SER Smith V. Mcbride, Warden
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS OF WEST VIRGINIA January 2009 Term FILED _____________ March 12, 2009 released at 3:00 p.m. No. 34155 RORY L. PERRY II, CLERK SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS _____________ OF WEST VIRGINIA STATE EX REL. DANA DECEMBER SMITH, Petitioner Below, Appellant, V. THOMAS McBRIDE, WARDEN, MT. OLIVE CORRECTIONAL COMPLEX, Respondent Below, Appellee. ____________________________________________________________________ Appeal from the Circuit Court of Kanawha County Honorable Jennifer Bailey Walker, Judge Civil Action No. 97-Misc.-43 AFFIRMED ____________________________________________________________________ Submitted: February 24, 2009 Filed: March 12, 2009 George Castelle Darrell V. McGraw, Jr. Kanawha County Public Defender Office Attorney General Charleston, West Virginia Robert D. Goldberg M. Timothy Koontz Assistant Attorney General Williamson, West Virginia Charleston, West Virginia Attorneys for Appellant Attorneys for Appellee JUSTICE DAVIS delivered the Opinion of the Court. JUSTICE ALBRIGHT not participating. SENIOR STATUS JUSTICE McHUGH sitting by temporary assignment. SYLLABUS BY THE COURT 1. “In reviewing challenges to the findings and conclusions of the circuit court in a habeas corpus action, we apply a three-prong standard of review. We review the final order and the ultimate disposition under an abuse of discretion standard; the underlying factual findings under a clearly erroneous standard; and questions of law are subject to a de novo review.” Syllabus point 1, Mathena v. Haines, 219 W. Va. 417, 633 S.E.2d 771 (2006). 2. Under Rule 8(c) of the Rules Governing Post-Conviction Habeas Corpus Proceedings in West Virginia, a letter, document, exhibit, or affidavit may be admitted into evidence without being authenticated, unless authentication is required by the trial court.
[Show full text]