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Bobby v. Van Hook
United States Supreme Court
558 U.S. 4 (2009)
- Written by Sean Carroll, JD
Facts
Van Hook (defendant) went to trial for murder in 1985 and was convicted. The United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit (Sixth Circuit) reversed, finding that Van Hook’s attorney provided ineffective assistance of counsel. Specifically, the Sixth Circuit determined that Van Hook’s attorney’s investigation into potentially helpful evidence did not meet the American Bar Association Guidelines for the Appointment and Performance of Defense Counsel in Death Penalty Cases (ABA Guidelines). The ABA Guidelines were published in 2003. The United States Supreme Court granted certiorari.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Per Curiam)
Concurrence (Alito, J.)
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