Legal Opinion
Robert Williams v. J. R. Martin, Warden, and the Attorney General of the State of South Carolina
Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
Decided March 6, 1980No. 77-1058, 78-6569PublishedCited by 59 opinions
1Opinion of the Court
BUTZNER, Circuit Judge:
The critical issue in this appeal is whether a state court’s refusal to furnish an indigent prisoner an expert for the preparation and presentation of his defense was constitutional error. The district court held that it was not and dismissed Robert Williams’ petition for a writ of habeas corpus. We reverse because we believe that the appointment of an expert was constitutionally required for Williams’ adequate defense against a charge of murder.
I
Williams shot Phoebe Maybank during a family quarrel over a missing wallet. The wound paralyzed Maybank, and eight months…
2Cases cited14 opinions
- Chapman v. CaliforniaSupreme Court of the United States · 1967
- Wainwright v. SykesSupreme Court of the United States · 1977
- Powell v. AlabamaSupreme Court of the United States · 1932
- Griffin v. IllinoisSupreme Court of the United States · 1956
- Estelle v. WilliamsSupreme Court of the United States · 1976
9 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.
3Cited by59 opinions
- State v. JenkinsOhio Supreme Court · 1984
- Hansen v. StateMississippi Supreme Court · 1991
- Dwayne Allen Wright v. Ronald J. Angelone, Director of the Virginia Department of CorrectionsCourt of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit · 1998
- Johnson v. StateCourt of Appeals of Maryland · 1982
- Lonnie Weeks, Jr. v. Ronald J. Angelone, Director of the Virginia Department of CorrectionsCourt of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit · 1999
54 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.