Smith v. Kelley

Filing 28

ORDER adopting 21 recommended disposition with the exception of footnote five and dismissing with prejudice 2 petition. A certificate of appealability will not issue. Signed by Chief Judge Brian S. Miller on 03/25/2016. (alm)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
PINE BLUFF DIVISION
ROY LEE SMITH
ADC #091858
v.

PETITIONER

CASE NO. 5:15-CV-00234 BSM

WENDY KELLEY, Director,
Arkansas Department of Correction

RESPONDENT
ORDER

The recommended disposition (“RD”) submitted by United States Magistrate Judge
Patricia Harris [Doc. No. 21] and Smith’s untimely objections [Doc. No. 27] have been
reviewed. After careful consideration, the RD is adopted with the exception of footnote five.
While addressing Smith’s ineffective assistance of counsel claim, footnote five
hypothesizes about Smith’s reasons for not testifying in his own defense. The Fifth
Amendment protects Smith from being compelled to testify and his reasons for exercising
his Fifth Amendment rights are immaterial.
Therefore, the RD is adopted without consideration of footnote five, and his petition
is dismissed with prejudice. A certificate of appealability will not issue.
IT IS SO ORDERED this 25th day of March 2016.

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE