Smith v. Government of the Virgin Islands

OPINION OF THE COURT

(August 4, 2017)

Cabret, Associate Justice.

Lebrón Smith1 appeals the Superior Court’s October 21, 2015 order denying his August 14, 2015 “motion for writ of habeas.” Because the Superior Court abused its discretion by treating this filing as a second habeas corpus petition instead of analyzing it as a motion for relief from a judgment or order, we reverse the Superior Court’s October 21, 2015 order and remand this matter so that the Superior Court can evaluate Smith’s motion under the proper legal standard.

I. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

Smith was tried by a jury on…