Gilbert R. Molina v. Walter E. Craven, Warden, California State Prison

435 F.2d 554 | 9th Cir. | 1971

435 F.2d 554

Gilbert R. MOLINA, Appellant,
v.
Walter E. CRAVEN, Warden, California State Prison, Appellee.

No. 25867.

United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit.

Jan. 4, 1971.

Gilbert Molina, in pro. per.

Thomas C. Lynch, Cal. Atty. Gen., Derald E. Granberg, Joyce F. Nedde, Deputy Attys. Gen., San Francisco, Cal., for appellee.

Before CHAMBERS, HAMLEY and MERRILL, Circuit Judges.

PER CURIAM:

1

The decision of the district court denying habeas corpus relief is affirmed.

2

Molina was convicted in California of the state crime of murder of a fellow prisoner.

3

On his point that his co-defendant should not have been permitted to testify (the testimony hurt Molina), there was ample opportunity for cross-examination, which was done quite thoroughly. In our view, reliance here on Bruton v. United States, 391 U.S. 123, 88 S.Ct. 1620, 20 L.Ed.2d 476, on the facts of this case, is misplaced.

4

Contentions that Molina was not represented by competent counselor are frivolous.

5

The state failure to hold a pre-hearing reception on admissions of Molina and of his co-defendant is attacked. No such hearing was requested. This may have been trial strategy of able counsel.