Charpentier v. Commonwealth

The question before us involves the right of an indigent defendant to a transcript, at public expense, in order to pursue an appeal under G. L. c. 278, §§ 33A-33H. The plaintiff here (hereinafter called the defendant), was convicted in the Superior Court of armed robbery and assault with a dangerous weapon and sentenced to a term of from six to ten years at Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Walpole. Following the defendant’s claim of appeal from his convictions pursuant to G. L. c. 278, §§ 33A-33H, the trial judge appointed the Massachusetts Defenders Committee (committee) as…