Ex Parte Besselaar

The petitioner, Tracey H. Besselaar, filed a Rule 32, A.R.Cr.P. (formerly Temporary Rule 20), petition for relief. The circuit court denied the petition, holding that the issue presented could have been raised at trial and, additionally, that the issue could have been raised on direct appeal. The Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed. This Court granted Besselaar's petition for the writ of certiorari.

In his petition to this Court, Besselaar argues that he is entitled to relief because, he says, his trial counsel was ineffective; specifically, he bases this allegation on a claim that his attorney…