Smith v. Wilson

Filing 4

OPINION AND ORDER Dismissing 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus for want of jurisdiction and denying 2 Motion for Leave to Proceed In Forma Pauperis. ***Civil Case Terminated. Signed by Judge Theresa L Springmann on 7/19/07. (ksc)

Smith v. Wilson

Doc. 4

case 3:07-cv-00312-TLS

document 4

filed 07/19/2007

page 1 of 2

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT NORTHERN DISTRICT OF INDIANA ERIC D. SMITH, Petitioner, v. WILLIAM K. WILSON, Respondent. ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

CAUSE NO.: 3:07-CV-312 TS

OPINION AND ORDER Eric D. Smith, a pro se prisoner, filed this habeas corpus petition in the Southern District of Indiana attempting to challenge his demotion from credit class II to credit class III on April 26, 2004, by the Westville Correctional Facility Disciplinary Hearing Board for disorderly conduct and physically resisting in violation of B-236 and B-235. Smith previously filed a habeas corpus petition challenging this same prison disciplinary proceeding in Smith v. Wilson, 3:07-cv-157 (N.D. Ind. filed April 4, 2007); final judgment was entered in that case on May 1, 2007. It is currently pending on appeal in Smith v. Wilson, 07-2145 (7th Cir. filed May 15, 2007). Regardless of whether the claims that Smith is now attempting to present are new or whether the were presented in his previous petition, this petition must be dismissed. "A claim presented in a second or successive habeas corpus application under section 2254 that was presented in a prior application shall be dismissed." 28 U.S.C. § 2244(b)(1). Therefore any claims previously presented must be dismissed. Additionally, for any claim not previously presented, Before a second or successive application permitted by this section is filed in the district court, the applicant shall move in the appropriate court of appeals for an order authorizing the district court to consider the application.

Dockets.Justia.com

case 3:07-cv-00312-TLS

document 4

filed 07/19/2007

page 2 of 2

28 U.S.C. § 2244(b)(3). Here, Smith has not obtained an order from the court of appeals permitting him to proceed with any previously unpresented claims. "A district court must dismiss a second or successive petition . . . unless the court of appeals has given approval for its filing." Nunez v. United States, 96 F.3d 990, 991 (7th Cir. 1996) (emphasis in original). Therefore any previously unpresented claims must also be dismissed. For the foregoing reasons, the habeas corpus petition is DISMISSED for want of jurisdiction and the in forma pauperis petition is DENIED. SO ORDERED on July 19, 2007. s/ Theresa L. Springmann THERESA L. SPRINGMANN UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FORT WAYNE DIVISION

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