Crosby v. Parris

Filing 25

ORDER DISMISSING PETITION, DENYING CERTIFICATE OF APPEALABILITY, AND DENYING LEAVE TO APPEAL IN FORMA PAUPERIS. Signed by Chief Judge S. Thomas Anderson on 5/8/17. (Anderson, S.)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF TENNESSEE
EASTERN DIVISION
JEREMY CROSBY,
Petitioner,
v.
MIKE PARRIS,
Respondent.

)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)

No. 1:14-cv-01222-STA-egb

ORDER DISMISSING PETITION,
DENYING CERTIFICATE OF APPEALABILITY,
AND
DENYING LEAVE TO APPEAL IN FORMA PAUPERIS

On July 31, 2014, Petitioner, Jeremy Crosby, filed a habeas corpus petition
pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254. (ECF No. 1.) On April 13, 2017, the Court ordered
Petitioner to show cause within twenty-one days why this case should not be dismissed
for lack of prosecution. Petitioner was warned that failure to comply with the order
would result in dismissal of this action without further notice pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P.
41(b).
Petitioner has not responded to the Court’s show order, and the time for doing so
has passed. Accordingly, the petition is DISMISSED for Petitioner’s failure to comply with
the Court’s order and for want of prosecution. Judgment shall be entered for Respondent.
APPEAL ISSUES
A § 2254 petitioner may not proceed on appeal unless a district or circuit judge issues a
certificate of appealability (“COA”). 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c)(1); FED. R. APP. P. 22(b)(1). A COA
may issue only if the petitioner has made a substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional
1

right. 28 U.S.C. §§ 2253(c)(2) & (3). Although a COA does not require a showing that the
appeal will succeed, Miller-El v. Cockrell, 537 U.S. 322, 337 (2003), a court should not issue a
COA as a matter of course. Bradley v. Birkett, 156 F. App’x 771, 773 (6th Cir. 2005).
In this case, there is no question that the petition should be dismissed for the reason
stated. Because any appeal by Petitioner does not deserve attention, the Court DENIES a
certificate of appealability.
Pursuant to Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 24(a), a party seeking pauper status on
appeal must first file a motion in the district court, along with a supporting affidavit. F ED. R.
APP. P. 24(a). However, Rule 24(a) also provides that if the district court certifies that an appeal
would not be taken in good faith, the prisoner must file his motion to proceed in forma pauperis
in the appellate court. Id.
In this case, for the same reason it denies a COA, the Court CERTIFIES, pursuant to
Rule 24(a), that any appeal in this matter would not be taken in good faith. Leave to appeal in
forma pauperis is therefore DENIED.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/ S. Thomas Anderson
S. THOMAS ANDERSON
CHIEF UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
Date: May 8, 2017

2