Dotta v. Keeney

Petitioner appeals from a denial of his petition for post-conviction relief, alleging that he received ineffective assistance of counsel at his criminal trial. The issue is whether petitioner’s court-appointed representation by counsel who was also a city attorney was per se ineffective. We hold that it was not and affirm.

In July, 1985, after a plea bargain, petitioner was sentenced to five years in the Oregon State Penitentiary for kidnapping in the second degree and sexual abuse in the first degree. He claims ineffective assistance of counsel, because his court-appointed lawyer was a city…