Joseph M. Giarratano v. Raymond K. Procunier, Director Virginia Department of Corrections, (Two Cases)

BUTZNER, Senior Circuit Judge:

Joseph S. Giarratano, a Virginia prisoner under sentence of death, appeals the district court’s denial of his petition for a writ of habeas corpus, asserting the following claims:

I. Mr. Giarratano has alleged facts which demonstrate (A) that he was incompetent to stand trial since he could not consult with counsel in the way the circumstances of his case required that he be able to, and (B) that his competence to stand trial was not adequately explored — due to the defaults of the persons charged with evaluating his competence, or of defense counsel, or both —…