Ineffective Appellate Counsel

2007 MT 307
CHESTER LAWRENCE PRICE,v.
STATE OF MONTANA,

Did Price’s appellate defense counsel render ineffective assistance by failing to raise on direct appeal the issue of Price’s absence from numerous in-chambers trial proceedings?
Appellate counsel should have raised the issue on direct appeal, and his failure to do so constituted prejudicial error.
Accordingly, we reverse the denial of the postconviction petition on the grounds discussed herein and remand for entry of an order by the District Court granting Price an opportunity for a new appeal upon this issue. The entry of the order by the District Court will initiate the time and procedural requirements for completion of the appellate process.