ARKANSAS SUPREME COURT

NOT DESIGNATED FOR PUBLICATION

PER CURIAM

FEBRUARY 1, 2001

ALVIN EDWARD MORRIS, JR.

a/k/a Eddie Morris

Petitioner

v.

STATE OF ARKANSAS

Respondent

CR 89-144

PRO SE MOTION FOR TRANSCRIPT [CIRCUIT COURT OF BAXTER COUNTY, NO. CR 88-107]

MOTION DENIED

Alvin Edward Morris was found guilty by a jury in 1988 of capital murder and sentenced to life imprisonment without parole. We affirmed. Morris v. State, 302 Ark. 532, 792 S.W.2d 288 (1990). Morris now seeks by pro se motion a photocopy at public expense of the transcript of his trial. Morris offers no reason for the request.

The motion is denied. A petitioner is not entitled to photocopying at public expense unless he or she demonstrates some compelling need for specific documentary evidence to support an allegation contained in a petition for postconviction relief. Moore v. State, 324 Ark. 453, 921 S.W.2d 606 (1996); Brooks v. State, 303 Ark. 188 S.W.2d 792 (1990); see Austin v. State, 287 Ark. 256, 697 S.W.2d 914 (1985). Indigency alone does not entitle a petitioner to photocopying at public expense. Washington v. State, 270 Ark. 840, 606 S.W.2d 365 (1980).

It should be noted that when an appeal has been lodged in this court, the appeal transcript

remains permanently on file with the clerk. Persons may review a transcript in the clerk's office and photocopy all or portions of it. An incarcerated person desiring a photocopy of a transcript on file may write this court, remit the photocopying fee, and request that the copy be mailed to the prison. All persons, including prisoners, must bear the cost of photocopying. Moore v. State, supra.

Motion denied.