Dennis Bonneau v. United States

BOWNES, Senior Circuit Judge.

This is an appeal from the denial by the district court of movant’s § 2255 motion for relief. 1 The only issue is whether appellant, Dennis Bonneau, who lost his right to a direct appeal of his conviction and sentence through the dereliction of his counsel, is entitled to a new appeal without first showing that there is a meritorious appellate issue. We hold that he is.

I. BACKGROUND FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

Appellant was found guilty on June 3, 1987, by a jury on one count of conspiring to distribute cocaine, on three counts of aiding and abetting in the…