Williams v. State of Mississippi

Filing 4

MEMORANDUM OPINION re 3 Order on Motion to Proceed in forma pauperis. Signed by Michael P. Mills on 9/22/2011. (lpm)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF MISSISSIPPI
WESTERN DIVISION

DILLON WILLIAMS

PETITIONER

V.

NO. 3:11CV104-M-V

STATE OF MISSISSIPPI

RESPONDENT

MEMORANDUM OPINION
This cause comes before the court on the petition of Dillon Williams, inmate number 163974,
for a writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254. Williams was convicted in Marshall
County of burglary of a dwelling. He is currently serving a 40 year prison sentence.
After carefully considering the contents of the pro se petition and giving it the liberal
construction required by Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519 (1972), this court has come to the following
conclusion.
It is well-settled that a state prisoner seeking habeas corpus relief in federal court is first
required to exhaust his available state remedies. 28 U.S.C. § 2254(b)(1) and (c)1; see also, Rose v.
Lundy, 455 U.S. 509 (1982). More specifically, a petitioner must present his claims to the state
courts in such a fashion as to afford those courts a fair opportunity to rule on the merits. Picard v.
Conner, 404 U.S. 270 (1971); Dispensa v. Lynaugh, 847 F.2d 211, 217 (5th Cir. 1988). A habeas

1

28 U.S.C. §2254 (b)(1) and (c) provide:

(b)(1) An application for a writ of habeas corpus on behalf of a person in custody
pursuant to the judgment of a State court shall not be granted unless it appears
that(A) the applicant has exhausted the remedies available in the courts of the State;
or
(B)(i) there is an absence of available State corrective process; or
(ii) circumstances exist that render such process ineffective to protect the rights of
the applicant.
(c)

An applicant shall not be deemed to have exhausted the remedies available in the
courts of the State within the meaning of this section, if he has the right under the
law of the State to raise, by any available procedure, the question presented.

corpus petitioner must provide the state's highest court with a fair opportunity to pass upon the issues
raised in the petition for federal habeas corpus relief. Dupuy v. Butler, 837 F.2d 699, 702 (5th Cir.
1988) (citing Carter v. Estelle, 677 F.2d 427, 443-44 (5th Cir. 1982)).
It is clear that Williams’ claims have not yet been presented to the State’s highest court.
Therefore, he has not exhausted his available state remedies. See Miss. Code Ann. §§ 99-39-1 et
seq. Consequently, Williams’ petition to this court is premature and must be dismissed without
prejudice.
A final judgment in accordance with this opinion will be entered.
THIS the 21st day of September, 2011.

/s/ MICHAEL P. MILLS
CHIEF JUDGE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF MISSISSIPPI

2