(HC) Smith v. Clark

Opinion

LAWRENCE CHRISTOPHER SMITH, No. 1:21-cv-01589-JLT-EPG-HC Petitioner, ORDER ADOPTING FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS, DISMISSING v. PETITION FOR WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS, AND DECLINING TO ISSUE KEN CLARK, CERTIFICATE OF APPEALABILITY Respondent. (Doc. 8) Lawrence Christopher Smith is a state prisoner proceeding pro se with a petition for writ of habeas corpus brought pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254. This matter was referred to a United States Magistrate Judge pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(B) and Local Rule 302. On November 19, 2021, the magistrate judge issued findings and recommendations that the petition for writ of habeas corpus be dismissed for failure to state a cognizable federal habeas claim. (Doc. 8.) Petitioner filed timely objections. (Doc. 12.) In accordance with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(C), the court has conducted a de novo review of the case. Having carefully reviewed the entire file, including petitioner’s objections, the court concludes that the findings and recommendation are supported by the record and proper analysis. Having found that petitioner is not entitled to habeas relief, the court now turns to whether acertificate of appealability should issue. A petitioner seeking a writ of habeas corpus has no absolute entitlement to appeal a district court’s denial of his petition, and an appeal is only allowed in certain circumstances. Miller-El v. Cockrell, 537 U.S. 322, 335-36 (2003); 28 U.S.C. § 2253. The court should issue a certificate of appealability if “reasonable jurists could debate whether (or, for that matter, agree that) the petition should have been resolved in a different manner or that the issues presented were ‘adequate to deserve encouragement to proceed further.’” Slack v. McDaniel, 529 U.S. 473, 484 (2000) (quoting Barefoot v. Estelle, 463 U.S. 880, 893 & n.4 (1983)). In the present case, the Court finds that reasonable jurists would not find the Court’s determination that the petition should be dismissed debatable or wrong, or that petitioner should be allowed to proceed further. Therefore, the Court declines to issue a certificate of appealability. Accordingly, 1. The findings and recommendations issued on November 19, 2021 (Doc. 8) are adopted in full. 2. The petition for writ of habeas corpus is dismissed. 3. The Clerk of Court is directed to close the case; and 4. The Court declines to issue a certificate of appealability. Dated: _February 15, 2022 Charis [Tourn TED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE