SAMUEL H. MAYS, JR., District Judge.
Before the Court is Petitioner Delchon Weatherspoon's Motion for Partial Reconsideration, filed on March 2, 2018. (ECF No. 33.) Respondent Sheriff Bill Oldham responded on March 14, 2018. (ECF No. 34.)
For the following reasons, Weatherspoon's Motion for Partial Reconsideration is DENIED.
Weatherspoon is charged with attempted first degree murder. He is alleged to have stabbed his girlfriend multiple times. (ECF No. 1-1 at 12, 15-16.)
The General Sessions Court for Shelby County, Tennessee, set Weatherspoon's bail at $200,000. (ECF No. 1-1.) Weatherspoon sought to reduce his bail in the Criminal Court of Shelby County. (
On July 25, 2017, Weatherspoon filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus under 28 U.S.C. § 2241 (the "§ 2241 Petition"). (ECF No. 1.) His § 2241 Petition argued that the Criminal Court had failed to comply with the Equal Protection and Due Process Clauses of the United States Constitution when setting his bail. (ECF No. 1-7 at 481.) Weatherspoon contended that Due Process required the state court to consider indigency and the availability of a less restrictive non-monetary alternative condition or combination of conditions of release. (ECF No. 22 at 617.) He also contended that the state court must apply a clear and convincing evidence standard to determine whether Weatherspoon posed an immitigable risk of flight or danger to the community. (
On February 26, 2018, this Court entered an Order granting a conditional writ of habeas corpus, releasing Weatherspoon, unless the state trial court held a bail hearing comporting with Due Process, within 30 days of the issuance of the writ, to determine whether continued detention was justified. (ECF No. 31.) The Court decided that Due Process required the state court to consider indigency and the availability of a less restrictive non-monetary alternative condition or combination of conditions of release. (
On March 2, 2018, Weatherspoon filed his Motion for Partial Reconsideration, contending that the Court should reconsider whether the state court must apply a clear and convincing standard. (ECF No. 33-1 at 734.)
Weatherspoon cites no authority for his Motion for Partial Reconsideration. The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure do not contemplate such motions, but the Sixth Circuit has held that a motion to reconsider may be properly treated as one to alter or amend a judgment under Rule 59(e).
A court may grant a motion to alter or amend a judgment under Rule 59(e) only if there is "(1) a clear error of law; (2) newly discovered evidence; (3) an intervening change in controlling law; or (4) a need to prevent manifest injustice."
Weatherspoon does not argue that any factor under Rule 59 would justify reconsideration. He does not identify an intervening change in controlling law or newly discovered evidence, nor does he demonstrate a manifest injustice or clear error of law.
Weatherspoon cites twelve cases he did not cite in his petition or reply brief. (
Weatherspoon argues that "no Supreme Court case to consider the required standard of proof under the Due Process Clause has held that a deprivation of bodily liberty can be made if it is supported by a mere preponderance of the evidence." (ECF No. 33-1 at 734.) He cites no Supreme Court case holding that a state court's denial of bail must be based on clear and convincing evidence. Clear error exists "when the reviewing court is left with the definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been committed."
Weatherspoon has failed to establish that any factor under Rule 59 justifies reconsideration. His Motion for Partial Reconsideration is DENIED.
For the foregoing reasons, Weatherspoon's Motion for Partial Reconsideration is DENIED.
So ordered.