Victor Saldano v. Lorie Davis, Director

PER CURIAM: *

Victor Hugo Saldaño was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death in 1996. Texas later confessed constitutional error in the punishment stage — namely, introduction of racist testimony to support a finding of future dangerousness. Saldaño was again sentenced to death in 2004. He now appeals the district court’s denial of habeas relief. We GRANT a certificate of appealability (“COA”) on two issues: whether Saldaño was denied due process because he was not competent to stand trial and because the trial court failed to hold a competency hearing, and whether trial counsel…