Watson v. State

Petitioner Odell Watson was found guilty of rape and sentenced to a term of 40 years imprisonment in the Arkansas Department of Correction. We affirmed. Watson v. State, 277 Ark. 197, 640 S.W.2d 447 (1982). Petitioner now seeks permission to proceed in circuit court for postconviction relief pursuant to A.R.Cr.P. Rule 37 and requests appointment of counsel. The request for counsel is denied. There is no right to appointment of counsel in the preparation of a petition under Rule 37. Dyer v. State, 258 Ark. 494, 527 S.W.2d 622 (1975).

Petitioner first raises the issues of (1) whether he was…