Howard v. Sheriff

*31OPINION

Edward Howard was baby-sitting a three year old child while its mother (Howard’s mistress) worked. The child was severely burned on the scrotum, buttocks, both legs and feet— apparently as a result of being submerged in scalding water» A doctor testified that the burns required “amputation of the distal tips of nine out of ten toes.” There were also burns in the “region of his navel” and “of his scalp.” Howard was charged with, and ordered to stand trial for, mayhem, a felony under Nev. Rev. Stat. § 200.280.

Seeking to avoid trial, Howard filed a pretrial petition for a writ of habeas…