Howard Hawk Willis v. State of Tennessee

In 2010, a Washington County jury found Petitioner, Howard Hawk Willis, guilty of two
counts of premeditated first degree murder and one count of felony murder in the
perpetration of a kidnapping. The jury sentenced Petitioner to death on each conviction.1
After his convictions and sentences were affirmed by the Tennessee Supreme Court on
direct appeal, Petitioner sought post-conviction relief. The post-conviction court denied
relief after extensive hearings. On appeal, Petitioner raises numerous arguments assailing
his convictions and sentences based primarily on ineffective assistance of counsel as well
as several stand-alone claims. After a thorough review of the record, the applicable law,
the parties’ briefs, and oral arguments, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.