Commonwealth v. Bricker

Opinion by

Mr. Justice Nix,

Appellant, Robert L. Bricker, was indicted on a bill containing counts of murder and voluntary manslaughter. On June 22, 1964, appellant, represented by court appointed counsel, entered a plea of guilty to murder generally. Immediately thereafter, a degree of guilt hearing was held wherein appellant was found guilty of first degree murder. No post-trial motions were then filed nor appeal taken. A sentence of life imprisonment was imposed.

On April 3, 1969, appellant, pursuant to the Post Conviction Hearing Act (PCHA), filed a petition alleging inter alia, that he had…