RODERICK L. RANKIN
General Information
DOB: November 18, 1975
Race: African American
Gender: Male
Crime and Trial
County of conviction: Jefferson
Number of counts: 3
Race of victim: African-American/African-American/African-American
Gender of victim: Female/Female/Male
Date of crime: December 27, 1994
Date of sentencing: February 13, 1996
Trial Counsel:
Gene McKissic
Legal status
Current proceedings:
- Habeas petition pending in the U.S. District Court, E.D. Ark., Case No.
5:06-CV-00228, Moody, J.
Last judicial decision:
- Arkansas Supreme Court affirms denial of post-conviction relief, Case No.
CR04-1188, Rankin v. State, ___ S.W.3d , 2006 WL 301085 (Ark. Feb. 9,
2006).
Current counsel:
Billy H. Nolas
Federal Community Defender Office - EDPA
The Curtis Center
601 Walnut Street
Suite 545 West
Philadelphia, PA 19106
215-928-0520
email: billy_nolas@fd.org
Michael Wiseman
email: michael_wiseman@fd.org
Rebecca A. Blaskey
email: rebecca_blaskey@fd.org
State post-conviction counsel:
Gerald Coleman
Durrett and Coleman
105 North Avalon
P.O. Box 1667
West Memphis, AR 72303
870-735-3735
Reported Opinions:
- Arkansas Supreme Court affirms denial of post-conviction relief, Case No.
CR04-1188, Rankin v. State, ___ S.W.3d , 2006 WL 301085 (Ark. Feb. 9,
2006).
- Sentence and conviction affirmed after remand of direct appeal by
Rankin v. State, 1 S.W.3d 14 (Ark. 1999).
- Case remanded to trial court on direct appeal for determination of whether
Mr. Rankin's confession was given after a knowing and intelligent waiver of
rights. Conviction and sentence otherwise affirmed. See Rankin v.
State, 948 S.W.2d 397 (Ark. 1997).
- Appellate counsel ordered to show cause why he should not be held in
contempt for failing to file a timely brief. Rankin v. State, 939 S.W.2d
312 (Ark. 1997). Counsel held in contempt and fined $250. Rankin v. State,
942 S.W.2d (Ark. 1997).
Significant legal issues:
- voluntariness of Mr. Rankin's confession in light of allegation that police
threatened to detain his mother and brother until he confessed
- possible mental retardation
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