Stackhouse v. Patton
5:14-cv-00981
W.D. Okla.Oct 23, 2014Background
- Stackhouse, a state prisoner proceeding pro se, seeks a federal writ of habeas corpus under 28 U.S.C. §2254; referral to a magistrate for initial proceedings.
- Petitioner pled guilty to child sexual abuse on Jan 11, 2012; he was sentenced Mar 16, 2012; no timely direct appeal.
- First state post-conviction relief filed Oct 3, 2012; denied Jan 22, 2013; no appeal followed.
- Petitioner sought judicial review of sentence Feb 19, 2013; denied Mar 5, 2013.
- Second post-conviction relief filed Feb 7, 2014; COCA affirmed Jul 28, 2014; Petitioner filed the federal petition on Sep 5, 2014.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether the habeas petition is timely under AEDPA | Stackhouse argues timing allowances render petition timely | Respondent contends petition is untimely after AEDPA deadline | Untimely; recommended dismissal |
| Whether statutory tolling from the first state post-conviction relief applies | First PCR tolled the period by 142 days | Tolling applies only during proper state collateral review; counts limited | Petition entitled to 142 days tolling, extending deadline to Aug 16, 2013 |
| Whether tolling from the second PCR applies | N/A | Second PCR filed after deadline; not tolling | Second PCR did not toll AEDPA period |
| Whether equitable tolling is warranted | Petitioner may be entitled due to extraordinary circumstances | No extraordinary circumstances shown | No equitable tolling; no basis to excuse untimeliness |
Key Cases Cited
- Fleming v. Evans, 481 F.3d 1249 (10th Cir. 2007) (timing under AEDPA; finality and 'anniversary method')
- Gibson v. Klinger, 232 F.3d 799 (10th Cir. 2000) (statutory tolling when state petitions filed during limitations period)
- United States v. Hurst, 322 F.3d 1256 (10th Cir. 2003) (anniversary method; tolling considerations)
- Jamison v. Jones, 197 F. App’x 743 (10th Cir. 2006) (motion for judicial review not tolling post-conviction AEDPA period)
- Fisher v. Gibson, 262 F.3d 1135 (10th Cir. 2001) (second PCR timing; tolling cannot apply if filed after deadline)
- Williams v. Miller, 264 F.App’x 724 (10th Cir. 2008) (prison-law clerk error not extraordinary circumstance)
- Holland v. Florida, 560 U.S. 631 (2010) (equitable tolling requires extraordinary circumstances)