Arthur Williams v. Ross Maggio, Jr., Warden, Louisiana State Penitentiary, and William J. Guste, Jr., Attorney General, State of Louisiana

In December 1976, appellant Arthur Williams was convicted by jury verdict on two counts of distribution of heroin and sentenced to two concurrent terms of life imprisonment. His convictions and sentences were affirmed by the Louisiana Supreme Court, State v. Williams, 349 So.2d 1245 (La.1977) (per curiam). In 1981, Williams sought state habeas relief, alleging that he was denied due process by the trial and sentencing judge’s failure to exercise his discretion at sentencing. An evidentiary hearing was held before the sentencing judge, who denied relief. The Louisiana Supreme Court affirmed,…