Death Sentence Vacated in Habeas Corpus Proceedings

October 7, 2002 in Case Summaries
Jeff Levinger represented a Texas death row inmate in an appeal from a writ of habeas corpus granting a new sentencing trial based on ineffective assistance of counsel.  The Fifth Circuit vacated and remanded the case to the district court.  After additional proceedings in state court, the death sentence was vacated and commuted to life with eligibility for parole.  Valdez v. Cockrell, 274 F.3d 941 (5th Cir. 2001), reh’g denied, 287 F.3d 392 (5th Cir. 2002), reh’g en banc denied, 288 F.3d 702 (5th Cir. 2002).