Gibbons v. State

OPINION

By the Court,

Springer, J.:

This is an appeal from a conviction of first degree murder. The sole issue presented is whether appellant Gibbons’s court-appointed attorney represented his client in a manner that would satisfy the Sixth Amendment right to competent counsel. Powell v. Alabama, 287 U.S. 45 (1932).

There are a number of factors in this case which could lead to the conclusion that Gibbons was not afforded effective assistance of counsel.

Counsel waived four of eight peremptory challenges, thereby allowing to remain on the jury four jurors who had expressed opinions concerning…