Thomas v. State

On July 26, 1996, judgment was entered reflecting that Ronald G. Thomas had entered a plea of guilty to rape, sexual abuse in the first degree, and sexual solicitation. An aggregate sentence of 264 months’ imprisonment was imposed.

Thomas subsequently filed in the trial court a timely petition pursuant to Criminal Procedure Rule 37 challenging the judgment. An evidentiary hearing was held at which petitioner Thomas was represented by an appointed attorney, Thomas E. Smith. The petition was denied in an order entered January 16, 1998.

On February 2, 1998, at 11:52 a.m., attorney Smith filed a…