JOSEPH H.L. PEREZ-MONTES, Magistrate Judge.
Before the Court is a motion for writ of habeas corpus filed pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254 by petitioner Eric K. Brown ("Brown"). In 2010, Brown was convicted pursuant to a guilty plea in the Louisiana First Judicial District Court in Caddo Parish, Louisiana, on one count of possession of over 400 grams of cocaine. Brown was sentenced to 30 years imprisonment at hard labor.
In his Petition, Brown contends he was denied the effective assistance of pretrial counsel because: (1) Brown's trial counsel failed to investigate whether the State had proof to support the charge of possession of more than 400 grams of cocaine; and (2) Brown's trial counsel failed to review the video of Brown's aggravated flight. Brown argues that, but for his attorney's errors, he would not have pleaded guilty.
The Respondent answered the complaint and raised the defense of untimeliness (Doc. 14). Brown filed a reply (Doc. 15). Brown's Petition is now before the Court for disposition.
The Court is able to resolve this habeas corpus petition without the necessity of an evidentiary hearing because there is no genuine issue of material fact relevant to the petitioner's claims, and the state court records provide the required and adequate factual basis.
An application for a writ of habeas corpus on behalf of a person in custody pursuant to the judgment of a state court shall be considered only on the ground that he is in custody in violation of the Constitution, laws, or treaties of the United States. 28 U.S.C. § 2254(a).
Under 28 U.S.C. § 2254 and the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act, which is applicable to habeas petitions filed after its effective date on April 24, 1996, habeas relief is not available to a state prisoner with respect to a claim that was adjudicated on the merits in the State court proceedings unless the adjudication of the claim: (1) resulted in a decision that was contrary to, or involved an unreasonable application of, clearly established federal law as determined by the Supreme Court of the United States; or (2) resulted in a decision that was based on an unreasonable determination of the facts in light of the evidence presented in the state court proceeding. Therefore, pure questions of law and mixed questions of law and fact are reviewed under § 2254(d)(1), and questions of fact are reviewed under § 2254(d)(2).
The Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996, PL 104-132, 110 Stat. 1214 (1996) ("AEDPA"), provides a one-year period of limitation for filing applications for habeas relief at § 2244(d), as set forth below:
28 U.S.C. § 2241(d).
Although the one year period generally runs from the date on which the state criminal judgment became final, prisoners whose convictions became final prior to the AEDPA's effective date of April 24, 1996 have a one-year grace period in which to file their habeas corpus petitions, or through April 24, 1997.
Moreover, the Fifth Circuit has held that the one-year limitation period may be tolled for any time during which a properly filed application for post-conviction relief is pending.
Brown was convicted on August 12, 2010, and his conviction became final on August 26, 2011, when the delay for seeking a rehearing from the appellate court expired.
Brown filed his first application for state post-conviction relief on August 20, 2012 (Doc. 14-3, p. 145/276). That application was denied on October 21, 2012 (Doc. 14-3, p. 175/276). Brown file an application for supervisory writs to the Louisiana Second Circuit Court of Appeal on December 26, 2012 (Doc. 14-3, p. 192/276), which was denied on January 31, 2013 (Doc. 14-3, p. 233/276). At this point, Brown had 395 days of untolled time.
Since more than one year elapsed, untolled, between the time when Brown's conviction became final and the time when Brown filed his § 2254 petition, Brown clearly exceeded his one-year limitation period for filing his habeas petition.
Brown contends equitable tolling applies to his claim, pursuant to
However, as noted in
Therefore, equitable tolling is not applicable to Brown's habeas petition. Brown's habeas petition should be dismissed as time-barred.
Brown contends his pretrial counsel failed to investigate whether the State had proof to support its contention that Brown possessed more than 400 grams of cocaine. Brown also contends his counsel failed to review the video of Brown's aggravated flight and realize there was insufficient evidence to support that charge. Brown argues that, but for his attorney's errors, he would not have pleaded guilty.
To prevail on a habeas complaint of ineffective assistance of counsel, a complainant must meet the two-pronged test set forth by the Supreme Court in
Defense counsel has a constitutional duty to know or learn about the relevant law and evaluate its application to his or her client, particularly when a plea bargain is discussed, and hence sentencing becomes the client's preeminent concern.
Brown failed to yield during a left turn, failed to stop as directed by an officer, and engaged in a high speed chase that ended at a lake, where Brown was observed pouring cocaine from a bag into the lake. The chase was recorded, officers witnessed Brown pouring the cocaine into the lake, and the empty bag with cocaine residue was retrieved (Doc. 14-3, pp. 13-14, 61/276). The police determined that the package had contained approximately 2000 grams of powder cocaine (Doc. 14-3, p. 61/276). Brown was charged with aggravated flight from an officer, possession of more than 400 grams of cocaine, and attempt and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute over 400 grams of cocaine (Doc. 14-3, p. 6/276).
Brown was already a multiple felony offender. He could have been billed as a habitual offender and received a sentence of life imprisonment if he was convicted of only one of the charged felonies (Doc. 14-3, pp. 16-33/276). Brown pleaded guilty to possession of more than 400 grams of cocaine in exchange for a 30-year sentence, dismissal of the other charges, and no habitual offender bill (Doc. 14-3, pp. 106-107/276).
Brown now argues he could not have been convicted of possession of more than 400 grams of cocaine because only the bag was found. Brown further argues he could not have been convicted of aggravated flight because, although he exceeded the speed limit, he did not endanger the public. Brown contends that, but for erroneous advice from his attorney, he would not have pleaded guilty.
As the Respondent points out, Brown was driving up to 80 miles per hour through a residential area where the posted speed limit was only 30 miles per hour and ran two stop signs. These factors were not brought out at Brown's plea hearing, but Brown's flight from the officer was recorded, and his excessive speed and other infractions were included on the ticket written by the officer (Doc. 14-3, Tr. p. 13/276).
Pursuant to La.R.S. 14:108.1, there must be at least two aggravating factors for a conviction for aggravated flight, of which driving at a speed in excess of 25 mph over the speed limit is one.
La. R.S. 14:108.1, in pertinent part, defines aggravated flight from an officer as follows:
Brown argues he could not have been convicted of possess of more than 400 grams of cocaine because the State did not find the cocaine. However, if Brown had been tried and convicted on just one of the charged felonies, of which aggravated flight was the most certain, the State was going to file a habitual offender bill against him and he would have been imprisoned for life. Therefore, for purposes of Brown's plea agreement, it did not matter whether the State would have convicted Brown of possession of more than 400 grams of cocaine.
The State offered Brown the plea agreement because it did not want to go to the time, trouble, and expense of a trial, not because it could not prove at least one of Brown's felony charges. Brown's deal was not a choice of whether or not to plead guilty to any of the charges, and was not a choice between being convicted of a felony carrying a 30-year sentence (possession of cocaine) or a felony carrying a five-year sentence (aggravated flight). Instead, Brown had to choose whether or not he would be billed as a habitual offender and sentenced to life imprisonment. Acting on the advice of his counsel, Brown accepted the plea deal, and reaped its benefits.
Brown has not carried his burden of proving his attorney erred. Therefore, Brown has not proven he had ineffective assistance of counsel at his plea hearing. Brown's habeas petition should be denied.
Based on the foregoing discussion, IT IS RECOMMENDED that Brown's § 2254 habeas petition be DENIED AND DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE as time-barred. In the alternative, IT IS RECOMMENDED that Brown's § 2254 habeas petition be denied and dismissed with prejudice as meritless.
Under the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(C) and Rule 2(b), parties aggrieved by this recommendation have fourteen (14) days from service of this Report and Recommendation to file specific, written objections with the Clerk of Court. A party may respond to another party's objections within fourteen (14) days after being served with a copy of any objections or response to the District Judge at the time of filing. No other briefs (such as supplemental objections, reply briefs etc.) may be filed. Providing a courtesy copy of the objection to the magistrate judge is neither required nor encouraged. Timely objections will be considered by the district judge before he makes a final ruling.
Pursuant to Rule 11(a) of the Rules Governing Section 2254 cases in the United States District Courts, this Court must issue or deny a certificate of appealability when it enters a final order adverse to the applicant. Unless a Circuit Justice or District Judge issues a certificate of appealability, an appeal may not be taken to the court of appeals.