Riley v. Humphrey
Annotate this CaseA jury convicted William David Riley of murdering his three children and of first degree arson, and the jury imposed death sentences for the murders. The Supreme Court unanimously affirmed Riley's convictions and sentences in 2004. Riley filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus in 2005, and he amended his petition in 2007. The habeas court held an evidentiary hearing in 2008. The habeas court granted Riley's petition in an order filed in 2012, vacating both Riley's convictions and his sentences. The Warden appealed in case number S12A0910, and Riley cross-appealed in case number S12X0945. Upon review, the Supreme Court reversed the habeas court’s decision to vacate Riley's convictions and sentences in the Warden's appeal, the Court affirmed the habeas court's denial of relief on the grounds addressed in Riley's cross-appeal, and remanded for the consideration of Riley's ineffective assistance of appellate counsel claim.
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