Ryan v. Thomas

Clarke, Chief Justice.

Petitioner Steve Ryan was convicted of numerous crimes including armed robbery and kidnapping. At trial he was represented by a public defender from the Fulton County Public Defender’s Office (Public Defender’s Office). His motion for new trial was filed by a second public defender from the Public Defender’s Office, and a third attorney from this office represented him on direct appeal.

Following the affirmance of his appeal, Ryan v. State, 191 Ga. App. 477 (382 SE2d 196) (1989), Ryan filed a pro se habeas corpus petition, maintaining that his trial counsel had rendered…