JACKSON — The Mississippi Supreme Court has ordered a Lee County judge to determine whether Justin Springer’s attorneys did a poor job at his trial and on appeal.
The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reports Springer has requested to file a motion to vacate his conviction and sentence on multiple grounds including unlawful arrest, the denial of his right to testify, the denial of his right to a speedy trial and ineffective counsel.
The Supreme Court denied all but ineffective counsel arguments.
Springer suggested in his request that his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to pursue his right to a speedy trial. Springer argued his appeal counsel was ineffective in failing to raise that claim about his trial counsel.
In such post-conviction requests, an inmate believes he has found new evidence — or a possible constitutional issue — that could persuade a court to order a new trial.
In 2012, the Supreme Court upheld Springer’s conviction in the June 9, 2008, murder of Kamby Ivy.
Prosecutors say Ivy and his girlfriend were watching a movie at her house in Shannon when Springer and another man, wearing masks, kicked in the door and demanded money and drugs. Prosecutors say Ivy denied having money or drugs and was shot in the chest and abdomen.
Springer was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in 2011 in Lee County.
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