Rucker v. Norris

LOKEN, Chief Judge.

An Arkansas jury convicted Johnny Rucker of capital murder. The Supreme Court of Arkansas affirmed the conviction and life sentence. Rucker v. State, 320 Ark. 643, 899 S.W.2d 447 (1995). The state trial court denied Rucker’s petition for postconviction relief; the Supreme Court of Arkansas again affirmed. In 2001, Rucker petitioned the state courts for posteonviction relief under a new statute authorizing relief if “[scientific evidence not available at trial establishes the petitioner’s actual innocence.” Ark.Code Ann. § 16 — 112—201(a)(1) (2004). The trial court denied…