LOUIS J. MERLO, PETITIONER-APPELLANT,
v.
DR. GEORGE J. BETO, RESPONDENT-APPELLEE
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The court held that the district court correctly denied the habeas corpus petition because the appellant received effective assistance of counsel and knowingly and voluntarily pled guilty.
Merlo was convicted of burglary after pleading guilty and was denied habeas corpus relief. He claimed his counsel refused to request a sanity hearing.…
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PER CURIAM:
Merlo appeals from the District Court’s denial of his petition for habeas corpus relief. He contends that his burglary conviction is invalid because his court-appointed counsel refused his request to move for a sanity hearing. We affirm.
Having pled guilty to a charge of burglary, Merlo was convicted and sentenced in the 147th District Court of Tarrant County, Texas. Although Merlo filed no direct appeal, he has exhausted available post-conviction remedies under 28 U.S.C.A. § 2254 and the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure art. 11.07. See Carroll v. Beto, 5 Cir. 1967, 379 F. 2d 329; Henderson v. Beto, N.D. Tex.1970, 309 F.Supp. 244, 246-247. After a full evidentiary hearing, the state trial judge entered written findings of fact and conclusions of law denying relief. The court held that Merlo was legally sane when he pled guilty, that he did not ask his counsel to move for a sanity hearing, that he received effective assistance from competent counsel, and that he knowingly and voluntarily pled guilty to the offense charged. Without written opinion, The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed.
In considering Merlo’s federal habeas corpus petition, the District Court adopted the state trial court’s findings of fact. The District Judge held that on advice of competent counsel, Merlo consciously waived any possible insanity defense. The record fully supports the District Court’s determination. See Daugherty v. Beto, 5 Cir. 1967, 388 F. 2d 810, 812-814, cert. denied, 1968, 393 U.S. 986, 89 S.Ct. 461, 21 L.Ed.2d 447; Clark v. Beto, 5 Cir. 1966, 359 F. 2d 554, 557, cert. denied, 1967, 386 U.S. 927, 87 S.Ct. 875, 17 L.Ed.2d 799.
Affirmed.
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- Isbell Enters., Inc. v. Citizens Cas. Co. OF NEW York, 431 F.2d 409 (5th Cir. 1970)
- Clark v. Beto, 359 F.2d 554 (5th Cir. 1966)
- Davis v. United States, 393 U.S. 986 (U.S. 1968)
- Cornish v. Kenney, 393 U.S. 986 (U.S. 1968)
- Carroll v. Beto, 379 F.2d 329 (5th Cir. 1967)
- Daugherty v. Beto, 388 F.2d 810 (5th Cir. 1967)
- Warden v. Beto, 386 U.S. 927 (U.S. 1967)