Thomas N. Allen v. Stanton Heidle, Warden

The pro se Petitioner, Thomas N. Allen, appeals the habeas corpus court’s summary
dismissal of his second petition for writ of habeas corpus for failure to state a cognizable
claim for relief. Specifically, the Petitioner alleges that his life sentence for first degree
murder is illegal and his judgment of conviction is void because (1) the trial court’s
comments regarding parole eligibility were in direct contravention of the relevant statute
and (2) the statutory sentencing scheme for persons convicted of first degree murder
rendered his sentence unfairly disparate and in direct contravention to the purposes and
principles of the Tennessee Criminal Sentencing Reform Act of 1989 (“the Sentencing
Act”). He further claims that the habeas corpus court erred by failing to appoint him
counsel despite the Petitioner’s indigent status. After review, we affirm.