The opinion
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO
WESTERN DIVISION AT CINCINNATI
RYAN HOBBS,
Petitioner, : Case No. 1:13-cv-928
- vs - District Judge Timothy S. Black
Magistrate Judge Michael R. Merz
OHIO ADULT PAROLE AUTHORITY,
:
Respondent.
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON “WRIT OF CORAM
NOBIS”
This is a habeas corpus case brought pro se by Petitioner Ryann Hobbs to obtain relief
from a state court criminal conviction. On February 18, 2015, District Judge Black adopted
Reports and Recommendations filed by the undersigned recommending dismissal of the case with
prejudice as barred by the statute of limitations; the Clerk entered final judgment accordingly (ECF
Nos. 26, 27). Hobbs did not appeal, but over three years later filed for relief from judgment (ECF
No. 28). Judge Black denied that request for relief and the Sixth Circuit denied Hobbs’s
application for a certificate of appealability (ECF Nos. 76, 85).
Hobbs has now filed what he captions as a “Writ of Coram Nobis” with a request for
evidentiary hearing (ECF No. 88). Because this is a post-judgment motion, it is deemed referred
under 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(3).
There are two fundamental problems with this filing. First of all, this is not an open case,
final judgment having been entered more than four years ago. A person wishing to file a petition
for writ of error coram nobis would be required to file a new case, not just demand relief in a
closed older habeas corpus case.
Second, federal courts have no coram nobis jurisdiction over state court convictions.
Lowery v. McCaughtry, 954 F.2d 422 (7th Cir. 1992); Theriault v. State of Mississippi, 390 F.2d
657 (5th Cir. 1968); Benson v. State Board of Parole & Probation, 384 F.2d 238 (9th Cir. 1967);
Thomas v. Cunningham, 335 F.2d 67 (4th Cir. 1964); Rivenburgh v. State of Utah, 299 F.2d 842
(10th Cir. 1962). The reason is the history of the writ. As Judge Easterbrook explained in Lowery,
supra:
Coram nobis arose as a device to extend the period (originally
limited to the term of court) in which the judge who rendered a
decision could reexamine his handiwork. ... Lowery's counsel
conceded that she had not found even one decision in the history of
the United States using coram nobis to set aside a judgment rendered
by another court.
954 F.2d at 423.
Coram nobis in federal practice was abolished by adoption of Fed.R.Civ.P. 60 in 1938, but
resurrected for federal prisoners by the Supreme Court in 1954 under the All Writs Act, 28 U.S.C.
§ 1651. United States v. Morgan, 346 U.S. 502(1954). But the Court has never approved its use
by persons seeking relief in federal court from stat convictions.
The “Writ” should therefore be DENIED.
October 29, 2019.
s/ Michael R. Merz
United States Magistrate Judge
NOTICE REGARDING OBJECTIONS
Pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(b), any party may serve and file specific, written objections to the
proposed findings and recommendations within fourteen days after being served with this Report
and Recommendations. Pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 6(d), this period is extended to seventeen days
because this Report is being served by mail. Such objections shall specify the portions of the
Report objected to and shall be accompanied by a memorandum of law in support of the objections.
A party may respond to another party’s objections within fourteen days after being served with a
copy thereof. Failure to make objections in accordance with this procedure may forfeit rights on
appeal. See Thomas v. Arn, 474 U.S. 140, 153-55 (1985); United States v. Walters, 638 F.2d 947,
949-50 (6th Cir. 1981).