Elmer Ervin Riddle v. Ira M. Coiner, Warden of the West Virginia State Penitentiary

432 F.2d 925, 1970 U.S. App. LEXIS 6803

• Court: Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
• Decided: October 23, 1970
• Docket: 14053_1
• Status: Published

Opinion

PER CURIAM:

It has been settled by the Supreme Court of West Virginia that a court record reciting that a recidivist has been “duly cautioned” is merely a “ * * * conclusion instead of a statement of fact * * *” and is itself insufficient, when questioned, to establish the necessary warning to a recidivist. State ex rel. Beckett v. Boles, 149 W.Va. 112, 138 S.E.2d 851, 856 (1964).

Where, as here, the petitioner denies he was warned, and there is no contrary evidence other than expressions of opinion that it was the judge’s invariable practice, we think the petitioner has sustained his burden. Without the warning it is clear that an additional sentence for recidivism is void. State ex rel. Robb v. Boles, 148 W.Va. 641, 136 S.E.2d 891 (1964). On remand the district court will issue the writ.

Reversed.