Ramiro Ibarra v. Rick Thaler, Director
687 F.3d 222
| 5th Cir. | 2012Background
- Rubi Ibarra moved to vacate a district court judgment denying his habeas petition.
- Ibarra seeks relief based on Martinez v. Ryan and challenges three COA issues: IAC, Atkins, and VCCR claims.
- Martinez holds a narrow exception to Coleman, applying to initial-review collateral proceedings raising IAC at trial.
- The district court held Ibarra defaulted his IAC claim because raised in a later state petition; Martinez arguments followed.
- Texas procedures allow raising IAC claims in direct appeal or via motions for new trial; Martinez’s reach to Texas is disputed.
- Concurring and dissenting views discuss whether Martinez should apply to Texas and whether an equitable extension is warranted.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether Martinez applies to excuse Ibarra's default. | Ibarra asserts Martinez creates cause for default for IAC claims in Texas. | The majority limits Martinez to initial-review collateral proceedings and to states like Arizona, not Texas. | Martinez does not apply to Ibarra's Texas procedures under the majority view. |
| Whether Martinez extends to non-IAC claims (Atkins, VCCR). | Martinez could excuse defaults for non-IAC claims raised in collateral proceedings. | Martinez is limited to IAC claims; non-IAC claims are not covered. | Martinez does not apply to Atkins or VCCR claims. |
| Whether Texas procedures permit Martinez-like relief in Ibarra's context. | Texas allows IAC to be raised on direct appeal or new trial, creating an arguable first opportunity for IAC claims. | Texas law does not trigger Martinez since Ibarra's circumstances do not align with the initial-review collateral proceeding defined by Martinez. | Texas procedures do not bring Ibarra within Martinez's equity-based exception. |
Key Cases Cited
- Martinez v. Ryan, 132 S. Ct. 1309 (Supreme Court 2012) (narrow exception to Coleman for initial-review collateral proceedings raising IAC)
- Ex parte Nailor, 149 S.W.3d 125 (Tex. Crim. App. 2004) (Texas habeas context relevant for IAC claims through postconviction relief)
- Robinson v. State, 16 S.W.3d 808 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000) (state habeas as preferred vehicle for IAC claims)
- Brown v. Thaler, 684 F.3d 482 (5th Cir. 2012) (Martinez not applicable to Brown's Texas context)
- Cantu v. Thaler, 682 F.3d 1053 (5th Cir. 2012) (remand to district court to decide Martinez impact on default)
- Adams v. Thaler, 679 F.3d 312 (5th Cir. 2012) (Texas context; IAC claims often raised on direct appeal or postconviction)