State v. Gowdy

Knutson, Chief Justice.

Defendant, Gerald E. Gowdy, was indicted by the grand jury for the crime of murder in the first degree. He was arraigned on June 3, 1959. A plea of not guilty was entered. The court then ascertained that he was without counsel and unable to procure one in his own behalf. The public defender was appointed to represent him. The case was called for trial on June 9, 1959, so the public defender had ample opportunity to confer with defendant. At that time defendant signed a written waiver of a jury trial, and the case proceeded to trial before the court without a jury. The…