Hess v. Medlock

JAMES DICKSON PHILLIPS, Circuit Judge:

Arthur G. Hess appeals the denial of his Petition for a Writ of Habeas Corpus. Although Hess’s federal habeas petition alleges seven grounds for relief, only one, a charge that his successive prosecution by two South Carolina state courts offends the Double Jeopardy Clause, provides an arguable basis for granting the petition. This charge raises a number of complicated constitutional issues and even more complicated questions concerning exactly what the two South Carolina juries actually decided. To assist us in the necessary double jeopardy analysis, we…