James T. Caver v. State of Alabama

In this habeas corpus proceeding the federal trial court resolved contested issues of fact, which control the disposition of the constitutional questions raised, without a hearing and without having before it a copy of the state court trial record or other reliable and adequate written indicia to permit a proper determination of the merits of such disputed issues. The order denying the application for habeas corpus relief must be vacated and the cause remanded for compliance with the mandate of 28 U.S.C. § 2254(d).

James Caver is now imprisoned pursuant to a conviction of second degree murder…