Friedline v. Commonwealth

In this appeal, we address issues involving a circuit court’s dismissal of a habeas corpus petition alleging ineffective assistance of counsel without conducting an evidentiary hearing or receiving an affidavit from trial counsel.

The petitioner, Paul A. Friedline, was indicted for robbery, in violation of Code § 18.2-58; for “carjacking,” in violation of Code § 18.2-58.1; and for two counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, in violation of Code § 18.2-53.1. He was convicted of these offenses following a jury trial.

Friedline appealed his convictions to the Court of Appeals,…