041117P.pdf   03/21/2005  Steven F. Taylor  v.  Larry Norris
   U.S. Court of Appeals Case No:  04-1117
   Eastern District of Arkansas   
   Prisoner case - habeas. The court vacates its February 9, 2005 opinion 
   in the case and files a substituted opinion. This court can not consider 
   claim of ineffective assistance of counsel as the Arkansas Supreme Court 
   found the claim procedurally defaulted as a matter of state law; although 
   the Arkansas Supreme Court stated an alternative ruling based on the 
   merits, and although the alternative ruling appears to address the federal 
   issue of ineffective assistance of counsel, the court nevertheless stated 
   that its decision rested on state procedural grounds; as long as a state 
   court sets forth a clear and plain statement that its decision rests on state 
   law grounds, and as long as those grounds are adequate and independent 
   of federal claims, the state court may make reference to a federal claim 
   without opening the door to habeas review. 
   [PUBLISHED] [Melloy, Author, with Bowman and Benton, Circuit Judge] 
  
041117P.pdf   02/09/2005  Steven F. Taylor  v.  Larry Norris
   U.S. Court of Appeals Case No:  04-1117
   Eastern District of Arkansas   
   Habeas Case - ineffective assistance of counsel. Claim of conflict of 
   interest was sufficiently addressed by state court to overcome procedural 
   bar challenge. Claim of conflict of interest must establish conflict 
   actually affected the adequacy of the representation. State supreme court 
   did not apply clearly established Supreme Court precedent in an 
   unreasonable manner. Denial of habeas relief is affirmed. [PUBLISHED] 
   [Melloy, Author with Bowman and Benton, Circuit Judges]