Commas After Conjunctions at the Start of a Sentence.

[The Holy Grail]

I was worried that starting a sentence with a conjunction, especially if the conjuction was intended to modify or add a particular effect to the sentence, was wrong. However, I've done my research and it isn't wrong.

My worry now, however, is if using a comma immediately after constitutes an error. I've not gotten any help with this online or in the forums. For example, are the sentences that follow both correct?

And, he is not a traitor.
And he is not a traitor.

Any views about this?

[MsH2k]

I can see why you may be tempted to put a comma after And because there could be a pause there if you are intending it as a transition word. However, since it is a coordinating conjunction, I do not think a comma should be used in this case. The way I think of it is if the sentence were combined with the previous sentence, there could be a comma before and, but there would not be one after. Here are a couple of links that discuss this.
(Comma before or after but?) https://www.thesaurus.com/e/grammar/com ... njunctions
(Commas after coordinating conjunctions?) https://theeditorsblog.net/2015/08/27/i ... h-a-comma/

If you want a more distinct transition, an option may be to add another word to form a conjunctive adverb and include the comma. Something like this: And besides, he is not a traitor.

I hope this helps!