Henderson v. State

The issue we are asked to address in this appeal is whether the district court erred in summarily dismissing Bruce Henderson’s petition for post-conviction relief. We vacate the dismissal order, holding that the court erred because it failed to address Henderson’s request for a court-appointed attorney to assist Henderson in the post-conviction proceeding.

In June, 1991, acting pro se, Henderson filed a verified petition for post-conviction relief from a 1986 judgment of conviction for lewd and lascivious conduct with a minor. He is presently serving an indeterminate life sentence. Henderson’s…