Richard Tabler v. William Stephens, Director

EDITH BROWN CLEMENT, Circuit Judge: *

Petitioner Richard Tabler was convicted in Texas state court of capital murder and sentenced to death. While Tabler’s mandatory direct appeal was pending with the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Tabler requested to waive his remaining postcon-viction appellate rights and the trial court granted his request after determining that he was competent to do so. Following the denial of his direct appeal, Tabler attempted to reinstate his right to state habeas proceedings. The Court of Criminal Appeals denied the motion. Tabler then filed a petition for habeas…