1:13-cv-00594 | D.S.C. | Sep 6, 2013

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF SOUTH CAROLINA

Calvin Goodman, #270466, ) C/A No.: 1:13-594-RMG-SVH ) Petitioner, ) ) vs. ) REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION ) Wayne McCabe, Warden of Lee ) Correctional Institution, )

) Respondent. ) ) Petitioner Calvin Goodman is an inmate at the Lee Correctional Institution of the South Carolina Department of Corrections. He filed this pro se petition for a writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254. This matter is before the court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b) and Local Civil Rule 73.02(B)(2) (D.S.C.) for a Report and Recommendation on Respondent’s return and motion for summary judgment. [Entry #18, #19]. Pursuant to Roseboro v. Garrison , 528 F.2d 309" date_filed="1975-10-15" court="4th Cir." case_name="Robert Louis Roseboro v. Sam P. Garrison, Individually and in His Official Capacity as Warden of Central Prison">528 F.2d 309 (4th Cir. 1975), the court advised Petitioner of the summary judgment and dismissal procedures and the possible consequences if he failed to respond adequately to Respondent’s motion by August 22, 2013. [Entry #20]. After Petitioner failed to file a timely response, the court issued an order on August 23, 2013, directing Petitioner to advise the court whether he wished to continue with this case and to file a response to Respondent’s motion by September 6, 2013. [Entry #22].

Notwithstanding the court’s orders, Petitioner has filed no response to Respondent’s motion for summary judgment. As such, it appears to the court that he does not oppose the motion and wishes to abandon this action. Based on the foregoing, the undersigned recommends this action be dismissed with prejudice for failure to prosecute. See Davis v. Williams , 588 F.2d 69" date_filed="1978-11-30" court="4th Cir." case_name="Stanley Davis v. Ralph Williams">588 F.2d 69, 70 (4th Cir. 1978); Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(b).

Independently, after having carefully considered the parties’ submissions and the record in this case, the undersigned recommends that Respondent’s motion for summary judgment be granted on the merits. I. Factual and Procedural Background Petitioner sexually assaulted his two daughters when they were young. Petitioner was indicted by the Williamsburg County grand jury during the August 2004 term of court for one count of Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor in the First Degree and one count of Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor in the Second Degree (2004-GS-45-129). [Entry #18-1 at 42–43]. Petitioner was represented by William LeGrand Carraway, Esq., and, on February 8, 2006, proceeded to a jury trial on both charges before the Honorable Clifton Newman, Circuit Court Judge. [Entry #18-2].

At trial, Petitioner’s eldest daughter testified that he raped her when she was nine [ Id. at 36–38] and at one point had sex with her almost every day until she turned thirteen, when she was placed in foster care [ Id. at 40–41]. Petitioner’s younger daughter testified that he began raping her when she was eleven [ Id. at 50] and that she was diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease when she was eleven or twelve [ Id. at 52– 53]. They both testified that Petitioner threatened to kill them if they told anyone about Petitioner’s actions or did not comply. [ Id. at 35, 51]. The trial ceased after a day of testimony, at the close of the State’s case, and prior to conclusion. [Entry #18-2]. The following day, February 9, 2006, Petitioner waived presentment of the indictment to the grand jury of four counts of Lewd Act on a Minor [Entry #18-1 at 44–49], to which he pled guilty. [ Id. at 3–40]. Petitioner stated during the guilty plea colloquy that he touched his daughters to satisfy himself sexually. [ Id. at 14–15].

Judge Newman sentenced Petitioner to 15 years on each of the first three Lewd Act on a Minor convictions, and 5 years for the fourth Lewd Act on a Minor conviction. [ Id. at 38–39]. The sentences were ordered to run consecutively, for 50 years total. Id. at 39. Petitioner did not file a direct appeal. Petitioner filed an application for post-conviction relief (“PCR”) on May 23, 2006, in which he alleged claims of ineffective assistance of counsel, due process violations, involuntary guilty plea, and defects in the notice of charges against him. [ Id. at 50–57]. On February 19, 2008, Petitioner filed an amended PCR application raising five claims of ineffective assistance of counsel. [ Id. at 58–90]. On August 25, 2008, Petitioner filed a second amended PCR application raising additional claims of ineffective assistance of counsel. [ Id. at 97–111].

A PCR evidentiary hearing was held before the Honorable George C. James Jr., Circuit Court Judge on September 17, 2008, at which Petitioner and his counsel, Charles T. Brooks III, Esq., appeared. [ Id. at 112–138]. On November 12, 2008, Judge James filed an order of dismissal. [ Id. at 139–148]. On December 3, 2008, Petitioner filed a timely notice of appeal from the denial of PCR. [Entry #18-3, #18-1 at 148]. Assistant Appellate Defender Kathrine H. Hudgins of the South Carolina Commission on Indigent Defense, Division of Appellate Defense, represented Petitioner on appeal, and on or about August 28, 2009, filed a petition for writ of certiorari [Entry #18-4] in the South Carolina Supreme Court raising the following issue:

In a case where petitioner was initially indicted for criminal sexual conduct with a minor and eventually entered guilty pleas to four counts of lewd act on a minor, did the PCR judge err in refusing to find counsel ineffective for failing to move that the judge be recused from hearing the case because sixteen years earlier in 1990, the judge was an assistant solicitor and prosecuted petitioner for criminal sexual conduct with a minor second degree?

[ Id. at 3]. On August 5, 2010, the South Carolina Supreme Court denied the petition for writ of certiorari. [Entry #18-6]. The remittitur was issued on August 24, 2010. [Entry #18-7]. Petitioner filed this federal petition for a writ of habeas corpus on March 4, 2013. [Entry #1-3 at 1]. [1] II. Discussion A. Federal Habeas Issues Petitioner states the following four grounds in his habeas petition: Ground One: Ineffective assistance of counsel during plea hearing and sentencing hearing Supporting Facts: Counsel did not object to Judge sentencing me to consecutive sentences. It was my understanding that if I agreed to plead guilty that I would be sentence to concurrent sentences. Ground Two: Due process violation, Petitioner did not sign waiver of presentment Supporting Facts: Due to my limited knowledge of the law and the legal system in general, I did not understand that I had the right to have the charges I pleaded guilty to presented before the grand jury. Had I known this, I never would have plead guilty to this charge or these charges. Ground Three: Ineffective Assistance of Counsel/Involuntary Guilty Plea Supporting Facts: it was my intention all along to proceed to trial, my attorney know this, but he insisted that I plea guilty to avoid a trial before Judge Newman, who felt that he would be biased based on the fact that I stood before him in the past” with a similar charge as a defendant while he was acting as my solicitor or prosecutor.

Ground Four: Right to Appeal Supporting Facts: After my hearing and sentencing, I felt like my attorney done me wrong, as well as the Court. Because of my past, I was already guilty according to there law or jurisdiction.

[Entry #8 at 5–10]. B. Standard for Summary Judgment Summary judgment is appropriate only “if the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any, show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c). Rule 56(c) mandates entry of summary judgment “against a party who fails to make a showing sufficient to establish the existence of an element essential to that party’s case.” Celotex Corp. v. Catrett , 477

U.S. 317, 322 (1986).

In deciding whether there is a genuine issue of material fact, the evidence of the non-moving party is to be believed and all justifiable inferences must be drawn in favor of the non-moving party. See Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc. , 477 U.S. 242" date_filed="1986-06-25" court="SCOTUS" case_name="Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc.">477 U.S. 242, 255 (1986). However, “[o]nly disputes over facts that might affect the outcome of the suit under the governing law will properly preclude the entry of summary judgment. Factual disputes that are irrelevant or unnecessary will not be counted.” Id. at 248.

The moving party has the burden of proving that summary judgment is appropriate. Once the moving party makes this showing, however, the opposing party may not rest upon mere allegations or denials, but rather must, by affidavits or other means permitted by the Rule, set forth specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(e). The federal court is charged with liberally construing a complaint filed by a pro se litigant to allow the development of a potentially meritorious case, see, e.g., Erickson v. Pardus , 551 U.S. 89" date_filed="2007-06-04" court="SCOTUS" case_name="Erickson v. Pardus">551 U.S. 89, 94 (2007).

C. Analysis 1. AEDPA’s Statute of Limitations Respondent moves for dismissal, alleging that the petition was not timely filed under the one-year statute of limitations created by the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 (“AEDPA”), made effective on April 24, 1996. Because Petitioner filed his petition after the effective date of the AEDPA, review of his claims is governed by 28 U.S.C. § 2254(d), as amended. Lindh v. Murphy , 521 U.S. 320" date_filed="1997-06-23" court="SCOTUS" case_name="Lindh v. Murphy">521 U.S. 320 (1997); Noland v. French , 134 F.3d 208, 213 (4th Cir. 1998). The AEDPA substantially modified procedures for consideration of habeas corpus petitions of state inmates in the federal courts. One of those changes was the amendment of 28 U.S.C. § 2244 to establish a one- year statute of limitations for filing habeas petitions. Subsection (d) of the statute provides:

(d) (1) A 1-year period of limitation shall apply to an application for a writ of habeas corpus by a person in custody pursuant to the judgment of a State court. The limitation period shall run from the latest of—
(A) the date on which the judgment became final by the conclusion of direct review or the expiration of the time for seeking such review ;
(B) the date on which the impediment to filing an application created by State action in violation of the Constitution or laws of the United States is removed, if the applicant was prevented from filing by such State action; (C) the date on which the constitutional right asserted was
initially recognized by the Supreme Court, if the right has been newly recognized by the Supreme Court and made retroactively applicable to cases on collateral review; or
(D) the date on which the factual predicate of the claim or claims presented could have been discovered through the exercise of due diligence.
(2) The time during which a properly filed application for State post-conviction or other collateral review with respect to the pertinent judgment or claim is pending shall not be counted toward any period of limitation under this subsection .

28 U.S.C. § 2244(d) (emphasis added). Subsection (d)(1)(A) provides that the one-year statute of limitations begins to run on the date the petitioner’s conviction becomes final, not after collateral review is completed. Harris v. Hutchinson , 209 F.3d 325, 327 (4th Cir. 2000). In South Carolina, a defendant must file a notice of appeal within ten days of his conviction. Rule 203(b)(2), SCACR. Thus if a defendant does not file a direct appeal, his conviction becomes final ten days after the adjudication of guilt. Crawley v. Catoe , 257 F.3d 395" date_filed="2001-07-16" court="4th Cir." case_name="Crawley v. Catoe">257 F.3d 395, 398 (4th Cir. 2001). If a defendant files a direct appeal and his conviction is affirmed, the conviction becomes final 90 days after the final ruling of the South Carolina Supreme Court. Harris , 209 F.3d at 328, n.1 (noting conviction becomes final on the expiration of the 90-day period to seek review by the United States Supreme Court from a state’s highest court; cf. Hill v. Braxton , 277 F.3d 701" date_filed="2002-01-14" court="4th Cir." case_name="Sherwood L. Hill v. D. A. Braxton, Buckingham Correctional Center">277 F.3d 701 (4th Cir. 2002) (discussing procedure for district court’s sua sponte timeliness analysis, noting limitations period begins to run when time for filing certiorari in the United States Supreme Court has elapsed). [2]

The statute of limitations is tolled during the period that “a properly filed application for State post-conviction or other collateral review with respect to the pertinent judgment or claim is pending.” 28 U.S.C. § 2244(d)(2). The statute of limitations is tolled for the entire period of the state post-conviction process, “from initial filing to final disposition by the highest state court (whether decision on the merits, denial of certiorari, or expiration of the period of time to seek further appellate review).” Taylor v. Lee, 186 F.3d 557, 561 (4th Cir. 1999). “Following the denial of relief in the state courts in state habeas proceedings, neither the time for filing a petition for certiorari in the United States Supreme Court, nor the time a petition for certiorari is considered by the United States Supreme Court, is tolled.” Crawley v. Catoe, 257 F.3d 395" date_filed="2001-07-16" court="4th Cir." case_name="Crawley v. Catoe">257 F.3d at 399.

A state collateral proceeding must be “properly filed” for the statutory tolling provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 2244(d)(2) to apply. “[A]n application is ‘properly filed’ when its delivery and acceptance are in compliance with the applicable laws and rules governing filings. These usually prescribe, for example, the form of the document, the time limits upon its delivery, the court and office in which it must be lodged, and the requisite filing fee.” Artuz v. Bennett , 531 U.S. 4" date_filed="2000-11-07" court="SCOTUS" case_name="Artuz v. Bennett">531 U.S. 4, 8 (2000) (footnote omitted). “When a postconviction petition is untimely under state law, ‘that [is] the end of the matter’ for purposes of § 2244(d)(2).” Pace v. DiGuglielmo , 544 U.S. 408, 414 (2005) (quoting Carey v. Saffold , 536 U.S. 214" date_filed="2002-06-17" court="SCOTUS" case_name="Carey v. Saffold">536 U.S. 214, 226 (2002)). Generally, federal courts use Fed. R. Civ. P. 6(a) in computing periods of time under 28 U.S.C. § 2244(d)(2). Hernandez v. Caldwell , 225 F.3d 435" date_filed="2000-08-28" court="4th Cir." case_name="Petra E. Hernandez v. Carol Caldwell Mack Jarvis">225 F.3d 435, 439 (4th Cir. 2000).

In 2000, the Fourth Circuit held that the AEDPA’s statute of limitations is not jurisdictional, but subject to the doctrine of equitable tolling. The court found that equitable tolling applies only in “those rare instances where—due to circumstances external to the [Petitioner’s] own conduct—it would be unconscionable to enforce the limitation against the [Petitioner].” Harris , 209 F.3d at 330. In 2010, the United States Supreme Court squarely considered the issue and also held that § 2244 “is subject to equitable tolling in appropriate cases.” Holland v. Florida , 130 S. Ct. 2549" date_filed="2010-06-14" court="SCOTUS" case_name="Holland v. Florida">130 S.Ct. 2549, 2560 (2010); cf. Pace v. DiGuglielmo , 544 U.S. at 418 n.8 (noting Court assumed without deciding that AEDPA’s statute of limitations could be equitably tolled for purposes of that decision because respondent assumed it did). The Holland Court reiterated its prior holding in Pace that the statute would be equitably tolled “only if [the petitioner] shows ‘(1) that he has been pursuing his rights diligently, and (2) that some extraordinary circumstance stood in his way’ and prevented timely filing.” Holland , 130 S. Ct. 2549" date_filed="2010-06-14" court="SCOTUS" case_name="Holland v. Florida">130 S.Ct. at 2562 ( quoting Pace , 544 U.S. at 418)).

Under § 2244(d), the state bears the burden of asserting the statute of limitations. Hill v. Braxton , 277 F.3d 701, 704 (4th Cir. 2002). Petitioner then bears the burden of establishing that his petition is timely or that he is entitled to the benefit of the doctrine of equitable tolling. Rouse v. Lee , 339 F.3d 238" date_filed="2003-09-04" court="4th Cir." case_name="Kenneth Bernard Rouse v. R.C. Lee, Warden, Central Prison, Raleigh, North Carolina">339 F.3d 238, 246 (4th Cir. 2003).

2. Petitioner Did Not Timely File His Federal Petition The undersigned finds Petitioner did not timely file his petition in this matter. The AEDPA one-year period of limitation begins to run at the “conclusion of direct review or the expiration of the time for seeking such review.” 28 U.S.C. § 2244(d)(1)(A). Because Petitioner did not seek review by the United States Supreme Court, the AEDPA’s one- year statute of limitations began running “at the expiration of the time” for seeking direct review in state court. 28 U.S.C. § 2244(d)(1)(A). Petitioner’s judgment of conviction became final “when his time for seeking review with the State’s highest court expired.” Gonzalez v. Thaler , 132 S. Ct. 641, 653–54 (2012) (clarifying the Court’s prior cases concerning 28 U.S.C. § 2244(d)(1)(A)). [3]

Petitioner pled guilty and was sentenced on February 9, 2006. [Entry #18-1 at 38– 39]. At that point, Petitioner had ten days within which to file a notice of appeal, but he failed to do so. See Rule 203(b)(2), SCACR (“After a plea or trial resulting in conviction or a proceeding resulting in revocation of probation, a notice of appeal shall be served on all respondents within ten (10) days after the sentence is imposed.”). Petitioner’s conviction became final on February 21, 2006, the first non-holiday business day ten days after his sentence. Accordingly, Petitioner’s one-year statute of limitations period began running on February 22, 2006, the first day following the expiration of Petitioner’s ten-day window of appeal.

Petitioner’s filing of his PCR application on May 23, 2006, tolled the one-year limitations period. See 28 U.S.C. § 2244(d)(2). When Petitioner filed his PCR application, 90 days had elapsed, leaving 275 days within which Petitioner could timely file a federal habeas petition. The statute of limitations remained tolled until the South Carolina Supreme Court denied certiorari on August 5, 2010. [Entry #18-6]; see Gonzalez, 565 U.S. ___, ___, 132 S.Ct. at 654 (rejecting use of remittitur dates in applying Section (d) (1) (A)). The statute of limitations resumed on August 6, 2010, and expired 275 days later, on May 9, 2011. Petitioner did not file his habeas action until March 4, 2013—nearly 22 months after the statute of limitations had run. Thus, Petitioner’s habeas petition is untimely under 28 U.S.C. § 2244(d).

Petitioner is barred from federal habeas review unless he has demonstrated that he diligently has been pursuing his rights and that extraordinary circumstances prevented his timely filing, which could equitably toll the statute of limitations.

3. Petitioner Has Not Demonstrated Entitlement to Equitable Tolling. To benefit from the doctrine of equitable tolling, Petitioner must show “‘(1) that he has been pursuing his rights diligently, and (2) that some extraordinary circumstance stood in his way’ and prevented timely filing.” Holland at 2562 (quoting Pace , 544 U.S. at 418); see also Rouse , 339 F.3d at 246 (holding that, for equitable tolling to apply, petitioner must show that there was 1) an “‘extraordinary circumstance,’ 2) beyond his control or external to his own conduct, 3) that prevented him from filing on time.”).

a. Petitioner Has Not Demonstrated Reasonable Diligence The undersigned is of the opinion that Petitioner’s untimely filing should not be excused by equitable tolling under Holland’s two-pronged test . Petitioner has not demonstrated he was reasonably diligent in pursuing his rights below. Petitioner’s tardiness in filing this petition in no manner suggests that he diligently pursued his rights. The undersigned is of the opinion that Petitioner has not satisfied the first-prong of Holland’s two-pronged test for equitable tolling. Holland requires a petitioner to establish both prongs of the test to show entitlement to equitable tolling, so the court could end its analysis here.

b. Petitioner Has Not Demonstrated Extraordinary Circumstance Independently, the undersigned opines that Petitioner cannot satisfy the second prong of the test because he has not set forth facts that could demonstrate an “extraordinary circumstance” kept him from timely filing this action. Petitioner has not presented any facts sufficient to permit a finding of an extraordinary circumstance that could entitle him to equitably toll the AEDPA’s statute of limitations.

Accordingly, the undersigned is of the opinion that the petition should be dismissed on statute-of-limitations grounds. The filing was untimely, and Petitioner has not presented facts sufficient to support his argument that the limitations period should be equitably tolled. See Harris , 209 F.3d at 330 (noting petitioner has burden of showing equitable tolling). The undersigned recommends that Respondent’s motion for summary judgment be granted. Having found that the statute of limitations bars Petitioner’s § 2254 petition, the undersigned is precluded from addressing the merits of his claims. See Kornahrens v. Evatt , 66 F.3d 1350 (4th Cir. 1995) (finding that once a claim is determined to be procedurally barred, the court should not consider the issue on its merits). III. Conclusion and Recommendation For the foregoing reasons, the undersigned recommends that this action be dismissed with prejudice for failure to prosecute. See Davis v. Williams , 588 F.2d 69" date_filed="1978-11-30" court="4th Cir." case_name="Stanley Davis v. Ralph Williams">588 F.2d 69, 70 (4th Cir. 1978); Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(b). Independently, the undersigned recommends that Respondent’s motion for summary judgment be granted on the merits and the petition be dismissed with prejudice.

IT IS SO RECOMMENDED.

September 6, 2013 Shiva V. Hodges Columbia, South Carolina United States Magistrate Judge

The parties are directed to note the important information in the attached “Notice of Right to File Objections to Report and Recommendation.” Notice of Right to File Objections to Report and Recommendation The parties are advised that they may file specific written objections to this Report and Recommendation with the District Judge. Objections must specifically identify the portions of the Report and Recommendation to which objections are made and the basis for such objections. “[I]n the absence of a timely filed objection, a district court need not conduct a de novo review, but instead must ‘only satisfy itself that there is no clear error on the face of the record in order to accept the recommendation.’” Diamond v. Colonial Life & Acc. Ins. Co. , 416 F.3d 310" date_filed="2005-07-25" court="4th Cir." case_name="Rovilma Diamond v. Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company">416 F.3d 310 (4th Cir. 2005) (quoting Fed. R. Civ. P. 72 advisory committee’s note).

Specific written objections must be filed within fourteen (14) days of the date of service of this Report and Recommendation. 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1); Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(b); see Fed. R. Civ. P. 6(a), (d). Filing by mail pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 5 may be accomplished by mailing objections to:

Robin L. Blume, Clerk United States District Court 901 Richland Street Columbia, South Carolina 29201 Failure to timely file specific written objections to this Report and Recommendation will result in waiver of the right to appeal from a judgment of the District Court based upon such Recommendation. 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1); Thomas v. Arn , 474 U.S. 140" date_filed="1986-01-27" court="SCOTUS" case_name="Thomas v. Arn">474 U.S. 140 (1985); Wright v. Collins , 766 F.2d 841" date_filed="1985-01-07" court="4th Cir." case_name="Garcia Jay Wright v. George Collins, Warden, Maryland Penitentiary Dr. Berry Officer Larry Donnell">766 F.2d 841 (4th Cir. 1985); United States v. Schronce , 727 F.2d 91" date_filed="1984-05-21" court="4th Cir." case_name="United States v. Edward Lester Schronce, Jr.">727 F.2d 91 (4th Cir. 1984).

NOTES

[1] The petition was received by the court on March 5, 2013, and docketed on March 6, 2013. However, because Petitioner is incarcerated, he benefits from the “prison mailbox rule.” Houston v. Lack , 487 U.S. 266" date_filed="1988-06-24" court="SCOTUS" case_name="Houston v. Lack">487 U.S. 266 (1988). The envelope for the petition reflects it was deposited in the SCDC mailing system on March 4, 2013. [Entry #1-3 at 1].

[2] The Hill court did not discuss whether the state court that had dismissed the petitioner’s appeal was the state court of last resort.

[3] The Court’s Gonzalez decision makes it clear that, for a petitioner who did not seek review by filing a petition for writ of certiorari in that Court, no time is added to the expiration of the “time for seeking review from the State’s highest court.” 132 S.Ct. at 653–54. The Court contrasted its finding as to § 2244’s statute of limitations with its cases interpreting the statute of limitations found in 28 U.S.C. § 2255(f)(1), which is applicable to federal prisoners seeking habeas relief. See 132 S. Ct. at 653 (noting federal judgment of conviction begins “‘when this Court affirms a conviction on the merits on direct review or denies a petition for a writ of certiorari,’ or, if a petitioner does not seek certiorari, ‘when the time for filing the certiorari petition expires.’”) (quoting Clay v. United States, 537 U.S. 522" date_filed="2003-03-04" court="SCOTUS" case_name="Clay v. United States">537 U.S. 522, 527 (2003)).