Putnam v. People

An indictment returned to the circuit court of Macon County in February, 1947, charged Fred H. Putnam with the murder of one Dalton Rice. A motion to quash the indictment failed and, upon arraignment, Putnam, who was represented by counsel of his own choosing, entered a plea of not guilty. This plea was later withdrawn and a plea of guilty entered despite the court’s admonishment as to the consequence of such a plea. The court heard evidence in aggravation and mitigation, then sentenced Putnam to the penitentiary for life. On review by writ of error, this court affirmed the judgment of…