Cooper v. State

Blackwell, Justice.

Melvin Cooper appeals from the denial of his second motion for leave to take an out-of-time appeal. The earlier denial of his first motion for an out-of-time appeal, however, settled the question of whether he is entitled to an out-of-time appeal, and the matter is now res judicata. For that reason, the denial of his second motion is not error, and we affirm.

In 2001, pursuant to a plea agreement, Cooper pleaded guilty to the murder and armed robbery of Ejaz Rana. Cooper was sentenced to imprisonment for life without the possibility of parole for the murder and a consecutive…