The trial court denied a defendant’s request for a continuance when his alibi witnesses, who had traveled a long distance, left the courthouse for unexplained reasons. The Supreme Court held that postconviction federal review was not prevented even though the motion did not technically comply with state procedural rules for motions for continuance. The purposes of the rules were essentially met in this case, because it was apparent what was the expected testimony was and although the motion was oral rather than written, the trial transcript made the reasons for the request apparent.