Bilyeu v. State

James Wesley Bilyeu was found guilty in 1996 of second-degree murder and sentenced to thirty years’ imprisonment. A fine of $15,000 was also imposed. The Arkansas Court of Appeals affirmed. Bilyeu v. State, CA CR 97-505 (Ark. App. February 4, 1998). Bilyeu subsequently filed in the trial court a timely petition for postconviction relief pursuant to Arkansas Rule of Criminal Procedure 37. The petition was denied without a hearing, and the appeal of that order was lodged. The appellee sought by motion to remand the matter to the trial court for written findings of fact. The appellant agreed…