Cowart v. State

On November 18, 1985, Llewyn (Len) Cowart was indicted by a grand jury of the First Judicial District of Harrison County for the crimes of aggravated assault and attempted armed robbery. Both indictments charged Cowart as an habitual offender. The two indictments were consolidated for trial by agreement, and Cowart was found guilty on both charges after a jury trial on February 19, 1986. At the sentencing hearing held the same day, the state failed in its proof on the habitual offender charge and sentencing was deferred until February 24. On that day the trial judge sentenced Cowart to 20…