Harold R. Swenson, Warden, Missouri State Penitentiary v. William B. Donnell

MATTHES, Circuit Judge.

The crucial question presented in this habeas corpus proceeding is whether Douglas v. People of State of California, 372 U.S. 353, 83 S.Ct. 814, 9 L.Ed.2d 811, (1963), is to be applied retrospectively to the ease of William B. Donnell, an indigent Missouri prisoner, whose conviction in 1960 was affirmed by the Supreme Court of that state in November, 1961. State v. Donnell, 351 S.W.2d 775 (Mo.1961). The district court, Judge Oliver, decided the retroactivity issue in favor of Donnell and entered an order which determined that he was entitled to the relief sought in his…