The PEOPLE v. Nelson

On January 24, 1962, defendant, Jasper Nelson, was indicted for murder in connection with a December 10, 196T, shooting. On January 30 a lawyer retained for defendant by his wife filed his appearance for defendant. On March 6 defendant appeared with his counsel, withdrew his plea of not guilty, waived a jury trial and entered a plea of guilty. He was thereafter sentenced to 14 years imprisonment.

Defendant’s post-conviction petition (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1965, ch. 38, art. 122) was filed on October 31, 1966. It alleges that the representation of defendant by his counsel (who had died in 1965) was…