State of Delaware v. Gaines.

 Annotate this Case
Download PDF
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE T. HENLEY GRAVES SUSSEX COUNTY C OURTHO USE RESIDENT JUDGE ONE THE CIRCLE, SUITE 2 GEORGETOWN, DE 19947 August 9, 2007 William L. Gaines Delaware Correctional Center 1181 Paddock Road Smyrna, DE 19977 RE: Defendant ID No. 83002841DI (R-1) Postconviction Relief Rule 61 as to S83-04-0034 (Murder in the First Degree) Dear Mr. Gaines: On August 1, 2007, the Court received your Motion for Postconviction Relief. After studying both your Motion and the Court's file, it is denied. On January 3, 1984, you pled guilty to murder in the first degree and to possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony. Judge Tease presided over that hearing and he ordered a presentence investigation. On May 25, 1984, Judge Tease sentenced you to be imprisoned for the balance of your natural life as to the murder in the first degree charge; and, as to the possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony, you received a sentence of ten (10) years. There has been no further action in your file pertinent to your conviction, with the exception of your Motion for Postconviction Relief filed this month. The basis for your Motion for Postconviction Relief is grounded in the recent case law as to felony murder and whether or not the killing was in furtherance of the commission of a felony. You cite Kirk v. State, 889 A.2d 283 (Del. 2005) and Chao v. State, 2007 WL 1774963 (Del. Supr. Ct. 06/20/2007). William L. Gaines Page 2 Your problem is that you were not charged with felony murder. You were charged with intentionally causing the death of Wayne C. Ewell by shooting him with a .357 magnum revolver at close range. I enclose a copy of the indictment which is the basis for your guilty plea. Therefore, any references to felony murder are irrelevant. Defendant's Motion for Postconviction Relief is denied as there is no factual basis and is deemed frivolous. IT IS SO ORDERED. Yours very truly, T. Henley Graves THG:baj Enclosure cc: Prothonotary Department of Justice

Some case metadata and case summaries were written with the help of AI, which can produce inaccuracies. You should read the full case before relying on it for legal research purposes.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.