People v. Talley

Following a 1974 bench trial, defendant Charles Talley was convicted of rape and armed robbery. Defendant failed to appear at his sentencing hearing. In the absence of defendant and his attorney, the trial court imposed sentences of 15 to 45 years for armed robbery and 4 to 20 years for rape. Defendant did not appeal. On March 3, 1976, defendant filed a post-conviction petition challenging the legality of the sentences imposed in the absence of defense counsel. This petition was dismissed by the trial court, and defendant appealed. The State confessed error and this court, in an unpublished…