STATE EX REL GORDON v. STATE (2018)

Granted in part;  denied in part. Relator has made a showing of particularized need with respect to his request for documents to substantiate his allegations of improper statements by the prosecution during voir dire and in opening statements, as well as his associated ineffective assistance of trial counsel claim, such that the district court is ordered to provide him with free copies of the voir dire and opening statements transcripts so that he can supplement his claims for the district court's consideration. State ex rel. Bernard v. Cr.D.C., 94-2247 (La. 4/28/95), 653 So.2d 1174. The district court's ruling is therefore reversed to the extent it denied these requests and claims.

The district attorney and district court are further ordered to provide relator with an estimate of the costs of reproducing other public records that relator has requested and to which he is entitled. La. Const. art. XII, § 3;  R.S. 44:31 and 44:31.1;  see, e.g., State ex rel. Level v. State, 99-2266 (La. 12/17/99), 751 So.2d 869;  State ex rel. Leonard v. State, 96-1889 (La. 6/13/97), 695 So.2d 1325.

Relator should also be afforded a reasonable opportunity to supplement his post-conviction claims with supporting documentation obtained as a result of this order. In all other respects, his writ is denied.

PER CURIAM: