MICHAEL A. TELESCA, District Judge.
James McKnight ("McKnight" or "Movant"), represented by counsel, filed a Motion to Correct the Sentence (Dkt #52) pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255 ("Section 2255"). The Court McKnight asserts that his sentence as a career offender under United States Sentencing Guidelines ("U.S.S.G." or "Guidelines") §§ 4B1.1 and 4B1.2.2 is unconstitutional based on
In a Decision and Order dated September 13, 2016, the Court found that McKnight was entitled to resentencing because his original sentence "was imposed in violation of the Constitution or laws of the United States[,]" 28. U.S.C. § 2255(a). The Court granted McKnight's Section 2255 Motion and transferred the case to District Judge Charles J. Siragusa, the original sentencing judge, for resentencing.
Respondent filed a Motion for Reconsideration, arguing that Court's granting of Movant's Section 2255 Motion was the result of the misapplication of certain controlling principles and that a correct application of those principles would result in a denial of the motion or a stay of the proceedings. Through counsel, McKnight filed a Response to the motion. The case subsequently was transferred to the undersigned for consideration of Respondent's motion.
As discussed further below, Respondent has failed to assert any proper grounds for reconsideration. Its motion is accordingly denied.
Respondent does not state under what authority it brings its Motion for Reconsideration, but the Court will presume that the motion is brought pursuant to Rule 59(e) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure ("F.R.C.P").
Respondent's arguments in support of reconsideration are, almost verbatim, the same arguments urged in its opposition to McKnight's Section 2255 motion. The Court has already considered and rejected these arguments. It is well-settled that "a motion to reconsider should not be granted where[,]" as here, "the moving party seeks solely to relitigate an issue already decided."
Respondent alternatively argues that the Court should stay McKnight's Section 2255 motion pending the Supreme Court's decision in
Finally, the Court notes that the Second Circuit's recent stay entered in
McKnight, in his opposition to the Government's motion, states that if his Section 2255 motion is granted, his amended aggregate Guidelines range would be 137 to 156 months and that, if he is sentenced within that range, he would receive, at least, a 24-month reduction from his originally imposed 180-month sentence. McKnight indicates that the Bureau of Prisons ("BOP") estimates his release date to be November 23, 2017. Thus, McKnight argues, even if he is resentenced to the upper end of the amended Guidelines range, he still would be eligible for immediate release. In addition, McKnight states that he is undergoing cancer treatment but complications with BOP medical equipment have delayed completion of his treatment and caused delays in his scheduled transition to the halfway house. McKnight explains that the delay has been compounded by the Government's motion for reconsideration. Accordingly, McKnight requests an order from this Court releasing him on bail pending his resentencing, with whatever conditions this Court deems necessary.
As the Court stated in its original order granting McKnight's Section 2255 Motion, it will not be handling McKnight's resentencing. In this Court's view, McKnight's request for release on bail pending resentencing is best undertaken by the original sentencing judge, District Judge Siragusa, to whom this case will be immediately transferred.
For the foregoing reasons, the Court finds that Respondent has failed to establish any basis for the Court to reconsider its Decision and Order granting McKnight's Section 2255 Motion and denying Respondent's request for a stay pending a decision in