State of Missouri v. Larose

Filing 5

MEMORANDUM AND IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that defendants motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis [ECF No. 3] is DENIED. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that defendant shall pay the $350 filing fee to the Clerk of Court no later than thirty (30) days from the date of this Order. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this action is summarily REMANDED to the state courts. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Clerk shall send a copy of this Order to the Missouri Court of Appeals, with reference to Missouri v. Larose, ED 97043. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Clerk shall send a copy of this Order to the Circuit Court for St. Charles County, with reference to State v. Larose, 0911-CR03956-01. Dated 2nd day of April, 2013. ( Response to Court due by 5/2/2013.). Signed by District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig on 4/2/13. (JWJ)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI
EASTERN DIVISION
STATE OF MISSOURI,
Plaintiff,
v.
AARON LAROSE,
Defendant.

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No. 4:13CV00560 AGF

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
Defendant has filed a notice of removal of this criminal action from state court and a
motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis. The removal and the motion are defective.
Defendant has not submitted a financial affidavit in support of his motion for leave to proceed
in forma pauperis, and therefore, the Court will deny it. Additionally, for the reasons stated
below, the Court will summarily remand this action to the state court.
Defendant was indicted on July 7, 2009, in the Circuit Court for St. Charles County of
First Degree Murder and Armed Criminal Action. He was convicted by a jury on April 1,
2011. And he was sentenced to life without parole on June 16, 2011. See State v. Larose,
0911-CR03956-01 (11th Jud. Cir.). Plaintiff appealed, and his direct appeal is still pending
before the Missouri Court of Appeals for the Eastern District. See Missouri v. Larose,
ED97043 (Mo. Ct. App.).
In his notice of removal, defendant states that he is removing both his direct appeal and
his closed criminal action to this Court. He states that he has removed this case because

Missouri Appellate Rule 380, which prohibits pro se filings by parties represented by counsel,
“prohibits him from making a solid record that would protect his rights.” He also claims that
during trial he was prevented from introducing DNA evidence that might have exonerated
him.
Title 28 U.S.C. § 1443 states, in relevant part:
Any of the following civil actions or criminal prosecutions, commenced in a
State court may be removed by the defendant to the district court of the United
States for the district and division embracing the place wherein it is pending:
(1) Against any person who is denied or cannot enforce in the
courts of such State a right under any law providing for the equal
civil rights of citizens of the United States, or of all persons
within the jurisdiction thereof . . .
To demonstrate that removal is proper under § 1443(1), a defendant “must show that
he relies upon a law providing for equal civil rights stated in terms of racial equality.” Neal
v. Wilson, 112 F.3d 351, 355 (8th Cir. 1997). “‘[R]emoval is not warranted by an assertion
that a denial of rights of equality may take place and go uncorrected at trial. Removal is
warranted only if it can be predicted by reference to a law of general application that the
defendant will be denied or cannot enforce the specified federal rights in the state courts.”
State of Ga. v. Rachel, 384 U.S. 780, 800 (1966)).
To properly effect removal, “[a] notice of removal of a criminal prosecution shall be
filed not later than thirty days after the arraignment in the State court, or at any time before
trial, whichever is earlier, except . . . for good cause shown.” 28 U.S.C. § 1446(c)(1).

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Title 28 U.S.C. § 1446(c)(4) states, “The United States district court in which such
notice is filed shall examine the notice promptly. If it clearly appears on the face of the notice
and any exhibits annexed thereto that removal should not be permitted, the court shall make
an order for summary remand.”
Defendant’s removal is patently defective. It is untimely because it occurred after his
trial. And the subject matter does not touch on racial equality. As a result, the Court will
summarily remand this action.
Accordingly,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that defendant’s motion for leave to proceed in forma
pauperis [ECF No. 3] is DENIED.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that defendant shall pay the $350 filing fee to the Clerk
of Court no later than thirty (30) days from the date of this Order.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this action is summarily REMANDED to the state
courts.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Clerk shall send a copy of this Order to the
Missouri Court of Appeals, with reference to Missouri v. Larose, ED97043.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Clerk shall send a copy of this Order to the
Circuit Court for St. Charles County, with reference to State v. Larose, 0911-CR03956-01.
Dated 2nd day of April, 2013.

AUDREY G. FLEISSIG
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
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