¶1The petition for belated appeal is granted and Harry Tipton is hereby afforded a belated appeal from judgment and sentence in case number 96-CF-1756 in the Circuit Court for Okaloosa County. Upon issuance of mandate in this cause, a copy of this opinion will be provided to the clerk of the circuit court, with directions that it be treated as a notice of appeal. Fla. R.App. P. 9.141(c)(5)(D).
¶2The circuit court is directed to appoint counsel to represent petitioner in the appeal, if he qualifies for such an appointment.
¶3PETITION GRANTED.