Berry v. State

Robert H. Dudley, Justice.

Appellant was charged with the crimes of kidnapping and attempted rape. The trial court appointed two attorneys to represent him. One had very little experience in the practice of criminal law while the other was described by the trial judge as “one of the most capable criminal lawyers in the whole area, both Arkansas and Texas.” The attorney with limited criminal law experience visited appellant in jail once and then the experienced criminal law practitioner solely assumed appellant’s defense. In chambers on the morning of trial, while the panel was in the…