Commonwealth v. Schwartz

SPAETH, Judge:

This appeal is from an order denying relief under the Post Conviction Hearing Act. 1

On Indictment No. 372 of 1975 appellant was found guilty by a jury of passing a bad check. 2 On Indictment No. 537 of 1975 he pleaded guilty to escape. 3 On June 10, 1975, he was sentenced on each indictment, the sentences to be consecutive.

A direct appeal was filed by appellant’s trial counsel, who was a member of the Public Defender’s Office. Since appellant wished to question the effectiveness of trial counsel, new counsel, not associated with the Defender’s Office, was appointed. In October…