Karl Roberts


Current Proceedings: Federal habeas denied by E.D. Ark.; appeal not yet filed as of 10/10/21.

Case Number: 5:04-cv-00004-RGK

Judge: Robin F. Wynne

Demographic Information: White Male

Current Counsel: Scott W. Braden, Lisa Peters (as of 01/30/2020) lisa_peters@fd.org


Legal Status: Amended Habeas petition denied with prejudice; COA granted for two claims (intellectual disability, not competent to be tried) on 9/20/21. State PCR complete 1/30/2020.

Significant Legal Issues:

  • Competency to waive appeals

  • Severe mental illness

  • IAC

Last Judicial Decision Related to Conviction or Sentence: Roberts v. State, 592 S.W, 3d 675 (Ark. 2020) (denying state post-conviction relief)

Reported Opinions:

  • Roberts v. State, 592 S.W, 3d 675 (Ark. 2020)

  • Roberts v. State, 488 S.W.3d 524 (2016).


Prior Counsel:

  • Bruce Eddy

  • Jennifer Horan

  • Julie Brain

Conviction County: Polk

Counts:

Victim Demographic:

Crime Date: 05/17/1999

Sentencing Date: 05/24/2000

Trial Counsel:

  • Phillip Hendry (lead)

  • Darrel Blout

  • Cheryl Upshaw

  • Randy Rainwater

Trial Judge: Louis Jerry Ryan

Trial Prosecutor: