Mullins v. Thomas et al

Filing 8

MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Judge C Lynwood Smith, Jr on 3/28/2014. (AHI )

FILED
2014 Mar-28 PM 02:21
U.S. DISTRICT COURT
N.D. OF ALABAMA

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
SOUTHERN DIVISION
KERRY NEAL MULLINS,
Petitioner,
v.
WILLIE THOMAS, Warden, and
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF
THE STATE OF ALABAMA,
Respondents.

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Case No. 2:13-cv-02026-CLS-HGD

MEMORANDUM OPINION
On November 8, 2013, the magistrate judge’s report and recommendation was
entered, and the parties were allowed fourteen (14) days in which to file objections
therein. On November 21, 2013, petitioner filed objections to the magistrate judge’s
report and recommendation.
Petitioner argues that he is entitled to equitable tolling of the statute of
limitations because of his alleged borderline mental functioning, lack of
understanding of the law, and pro se status. As discussed by the magistrate judge,
such bare allegations are insufficient to establish entitlement to equitable tolling. See
Green v. Hinsley, 116 F. App’x. 749, 751 (7th Cir. 2004) (finding that equitable
tolling did not apply because petitioner failed to submit evidence of how his low IQ

would render him incompetent or prevent him from timely filing his petition); Murray
v. McNeill, 2008 WL 2520494, at *5-*6 (S.D. Fla. June 20, 2008) (holding that a
petitioner must submit proof of mental illness or incapacity, and more than merely
self-serving assertions). Further, illiteracy or lack of knowledge about the law will
not justify the invocation of equitable tolling. See Turner v. Johnson, 177 F.3d 390,
392 (5th Cir. 1999) (stating that unfamiliarity with the legal process due to illiteracy
does not merit equitable tolling); Welsh v. McNeill, 2009 WL 1370829 (M.D. Fla.
May 14, 2009). Ignorance of the law does not, on its own, amount to extraordinary
circumstances sufficient to warrant equitable tolling. See Jackson v. Astrue, 506 F.3d
1349, 1356 (11th Cir. 2007) (quoting Wakefield v. Railroad Retirement Board, 131
F.3d 567, 570 (11th Cir. 1997) (“Ignorance of the law usually is not a factor that can
warrant equitable tolling.”)); see also Felder v. Johnson, 204 F.3d 168, 171-73 (5th
Cir. 2000) (holding that ignorance of the law is an insufficient rationale for equitable
tolling); Fisher v. Johnson, 174 F.3d 710, 714 (5th Cir. 1999) (holding that
incarceration and pro se status do not warrant equitable tolling).
After careful consideration of the record in this case, the magistrate judge’s
report and recommendation, and the petitioner’s objections thereto, the court hereby
ADOPTS the report of the magistrate judge, and ACCEPTS his recommendation that
the petition for writ of habeas corpus be denied.
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A separate order in conformity with this Memorandum Opinion will be entered
contemporaneously herewith.
DONE this 28th day of March, 2014.

______________________________
United States District Judge

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