In Re Sixto

Opinion

PANELLI, J.

Petitioner Felipe Evangelista Sixto seeks a writ of habeas corpus following his conviction of first degree murder and related charges and judgment of sentence of death. His petition was filed in conjunction with his automatic appeal, which is pending. Because the claims raised herein appeared dispositive, we have proceeded with the habeas petition before hearing the appeal.

Petitioner claims that he was denied the effective assistance of counsel in a number of respects. Of the seven instances of alleged deficiency, we issued an order to show cause on three: the failure to…