Opinion ID: 2327484
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Right of Direct Appeal

Text: Appellant has a right to appeal the decision of the trial court within forty-five days of his sentencing. Act of May 11, 1927, P.L. 972, § 1, 12 P.S. § 1136. Since appellant's original sentence was vacated, the date of his sentencing was the date on which he was given his new sentence, and at that point, as Judge ELLENBOGEN pointed out, appellant had an automatic right to take a direct appeal. It thus is something of a mystery why appellant continues to press his Douglas claim, when after his new sentence he was represented by counsel and obviously knew of his right to appeal. Since appellant failed to file an appeal from the judgment of sentence within forty-five days of his new sentencing, he has waived his right to appeal therefrom. Alternatively, we may consider appellant's present appeal from the collateral hearing as also encompassing his direct appeal. [3] In either case, appellant's claims have been heard, and he no longer can claim Douglas relief on this record. The judgment of sentence of the Court of Oyer and Terminer and the order of the Court of Common Pleas dismissing appellant's petition for a writ of habeas corpus are both affirmed. Mr. Justice MUSMANNO did not participate in the decision of this case.