PAUL KELLY, Jr. Circuit Judge.
THIS MATTER comes on for consideration of Defendant's Responses [Objections] to Proposed Findings and Recommended Disposition filed September 15, 2017 (Doc. 15, 1:16-cv-01204-PJK-KRS; Doc. 287, 1:08-cr-00966-PJK-1). In accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(B), this case was referred to Magistrate Judge Kevin R. Sweazea who recommended that Mr. Vann's Motion to Vacate, Set Aside, or Correct Sentence under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 be denied and the case be dismissed with prejudice. (Doc. 14, 1:16-cv-01204-PJK-KRS; Doc. 286, 1:08-cr-00966-PJK-1).
In a jury trial, Mr. Vann was convicted of possession with intent to distribute phenycyclidine (PCP) and codeine. He was sentenced to 180 months' imprisonment and eight years' supervised release.
Insofar as the claim that his counsel did not allow him to testify, Mr. Vann was hardly a reticent or inexperienced defendant, and had he testified, the government would have impeached him with his prior convictions and his interview statements. Be that as it may, Mr. Vann has never articulated what his testimony would have been; therefore, he cannot demonstrate a reasonable probability that the outcome of this proceeding would have been different.
The court further agrees with the magistrate judge that Mr. Vann has procedurally defaulted his claim under
The court has reviewed the § 2255 motion, the government's response, the proposed findings and recommended disposition by the magistrate judge as well as Mr. Vann's objections and the goverment's response. The court has made a de novo determination of all matters to which objection is made. 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1). The court will adopt the proposed findings and recommendation of the magistrate judge.
The court must issue or deny a COA when it enters a final order adverse to the applicant. A COA should issue "only if the applicant has made a substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional right." 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c)(2). An applicant can satisfy this standard by demonstrating that the issues raised are debatable among jurists, a court could resolve the issues differently, or the questions deserve further proceedings.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED, ADJUDGED and DECREED that:
(1) Defendant's Responses [Objections] to Proposed Findings and Recommended Disposition filed September 15, 2017 (Doc. 15, 1:16-cv-01204-PJK-KRS; Doc. 287, 1:08-cr-00966-PJK-1) to the Magistrate Judge's Report and Recommendation filed September 1, 2017 (Doc. 14, 1:16-cv-01204-PJK-KRS; Doc. 286, 1:08-cr-00966-PJK-1). are overruled.
(2) The Proposed Findings and Recommended Disposition of the Magistrate Judge (Doc. 14, 1:16-cv-01204-PJK-KRS; Doc. 286, 1:08-cr-00966-PJK-1) are adopted.
(3) Mr. Vann's Motion to Vacate, Set Aside, or Correct Sentence under 28 U.S.C. § 2255, (Doc. 2, 1:16-cv-01204-PJK-KRS; Doc. 277, 1:08-cr-00966-PJK-1) is denied.
(4) A certificate of appealability is denied.
(5) A separate judgment shall be entered in the civil case (1:16-cv-01204-PJK-KRS).