Thomas v. Gramley

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER

ASPEN, Chief Judge:

Walter L. Thomas petitions for a writ of habeas corpus, 28 U.S.C. § 2254, raising several grounds in support of overturning his convictions, returned after a jury trial in Illinois state court, and the resulting death sentence. Primarily, he argues that his counsel provided ineffective assistance at the capital sentencing phase of the state trial court proceedings. For the reasons we discuss below, we deny the petition.

I. Background

In March 1988, after a jury trial, the petitioner was convicted of murder, aggravated arson, arson, and burglary. At…