Opinion ID: 888530
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: facts

Text: ¶ 8 In 1999, a jury found DuBray guilty of robbery, felony theft and the deliberate homicide of Suzette Pritchard in a 1986 Great Falls convenience store robbery. Three attorneys provided DuBray's defense during the month-long trial. After the District Court entered judgment, DuBray appealed. We affirmed. See State v. DuBray, 2003 MT 255, 317 Mont. 377, 77 P.3d 247 ( DuBray I ). ¶ 9 DuBray petitioned for postconviction relief in December of 2004, claiming trial counsel and counsel on direct appeal provided him ineffective assistance. Specifically, DuBray claimed one of his trial counsel had a conflict of interest, his trial team introduced prejudicial comments and references to other crimes and wrongs, and his trial team failed to protect his right to be present at all critical stages of the proceedings and to object to the State of Montana's introduction of highly damaging testimony vouching for the credibility of government witnesses. DuBray also claimed his appellate counsel rendered ineffective assistance by failing to raise, on direct appeal, trial counsels' conflict of interest, introduction of prejudicial evidence, and failure to challenge improper vouching. Finally, DuBray claimed he had new evidence requiring a new trial. The State filed a response to DuBray's petition, with supporting affidavits and other documents. ¶ 10 The District Court denied most of DuBray's claims based on the briefs and supporting materials filed. The court held a hearing on DuBray's claims that his trial counsel introduced evidence of prior crimes and failed to object or seek other relief regarding vouching for the credibility of government witnesses. The court ultimately denied those claims as well. DuBray appeals.