United States Fourth Circuit

In a proceeding seeking post-conviction relief for conviction of capital murder and robbery, denial of petitioner's writ of habeas corpus is affirmed over claims of ineffective assistance of counsel based on a failure to seek public funds for a DNA expert, as well as a failure to investigate and present mitigating evidence.

Appellate Information

• Decided 03/17/2008
• Published 03/17/2008

Judges

• Before NIEMEYER and TRAXLER, Circuit Judges, and HAMILTON, Senior Circuit Judge.

Court

• United States Fourth Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellees:
  
• ARGUED:  F. Nash Bilisoly, IV, Vandeventer & Black, L.L.P., Norfolk, Virginia, for Appellant.  Matthew P. Dullaghan, Senior Assistant Attorney General, Office of the Attorney General, Richmond, Virginia, for Appellee.   ON BRIEF:  Trey R. Kelleter, Vandeventer & Black, L.L.P., Norfolk, Virginia;  Jennifer L. Givens, Virginia Capital Representation Resource Center, Charlottesville, Virginia, for Appellant.  Robert F. McDonnell, Attorney General, Jerry P. Slonaker, Senior Assistant Attorney General, Office of the Attorney General, Richmond, Virginia, for Appellee.