Opinion

King v. Secretary, Department of Corrections (Highlands County)

Court
District Court, S.D. Florida
Filed
Nov 15, 2022
Cited by
0 cases
Authority
More cited than 20.2%

requiring a federal court sitting in habeas to defer to “reasonable” reasons given by the state court in rejecting a claim for relief

How later courts described this case

  • requiring a federal court sitting in habeas to defer to “reasonable” reasons given by the state court in rejecting a claim for relief
  • “The petitioner must support the actual innocence claim with new reliable evidence[.]”
  • holding federal courts may deny petitions for writs of habeas corpus under § 2254 by engaging in de novo review when it is unclear whether AEDPA deference applies, as a habeas petitioner will not be entitled to habeas relief if his claim is rejected following de novo review
  • “A state habeas corpus petitioner who fails to raise his federal claims properly in state court is procedurally barred from pursuing the same claim in federal court absent a showing of cause for and actual prejudice from the default.”

Written by the judges who cited it.

The opinion

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA

Case No. 21-cv-14396-BLOOM

CHRISTOPHER SNEED KING,

Petitioner,

v.

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT

OF CORRECTIONS,

Respondent.

/

ORDER DENYING PETITION

THIS CAUSE is before the Court upon Christopher Sneed King’s (“Petitioner”) Petition

for a Writ of Habeas Corpus under 28 U.S.C. § 2254, ECF No. [1] (“Petition”). Petitioner

challenges the constitutionality of his convictions and sentences in case number 2012-CF-000898

in Florida’s Tenth Judicial Circuit.

Respondent Florida Department of Corrections (“Respondent”) filed a Response, ECF

No. [12], and an Appendix, ECF No. [13], as well as a Notice of Filing Transcripts, ECF No. [14].

Petitioner thereafter filed a Reply, ECF No. [17]. The Court has carefully considered the Petition,

all supporting and opposing submissions, the record in this case, the applicable law, and is

otherwise fully advised. For the reasons set forth below, the Petition is denied.

I. BACKGROUND

Petitioner was charged in Highlands County, Florida, with one count of aggravated

manslaughter of a child (count one) and one count of neglect of a child causing great bodily harm

(count two). See ECF No. 13-1 at 11–12 (“Information”). Petitioner proceeded to a jury trial;

however, shortly after jury selection, he elected to enter an open plea to the court. See id. at 17–

20. The trial court sentenced Petitioner to 20 years’ imprisonment on count one, and the State filed

a nolle prosequi on count two. See id. at 26. Petitioner filed a notice of appeal, see id. at 32, and

the state appellate court affirmed without opinion on June 12, 2015. See King v. State, 175 So. 3d

295 (Fla. 2d Dist. Ct. App. 2015).

Petitioner thereafter filed a Motion for Postconviction Relief on August 25, 2015. See ECF

No. [13-1] at 94. He docketed an Amended Motion for Postconviction Relief on January 11, 2016.

See id. at 119. The postconviction court denied in part and directed the State to respond in part to

the motion. See id. at 142. Following several state responses and amended postconviction motions,

Petitioner docketed his Third Amended Motion for Postconviction Relief on June 13, 2017. See

id. at 198. Following an evidentiary hearing, the state postconviction court denied Petitioner’s

motion in its Final Order on Defendant’s Motion for Postconviction Relief. See ECF No. [13-2] at

2–7 (“Final Order”). On appeal, the state court affirmed without a written opinion on October 11,

2019. See King v. State, 284 So.3d 466 (Fla. 2d Dist. Ct. App. 2019).

While Petitioner’s Motion for Postconviction Relief was on appeal, Petitioner filed another

motion for postconviction relief. See ECF No. 13-3 at 2. On June 23, 2020, the postconviction

court dismissed the motion without prejudice providing Petitioner 60 days’ leave to file a facially

sufficient motion. See id. at 76. As of the date of this Order, he has not filed an amended motion.1

1The Court takes judicial notice of the Highlands County Clerk of Courts online docket at:

https://www.civitekflorida.com/ocrs/app/caseinformation.xhtml?query=KB87hla1XI6ivcnvvoO6

PzoRY6qTd8zePugzl5IwzeU&from=caseSearchTab See Paez v. Sec'y, Fla. Dep't of Corr., 947

F.3d 649, 651 (11th Cir.) (holding that district court could take judicial notice of online state

court dockets).

The present Petition was filed on June 10, 2021.2 It was originally filed in the Middle

District but was transferred to the Southern District on September 28, 2021. See ECF No. 6.

II. LEGAL STANDARD

A. Deference Under § 2254

A court’s review of a state prisoner’s federal habeas corpus petition is governed by the

Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act (“AEDPA”). See Abdul–Kabir v. Quarterman, 550

U.S. 233, 246 (2007). “The purpose of AEDPA is to ensure that federal habeas relief functions as

a guard against extreme malfunctions in the state criminal justice systems, and not as a means of

error correction.” Ledford v. Warden, Ga. Diagnostic & Classification Prison, 818 F.3d 600, 642

(11th Cir. 2016) (quotation marks omitted). This standard is “difficult to meet.” White v. Woodall,

572 U.S. 415, 419 (2014) (quotation marks omitted).

According to AEDPA, a federal court may not grant a habeas petitioner relief on any claim

adjudicated on the merits in state court unless the state court’s decision (1) “was contrary to, or

involved an unreasonable application of, clearly established Federal law, as determined by the

Supreme Court of the United States;” or (2) “was based on an unreasonable determination of the

facts in light of the evidence presented in the State court proceeding.” 28 U.S.C. § 2254(d); see

also Rimmer v. Sec’y, Fla. Dep’t of Corr., 876 F.3d 1039, 1053 (11th Cir. 2017) (citing 28 U.S.C.

§ 2254(d)).

A state court decision is “contrary to” established Supreme Court precedent when it

(1) applies a rule that contradicts the governing law set forth by the Supreme Court; or

(2) confronts a set of facts materially indistinguishable from a decision of the Supreme Court and

2 “Under the ‘prison mailbox rule,’ a pro se prisoner’s court filing is deemed filed on the date it is

delivered to prison authorities for mailing.” Williams v. McNeil, 557 F.3d 1287, 1290 n.2 (11th Cir.

2009).

nevertheless arrives at a result different from Supreme Court precedent. Williams v. Taylor, 529

U.S. 362, 405-06 (2000). An “unreasonable application” of clearly established federal law is

different from an incorrect application of federal law. Id. at 410. Consequently, “[a] state court’s

determination that a claim lacks merit precludes federal habeas relief so long as fairminded jurists

could disagree on the correctness of the state court’s decision.” Harrington v. Richter, 562 U.S.

86, 101 (2011) (quotation marks omitted). If the last state court to decide a prisoner’s federal claim

provides an explanation for its merits-based decision in a reasoned opinion, “a federal habeas court

simply reviews the specific reasons given by the state court and defers to those reasons if they are

reasonable.” Wilson v. Sellers, 138 S. Ct. 1188, 1192 (2018).

Even summary rejection of a claim, without explanation, qualifies as an adjudication on

the merits, warranting deference. See Meders v. Warden, Ga. Diagnostic Prison, 911 F.3d 1335,

1351 (11th Cir. 2019). If the state court’s merits determination is unaccompanied by an

explanation, federal courts should “‘look through’ the unexplained decision to the last related state-

court decision that does provide a relevant rationale” and “presume that the unexplained decision

adopted the same reasoning.” Wilson, 138 S. Ct. at 1192. Furthermore, a decision is still an

adjudication on the merits when it “addresses some but not all of a defendant’s claims.” Johnson

v. Williams, 568 U.S. 289, 298 (2013).

Moreover, a federal district court is authorized to deny a claim for federal habeas corpus

relief when the claim is subject to rejection under de novo review, regardless of whether AEDPA

deference applies. See Berghuis v. Thompkins, 560 U.S. 370, 390 (2010) (holding federal courts

may deny petitions for writs of habeas corpus under § 2254 by engaging in de novo review when

it is unclear whether AEDPA deference applies, as a habeas petitioner will not be entitled to habeas

relief if his claim is rejected following de novo review); Connor v. GDCP Warden, 784 F.3d 752,

767 (11th Cir. 2015).

AEDPA “imposes a highly deferential standard for evaluating state-court rulings . . . , and

demands that state-court decisions be given the benefit of the doubt[.]” Renico v. Lett, 559 U.S.

766, 773 (2010) (quotation marks and footnote omitted). Deferential review under § 2254(d) is

generally limited to the record that was before the state court that adjudicated the claim on the

merits. See Cullen v. Pinholster, 563 U.S. 170, 182 (2011).

B. Ineffective Assistance of Counsel

The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees criminal defendants

the right to assistance of counsel during criminal proceedings. See Strickland v. Washington, 466

U.S. 668, 684-85 (1984). When assessing counsel’s performance under Strickland, the Court

employs a strong presumption that counsel “rendered adequate assistance and made all significant

decisions in the exercise of reasonable professional judgment.” Id. at 690. “[T]he Sixth

Amendment does not guarantee the right to perfect counsel; it promises only the right to effective

assistance[.]” Burt v. Titlow, 571 U.S. 12, 20 (2013). “Where the highly deferential standards

mandated by Strickland and AEDPA both apply, they combine to produce a doubly deferential

form of review that asks only ‘whether there is any reasonable argument that counsel satisfied

Strickland’s deferential standard.’” Gissendaner v. Seaboldt, 735 F.3d 1311, 1323 (11th Cir. 2013)

(quoting Harrington v. Richter, 562 U.S. 86, 105 (2011)).

To prevail on a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, a petitioner must demonstrate

both (1) that counsel’s performance was deficient; and (2) a reasonable probability that the

deficient performance prejudiced the defense. See Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687-88; see also

Harrington, 562 U.S. at 104.

To establish deficient performance, the petitioner must show that, considering all

circumstances, “counsel’s conduct fell ‘outside the wide range of professionally competent

assistance.’” Cummings v. Sec’y for Dep’t of Corr., 588 F.3d 1331, 1356 (11th Cir. 2009) (quoting

Strickland, 466 U.S. at 690). Strategic choices made after thorough investigation of the law and

facts relevant to plausible options are virtually unchallengeable. See Strickland, 466 U.S. at 690-

91. The court’s review of counsel’s performance should focus on “not what is possible or ‘what is

prudent or appropriate, but only [on] what is constitutionally compelled.’” Chandler v. United

States, 218 F.3d 1305, 1313 (11th Cir. 2000) (footnote omitted; quoting Burger v. Kemp, 483 U.S.

776, 794 (1987)). Counsel is not ineffective for failing to raise non-meritorious issues, see

Chandler v. Moore, 240 F.3d 907, 917 (11th Cir. 2001); nor is counsel required to present every

non-frivolous argument, see Dell v. United States, 710 F.3d 1267, 1282 (11th Cir. 2013).

Regarding the prejudice component, “[t]he defendant must show that there is a reasonable

probability that, but for counsel’s unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have

been different.” Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694. “A reasonable probability is a probability sufficient

to undermine confidence in the outcome.” Id. A court need not address both prongs of Strickland

if the defendant makes an insufficient showing on one of the prongs. See id. at 697; Brown v.

United States, 720 F.3d 1316, 1326 (11th Cir. 2013).

III. DISCUSSION

A. Timeliness

The parties agree that the Petition is timely filed. See ECF No. [12] at 14. Having reviewed

the record in full, the Court finds that the Petition was timely filed.

B. Exhaustion

Respondent asserts that “all of the grounds [in the Petition] are unexhausted.” Id. at 16.

Petitioner counters that “he fairly presented the state courts with a federal due process claim.” ECF

No. [17] at 1. As to Ground One, the record undermines him.

1. Ground One is Unexhausted

“For purposes of exhausting state remedies, a habeas claim must include reference to a

specific federal constitutional guarantee, as well as a statement of the facts entitling a petitioner to

relief. A petitioner does not satisfy the exhaustion requirement by presenting the state courts only

with the facts necessary to state a claim for relief. Nor is it enough to make a general appeal to a

constitutional guarantee as broad as due process to present the ‘substance’ of such a claim to a

state court.” Gray v. Netherland, 518 U.S. 152, 163 (1996) (cleaned up). “Thus, to exhaust state

remedies fully the petitioner must make the state court aware that the claims asserted present

federal constitutional issues.” Jimenez v. Fla. Dep't of Corr., 481 F.3d 1337, 1342 (11th Cir. 2007).

“A litigant can easily indicate his claim's federal law basis in a petition or brief, for example, by

citing to the federal source of law on which he relies or simply labeling the claim “federal.”

Baldwin v. Reese, 541 U.S. 27, 28 (2004).

Here, Ground One is copied verbatim from Petitioner’s initial brief on direct appeal with a

few exceptions. See generally Petition; ECF No. [13-1] at 41–73 (“Initial Brief”). “Appellant” is

now “petitioner.” See id. The citations to Florida cases have been removed. See id. And the

following final paragraph was added:

The record is clear that the lower court erred in denying the Petitioner’s motion to

withdraw his plea. Therefore, the State court’s adjudication resulted in a decision that

was contrary to and involved an unreasonable application of clearly established federal

law, as determined by the Supreme Court of the United States. Their decision was also

based on an unreasonable determination of the facts in light of the evidence presented in

the State court proceeding.

ECF No. [1] at 6. Returning to the Initial Brief, the words “federal” or “due process” are not written

once in the thirty-two-page document. See Baldwin, 541 U.S. at 28. The Initial Brief is devoid of

any mention of the U.S. Constitution. Petitioner also cites exclusively to state cases decided on

state grounds. See Initial Brief at 43. All his arguments center on Florida law, mainly the “Williams

rule3 or inextricably intertwined evidence of prior bad acts.” Id. at 68; ECF No. [1] at 5. Nothing

in his argument would have alerted the state court to the presence of a federal due process claim.

Thus, Petitioner failed to exhaust his federal claim.

Moreover, Petitioner would now be barred from raising his constitutional claim before

the state court. Florida law procedurally bars new claims or claims that have already been raised

in prior petitions when “the circumstances upon which they are based were known or should have

been known at the time the prior petition was filed.” Johnson v. Singletary, 647 So.2d 106, 109

(Fla.1994).

To overcome this procedural bar in federal court, there are two equitable exceptions to the

procedural default rule: “cause and prejudice” and “actual innocence.” See Dretke v. Haley, 541

U.S. 386, 393 (2004). To demonstrate “cause and prejudice,” Petitioner must show that “some

objective factor external to the defense impeded the effort to raise the claim properly in the state

court[,]” and that, had the claim been properly raised, “there is at least a reasonable probability

that the result of the proceeding would have been different.” Harris v. Comm’r, Ala. Dep’t of

Corr., 874 F.3d 682, 688 (11th Cir. 2017).

In contrast, the actual innocence exception can only be met when the petitioner provides

new evidence showing that “it is more likely than not that no reasonable juror would have

convicted the petitioner.” McQuiggin v. Perkins, 569 U.S. 383, 392 (2013) (quoting Schlup v.

Delo, 513 U.S. 298, 329 (1995)). Petitioner bears the burden of proving that either one of these

exceptions would excuse a procedural default. See Gordon v. Nagle, 2 F.3d 385, 388 (11th Cir.

3 Relating to the Florida rule of evidence derived from Williams v. State, 110 So. 2d 654, 658 (Fla.

1959).

1993) (“A defendant has the burden of establishing cause and prejudice.”); Arthur v. Allen, 452

F.3d 1234, 1245 (11th Cir. 2006) (“The petitioner must support the actual innocence claim with

new reliable evidence[.]”) (cleaned up).

Neither equitable exception to the procedural default rule applies. Petitioner makes no

showing of “cause and prejudice,” and no new evidence is presented to establish “actual

innocence.” See generally Petition, Reply. Ground One is thus dismissed. See Bailey v. Nagle, 172

F.3d 1299, 1302 (11th Cir. 1999) (“A state habeas corpus petitioner who fails to raise his federal

claims properly in state court is procedurally barred from pursuing the same claim in federal court

absent a showing of cause for and actual prejudice from the default.”).

2. Grounds Two Through Five

Petitioner’s ineffective assistance of counsel (“IAC”) claims in Grounds Two through Five

were presented to the state courts in motions for postconviction relief with a “notice of federal

constitutional claims.” ECF No. [13-1] at 120. Petitioner has a stronger claim that these grounds

were exhausted. As such, the Court will address these grounds on the merits. See LeCroy v. Sec'y,

Fla. Dep't of Corr., 421 F.3d 1237, 1261 n. 26 (11th Cir. 2005) (Under the AEDPA, a federal court

may not grant a habeas petition that contains unexhausted claims, but it may deny such a petition

on the merits).

C. IAC Ground Two

Petitioner asserts that “counsel was ineffective for misadvising [him] to enter a plea with

the assurance that his right to appeal had been preserved.” Petition at 6. The state postconviction

court held an evidentiary hearing on this matter and made the following findings:

In claim 2, Defendant asserts counsel was ineffective by misadvising Defendant to enter a

plea with the assurance that his right to appeal had been preserved. Defendant testified that

he entered his plea because trial counsel, Shirley Whitsitt, assured him that he would be

able to appeal the motion in limine.

Ms. Whitsitt testified that she talked to Defendant about moving forward through trial and

appealing issues afterward. She testified that she advised Defendant that with the evidence

coming in, she felt that he would be convicted and that the trial judge would sentence him

to the full thirty years. Ms. Whitsitt also testified that she talked to Defendant about

entering a plea and specified that the decision to enter the straight-up plea was Defendant’s

decision. She testified that she did not tell Defendant he could appeal the rulings on the

motion in limine and the State’s Williams Rule motion after he pled. Ms. Whitsitt further

testified that she did not tell Defendant that his right to appeal those rulings would be

preserved upon his plea. Ms. Whitsitt testified that she did tell him his right to appeal was

waived upon entry of the plea.

The court finds Ms. Whitsitt did not advise Defendant or otherwise assure him that his right

to appeal the trial court’s rulings had been preserved. The court finds counsel was not

ineffective, nor was Defendant prejudiced by counsel’s actions or inactions. Claim 2 is

denied.

Final Order at 5. The postconviction court’s finding that Petitioner failed to establish deficiency

or prejudice under Strickland was reasonable and supported by the record. “Determining the

credibility of witnesses is the province and function of the state courts, not a federal court engaging

in habeas review.” Consalvo v. Sec'y for Dep't of Corr., 664 F.3d 842, 845 (11th Cir. 2011).

Accordingly, this ground is denied under both the “prejudice” and “deficient performance” prongs

of Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687-88.

D. IAC Ground Three

Petitioner asserts that counsel was ineffective for failing to request a final ruling on his

continuance motion and misadvising him that the continuance motion was denied. See Petition at

8. He asserts that this resulted in an involuntary plea. See id. On this point, the state postconviction

court made the following findings:

In claim 3, Defendant asserts he entered an involuntary plea based on misadvice from

counsel that the trial court had denied his motion for continuance. However, Ms. Whitsitt

testified that she never told Defendant that her motions for continuances were denied, and

that Defendant was present for every continuance motion that she made. Based on Ms.

Whitsitt’s testimony, and a review of the record (see attachments), the court finds that Ms.

Whitsitt made numerous requests for continuances, with Defendant present, and the trial

court repeatedly indicated the trial would continue – effectively denying her requests. The

court finds counsel was not ineffective, nor was Defendant prejudiced.

Final Order at 5. The postconviction court found that trial counsel’s testimony was credible. See

id. at 1. “Federal habeas courts have “no license to redetermine credibility of witnesses whose

demeanor has been observed by the state trial court, but not by them.” Marshall v. Lonberger, 459

U.S. 422 (1983). In sum, the postconviction court’s findings were reasonable and counsel was not

deficient. See Strickland, 466 U.S. at 697 (A court need not address both prongs of Strickland if

the defendant makes an insufficient showing on one of the prongs). Accordingly, Ground Three is

denied.

E. IAC Ground Four

Petitioner asserts that “[c]ounsel rendered ineffective assistance by failing to retain a

toxicologist prior to trial which left the petitioner without any defense at trial resulting in him

entering an involuntary plea.” Petition at 12. Having reviewed the record in full, the Court finds

nothing unreasonable with the trial court’s rejection of IAC Ground Four. Wilson, 138 S. Ct. at

1192 (requiring a federal court sitting in habeas to defer to “reasonable” reasons given by the state

court in rejecting a claim for relief). Petitioner seems to suggest, but does not explicitly state, that

a toxicology expert would have refuted the State’s results and exonerated him. See generally

Petition at 12–14. His assertion is speculative and insufficient to merit an evidentiary hearing. See

Tejada v. Dugger, 941 F.2d 1551, 1559 (11th Cir. 1991) (recognizing that vague, conclusory, or

unsupported allegations cannot support an ineffective assistance of counsel claim and do not

warrant an evidentiary hearing).

Moreover, had a defense expert made the same findings as the State’s experts, it would

have been devastating to Petitioner’s case. His speculation about what an expert might have opined

is not a basis for relief. See Buckelew v. United States, 575 F.2d 515, 521 (5th Cir. 1978) (noting

that complaints of uncalled witnesses, in support of claims of ineffective assistance of counsel, are

not favored, because the presentation of testimonial evidence is a matter of trial strategy and

because allegations of what a witness would have testified are largely speculative).

The Court agrees with the postconviction court that Petitioner’s counsel made reasonable

strategic choices based on an informed understanding of the law and facts of the case. See

Strickland, 466 U.S. at 690-91. Petitioner also fails to show that “the result of the proceedings

would have been different” had trial counsel retained a toxicologist. Accordingly, this claim is

denied under both the “prejudice” and “deficient performance” prongs of Strickland. 466 U.S. at

687-88.

F. IAC Ground Five

Petitioner asserts that counsel was ineffective for failing to advise him “that count two

was barred by double jeopardy and he could not be convicted of both counts at trial.” Petition at

14. On this point, the state postconviction court made the following findings:

In claim 5, Defendant asserts counsel failed to advise Defendant that count two was

barred by double jeopardy and he could not be convicted of both counts at trial.

Ms. Whitsitt testified that she told Defendant he was facing thirty years, and that during

the trial portion of his case she never told him that he was facing 45 years. Ms. Whitsitt

testified that the charge were multiplicitous, based on a case decided after Defendant’s

case was filed and a few months after she sent Defendant a letter advising him that he

was facing 45 years in prison. She testified that she told Defendant he was facing thirty

years imprisonment, advising him during the trial proceedings that she thought there was

a chance he would get less than that if he entered a straight-up plea. Ms. Whitsitt testified

that going into the trial they “all” knew that count two was barred based on double

jeopardy, and that she was sure she had discussed this with Defendant. Ms. Whitsitt

testified that she thought it was clear to Defendant concerning the double jeopardy issue.

Ms. Whitsitt is credible; the court finds counsel was not ineffective, nor was Defendant

prejudiced. Claim 5 is denied.

Final Order at 6–7. The state postconviction court found trial counsel’s testimony to be credible.

Once again, the Court defers to the state postconviction court’s determinations of witness

credibility. See Consalvo, 664 F.3d at 845. Accordingly, counsel was not ineffective and Ground

Five is denied. See Strickland, 466 U.S. at 697 (A court need not address both prongs of Strickland

if the defendant makes an insufficient showing on one of the prongs).

IV. EVIDENTIARY HEARING

In a habeas corpus proceeding, the burden is on the petitioner to establish the need for an

evidentiary hearing. See Chavez v. Sec’y, Fla. Dep’t of Corr., 647 F.3d 1057, 1060 (11th Cir.

2011). “[I]f the record refutes the applicant’s factual allegations or otherwise precludes habeas

relief, a district court is not required to hold an evidentiary hearing.” Schriro v. Landrigan, 550

U.S. 465, 474 (2007); see also Jones v. Sec’y, Fla. Dep’t of Corr., 834 F.3d 1299, 1318-19 (11th

Cir. 2016). Here, the issues presented can be resolved based on the record before the Court.

Because the Court can “adequately assess [Petitioner’s] claim[s] without further factual

development[,]” he is not entitled to an evidentiary hearing. Turner v. Crosby, 339 F.3d 1247,

1275 (11th Cir. 2003).

V. CERTIFICATE OF APPEALABILITY

A prisoner seeking to appeal a district court’s final order denying his or her petition for

writ of habeas corpus has no absolute entitlement to appeal; rather, in order to do so, he must obtain

a certificate of appealability. See 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c)(1); see also Harbison v. Bell, 556 U.S. 180,

183 (2009). This Court should issue a certificate of appealability only if Petitioner makes “a

substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional right.” See 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c)(2). Where the

district court rejects a petitioner’s constitutional claims on the merits, the petitioner must

demonstrate that reasonable jurists “would find the district court’s assessment of the constitutional

claims debatable or wrong.” See Slack v. McDaniel, 529 U.S. 473, 484 (2000). Where the district

court rejects a petitioner’s claims on procedural grounds, the petitioner must additionally show

that “jurists of reason” would find the district court’s procedural ruling “debatable.” Id.

Case No. 21-cv-14396-BLOOM

Upon consideration of the record, the Court denies a certificate of appealability on all

grounds.

VI. CONCLUSION

Accordingly, it is ORDERED AND ADJUDGED as follows:

1. Petitioner Christopher Sneed King’s Petition for a Writ of Habeas Corpus under 28

U.S.C. § 2254, ECF No. [1], is DENIED.

2. Acertificate of appealability is DENIED.

3. To the extent not otherwise disposed of, any pending motions are DENIED AS

MOOT and all deadlines are TERMINATED.

4. The Clerk of Court is directed to CLOSE this case.

DONE AND ORDERED in Chambers at Miami, Florida, on November 14, 2022.

BETH BLOOM

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Copies to:

Counsel of Record

Christopher Sneed King

#H08914

South Bay Correctional Facility

Inmate Mail/Parcels

600 U S Highway 27 South

South Bay, FL 33493-2233

PRO SE

14

This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.

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