Commonwealth v. Scales

On October 16, 1979, a jury found appellant, Zachary 0. Scales, guilty of rape 1, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse*1722, and simple assault3. No post-trial motions were filed and no direct appeal was taken. Appellant was sentenced to a term of imprisonment.

On November 24, 1980, appellant filed a pro se petition under the Post Conviction Hearing Act (PCHA)4. On April 2, 1981, court-appointed counsel filed a supplemental PCHA petition on behalf of appellant. The Commonwealth filed an answer on May 12, 1981, and, on the same day, the lower court denied appellant’s petition without a hearing.…