JOE LEWIS DANSBY

DOB: September 28, 1952
Race: African American
Gender: Male

County of conviction: Miller
Number of counts: 2
Race of victim: White/White
Gender of victim: Male/Female
Date of crime: May 1992
Date of sentencing: April 25, 1997

Trial Counsel:

Eugene D. Bramblett
Gene Hale

Current proceedings:

• Mr. Dansby is awaiting psychological evaluation to be conducted on March 3, 2007.
   
• Habeas petition pending in U.S. District Court, W.D. Ark., Case No. 4:02cv4141 (before Barnes, J).

Last judicial decision:

• Denial of Federal Public Defender's motion to terminate representation by Craig Lambert, November 14, 2005, W.D. of Arkansas, Case No. 4:02-cv-04141-HFB (Barnes, J.).

Current counsel:

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

Walter Craig Lambert
1700 Regions Center
400 West Capitol Avenue
Little Rock, AR 72201
(501) 374-3559

Sean D. O'Brien
Public Interest Litigation Clinic
305 E. 63rd St.
Kansas City, MO 64113
(816) 363-2795

Reported Opinions:

• Denial of Federal Public Defender's motion to terminate representation by Craig Lambert, November 14, 2005, W.D. of Arkansas, Case No. 4:02-cv-04141-HFB (Barnes, J.).
   
• Denial of post-conviction relief affirmed by Dansby v. State, 66 S.W.3d 585 (Ark. 2002.)
   
• Error Coram Nobis denied by Dansby v. State, 37 S.W.3d 599 (Ark. 2001).
   
• Sentence and conviction affirmed on direct appeal by Dansby v. State, 1 S.W.3d 403 (Ark. 1999.)

• Appellate counsel order to show cause why he should not be held in contempt for failing to file brief by final extension deadline. Dansby v. State, 973 S.W.2d 822 (Ark. 1998). Counsel held in contempt and fined $250. Dansby v. State, 976 S.W.2d 926 (Ark. 1998).

Significant legal issues:

• mental retardation under Atkins v. Virginia
  
 
• Brady claim stemming from police officers' improper disposal of physical evidence from crime scene
   
• trial counsel's calling of Mr. Dansby as witness without knowing the state law on marital privilege, thereby opening the door to devastating rebuttal testimony by Mr. Dansby's wife that Mr. Dansby admitted to committing the two murders

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