United States of America Ex Rel. Sherman Walters H-2301 v. A. T. Rundle, Supt., Graterford Corr. Institution

OPINION OF THE COURT

This appeal is taken from a district court denial of a petition for a writ of habeas corpus. In early 1962 appellant was arrested and charged with the murder of a Philadelphia woman. He subsequently signed a confession admitting the killing. Three months later counsel were appointed. After the Commonwealth stipulated that the crime rose no higher than second-degree murder, appellant pleaded guilty to murder generally. A degree-of-guilt hearing was held, at which his confession was introduced by agreement of counsel, and appellant was adjudicated guilty of second-degree…