Ballard Ex Rel. Mount Olive Correctional Center v. Meckling

Justice KETCHUM:

Petitioner Warden David Ballard (“Warden Ballard”) appeals the February 4, 2014, order of the Circuit Court of Ohio County that granted Respondent Patrick J. Meckling’s (“Mr. Meckling”) writ of habeas corpus petition. Following a jury trial, Mr. Meckling was convicted of one felony count of abduction with intent to defile and one misdemeanor count of battery. In his petition for a writ of habeas corpus, Mr. Meckling argued that he did not receive a fair trial because he was briefly placed in handcuffs in view of some members of the jury. The circuit court agreed with Mr.…