Houston v. State

Frank Holt, Justice.

A jury convicted appellant of aggravated robbery and, pursuant to Ark. Stat. Ann. § 41-1001 (Repl. 1977), assessed his punishment as an habitual criminal at life imprisonment. There was no appeal. One year later appellant sought postconviction relief, as provided by Rules of Crim. Proc., Rule 37 (1976), alleging, inter alia, that he was denied effective assistance of counsel because his retained counsel did not file a notice of appeal following his conviction. After an evidentiary hearing, the trial court denied appellant’s petition to vacate his sentence. Appellant…