Ex Parte Christopher Eric Dalton. (in Re: Christopher Eric Dalton v. State of Alabama)

Summary

The court held that Dalton’s ineffective-assistance claim concerned alleged misinformation about when he would become eligible for parole, not a promise that he would actually receive parole. Because the circuit court and the Court of Criminal Appeals addressed only whether counsel had promised parole, they did not resolve the factual issue presented by Dalton’s petition. The court therefore reversed and remanded for an evidentiary hearing and specific factual findings.