Opinion ID: 2109757
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: post-conviction procedural history

Text: On March 2, 2001, Mr. VanHoose's appellate counsel, Mr. Beter, moved the trial court for an extension of time to file an appeal because necessary transcripts had not been produced. The trial court granted an extension until May 2, 2001, to file an appeal. On May 2, 2001, Mr. Beter again moved the trial court for an extension of time to file an appeal. The court granted the motion and extended the appeal period to July 1, 2001. On June 29, 2001, Mr. Beter once again moved the trial court for an extension of time to file an appeal. The court granted the motion and extended the appeal deadline to August 20, 2001. On August 21, 2001, Mr. Beter again moved the trial court for an extension of time to file an appeal. The court granted the motion and extended the appeal timeline to October 31, 2001. On September 19, 2001, Mr. Beter filed a motion to withdraw as counsel, because of irreconcilable differences as to appeal strategy. The trial court entered an order asking Mr. VanHoose to respond to the request of counsel to withdraw. Mr. VanHoose responded by letter dated October 12, 2001, indicating that he agreed with counsel that irreconcilable differences existed and that he wanted new counsel appointed. By order entered November 14, 2001, the trial court allowed Mr. Beter to withdraw and appointed Steve Jarrell as new appellate counsel. [18] On March 21, 2002, Mr. VanHoose filed a motion for appointment of counsel in a habeas corpus petition that allegedly was filed with the court. [19] The circuit court entered an order on March 21, 2002, appointing Courtney Craig to represent Mr. VanHoose in the habeas proceeding. However, the record indicates that Mr. Craig did not receive the order of appointment. [20] On July 10, 2002, Mr. VanHoose filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus with the circuit court. The petition alleged that he was not prosecuted within the term of court provided under W. Va.Code § 62-3-1 and W. Va.Code § 62-3-21, and that he was denied a right of appeal. By order filed July 10, 2002, the circuit court appointed Christopher Dean to represent Mr. VanHoose on the habeas petition. In January 2003, Mr. Dean filed a motion to withdraw as habeas counsel. Apparently, the motion to withdraw was granted, and new counsel appointed because, in June 2003, a new habeas attorney, Chad Berry, filed a motion to withdraw as counsel for Mr. VanHoose. [21] Mr. Berry based his motion upon the fact that Mr. VanHoose already was being represented by Mr. Craig. [22] The circuit court granted Mr. Berry's motion and substituted Mr. Craig as habeas counsel. Mr. Craig filed a memorandum in support of the habeas petition on January 26, 2005. By order filed June 8, 2006, the trial court denied the petition for habeas relief. Further, the circuit court entered a separate order on the same day resentencing Mr. VanHoose for the purpose of filing an appeal of his conviction. The denial of the habeas petition was not appealed, nor did Mr. VanHoose seek a direct appeal of his conviction based upon this resentencing order. On October 16, 2006, Mr. VanHoose filed a motion to remove Mr. Craig as habeas counsel. By order entered November 30, 2006, the trial court removed Mr. Craig as counsel and appointed Sean Maynard as habeas counsel. By order entered March 7, 2007, the trial court allowed Mr. Maynard to withdraw as counsel and appointed Ron Salmons as habeas counsel. On January 14, 2008, Mr. VanHoose, through counsel, filed a second habeas petition that was styled as an amended memorandum in support of habeas relief. [23] The memorandum sought relief on the basis that Mr. VanHoose was not prosecuted within the term of court provided under W. Va.Code § 62-3-1 or W. Va.Code § 62-3-21, and that he was denied a right of appeal. By order filed April 30, 2009, the trial court denied habeas relief, but resentenced Mr. VanHoose so that he could file a direct appeal of his convictions. [24]