Scotuscast

On October 30, 2017, the Supreme Court heard argument in Wilson v. Sellers, a case regarding the standard of review federal courts should apply to a final state court denial of habeas relief.In 1996, Marion Wilson, Jr. was sentenced to death after being found guilty of a series of violent crimes culminating in the murder of Donovan Parks. At sentencing Wilson’s counsel argued that Wilson was not the triggerman and offered evidence of his troubled childhood; in response the state prosecutor highlighted Wilson’s criminal history and gang activity. Wilson’s conviction and sentence were affirmed on direct appeal. Wilson sought habeas relief in state superior court, claiming that his trial counsel offered ineffective assistance in his investigation of mitigation evidence during the trial phase of the murder trial. He offered lay testimony about his childhood and expert testimony regarding his judgment skills. The superior court denied habeas relief, concluding that the lay testimony was cumulativ