JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The Mississippi Supreme Court has upheld a lower court decision that Michael Warren Willie failed to get approval before filing a post-conviction appeal.
The Supreme Court sided Thursday with the state Court of Appeals, which said Willie didn”t get approval to file a post-conviction petition and therefore an Oktibbeha County judge didn”t have the authority to hear it.
Willie is serving a life sentence without parole for the 1989 shooting death of Joe Clardy at his Maben store.
Willie”s attorney filed a post-conviction petition in 2004. An Oktibbeha County judge ruled it was time barred under state law and denied it.
In a post-conviction petition, an inmate argues he has found new evidence — or a possible constitutional issue — that could persuade a court to order a new trial.
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