Marvin E. Barnett v. Mack H. Alford, Warden and the Attorney General of the State of Oklahoma

After examining the briefs and the appellate record, this three-judge panel has determined unanimously that oral argument would not be of material assistance in the determination of this appeal. See Fed.R. App.P. 34(a); Tenth Circuit R. 10(e). The cause is therefore ordered submitted without oral argument.

Appellant, a state prisoner, sought federal habeas corpus relief contending that his 1965 conviction for murder was invalid because he had been denied the effective assistance of counsel. Specifically, he claimed that privately retained counsel “failed and refused” to perfect a direct appeal…