Whittle v. Stephens
Filing
12
ORDER: After carefully reviewing the pleadings, file, objections, record in this case, and Report, the court determines that the findings and conclusions of the magistrate judge (Doc. 10 ) are correct, and accepts them as those of the court. Accord ingly, the court overrules Petitioner's objections, denies his Petition for a Writ of Habeas Corpus by a Person in Custody (Doc. 1 ), and dismisses with prejudice this action as time-barred. Considering the record in this case and pursuant to Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 22(b), Rule 11(a) of the Rules Governing §§ 2254 and 2255 proceedings, and 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c), the court denies a certificate of appealability. (Ordered by Judge Sam A Lindsay on 6/22/2015) (ctf)
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
DALLAS DIVISION
JAMES AARON WHITTLE, #1592991,
Petitioner,
v.
WILLIAM STEPHENS, Director,
Texas Department of Criminal Justice,
Correctional Institutions Division,
Respondent.
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Civil Action No. 3:15-CV-1783-L
ORDER
This case was referred to Magistrate Judge David L. Horan, who entered Findings,
Conclusions and Recommendation of the United States Magistrate Judge (“Report”) (Doc. 10) on
May 26, 2015, recommending that the court deny Petitioner James Aaron Whittle’s (“Petitioner”)
Petition for a Writ of Habeas Corpus by a Person in Custody (Doc. 1) as time-barred. The magistrate
judge further determined that Petitioner was not entitled to equitable tolling and had not provided
proof of actual innocence to overcome the applicable statute of limitations. Petitioner filed
objections to the Report, which were docketed on June 16, 2015.
After carefully reviewing the pleadings, file, objections, record in this case, and Report, the
court determines that the findings and conclusions of the magistrate judge are correct, and accepts
them as those of the court. Accordingly, the court overrules Petitioner’s objections, denies his
Petition for a Writ of Habeas Corpus by a Person in Custody (Doc. 1), and dismisses with prejudice
this action as time-barred.
Order – Page 1
Considering the record in this case and pursuant to Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure
22(b), Rule 11(a) of the Rules Governing §§ 2254 and 2255 proceedings, and 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c),
the court denies a certificate of appealability.* The court determines that Petitioner has failed to
show: (1) that reasonable jurists would find this court’s “assessment of the constitutional claims
debatable or wrong;” or (2) that reasonable jurists would find “it debatable whether the petition states
a valid claim of the denial of a constitutional right” and “debatable whether [this court] was correct
in its procedural ruling.” Slack v. McDaniel, 529 U.S. 473, 484 (2000). In support of this
determination, the court accepts and incorporates by reference the magistrate judge’s report filed in
this case. In the event that Petitioner files a notice of appeal, he must pay the $505 appellate filing
fee or submit a motion to proceed in forma pauperis (“IFP”), unless he has been granted IFP status
by the district court.
It is so ordered this 22nd day of June, 2015.
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Sam A. Lindsay
United States District Judge
*
Rule 11 of the Rules Governing §§ 2254 and 2255 Cases provides as follows:
(a)
Certificate of Appealability. The district court must issue or deny a certificate of
appealability when it enters a final order adverse to the applicant. Before entering the final order, the
court may direct the parties to submit arguments on whether a certificate should issue. If the court
issues a certificate, the court must state the specific issue or issues that satisfy the showing required
by 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c)(2). If the court denies a certificate, the parties may not appeal the denial but
may seek a certificate from the court of appeals under Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 22. A
motion to reconsider a denial does not extend the time to appeal.
(b) Time to Appeal. Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 4(a) governs the time to appeal an
order entered under these rules. A timely notice of appeal must be filed even if the district court issues
a certificate of appealability.
Order – Page 2
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