Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-ared-5_15-cv-00158/USCOURTS-ared-5_15-cv-00158-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 530
Nature of Suit: Prisoner Petitions - Habeas Corpus
Cause of Action: 28:2254 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (State)

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS

PINE BLUFF DIVISION

BILLY WAYNE STEWART, SR.,

ADC #104406 PETITIONER

v. 5:15CV00158-DPM-JJV

WENDY KELLEY, Director,

Arkansas Department of Correction RESPONDENT

ORDER

In reviewing Mr. Stewart’s claims, I find additional briefing on one point is necessary. At

sentencing, the prosecutor apparently provided inaccurate argument to the jury that Mr. Stewart

would only serve seventy percent of his sentence. (Doc. No. 16 at 518.) The trial court also appears

to have incorrectly instructed the jury on this point. (Id. at 505.) Mr. Stewart says this argument was

inaccurate because, upon entering the ADC, prison officials informed Mr. Stewart, based on his

criminal history, he would be required to serve one hundred percent of his sentence. So the

inaccurate argument and instruction potentially caused the jury to give him a harsher sentence. 

It would be helpful for the parties to provide further briefing on this claim. I would like

Respondent to address the merits of this claim by January 15, 2016. Petitioner may reply, if he

chooses, by January 25, 2016. 

DATED this 7th day of December, 2015.

__________________________

JOE J. VOLPE 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 5:15-cv-00158-DPM Document 23 Filed 12/07/15 Page 1 of 1