Cranford v. State

Steele Hays, Justice.

This appeal is brought from a denial of post-conviction relief under Ark. R. Cr. P. Rule 37. The issue is whether the appellants received ineffective assistance of counsel in connection with their guilty pleas.

In January of 1987, appellants Dixie and Gary Cranford, husband and wife, were charged with the rape of two young girls. In March of 1987, they pled guilty pursuant to a negotiated plea agreement and were each sentenced to a term of eighteen years imprisonment on two counts of rape. The sentences were to be served concurrently. On October 19, 1987, appellants filed…