218. Thereafter his petition for rehearing was denied. In 1955 he instituted this proceeding…