Tommy Ray Warren vs. State

On April 12, 1993, the petitioner, Tommy Ray Warren, pled guilty in the Wayne County Circuit Court to two counts of first degree murder. The trial court imposed a life sentence for each count of murder and further ordered consecutive service of the life sentences. The petitioner subsequently filed a petition for post-conviction relief, alleging that his guilty pleas were not knowing and voluntary because he was not aware that his possible mental retardation could render him ineligible for the death penalty. The petitioner also alleged that trial counsel's failure to pursue a mental retardation hearing constituted ineffective assistance of counsel. The post-conviction court dismissed the petition, finding that the petitioner's pleas were knowing and voluntary and that the petitioner had received effective assistance of counsel. The petitioner now appeals the court's denial of relief. Following a review of the record and the parties' briefs, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.