State v. Putnam

Defendant has appealed from a denial of post convic tion relief on an evidentiary hearing. He contends that his plea of guilty to a charge of horse stealing was involuntary and that his appointed counsel rendered ineffective assistance.

Charles F. Fisher, defense counsel, had conferred with defendant for 15 minutes prior to the arraignment on May 24, 1965. During the hearing the court asked defendant whether he understood his right to a jury trial. Defendant answered, “Yes, I guess so.” (A judgment on a burglary conviction of defendant by a jury had been reversed the preceding March. State v.…