Neely v. Arkansas, State of

Filing 54

ORDER granting 53 granting Motion for Reconsideration and ordering an evidentiary hearing to be scheduled by separate order. Signed by Magistrate Judge Jerome T. Kearney on 7/21/10. (bkp)

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Neely v. Arkansas Attorney General Doc. 54 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS WESTERN DIVISION LARRY NEELY vs. DUSTIN McDANIEL, Attorney General of Arkansas ORDER Petitioner's Motion for Reconsideration (DE #53) is granted. The Court appreciates Petitioner's argument that he has never been afforded a hearing to address whether Herbert W. Wright1 and John C. Collins adequately advised him as to the prosecution's burden of proof under Ark. Code Ann. § 5-14-110 were he to proceed to trial. Although the record contains an affidavit from Mr. Collins, it does not adequately address what advice, if any, he gave Petitioner as to the prosecution's burden of proof. The affidavit does make clear, however, that Mr. Collins did not advise Petitioner that section 5-14-110 was a strict liability statute. The record further indicates that it was Mr. Wright, and not Mr. Collins, who represented Petitioner at the plea hearing. Also unclear is what advice Mr. Wright may have given Petitioner as to the nature of the charges. The Court believes an evidentiary hearing would aid in developing a more complete record upon which to base its ultimate decision. Testimony solicited from Petitioner, as well as his counsel, will be necessary for this purpose. Civil Case No. 4:06CV00953 JTK PETITIONER RESPONDENT Mr. Wright is now a circuit judge in the Sixth Judicial Circuit, which covers Pulaski and Perry Counties. 1 Dockets.Justia.com Therefore, the Court orders an evidentiary hearing to address the specific issue of whether Petitioner's counsel provided constitutionally effective advice in procuring Petitioner's guilty plea. The date of hearing will be scheduled by separate order. IT IS SO ORDERED. Dated this 21st day of July, 2010. ___________________________________ UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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