Cunningham v. Drew

Filing 31

ORDER adopting Report and Recommendations of Magistrate Judge Bristow Marchant and granting 10 Motion for Summary Judgment. This matter is dismissed with prejudice. Signed by Honorable Cameron McGowan Currie on 7/12/2012.(cwhi, )

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF SOUTH CAROLINA
BEAUFORT DIVISION
Eugene Jerome Cunningham,

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Petitioner,
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v.
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Darlene Drews, Warden,
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F.C.I.-Bennettsville,
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Respondent.
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___________________________________ )

C/A NO. 9:11-3179-CMC-BM

OPINION and ORDER

This matter is before the court on Petitioner’s pro se application for writ of habeas corpus,
filed in this court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2241.
In accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 636(b) and Local Civil Rule 73.02 (B)(2)(c), DSC, this
matter was referred to United States Magistrate Judge Bristow Marchant for pre-trial proceedings
and a Report and Recommendation (“Report”). On June 12, 2012, the Magistrate Judge issued a
Report recommending that Defendant’s motion for summary judgment be granted and this matter
be dismissed with prejudice. The Magistrate Judge advised Petitioner of the procedures and
requirements for filing objections to the Report and the serious consequences if he failed to do so.
Petitioner filed objections to the Report on July 2, 2012.
The Magistrate Judge makes only a recommendation to this court. The recommendation has
no presumptive weight, and the responsibility to make a final determination remains with the court.
See Mathews v. Weber, 423 U.S. 261 (1976). The court is charged with making a de novo
determination of any portion of the Report of the Magistrate Judge to which a specific objection is
made. The court may accept, reject, or modify, in whole or in part, the recommendation made by

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the Magistrate Judge or recommit the matter to the Magistrate Judge with instructions. See 28
U.S.C. § 636(b).
After conducting a de novo review as to objections made, and considering the record, the
applicable law, the Report and Recommendation of the Magistrate Judge, and Petitioner’s
objections, the court agrees with the conclusions of the Magistrate Judge. Accordingly, the court
adopts and incorporates the Report and Recommendation by reference in this Order.
Petitioner contends the Report contains a variety of errors. In the main, Petitioner’s
contention is that the language contained in D.C. Code Section 22-2104(b), “notwithstanding any
other provision of law,” means that the current determinate sentencing structure of the District of
Columbia should apply to his sentence, imposed in 1973. Petitioner’s assertion is misplaced
because, as evidenced by § 24-403, the District’s determinate sentencing structure only applies to
crimes committed after its effective date, i.e., August 5, 2000.
Petitioner also argues that the Report fails to “give [P]etitioner a plenary review of
[P]etitioner[‘s] claim under a statutory interpretation of the enactments involved in this case.”
“Motion Rejecting Magistrate Recommendation” at 10 (ECF No. 29). Petitioner maintains that
“there is a clear case of ambiguity in the conflict of . . . [the] statutes [cited by Petitioner].” Id.
These contentions are without merit.
Petitioner’s other arguments are either reargument of positions presented in his petition or
in opposition to Respondent’s summary judgment motion, or are without merit.
Respondent’s motion for summary judgment (ECF No. 10) is granted and this matter is
dismissed with prejudice.

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IT IS SO ORDERED.

s/ Cameron McGowan Currie
CAMERON MCGOWAN CURRIE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Columbia, South Carolina
July 12, 2012

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