Dunn v. Parker

389 F. App'x 787

• Court: Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
• Decided: July 27, 2010
• Docket: 10-6086
• Status: Unpublished

Opinion

ORDER DENYING CERTIFICATE OF APPEALABILITY *

NEIL M. GORSUCH, Circuit Judge.

Robert David Dunn seeks from us a certificate of appealability (“COA”) in order to appeal the district court’s dismissal of his petition for habeas corpus relief pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254. The district court dismissed Mr. Dunn’s petition pursuant to a magistrate judge’s report and recommendation finding that the petition was untimely, as it was filed approximately 16 years after his conviction in 1992, and that Mr. Dunn identified no lawful reason that might entitle him to equitable tolling of the normal statutory limitations period.

We may issue a COA only if the petitioner makes “a substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional right.” 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c)(2). Where, as here, the district court dismisses a § 2254 petition on procedural grounds, a COA is warranted only if “jurists of reason would find it debatable whether the district court was correct in its procedural ruling.” Slack v. McDaniel, 529 U.S. 473, 484, 120 S.Ct. 1595, 146 L.Ed.2d 542 (2000).

That standard is not met in this case. The magistrate judge’s thorough nine-page report, adopted by the district court in its. entirety, is entirely correct. Neither do we see any way in which we might improve upon that analysis by further elaboration. Accordingly, we deny Mr. Dunn’s application for COA and dismiss this appeal. We also deny Mr. Dunn’s application to proceed in forma pauperis as he fails to present a reasoned, nonfrivolous argument on appeal. See McIntosh v. U.S. Parole Comm’n, 115 F.3d 809, 812 (10th Cir.1997).

* This order is not binding precedent except under the doctrines of law of the case, res judicata, and collateral estoppel. It may be cited, however, for its persuasive value consistent with Fed. R.App. P. 32.1 and 10th Cir. R. 32.1.