In Re Nash

A jury found petitioner guilty of forcible rape (Pen. Code, § 261, subd. 3), and the trial court denied his motion for a new trial and sentenced him to prison. He appealed and requested that the District Court of Appeal for the Third Appellate District appoint counsel to represent him. That court appointed counsel who studied the record, consulted with petitioner, and interviewed petitioner’s trial counsel and the trial court clerk and reporter. He then wrote to the appellate court and to petitioner stating that in his opinion there were no meritorious grounds of appeal. The appellate court…