Summary
In Miller v. State, 568 So.2d 1253 (Ala.Cr.App.), cert. denied, 568 So.2d 1253 (Ala. 1990), this court held that where a matter is not raised at trial and is presented for the first time on appeal, a case may be remanded to the trial court with the instruction that an evidentiary hearing be held on the issue of ineffective assistance of trial counsel where justice so requires.
Summary of this case from Gordon v. StateOpinion
1 Div. 65.
February 2, 1990. Rehearing Denied March 30, 1990. Certiorari Denied June 1, 1990. Alabama Supreme Court 89-1029.
Appeal from the Mobile Circuit Court, Robert Byrd, Jr., J.
Joseph D. Thetford, Mobile, for appellant.
Don Siegelman, Atty. Gen., and Andrew J. Segal, Asst. Atty. Gen., for appellee.
Golliday Miller was convicted of first degree burglary and was sentenced to life imprisonment as a habitual felony offender. On this appeal from that conviction, Miller contends that he was denied the effective assistance of counsel because of trial counsel's representation in connection with the defense of insanity.
This matter was not raised at trial and is presented for the first time on appeal. However, in our determination, justice requires this cause be remanded to the trial court with instructions that an evidentiary hearing be held on the issue of trial counsel's effectiveness under the test of Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984). Thompson v. State, 525 So.2d 820, 830-31 (Ala. 1985).
Miller should be present at this hearing and represented by counsel. A transcript of the hearing shall be made and forwarded to this Court at the conclusion of the hearing. The trial judge shall make specific and detailed findings of fact and conclusions of law. If the trial judge determines that trial counsel was ineffective, he shall grant Miller a new trial or whatever relief is appropriate.
REMANDED WITH DIRECTIONS.
All Judges concur.