Billy Ray Hale, Appellant v. Ray Hobbs

Summary

The court held that Hale’s sentencing orders were facially invalid because the circuit court lacked statutory authority to impose life sentences with the possibility of parole for the Class A felonies he committed. It reversed the denial of habeas relief, issued the writ, and remanded for resentencing in the original sentencing court. The court did not reach Hale’s other challenges concerning his guilty plea, counsel, disclosure of evidence, or juvenile sentencing under the Eighth Amendment.