Ex Parte Thomas

Petitioner, Calvin Thomas, pleaded guilty to a charge of third degree burglary in 1986 and was sentenced to serve 15 years in the state penitentiary. He did not appeal, but later filed a Temp. Rule 20, A.R.Crim.Ap. petition for post-judgment relief. The trial court denied that petition, without a hearing, and the Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed that denial, without opinion. 541 So.2d 88. We issued the writ of certiorari to review that denial of the petition.

We summarize the facts as follows:

On March 30, 1972, Calvin Thomas entered guilty pleas to several charges, including burglary, rape,…