Filed: Jul. 30, 2007
Latest Update: Feb. 21, 2020
Summary: United States Court of Appeals Fifth Circuit F I L E D IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT July 30, 2007 Charles R. Fulbruge III Clerk No. 06-51192 Summary Calendar UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff-Appellee, versus JOSEPH LEE STRAIT, JR., Defendant-Appellant. - Appeal from the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas USDC No. 5:06-CV-350 USDC No. 5:05-CR-185-ALL - Before JOLLY, DENNIS and PRADO, Circuit Judges. PER CURIAM:* Joseph Lee Strait, Jr.,
Summary: United States Court of Appeals Fifth Circuit F I L E D IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT July 30, 2007 Charles R. Fulbruge III Clerk No. 06-51192 Summary Calendar UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff-Appellee, versus JOSEPH LEE STRAIT, JR., Defendant-Appellant. - Appeal from the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas USDC No. 5:06-CV-350 USDC No. 5:05-CR-185-ALL - Before JOLLY, DENNIS and PRADO, Circuit Judges. PER CURIAM:* Joseph Lee Strait, Jr., ..
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United States Court of Appeals
Fifth Circuit
F I L E D
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT July 30, 2007
Charles R. Fulbruge III
Clerk
No. 06-51192
Summary Calendar
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Plaintiff-Appellee,
versus
JOSEPH LEE STRAIT, JR.,
Defendant-Appellant.
--------------------
Appeal from the United States District Court
for the Western District of Texas
USDC No. 5:06-CV-350
USDC No. 5:05-CR-185-ALL
--------------------
Before JOLLY, DENNIS and PRADO, Circuit Judges.
PER CURIAM:*
Joseph Lee Strait, Jr., federal prisoner # 61036-180, moves
this court for a certificate of appealability (COA) following the
district court’s denial of his 28 U.S.C. § 2255 motion wherein he
challenged his conviction for possession with the intent to
distribute cocaine base. Strait’s motion to proceed in forma
pauperis (IFP) is granted.
Strait argues that his trial counsel was ineffective for
failing to properly object to the enhancement of his sentence as
*
Pursuant to 5TH CIR. R. 47.5, the court has determined that
this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except
under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR. R. 47.5.4.
No. 06-51192
-2-
both legally inapplicable under the Sentencing Guidelines and
unconstitutional under United States v. Booker,
543 U.S. 220
(2005). Strait also argues that his trial counsel failed to file
a notice of appeal on his behalf even though he specifically
requested that counsel do so.
To obtain a COA, Strait must demonstrate that “reasonable
jurists would find the district court’s assessment of the
constitutional claims debatable or wrong.” Slack v. McDaniel,
529 U.S. 473, 484 (2000); see Miller-El v. Cockrell,
537 U.S.
322, 338 (2003). With respect to his claim that his counsel
rendered ineffective assistance in connection with his objection
to the sentence enhancement, Strait has failed to meet this
standard. Accordingly, his motion for a COA is DENIED as to this
claim. With respect to his claim that his counsel failed to file
a requested notice of appeal, Strait has made the showing
required for the issuance of a COA. See Roe v. Flores-Ortega,
528 U.S. 470, 477, 483 (2000). Accordingly, Strait’s motion for
a COA is GRANTED solely with respect to this issue. IFP GRANTED.
The judgment is VACATED and the case REMANDED for further
development in the district court.