People v. Martinez

On March 17, 1940, Annie Martinez, age 20, was killed. Her husband, Louis Martinez, was charged with her murder. He first pleaded not guilty, but later, in open court, and in the presence of his then attorney, he requested and secured leave to withdraw the plea of not guilty, and pleaded guilty to “murder as charged in the information. ’ ’ On June 18,1940, the court fixed the degree as murder of the first degree, and sentenced defendant to life imprison ment. No appeal was taken. On March 8, 1948, nearly eight years later, defendant moved the trial court to vacate the judgment of conviction…