Morris v. State

Justice WALLER:

In this post-conviction relief (PCR) case, we granted certiorari to review the PCR court’s denial of relief to petitioner, Phillip Morris. We reverse.

FACTS

Petitioner was indicted for assault and battery with intent to kill (ABIK). On July 9, 2002, the scheduled trial date, petitioner arrived at court and signed a sentencing sheet in anticipation of entering a guilty plea to the lesser-included charge of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature (ABHAN). 1 Petitioner subsequently left the courthouse, and when his case was called, he could not be located. When the State…