Justia Federal District Court Opinions

Being of the opinion that under some circumstances, an error by an attorney which does not constitute a violation of the sixth amendment might be "cause" within the meaning of Wainwright v. Sykes, 433 U.S. 72, 97 S.Ct. 2497, 53 L.Ed.2d 594 (1977), we reverse the decision of the district court and remand this proceeding to that court for a determination of whether Carrier can successfully meet the "cause" requirement of Wainwright, and if so, whether he can then satisfy the "prejudice" prong of the Wainwright exception to procedural bar. The basis for our ruling is adequately set forth in the panel majority opinion and need not be repeated here. Carrier v. Hutto, 724 F.2d 396 (4th Cir.1983).

Judge Russell, Judge Widener, Judge Hall, and Judge Chapman dissent, believing that the district court should be affirmed because of Carrier's failure to exhaust his state remedies and his failure to satisfy the cause and prejudice requirements of Wainwright as articulated by Judge Hall in his dissenting opinion, 724 F.2d at 403.