Couch v. Woodson

Filing 20

MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by District Judge Robert E. Payne on 11/5/2013. (tjoh, )

NOV
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA

§2013

CLb;

l:.;;tt

Richmond Division

WILLIAM R. COUCH,
Petitioner,
v.

Civil Action No.

3:13cvl4 6

JOHN WOODSON,
Respondent.
MEMORANDUM OPINION

William R. Couch, a Virginia state prisoner proceeding pro
se, brings this petition pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254 ("§ 2254
Petition")

challenging his convictions in the Circuit Court of

Fairfax County, Virginia ("Circuit Court").

Respondent moves to

dismiss, inter alia, on the ground that the one-year statute of
limitations governing federal habeas petitions bars the § 2254

Petition.

Couch

has

responded.

The

matter

is

ripe

for

disposition.

I.

PROCEDURAL HISTORY

Couch pled guilty to three counts of rape.

On September

30, 1992, the Circuit Court entered final judgment on Couch's
three rape counts and sentenced him to three terms of life in

prison.

Commonwealth v. Couch, No. FE-1992-74241, at 1-2 (Va.

Cir. Ct. Sept. 30, 1992).

Couch filed no appeal.

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