Thomas Crockett v. Wendy Kelley

Summary

The court affirmed denial of Crockett's habeas petition challenging his guilty-plea judgment and life sentence. It held that claims of actual innocence based on an asserted justification defense and claims of ineffective assistance do not establish a facially invalid judgment or lack of jurisdiction and are not cognizable in habeas proceedings. The court concluded that habeas relief cannot be used to retry the case or challenge a guilty plea, and that ineffective-assistance claims must be pursued through the designated postconviction procedure.