tor's comments on testifying defendant's presence in courtroom during testimony of other witnesses?Roe, Warden v. Ortega No. 98-1441Whether trial counsel has a Sixth Amendment duty to file a notice of appeal following a guilty plea in the absence of such a request by the defendant, particularly where the defendant has been advised of his appeal rights.Capital CasesHolt v. Bowersox (8th Cir) Remand for further proceeding on whether Holt's mental illness interfered with his ability to comply with the procedural requirements for pursuing post-conviction relief.Our cases establish that, in order for mental illness to constitute cause and prejudice to excuse procedural default, there must be a conclusive showing that mental illness interfered with a petitioner's ability to appreciate his or her position and make rational decisions regarding his or her case at the time during which he or she should have pursued post-conviction relief. See Garrett v. Groose, 99 F.3d 283, 285 (8th Cir. 1996); Nachtigall v. Class, 48 F.3d 1076, 1080-81 (8th Cir. 1995); Stanley v. Lockhart, 941 F.2d at 708-10. Mental illness prejudices a petitioner if it interferes with or impedes his or her ability to comply with state procedural requirements, such as pursuing post-conviction relief within a specific time period.