People v. Bennett

February, 1956, defendant was convicted by a jury of second-degree murder (MCLA § 750.317 [Stat Ann 1954 Rev § 28.549]) and sentenced to 10 to 40 years’ imprisonment. Beginning in 1957, while tbe reporter was still alive, defendant made various requests for a transcript, which included writing to the Clerk of the Supreme Court, but he never received a transcript.

Before the adoption of our Michigan Constitution of 1963, the defendant did not have an absolute right to appeal his conviction, nor were there provisions for appointment of appellate counsel or for the furnishing of transcripts to…