Alvin Ray Williams, Appellant v. State of Arkansas, Appellee

Summary

The court held that the circuit court could not deny Williams’s coram nobis petition summarily after the supreme court had authorized him to proceed, because the circuit court had to develop the facts and explain its decision. It reversed and remanded for an evidentiary hearing and specific factual findings, and it granted Williams in forma pauperis status and appointed counsel. Justice Hart concurred while urging abandonment of the due-diligence requirement, and Justice Wood, joined by the chief justice, would have affirmed because Williams delayed asserting his claim.