Morales v. Williams

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF MISSISSIPPI ABERDEEN DIVISION JUAN MORALES PETITIONER V. NO. 1:20-CV-55-DMB-DAS JESSIE WILLIAMS RESPONDENT ORDER Before the Court is Juan Morales’ petition for a writ of habeas corpus under 28 U.S.C. § 2254. Doc. #1. I Procedural History On February 7, 2007, Juan Morales was tried in absentia in the Circuit Court of Lee County, Mississippi, after a finding that he “willfully, voluntarily, and deliberately avoided trial.” Doc. #9-1 at PageID 81, 83. When the trial concluded two days later, Morales was sentenced to a total of…