Case Name: STATE of Louisiana ex rel. Vernell THOMPSON v. C. Murray HENDERSON, Warden, Louisiana State Penitentiary
Court: Louisiana Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Louisiana
Decision Date: 1970-09-25
Citations: 239 So. 2d 347
Docket Number: No. 50812
Parties: STATE of Louisiana ex rel. Vernell THOMPSON v. C. Murray HENDERSON, Warden, Louisiana State Penitentiary.
Judges: BARHAM, J., is of opinion the writ should be granted ordering an evidentiary hearing. See dissenting opinion.
Reporter: Southern Reporter, Second Series
Volume: 239
Pages: 347–347

Head Matter:
256 La. 823
STATE of Louisiana ex rel. Vernell THOMPSON v. C. Murray HENDERSON, Warden, Louisiana State Penitentiary.
No. 50812.
Supreme Court of Louisiana.
Sept. 25, 1970.
BARHAM, J., is of opinion the writ should be granted ordering an evidentiary hearing. See dissenting opinion.

Opinion:
BARHAM, Justice.
I am of the opinion that the writ should be granted ordering the trial court to hold an evidentiary hearing. First, the fact that relator has other sentences to serve does not affect his right to be set at "liberty" from the sentence under attack if he shows merit under his complaint. "Liberty" as used in Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure Article 354 means liberty from the detention under the particular order or judgment alleged to be erroneous which acts as detainer of the relator. That an applicant may still be legally detained under other orders does not affect this right.
Second, the pleadings allege that when relator pleaded guilty, he did not have counsel and did not waive his right to counsel. The minutes and the record are silent in that regard. The writ cannot be denied under the "petition" and "attached documents", as provided by Code of Criminal Procedure Article 354, and therefore a hearing is required on this issue. See my dissent from refusal to grant the writ in State ex rel. Johnson v. Henderson, No. 50824 on our docket, 256 La. 825, 239 So.2d 347.
As to relator's claim under Mempa v. Rhay, 389 U.S. 128, 88 S.Ct. 254, 19 L.Ed.2d 336 (1967), for relief because of absence of counsel at a hearing on revocation of probation, see State ex rel. Shaw v. Henderson, No. 49607 on our docket, writs denied 253 La. 327, 218 So.2d 44, and Shaw v. Henderson, 430 F.2d 1116 (C.C.A. 5th 1970), which distinguished Mempa v. Rhay and found it inapplicable to Louisiana hearings on revocation of probation.