State v. Jones

DALTON, Judge.

Defendant was charged and convicted under the Habitual Criminal Act of the offense of “forging an endorsement on a writing commonly relied upon in business and commercial transactions,” to wit, a counter check, as hereinafter further described. The Court assessed defendant's punishment at five years’ imprisonment in the Missouri State Penitentiary. Section 561.011 RSMo 1959, V.A.M.S. Defendant, being an indigent person, was represented in the trial and on this appeal by court-appointed counsel.

On January 28, 1964, the Court, out of the presence of the jury, heard evidence…