I, Donald Dallas feel my present situation is an indictment of Alabama's system of appointing defense lawyers for indigent defendants. I assume that being set an execution date is my punishment for accepting a lawyer who failed to comprehend the system. There is no other rational explanation.

I am no longer being punished for any alleged crime as the state has blocked my federal review. I currently have an execution date for missing a filing date. Missing a filing date is the purest definition of ineffective assistance of counsel. It is important to note that a judge even agreed that I am,"entitled to some competent lawyer," in regards to knowledge concerning filing deadlines. Justice Johnstone refers to the critical need for absolute mastery of the complexities of our appellate law. Justice Johnstone himself
feels that my ineffective assistance of counsel claims in the federal habeas corpus petition filed on my behalf "seem worthy of consideration if the federal court can reach the merits." This of course would not be possible if I
am barred from any further review.


Donald Dallas