Staggs v. State

Justice WALLER:

We granted a writ of certiorari to review the denial of Post-Conviction Relief (PCR) to Petitioner, Daniel Staggs. The sole issue we need address is whether trial counsel had a conflict of interest in representing Staggs in his trial for murder, while simultaneously representing Staggs’ father, mother and brother on accessory after the fact charges. 1 We find that he did and, accordingly, we reverse.

FACTS

Staggs was arrested for the murder of Daniel L. Grier. It appears Grier was shot after he and Staggs were engaged in a “road rage” type incident in Greenville. Staggs was…