Javier Merida v. State of Rhode Island

OPINION

Justice GOLDBERG, for the Court.

In this appeal, we review the denial of an application for postconviction relief. Javier Merida (Merida or applicant) was convicted of two counts of first-degree child molestation and one count of second-degree child molestation. We affirmed those convictions in his direct appeal. See State v. Merida, 960 A.2d 228, 240 (R.I. 2008). Merida then applied for postconviction relief, arguing that he was deprived of his right to the effective assistance of counsel. Merida’s application for postcon-viction relief was denied. The applicant sought review by this…