John Allen Minor v. Harold E. Black, Superintendent

Minor was convicted by a jury in the state court for armed robbery and murder. The prosecution’s case rested upon an in-court identification of Minor as one of the assailants by Hugh Albright, an eye witness, and testimony of Ronald McGoffney, who testified that he saw Minor near the scene of the crime shortly before it occurred. Minor’s defense consisted of an alibi that he was home asleep at the time of the incident in question. This alibi was corroborated by two of his sisters and an aunt.

Following his conviction, Minor did not take a direct appeal. However, he subsequently filed a motion…