Ex Parte Lockett

Bobby Lockett was convicted of manslaughter on October 8, 1985, by a Mobile County jury. His conviction and 99-year sentence were affirmed by the Court of Criminal Appeals, without opinion. Lockett v. State, 502 So.2d 402 (Ala.Cr.App. 1986). Later, he appealed to that court a denial of a post-conviction petition for relief from judgment. The Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed, without opinion. Lockett v. State,541 So.2d 84 (Ala.Cr.App. 1988). We issued the writ of certiorari to review the following issues:

1) Whether the trial court erred in dismissing Lockett's Rule 20, Temp.A.R.Crim.P.,…