FRANK WILLIAMS JR.

DOB: July 27, 1966
Race: African American
Gender: Male

County of conviction: Lafayette
Number of counts: 1
Race of victim: White
Gender of victim: Male
Date of crime: October 7, 1992
Date of sentencing: February 12, 1993

Trial Counsel:

Thomas and Charles Potter

Current proceedings:

• Petition for writ of certiorari pending in U.S. Supreme Court, No. 06-11260.

Last judicial decision:

• Petition for Rehearing denied on Jan. 11, 2007 in Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, Case No. 04-3485.
   
• Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed judgment of the lower court on Aug. 22, 2006. Case No. 04-3485.

Current counsel:

Jenniffer Morris Horan
Federal Public Defender's Office
The Victory Building
1401 West Capitol Avenue, Suite 490
Little Rock, AR 72201
501-324-6113

Reported Opinions:

• Habeas corpus denied by U.S. District Court, E.D. Ark., Case No. 5:02-CV-2906 (unpublished order by Fenner., J., dated July 8, 2004).
   
• Denial of post-conviction relief affirmed by Williams v. State, 56 S.W.3d 360 (Ark. 2001).
   
• Post-conviction appellate counsel ordered to show cause why he should not be held in contempt for failing to file a brief within the final extension deadline. Williams v. State, 15 S.W.3d 343 (Ark. 2000). Counsel held in contempt and fined $250. Williams v. State, 25 S.W.3d 429 (Ark. 2000).
   
• Conviction and sentence affirmed on direct appeal by Williams v. State, 902 S.W.2d 767 (Ark.), cert. denied, 516 U.S. 1030 (1995).
   
• Appellate counsel ordered to show cause why he should not be held in contempt for failure to file a timely abstract and brief. Williams v. State, 883 S.W.2d 821 (Ark. 1994). Counsel held in contempt and fined $250. Williams v. State, 885 S.W.2d 679 (Ark. 1994).

Significant legal issues:

• claim of mental retardation under Atkins
   
• trial counsels' failure to investigate and present evidence of Mr. Williams' family and personal history, including history of child abuse and substance abuse by both parents
   
• sufficiency of written Miranda warning and waiver prior to two incriminating statements given by Mr. Williams

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