Ex Parte State

In February 1987, Albert Baker, Jr., was convicted of capital murder in Pike County. He was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole. In September 1992, he filed a petition under Rule 32, Ala.R.Cr.P. This petition was amended by written request on two occasions, and it was orally amended on the day of the evidentiary hearing. The petition raised six issues. Five of the six issues were denied on preclusion grounds, but the trial judge considered evidence regarding the sixth issue, a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel. The trial judge ruled that the allegations were unsupported and…