Collins v. State of Montana

Filing 8

ORDER ADOPTING FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 6 in full. A certificate of appealability is DENIED. Signed by Judge Dana L. Christensen on 10/30/2017. Mailed to Collins (TAG)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF MONTANA
HELENA DIVISION

GEORGE ALLEN COLLINS,
Petitioner,
ORDER
vs.
STATE OF MONTANA,
Respondent.
United States Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston entered his Findings and
Recommendations in this case on September 13, 201 7, recommending denial of
Petitioner George Allen Collins' ("Collins") Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus
under 28 U.S.C. § 2254. Collins failed to timely object to the findings and
recommendations, and so waived the right to de nova review of the record. 28
U.S.C. § 636(b)(1 ). The Court will therefore review the record for clear error.
McDonnell Douglas Corp. v. Commodore Bus. Mach., Inc., 656 F.2d 1309, 1313
(9th Cir. 1981 ).
Judge Johnston found, and this Court agrees, that Collins' Petition should
be denied because Collins has failed to exhaust state court remedies. Collins'
direct appeal proceedings are in the initial stage. Additionally, there are no
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constitutional claims and the issue of exhaustion is not one upon which reasonable
jurists could disagree as it does not present a close question of law. Hence, the
Court will not issue a certificate of appealability. Accordingly,
IT IS ORDERED that Judge Johnston's Findings and Recommendations
(Doc. 6) are ADOPTED IN FULL. Collins' Petition (Doc. 1) is DISMISSED
without prejudice. The Clerk of Court shall enter, by separate document, a
judgment in favor of Respondent and against Petitioner. A certificate of
appealability is DENIED.
DATED this 30"""day of October, 2017.

Dana L. Christensen, Chief Judge
United States District Court

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