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STATE OF LOUISIANA V. JIMMY RAY WILLIAMS No. 99-KD-0365

Knoll, J., dissenting. Defendant's death sentence was affirmed by this Court on January 21, 1998, and the U.S. Supreme Court denied writs on October 5, 1998. Defendant's request at this late date, a mere five days before his February 10, 1999 execution date, appears to be more an effort to manipulate the system than a worthy complaint. Defendant alleges no specific complaint or wrongdoing, but only recites the litany of issues upon which post-conviction relief may be granted. Under those facts, I would deny defendant's stay and deny his belated request for appointment of counsel at no cost to himself. Inmates have no constitutional right to representation in post-conviction proceedings, even when they are on death row. See State v. Roy, 97-2477 (La. 10/10/97), 703 So.2d 590 (Knoll, J., dissenting).



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