Opinion ID: 1292414
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Habeas Corpus Proceeding

Text: Mr. Smith filed the instant habeas corpus petition in 1997. The habeas petition was amended several times. An omnibus hearing was held on the habeas petition on January 17 and 18, 2006. The issue presented by Mr. Smith during the omnibus hearing was whether or not he was entitled to a new trial based upon newly discovered evidence. The newly discovered evidence concerned statements by Tommy Lynn Sells, an inmate on death row in the state of Texas. [26] Mr. Sells testified during the omnibus hearing, via a videotaped deposition, that he killed Ms. McClain and Ms. Castaneda. [27] According to Mr. Sells, he met Ms. Castaneda at a Saint Albans bar off of Highway 60. [28] Mr. Sells testified that Ms. Castaneda bought drugs from him while at the bar. Eventually, they left the bar together in Ms. Castaneda's car and drove to her home. [29] Mr. Sells stated that Ms. Castaneda allowed him to stay in the attic of her home for about three days. [30] According to Mr. Sells, Ms. McClain did not know that he was living in the attic. Mr. Sells described the attic as an upstairs apartment that had a bedroom and bathroom. Mr. Sells stated that on the last day that he was at the home, Ms. McClain discovered that he was staying in the attic. After Ms. McClain discovered that he was staying in the attic, an argument ensued. He picked up a knife from the kitchen sink and stabbed both victims to death. Additionally, Mr. Sells stated that a small dog was in the house and barked, but that he did not harm the dog nor would he harm any animal. Mr. Sells also testified that he remembered the home had a brown couch with a black afghan on it. Mr. Sells testified further that he stole a CB radio from the house and left on foot. Mr. Sells could not recall whether the victims' car was in the driveway. Mr. Sells testified that he was later incarcerated in jail in West Virginia, and that, during that time, Mr. Smith was also in the same jail. [31] Subsequently, Mr. Sells was sentenced to prison. Mr. Smith was in the same prison at the time of Mr. Sells' confinement. Mr. Sells testified that he did not have any contact with Mr. Smith while they were in jail and prison together. In addition to Mr. Sells' videotaped deposition, the circuit court heard live testimony from several witnesses and reviewed the written deposition testimony of two witnesses. One of the written depositions was that of Sergeant J. Allen, of the Texas Department of Public Safety. Sergeant Allen indicated that while Mr. Sells was in custody for the victim he killed in Texas, Mr. Sells gave him unsolicited information about the murders of Ms. McClain and Ms. Castaneda. [32] Sergeant Allen contacted West Virginia authorities and was told that Mr. Smith had been convicted of the murders. Sergeant Allen informed Mr. Sells that someone was in prison for the crimes. Mr. Sells responded back, I didn't tell you I committed those homicides. I told you I had a dream about it last night. One of the witnesses who testified was Diane Fanning, the author of a book about Mr. Sells. [33] Ms. Fanning testified that, during an interview with Mr. Sells, [34] on November 6, 2001, he stated that he did not kill Ms. McClain and Ms. Castaneda. [35] Further, Ms. Fanning stated that Mr. Sells informed her that Mr. Smith had gotten someone else to write a letter to him about the crimes. The trial court also heard testimony from Detective Flint and Thomas Lee, [36] that one of the victims' two dogs was found killed and hidden in a laundry room in the house. There was additional evidence to show that the victims did not have a couch with a black afghan on it. Further, there was evidence to show that the victims had only one CB radio, and that CB radio was taken by Mr. Smith. Finally, there was evidence showing that the victims' home did not have an upstairs bedroom and bathroom. On September 14, 2007, the circuit court entered an order finding Mr. Sells' confession was not credible and therefore denied Mr. Smith habeas corpus relief. This appeal followed.