United States Eighth Circuit

Petitioner had no state-created, federally-protected right to have the same trial and sentencing judge, and was not entitled to withdraw a guilty plea on those grounds. Trial counsel was not ineffective in advising petitioner to plead guilty in hopes of receiving imprisonment rather than the death penalty.

Appellate Information

• Decided 05/07/2003
• Published 05/07/2003

Judges

• BEAM, Circuit Judge., Before HANSEN, Chief Judge, BEAM and RILEY, Circuit Judges.

Court

• United States Eighth Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellant:
  
• John W. Simon, argued, Clayton, MO (Mark A. Thornhill, Kansas City, MO, on the brief), for appellant.


• For Appellees:
  
• Stephen D. Hawke, argued, Asst. Atty. Gen., Jefferson City, MO, for appellee.