Shamar T. Stanford v. State

Summary

The Delaware Supreme Court affirmed the Superior Court’s denial of Shamar T. Stanford’s motion for postconviction relief and request for appointed counsel. The court held that the appeal was without merit and affirmed based on the Superior Court’s decisions addressing Stanford’s ineffective-assistance, guilty-plea, sentencing, search-and-seizure, and suppression-motion claims.

Holdings

1. A Delaware appellate court reviews the denial of postconviction relief for abuse of discretion and reviews questions of law de novo.
2. The Superior Court's denial of Stanford's motion for postconviction relief and request for appointment of counsel was affirmed.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the Superior Court properly denied Stanford's motion for postconviction relief under Superior Court Criminal Rule 61.
2. Whether Stanford was entitled to appointment of counsel for his postconviction proceedings.
3. Whether the appeal was plainly without merit such that the State's motion to affirm should be granted.

Disposition

affirmed