Mercouri v. State

Appellant Michael Mercouri appeals after the Pulaski County Circuit Court entered an order denying his petition for postconviction relief filed pursuant to Arkansas Rule of Criminal Procedure 37.1. For reversal, he contends that the circuit court erred because trial counsel was constitutionally ineffective (1) for failing to present a defense; (2) for failing to present evidence sufficient to call for a jury instruction on a lesser included offense; (3) for failing to seek the removal of a juror for cause; and (4) because appellate counsel was ineffective on Mercouri's behalf in his direct…