Commonwealth v. Cordell

Opinion by

Mr. Justice Eagen,

On March 25, 1967, Clinton Cordell was convicted of voluntary manslaughter in Philadelphia County after trial before a judge sitting without a jury. No post-trial motions were filed, and a prison sentence of 4 to 12 years was imposed. No appeal was filed from the judgment.

In ■ October 1967, Cordell filed a petition seeking post-conviction relief, alleging: (1) that the evidence was insufficient to support the guilty verdict; (2) that he was denied his constitutional right to appeal; and (3) that he was compelled to incriminate himself. After an evidentiary hearing,…