Smith, Eric D. v. McBride, Daniel

Filing 13

Opinion

UNPUBLISHED ORDER Not to be cited per Circuit Rule 53

United States Court of Appeals
For the Seventh Circuit Chicago, Illinois 60604
Submitted September 6, 2006 Decided September 14, 2006

Before Hon. FRANK H. EASTERBROOK, Circuit Judge Hon. MICHAEL S. KANNE, Circuit Judge Hon. DIANE S. SYKES, Circuit Judge

ERIC D. SMITH, Petitioner-Appellant,

No.

06-1389

v.

Appeal from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, South Bend Division. No. 04 C 501 Allen Sharp, Judge.

BILL WILSON, Respondent-Appellee.

Order We remanded this case last year so that the district judge could resolve a single question: whether Eric Smith had refused to attend a prison disciplinary hearing (as the respondent maintains) or had never been notified of the hearing (as Smith maintains). See Smith v. Jordan, No. 05-1186 (7th Cir. Aug. 12, 2005) (unpublished order). A magistrate judge held an evidentiary hearing and concluded that Smith is lying. The magistrate believed the contrary statement of a guard who testified that he had visited Smith in his cell to extend an opportunity to attend the hearing, and that Smith had refused point blank. The prison's contemporaneous log book reflects that decision. After de novo consideration, the district judge agreed with the magistrate judge. Smith now argues that he was entitled to a jury trial on this factual dispute, but the contention is frivolous. The court is the sole factfinder in collateral proceedings under 28 U.S.C.

No. 06-1389

Page 2

§2254. See §2254(e). A collateral attack is not an action "at law" to which the seventh amendment applies. Smith also maintains that the court should have subpoenaed additional witnesses, but the magistrate did not abuse his discretion in rejecting this request. The proposed testimony would have been marginally relevant, if relevant at all. Smith's remaining arguments are addressed to issues that were resolved adversely to him on the first appeal and need not be reconsidered. Affirmed