Juan M. Banda v. W. J. Estelle, Jr., Director, Texas Dept. Of Corrections

This is an appeal from the denial of a petition for habeas corpus filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. Petitioner, Juan Banda, was convicted in state court of robbery by assault and possession of heroin, and is presently serving two concurrent twenty-five year sentences. In a state habeas proceeding following his conviction, petitioner alleged ineffective assistance of counsel, the breach of a plea-bargaining agreement, and the involuntary character of his guilty plea to both charges. Following a lengthy hearing on petitioner’s allegations, the state…