In Re Orien Cecil Joiner

Orien Joiner was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death in Texas state court. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed his conviction, and the U.S. Supreme Court denied certiorari. Joiner filed pro se motions for stay of execution in state court, but the Texas District Court and Court of Criminal Appeals denied the motions and refused to appoint an attorney for state habeas proceedings. Applying McFarland v. Scott, — U.S.-, 114 S.Ct. 2568, *144129 L.Ed.2d 666 (1994), the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas appointed counsel to prepare Joiner’s federal habeas…