State Ex Rel. Engweiler v. Cook

This is one of two cases, both decided this date, relating to the life sentence for murder that petitioner presently is serving. The life sentence is for an aggravated murder that petitioner committed as a teenager. In this case, he seeks a writ of mandamus to compel the Department of Corrections (DOC) to permit him to earn credit under ORS 421.121 against his prison term for good prison behavior. A trial judge dismissed the writ, and the Court of Appeals affirmed. State ex rel Engweiler v. Cook, 197 Or App 32, 103 P3d 1205 (2005) (Engweiler III). We allowed petitioner’s petition for review…