Hagen v. State

¶1 Bruce Holte Hagen (Bruce) appeals from the order entered by the Twentieth Judicial District Court, Sanders County, dismissing his petition for postconviction relief. We affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand.

ISSUE

¶2 Did the District Court err in dismissing Bruce’s petition for postconviction relief on the grounds that Bruce’s assertions of ineffective assistance of counsel did not state a claim entitling him to relief?

BACKGROUND

¶3 In 1993, the State of Montana (State) charged Bruce with deliberate homicide for the death of Alice Goodrich (Alice) and aggravated assault for the injury…