Mason v. State

Robert H. Dudley, Justice.

This case requires us to decide whether appellant’s conviction for first degree murder must be reversed because of ineffective assistance of counsel.

On the afternoon of February 7, 1983, appellant shot and severely wounded Thurman Morse. That evening appellant employed Ralph Lowe to represent him. On February 9 appellant was charged by information with battery in the first degree. On February 18 the victim died, and the information was amended to charge appellant with murder in the first degree. In November 1983, appellant was found guilty, and his sentence was fixed…