Chase v. State

In 1981 William Ray Chase was sentenced to one hundred years in prison. He alleges that his recuperation from serious gunshot wounds prevented him from knowing that counsel had failed to file a notice of appeal from his judgment and sentence, as had been promised. This year, his medical condition apparently stabilized, Chase has filed a petition for a belated appeal pursuant to Florida Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.140(j), alleging trial counsel failed to timely appeal his sentence. The time limitations of rule 9.140(j)(3) do not become effective until January 1, 1999.

The Third District…