Petition for Writ of Certiorari — Coley v. Lappin (No. 06-424)
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06-424 SEP 19 2006
ante OFFICE OF THE CLERK
Supreme Court of the United States
TERRY COLEY,
Petitioner,
a
V.
HARLEY G. LAPPIN and
WARREN DAVID JUSTICE,
Respondents.
On Petition for Writ of Certiorari
to the U.S. Court of Appeals
for the Fifth Circuit
PETITION FOR WRIT OF CERTIORARI
Marcia G. Shein
Counsel of Record
2392 North Decatur Road
Decatur, Georgia 30033
(404) 633-3797
- Counsel for Petitioner
GibsonMoore Appellate Services, LLC
42] East Franklin Street ¢ Suite 230 ¢ Richmond, VA 23219
804-249-7770 # gibsonmoore@comcast.net
QUESTION PRESENTED
DOES THE FUGITIVE DISMISSAL
RULE VIOLATE A DEFENDANT'S
FIFTH, SIXTH, AND EIGHT
AMENDMENT RIGHTS WHEN THE
2241 IS BARRED AS INSUFFICIENT
TO OVERCOME THE INADEQUACY
OF A 2255 REQUIREMENT AND THE
DEFENDANT WAS A_ FUGITIVE
DURING THE TIME A 2255 COULD
HAVE BEEN TIMELY FILED?
il
LIST OF PARTIES
The parties in the court below are contained in
the caption. There is no party with an interest to
disclose pursuant to Rule 29 (6).
iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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PETITION FOR WRIT OF CERTIORARI............cccceseseees 1
a UMNO iiss cicrsviesciiccoilabitnbuicinlaciniaiibaabbinciohaeabaisbalit 1
STATEMENT OF JURISDICTION onccssncossrsncessocarecssonesoeors 1
CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS .........ccsssssssecsseseeseseee 1
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iv
3 DOES THE FUGITIVE DISMISSAL
RULE VIOLATE A
DEFENDANT'S FIFTH, SIXTH,
AND EIGHT AMENDMENT
RIGHTS WHEN THE 2241 IS
BARRED AS INSUFFICIENT TO
OVERCOME THE INADEQUACY
OF A 2255 REQUIREMENT AND
THE DEFENDANT WAS A
FUGITIVE DURING THE TIME A
2255 COULD HAVE BEEN
PEERS FRIST picsatinitinuislinadiaiiandaiion 10
A. Petitioner's Claim Of Error.........ccseeeeees 16 ,
B. Brief history surrounding the
application of Habeas Corpus
I 17
C. Deprivation of Constitutional
PANU sc iississthesncoxinnaicse sabe tectioiunivtniissbuiqens ites 22
D. Inadequacy of the 2255 Creates
Be FTI sce si ccicnserhsspcnssnctvinsbraiteinnete 22
i OE ese Accaines psn anand dednsehapsacaiipdananamacniasintiies 27
APPENDIX
Vv
TABLE OF AUTHORITIES
Page(s)
Cases
Ali v. Gibson,
Fe Oe OF 8 Ct CAE, TOFB) vecciccctvesineivenietevninvesiven 18
Charles v. Chandler,
180 F.3d 753 (6" Cir. 1999) (per curiam)............ 26
Cooper v. United States,
199 F3ge G5G 67 Cir, 1999) cvccsccovsceccescosesscescoennesies 26
Davis v. United States
417 U.S. 333,94 SCE. Z296 (1976) ...ccccsveseccecccensees 24
In Re: Davenport,
BAZ FS GOS C7O Ar. 1996). ccescncccscortevcerserrveves 24, 25
In Re: Dorsainvil,
Fh a gl Se | 4 REEL te 22
Kapral v. United States,
ee is BOI vensentvivnssccctaesvesicemnniticiobe 8
Kaufman v. United States,
394 US. 217, 89 S.Ct. 1068 (1969) .......c0cccsssoreorsors 19
Larson v. United States,
ee Fare Ce Rady. SOD sceiverinsevinvesovevianennsentene 17
vl
Mead v. Parker,
Pw BE Ti eh SES. / ¢ 1 a 21
McClesky v. Zant,
499 US. 467, 111 S. Ct. 1454 (1991) oe eeeeeeens 19
Michel v. Louisiana
DS Eh hg FO a LOO CIID ciccicanjesetvsiiabemsbocins 14
Miller v. Florida,
482 U.S. 423, 107 S.Ct. 2446 (1987) ........eeseeereeees 17
National Union Fire Insurance Company v.
City Savings,
FO CM SIG CTT, FIGS os sccwrssesenictvinstccpinivensien 21
Ortega-Rodriquez v. United States,
507 U.S. 234; 113 S.Ct. 1199 (1993) .......... 12, 13, 14
Pottinger v. City of Miami,
810 F Supp. 1551 (6D. Fl. 1992) ....ceccesseorsseeoveses 22
Reiter v. Sonotone Corporation,
442 US. 330, 99 S. Ct. Z3Z6. S79) cncccccecseessvcceseves 21
Sanders v. United States,
373 US. 1, 83 S. Ct. 1068 (1963) ......22:0-0---000 20, 21
Sunal v. Large,
Fae US. 176, 67 SCY. TRGB (BPG) oncceseconcsonerntsinenes 23
me Vil
Swan v. Press) °
430 U.S 822, 97 S.Ct. 1224 (1977) ..ccccceccosesesssevvees 19
Triestman v. United States,
124 F.3d 361 (2% Cir. 1997) ...ccccosceseess 15, 20, 22, 24
United States v. Addonizio, -
442 U.S. 178, 99 S.Ct. 2235 (1979) .........ceceeee 23, 24
United States v. Domino,
G2 F Dk 716 CF? Cae. T99B) iiscircssvtccinsvinssinatncsuciyeons 18
United States v. Estrada,
849 F.2d 1304 (10% Cir. 1988) ......c.c0cecccossesereseceses 17
United States v. Fazzio,
FOG Ae BERS EE CR, FORD) wiscvcensntaniticlisenitiasonis 17
United States v. Hayman, e
362 OS. DD, 729. Ch, BES (TRI) tececcesinerinnsess 20, 25
Waley v. Johnston,
316 US. 101, 62 5.00. S66 (19RD) a cevccaisovsssovesncosons 23
Statues
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BB USA. § TISAI) CE DD srssviosescrericscscnibiciarsinimtteiniconiie 2
US CO a ee 23
SS 2
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Ne scatsvesasosnsrevecece passim
I tT. ccsceceecosvcecesesesesveesevecuns 19, 20
NE ssc cccsscrisscesconsvsvsessesnssssscovsseecvcescosevs passim
Constitutional Provisions :
BREE AMERIIED, V cccscsesessersesseecovesvevovesovenseeesverees passim
nS) ee passim
Ee): | Ee re passim
Guidelines
I I tN. ._scecoveveoneconvsesosencvsueseneeensnesss 17
Be TE ETD nce: coneceecececcesececesoneeseseseeess 17
ee 16
ova secevessscrvovinsedevecressssvsevencevenerssereveseove 16
U.S.S.G. § 3B1.1, Application Note 2........cccccescseeeseeeees 16
U.S.S.G. Amendment 500.............ccccccccsscscsseeeceee Senacioaieapans a
PETITION FOR WRIT OF CERTIORARI
TERRY COLEY, by and through undersigned
counsel, submits this Writ of Certiorari from the Fifth
Circuit Court of Appeals opinion and requests review
of the opinion filed on June 21, 2006. The opinion
affirmed the decision in the United States District
Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Civil Action No.
5:04-CV-108.
OPINION BELOW
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals filed an
opinion on June 21, 2006 affirming the district court's
decision. This unpublished opinion is reproduced in
the Appendix at A-1.
JURISDICTION
Pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 10, jurisdiction
in the Supreme Court is now appropriate, as the Fourth
Circuit is believed to have entered a decision that is in
conflict with the United States Constitution and
precedent of the Supreme Court.
CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY INVOLVED
FIFTH, SIXTH AND EIGHTH AMENDMENTS
[Reproduced in the Appendix hereto at A-11]
STATEMENT OF THE CASE
On August 5, 1988, Petitioner was among fifteen
individuals named in a 19-Count Indictment, returned
by the Grand Jury for the Northern District of Georgia.
Of these nineteen Counts, Petitioner was specifically
charged with the following: Count One - from a time
unknown, but at least by March 5, 1995, and continuing
until the date of the indictment, conspiracy to violate
21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) by intentionally and unlawfully
possessing with the intent to distribute more than five
kilograms of cocaine, all in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846;
Count Five - possession of cocaine on January 4, 1988,
in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841{a)(1) and 18 U.S.C. 2;
Count Six - possession in excess of 500 grams of
cocaine, on January 13, 1988, in violation of 21 U.S.C.
§§ 841 (a)(1) and 18 U.S.C. 2; and Count Twelve - on or
about May 30, 1988, utilizing the telephone to facilitate
the carrying on of the possession of cocaine, in
violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1952(a)(3) and (2).
Petitioner was arrested for the charged offenses
on August 10, 1988, in the Southern District of Florida.
Petitioner was subsequently arraigned on August 31,
1988, at which time he entered a plea of not guilty to all
charges against him. The case was then bound over for
jury trial.
On February 22, 1994, after a six-year span,
Petitioner and two co-defendants finally appeared for
the start of trial. On March 11, 1994, the jury found
Petitioner guilty as to Counts One, Five, and Six of the
Indictment. Petitioner was found not guilty of the
charge in Count Twelve.
On May 26, 1994, Petitioner appeared for
sentencing. After hearing arguments as to the relevant
sentencing factors, the district court imposed a 188-
month term of imprisonment. Petitioner was also
assessed with a fine of $25,000.00. Petitioner, through
counsel, appealed his convictions and sentence to the
Eleventh Circuit. The Eleventh Circuit Court of
Appeals affirmed the Appeal on March 28, 1997.
Petitioner did not file a Petition for Certiorari, nor did
he file a 2255, within the one-year time limitation due
to the fact that he became a fugitive. Petitioner filed his
2255, on August 16, 2002, after consulting with counsel.
Petitioner retained counsel for his 2255 on October 1,
2001. Post-conviction counsel uncovered a sentencing
error and advised Petitioner to pursue a remedy with a
2255 or 2241 in order to avoid a miscarriage of justice
and/or a violation of his Constitutional due process
rights under the Fifth, Sixth, and Eighth Amen“ments
to the United States Constitution.
On July 9, 2003, the United State District Court
for the Northern District of Georgia (Atlanta Division)
denied the 2255 Petition. The Certificate of
Appealability (COA) was filed on August 26, 2003. The
Certificate of Appealability was denied on October 6,
2003. The basis for the denial of the 2255 was a time bar
for failure to timely file the 2255 and the exercise of due
diligence in pursuing the question of law presented.
On May 17, 2004, Petitioner filed a Habeas
Corpus Petition, pursuant 28 U.S.C. § 2241, asserting
that the 2255 was inadequate and ineffective to protect
Petitioner’s due process rights, and that, as a fugitive,
Petitioner could not have obtained the relevant
information to note the error made at sentencing.
Additionally, Petitioner stated that he was not “in
custody” and, therefore, a 2255 could not have been
filed. On May 11, 2005, the United States Magistrate
issued a Report of Recommendation (R&R) denying
relief on the 2241. [A-6] Petitioner objected to the
Magistrate’s R&R on June 6, 2005. A District Court
order adopting the Magistrate’s R&R on the 2241, was
filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern
District of Texas on July 6, 2005. [A-3] The petition was
dismissed with prejudice for lack of jurisdiction,
however, the issues were dismissed without prejudice.
A timely Notice of Appeal was filed to address
the 2241 Petition on August 2, 2005. The 2241 was
denied by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals on June
21, 2006. [A-1]
STATEMENT OF FACTS
The facts of this case are taken from the Direct
Appeal and 2255 briefs.
The charges against Petitioner were the result of
an investigation into the drug-dealing activities of
Clarence McIntyre (Mcintyre). McIntyre was said to
have been involved with the distribution of cocaine in
the Northern District of Georgia. According to the
investigative reports, McIntyre started distributing
cocaine in the early 1980's with Milton Johnson. These
two worked with, or employed, three other
individuals. During the early stages of the distribution
scheme, Mcintyre and/or Johnson would utilize
numerous suppliers in order to acquire their cocaine.
Petitioner and Mclntyre knew one another
through their respective sisters, both of whom went to
college together. With Petitioner allegedly having
difficulties with authorities in Birmingham, and given
that McIntyre had dissolved his partnership with
Johnson, Petitioner was offered a partnership in
MclIntyre's Atlanta operation. Petitioner accepted the
offer. The supposed agreement was that (i) Petitioner
would acquire the cocaine; (ii) McIntyre would
distribute the cocaine; and (iii) both of them would
provide half of the financing for the cocaine being
bought. In fulfilling his part of the agreement, Petitioner
was said to have arranged the acquisition of the cocaine
in Miami, and the delivery to McIntyre's couriers.
On January 4th and 13th, 1988, Petitioner and
McIntyre were involved with the sale of cocaine.
Unfortunately for Petitioner, the sales were to
undercover Agents who, through the wearing of wires,
were able to tape the transactions as they occurred.
Both Petitioner and McIntyre were arrested after the
January 13th transaction.
Petitioner was sentenced on May 26, 1994.
During this proceeding, Petitioner argued the
following points: {i) drug quantity attributed to him;
and (ii) the adjustment for the alleged aggravating role
in the offense. As to the drug quantity, the district
court found that there was sufficient showing that the
amount of cocaine attributable to the conspiracy was
between five and fifteen kilograms. [Sentencing
Transcript: 39]. As to role in the offense, the district
court did not find that the upward adjustment was
warranted, but did not find that a departure may be
applicable for Petitioner’s management of funds.
[Sentencing Transcript: 49, 50].
After also determining that Petitioner did not
obstruct justice, and that he was not worthy of a
reduction for acceptance of responsibility, the district
court did impose a 2-point upward departure for
Petitioner's management of the funds associated with
the conspiracy. [Sentencing Transcript: 66]. Having
decided the relevant sentencing factors, the district
court imposed a 188-month term of imprisonment
upon Petitioner, with a fine in the amount of
$25,000.00.
After the imposition of sentence, Petitioner was
granted the benefits of (i) having his bond continued
pending the appeal; and (ii) being allowed to self-
surrender at the time and place so designated by the
Bureau of Prisons.
The Petitioner, through counsel, went forward
with an appeal of his conviction and sentence. The
‘appeal raised three issues, to wit: (i) Whether
Petitioner’s case should have been dismissed for
violation of the Speedy Trial Act, 18 U.S.C. 3161, et. seq.;
(ii) Whether the Petitioner’s case should have been
dismissed for violation of his Sixth Amendment right
to a speedy trial; and (iii) Whether the District Court
erred in imposing a two-point upward departure in
lieu of an aggravating role adjustment.
The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed
the Petitioner’s convictions and sentence on March 28,
1997. However, while the Petitioner subsequently
received notice of the time and place of his self-
surrender, he failed to appear for the execution of his
sentence. On April 2, 2001, Petitioner was re-arrested
and incarcerated, pursuant to the original sentencing
order of the district court.
On October 1, 2001, the Petitioner retained
counsel to review and evaluate what he believed to be
errors in his sentencing proceedings
A 2255 petition was filed as soon as the illegal
sentencing issues were detected. The three issues
raised on the 2255 petition were: (1) Whether the
Petitioner’s relevant conduct subjected him to a base
offense level of thirty-four (34) when the finding of the
District Court warranted only a level thirty-two (32)
resulting in a complete miscarriage of justice; (2) The
District Courts position on an upward departure to
Petitioner’s guideline range constituted an error as a
matter of law, which resulted in the Petitioner being
subjected to an illegal sentence; and (3) Counsel
provided ineffective assistance of counsel in failing to
address Issues one and two.
A 2255 was filed on or about August 15, 2002 in
the United States District Court of the Northern District
of Georgia, the location of jurisdiction of the conviction
of Coley. The District Court's order of July 9, 2005
denied Coley relief as a result of a “time bar” for not
having exercised diligence or having made an effort to
discover the facts that underlie the basis for the issues
presented, referring to his fugitive status as a factor in
the time bar.’
; Coley was a fugitive from approximately 1997 until
he entered custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons on April
2, 2001. :
Coley’s conviction was affirmed by the Court of
Appeals on March 28, 1997. He was rearrested and
incarcerated on April 2, 2001. The 2255 would have
been due on March 28, 1998, or approximately ninety
days later, due to the ninety-day tolling period if a
defendant wishes to file a Petition for Certiorari. with
the Supreme Court. See Kapral vs. United States 166
F.3d 565 (3'4 Cir. 1999),
Due to the time bar of the 2255, a 2241 was filed
on October 25, 2005 and set forth the following issues:
(1) The district court finding that the drug quantity was
between 5-15 kilograms of cocaine warranted a base
offense level of Thirty-Two (32) - not the Level Thirty-
Four (34), which was applied; (2) There existed a
misapplication of the Sentencing Guidelines, resulting
in Petitioner sentencing range, and ultimate sentence,
to be higher than warranted, resulting in an illegal!
sentence and a _ miscarriage of justice; and
(3) Petitioner’s prior counsel was ineffective through (i)
allowing the matter to go to trial; and (ii) failing to
adequately represent Petitioner at sentencing and/or on
appeal.
On May 1, 2005, the United States Magistrate
issued a Report and Recommendation denying the §
2241 Petition. Petitioner filed Objections to the
Magistrate's Report and Recommendation on June 6,
2005. A court order adopting the Magistrate's Report
and Recommendation was issued on July 6, 2005. The §
2241 Petition was dismissed with prejudice for lack of
jurisdiction, however, the issues were dismissed
without prejudice. A timely Notice of Appeal was filed
to address the § 2241 Petition on August 2, 2005. The
Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals denied the appeal on
June 21, 2006. This Petition for Certiorari follows.
Under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of
the United States, the Petitioner respectfully seeks
review on Certiorari from the decision rendered by the
Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals on June 6, 2006, denying
Petitioner's request to be heard on the § 2241, as a
result of a sentencing error that deprived the Petitioner
of life and liberty, without due process of law.
Pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 10, jurisdiction
in the Supreme Court is now appropriate as the Fifth
and Eleventh Circuit Courts of Appeal are believed to
have entered decisions that are in conflict with the
United States Constitution and the purpose of a 2241
habeas corpus proceeding.
REASONS FOR GRANTING THE WRIT
A writ in this case should be granted, as this
question represents a unique statement _ of
Constitutional law as applied to the use of the habeas
corpus petition, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2241, in the
absence of the ability, or adequacy of the § 2255
petition when a person has become a fugitive during
the time frame when a § 2255 petition should have
been filed. A 2241 petition is the same as the § 2255
petition and can take the place of a § 2255 when a
Constitutional right may be violated, but for the
opportunity to redress the matter in a court of law. It
also avoids a miscarriage of justice. Though the
Supreme Court has said fugitive status waives certain
Constitutional rights, the question this Court needs to
10
address is if a § 2255 cannot be filed because a
defendant is not in custody, and filing one when
placed in custody results in a time bar, can a 2241 be
used to correct a Constitutional error in light of the
stated purpose of 2241 procedures? Essentially, does
the fugitive dismissal rule bar a 2241 from being filed
when the 2255 was time barred based on fugitive
status.
When Petitioner was first sentenced, the district
court made a sentencing error that deprived the
Petitioner of his right to liberty.
ISSUE I
DOES THE FUGITIVE DISMISSAL
RULE VIOLATE A DEFENDANT'S
FIFTH, SIXTH, AND __ EIGHT
AMENDMENT RIGHTS WHEN THE
2241 IS BARRED AS INSUFFICIENT
TO OVERCOME THE INADEQUACY
OF A 2255 REQUIREMENT AND THE
DEFENDANT WAS A_ FUGITIVE
DURING THE TIME A 2255 COULD
HAVE BEEN TIMELY FILED?
As previously stated, Petitioner was a fugitive
from approximately 1997 until his re-arrest on April 2,
2001. Petitioner's conviction was affirmed in the
Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals on March 28, 1997.
Technically, Petitioner had one-year and ninety days in
which to file a § 2255 petition. Any § 2255 would have
been due on, or about, June 26, 1998. Petitioner
11
remained a fugitive during this time period. He was re-
arrested and placed in custody on, or about, April 2,
2001. Thereafter, Petitioner contacted counsel to
evaluate his case. A discovery of a clear error in the
sentencing process resulted in a sentence that was in
excess of that which was authorized by law. Since the §
2255 could not be filed, though one was filed- in an
attempt to obtain relief, the § 2241 would be the only
alternative remedy for which Petitioner could avail
himself under the theory of the "safety hatch." Clearly a
§ 2255 is inadequate and ineffective to test the legality
of the sentence that was imposed. Petitioner was not in
custody at the time in which the 2255 should have been
filed and, therefore, the sentence was not being
executed at the time in which he was on fugitive status.
Custody is required in order for a 2255 to proceed. 28
U.S.C. § 2255. Even assuming arguendo, that custody is
not required, a defendant can avail himself of the 2241
if he can prove that the 2255 is inadequate or
ineffective to test the legality of the conviction. In this
case, the 2255 was time barred in light of the
Petitioner's fugitive status and, therefore, is inadequate
to test the legality of his sentence. To keep the
Petitioner from filing a 2241, and having relief
determined on the merits of the complaint, deprives
him of his due process rights and keeps him in prison
beyond the scope of the requirements of a legal
sentence, in violation of his Fifth and Sixth
Amendment rights to due process, and to be free of.
cruel and unusual punishment through the deprivation
of his liberty in violation of his Eighth amendment
rights.
12
In Ortega-Rodriguez_ v. United States, 507 U.S.
234; 113 S.Ct. 1199 (1993), this Honorable Court
discussed the fugitive dismissal rule. This rule
generally applies where an appeal is dismissed, or a
sentence is imposed, while a defendant is on fugitive
status. In Ortega-Rodriguez, the Petitioner and co-
defendants were convicted of possession with intent to
distribute, and conspiring to possess with intent to
distribute, cocaine. Petitioner Rodriguez failed to
appear at sentencing but the district court sentenced
him in absentia to 19 years, 7 months, followed by five
years of supervised release. Subsequently, the
Petitioner was arrested and sentenced to 21 months
followed by three years of supervised release for the
fugitive conviction. Rodriguez filed a motion for a
judgment of acquittal and to vacate and resentence on
the cocaine conviction. The district court denied the
motion for judgment of acquittal, but granted the other
motion and imposed a new sentence. Rodriguez filed a
timely notice for review, in which the government filed
a motion to dismiss on the fugitive dismissal rule. The
court granted the government's motion, but the
Supreme Court vacated the order and remanded. On
remand, the court denied the motion to dismiss and
reversed because there was insufficient evidence. The
Eleventh Circuit found that the government would not
suffer any undue burden if the appeal were granted,
and that there would not be any potential interference
with the appellate process.
By analogy, this same condition would apply to
Petitioner Coley’s case. There is no burden suffered by
the government for granting 2241 relief and there
13
would not be any interference with the judicial
processes that are available to the Petitioner in
determining the legality of his sentence.
Ortega-Rodriguez, held that, under normal
circumstances, a fugitive's appeal must be dismissed
unless the defendant can show (1) granting the appeal
is not likely to result in an undue burden on the
government and (2) the defendant's flight has not
resulted in, nor will not result in, significant
interference with the operation of the judicial process
in either the district court or the appellate court. When
examining this test, the court should consider the
availability of evidence and witnesses in the event of
remand for new trial, as well as any proof that may no
longer be available and overburdens the government in
defending against the allegations. In the instant case,
Petitioner Coley’s circumstances do not overburden the
government or deprive them of any relevant evidence
that would limit their ability to defend against the
question presented. There is no undue burden to the
government, and there is no interference with judicial
process of either the district court that must make the
decision on the issue or the Court of Appeals. Every
Federal Court is familiar with the Federal Sentencing
Guidelines. Whether the District that sentenced the
Petitioner is involved or not, Petitioner's rights can be
addressed through any Federal District Court in the
United States via 2255 or 2241. The guidelines are
judicially universal in their application. Due to clear
error in Petitioner's case, and the sentence that was
imposed, overturning the sentence and resentencing of
Petitioner can be done in any jurisdiction. (11" Circuit
14
or 5"). Petitioner received a 2-point sentencing increase
that was not applicable by law. Therefore, Petitioner's
fugitive status should not be a bar to relief, pursuant to
2241 considerations. Since a 2255 is time barred, the
gate keeping effect of the 2241 prevails in which to give
Petitioner the relief requested. If Petitioner cannot avail
himself of a 2241, what recourse is there for a
miscarriage of justice? Serving a longer sentence than is
legally applicable, regardless of the time bar or fugitive
status requires relief to avoid an unconstitutional
result. Denying a 2255 as time barred, and then
denying the 2241 because the court said the Petitioner
did not show the 2255 was inadequate or ineffective, is a
catch 22 result, creating no avenue for relief and causing
Petitioner to serve an illegal sentence, one which
constitutes cruel and unusual punishment without due
process of law. The 2255 is inadequate based on the
Eleventh Circuit Opinion, due to the time bar which
occurred while Petitioner was on fugitive status and not
in custody, or aware of the sentencing error.
Clearly the question turns on whether a person
should be deprived of liberty, even though they
were not charged, and convicted, in a court of law,
by remaining in jail beyond the scope of what
legally should be the sentence if the error had not
occurred.
There is Supreme Court case law that says that
fugitive status can cost you procedural consequences,
resulting in a deprivation of a Constitutional right. See
Ortega-Rodriquez v. United States, supra; and Michel v.
Louisiana, 350 U.S. 91, 76 S.Ct. 158 (1955). However,
the issue presented to the Supreme Court in these cases
15
was not. similar to what is being asserted here.
Significantly, Coley attempted to file a § 2255, but it
was determined to be time barred. The time bar was a
result of his fugitive status. However, because of the
relationship between the 2255 and the 2241,
procedurally and in content, there is no reason to
believe that the gate keeping provision of the 2241
cannot be used to provide the relief requested. To hold
otherwise would place the Petitioner in custody
without due process of law. This is not opening the
floodgates for all defendants to come forward and state
they have been deprived of their due process rights
simply because they could not meet the deadline of the
“2255. The limitations are clear in the instant case, in
that the number of similarly sentenced fugitives is as
limited as would be the type of legal errors Petitioner’s
case represents.
A fugitive, without being charged with that
status, and convicted, should not be held in custody
longer than the original sentence requires by law. Thus,
the 2241 falls within that exception circle, wherein a
person who would be incarcerated beyond the legal
parameters of the law may avail himself of such relief.
A person who could not have effectively raised the
claim of innocence at an earlier proceeding, and had no
access to judicial review, is entitled to seek habeas
corpus relief, pursuant to 28 US.C. § 2241. See
Triestman v. United States, 124 F.3d 361 (1997).
16
A. Petitioner's Claim of Error
The district court's findings at sentencing, as to
the drug quantity, were 5 to 15 kilograms of cocaine,
which should have resulted in a base offense level of
Thirty-Two (32). See U.S.S.G. § 2D1.1(c)(4). With a
Criminal History Category of One (I), the applicable
sentencing range was 121-151 months. A two-point
upward departure was added to make the sentencing
range level 34 with 151-188 months incarceration. The
sentencing court, however, erroneously sentenced
Petitioner at level 36, 188-235 months, due to an
oversight in the bases offense level when the drug
quantity finding was made.
The District Court specifically referenced that
the 2-point upward adjustment was applicable for role
in the offense, pursuant to Application Note 2 to
U.S.S.G. § 3B1.1. [Sentencing Transcript pg. 66]. The
problem with the position of the District Court was
that this Application Note, which gave rise to the two
additional points for role, did not become effective
until November 1, 1993, (see U.S.S.G. Amendment 500),
which was over five years after the date the conspiracy
ended. This resulted in a sentence under guideline
level 36, instead of the correct level 32 when coupled
with the quantity base offense level.
As the punishment in this case, by way of the
use of the departure provisions of Application Note 2
to U.S.S.G. § 3B1.1, was significantly more severe than
what it would have been under the guidelines in effect
at the time of the offense, an ex post facto violation
existed when Petitioner was sentenced. Petitioner's
17
sentence should have been within the range of 121-151
months, level 32. The Petitioner did not receive a
correct sentence, counsel never objected or appealed
the issue, and Petitioner was a fugitive when his 2255
would have been due on a claim of ineffective
assistance of counsel. Therefore, by not being in
custody to file a 2255, and being time barred,
Petitioner’s only remedy was, and is, a 2241.
B. Brief history surrounding the application
of Habeas Corpus Petitions
Habeas relief, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255, is
afforded when the conviction, or sentence, is defective
by reason of an error that is neither jurisdictional, nor
Constitutional, but, nonetheless, is fundamental. See
United States v. Estrada, 849 F.2d 1304 (10'* Cir. 1988),
Larson v. United States, 833 F.2d 758 (8'* Cir. 1987), and
United States v. Fazzio, 706 F.2d 1115 (11" Cir. 1983).
“Ordinarily, a defendant is to be sentenced according
to the version of the Sentencing Guidelines in effect at
the time of sentencing.” See U.S.S.G. § 1B1.11(a).
However, if the use of said version of the Guidelines
would violate the ex post facto clause of the
Constitution, the Sentencing Guidelines in effect at the
time the offense of conviction was committed, are to be
used. See U.S.S.G. § 1B1.11(b)(1). An ex post facto
problem arises if the version of the Guidelines in effect
at the time of sentencing makes more onerous the
punishment for crimes committed before its enactment.
Miller v. Florida, 482 U.S. 423, 435, 107 S.Ct. 2446, 2453-
54 (1987) (internal quotes and citation omitted). See also
18
United States v. Domino, 62 F.3d 716 (5'* Cir. 1995) (a
sentence that is increased pursuant to an amendment
to the guidelines effective after the offense was
committed, violates the ex post facto clause).
The United States Constitution and laws
authorize federal habeas corpus for both State and
Federal prisoners. See United States v. Domino, 62 F.3d
716 (5 Cir. 1995) (federal habeas corpus used to
challenge incarceration or procedures which are
contrary to statute or Constitution). Rules regarding
procedure for the application in the United States
District Court for relief, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2241,
are by a person in custody pursuant to a judgment of a
federal court, for determination if such custody is in
violation of Constitutional laws, or treaty, of the United
States. Ali v. Gibson, 572 F.2d 971 (3"4 Cir. 1978).
Petitioner Coley should not be deprived of a
review on the merits of his complaint that actually
places him in custody for a longer term of
imprisonment than would be warranted by fact or by
law, resulting in a miscarriage of justice and a violation
of his Constitutional rights. If the court uses
Petitioner’s fugitive status to ignore a legal issue of
Constitutional proportions, then Petitioner is being
punished for that fugitive status without being
charged, and convicted, further violating his due
process rights.
The writ of habeas corpus under § 2241 shall be
extended to a prisoner if (1) he is in custody under or
by color of authority of the United States, or is
committed for trial before some court thereof; (2) he is
in custody for an act done or omitted in pursuance to
19
an act of Congress or order of process, judgment, or
decree of the court or judge of the United States; (3) he
is in custody in violation of Constitutional laws or
treaties of the United States; (4) he being in a system of
foreign state or domicile therein and is in custody for
an act done or omitted under any alleged right, title or
authority, privilege, protection or exemption claimed
under the commission, order, or sanction of any
foreign state, or under color thereof, the validity and
effect of which depend upon a law of nations; or (5) it
is necessary to bring him into court to testify for a trial.
Swan v. Pressley, 430 U.S. 372, 97 S.Ct. 1224.
The Judiciary Act of 1789, Chapter 20, Sections 1
and 14, empowered federal courts in the district in
which a prisoner was confined to issue a writ of habeas
corpus if the prisoner was “in custody” under or by
color of authority of the United States. See McClesky v.
Zant, 499 U.S. 467, 477-78, 111 S. Ct. 1454 (1991). In
1867, a writ was made available to any federal prisoner
restrained of his or her liberty in violation of the
Constitution, or of any treaty or law of the United
States. See Act of February 5, 1867, Chapter 28, §§ 1
and 14, stat. 385, see Kaufman v. United States, 394 U.S.
§§ 217, 89 S.Ct. 1068 (1969). Today federal courts
continue to retain jurisdiction. to entertain habeas
petitions from federal prisoners “in custody in
violation of Constitutional laws or treaties of the
United States.” 28 U.S.C. § 2241(c)(3).
In 1948, by enacting 2255, which challenges
collateral attacks by federal prisoners to the sentencing
court (rather than to the court of -the district of
confinement) so that they can be addressed more
20
efficiently, Congress restricted (but did not eliminate)
the right of federal prisoners to proceed under
2241(c)(3). See generally, United States v. Hayman, 342
U.S. 205 (1952) (detail and the history and purpose of
the 2255). Section 2255 is not intended to eliminate the
collateral rights of federal detainees in any way. It was
simply designed to serve as a convenient substitute for
judicial habeas corpus remedy.
Section 2255, as originally enacted, and as
amended by the AEDPA, contains an explicit
exception to the general rule that a federal prisoner
must use 2255 instead of seeking a writ of habeas
corpus under 2241 “an application for writ of habeas
corpus on behalf of a prisoner who is authorized to
apply for relief by motion pursuant to this section, shall
not be entertained if it appears that the applicant has
failed to apply for relief, by motion, to the court which
sentenced him, or that such court has denied him relief
unless it also appears the remedy by motion is
inadequate or ineffective to test the legality of his
detention.” 28 U.S.C. § 2255. See Triestman v. United
States, 124 F.3d 361 (2™4 Cir. 1997). Coley filed a 2255
which was dismissed as time barred. The rule does not
say Petitioner has no further habeas recourse.
Where a 2255 is inadequate or ineffective to test
the legality of the prisoner’s detention, such remedy
may be found in 28 U.S.C. § 2241. See Sanders v.
United States, 373 U.S. 1, 13-14, 83 S. Ct. 1068 (1963).
Here the court considered whether to apply a strict
res judicata rule to govern second and successive 2255
petitions and concluded that even assuming the
Constitutionality of incorporated res judicata in 2255
21
motions, such a provision would probably prove to be
completely ineffectual, in light of the further provision
in this section that habeas corpus remains available to a
federal _prisoner_if the remedy by motion _ is
“inadequate _or ineffective.” [Emphasis added]. A
prisoner barred by res judicata would seem as a
consequence to have an “inadequate or ineffective”
remedy under 2255 and, thus, be entitled to proceed in
federal habeas corpus. See Mead v. Parker, 464 F.2d
1108, 1111 (9 Cir. 1972) (finding that “the remedy by
motion under 2255, assuming that it exists (in a case in
which prisoners are seeking injunctive relief in the
form of access to legal materials) is ‘inadequate’ and
perhaps ineffective, as well, since the sentencing court
would not have had jurisdiction over the warden
whose actions were being challenged. We think a
remedy by motion can be inadequate, or ineffective, to
test the legality of...detention only if it can be shown
that some limitation of scope or procedure would
prevent a § 2255 proceeding from affording the
prisoner a full hearing and adjudication of his claim of
wrongful detention.” See Sanders, 373 U.S. at 14-15 and
Parker at 1111. [Emphasis added]. The terms
inadequate and ineffective must mean something or
Congress would not have enacted it in 1948, and
reaffirmed it in the AEDPA. See National Union Fire
Insurance Company v. City Savings, 28 F.3d 376, 389
_ (34 Cir. 1994) (in construing a statute, we are bound to
give effect, if possible, to every word Congress used).
See Reiter v. Sonotone Corporation, 442 U.S. 330, 99 S.
Ct. 2326 (1979)(and without good reason, we will not
assume the portion of a statute is superfluous, void, or
22
insignificant). See Triestman, supra, at 376-77. Serious
Eighth Amendment and due process questions arise
with respect to the AEDPA if courts were to conclude
that, by amending 2255, Congress denied prisoners the
right to collateral review in their cases. Where no other
avenue of judicial review is available for a party who
claims that he or she is factually, or legally, innocent as
a result of a previously unavailable statutory
interpretation, he/she would be faced with a thorny
Constitutional issue. In Re: Dorsainvil, 119 F.3d 245 at
248 (3 Cir. 1997). See also Pottinger v. City of Miami,
810 F.Supp. 1551, 1565 (S.D. Fl. 1992) (finding that a
person “may not be convicted under the Eighth
Amendment” of innocent conduct).
C, Deprivation of Constitutional Rights
Petitioner is in the custody of federal authorities
and has exhausted all possible administrative appeals
and/or any further administrative appeals would prove
futile and is being held on a sentence that violates his
Fifth, Sixth, and Eighth Amendment rights.
D. Inadequacy of the 2255 Creates 2241
Jurisdiction
A federal conviction or sentence is attackable in
a 28 U.S.C. § 2241 proceeding to the same extent that a
federal conviction or sentence can be attacked in a
proceeding under 28 U.S.C. § 2255. This means that in
§ 2241 proceedings, relief from a federal conviction, or
sentence, may be granted on the following grounds:
23
The conviction is void for lack of personal
or subject matter jurisdiction. See United
States v. Addonizio, 442 U.S. 178, 99 S.Ct.
2235 (1979) (habeas corpus has long been
available to attack convictions and
sentences entered by a court without
jurisdiction).
The conviction oor sentence is
unconstitutional and results from the
denial of a federal Constitutional right or
arrest on an unconstitutional statute.
[Emphasis added]. See Waley _v.
Johnston, 316 U.S. 101, 62 S.Ct. 964 (1942)
(habeas corpus extends to cases where the
conviction has been in disregard of an
accused’s Constitutional rights).
The sentence is in excess of the lawful
maximum. See Sunal v. Large, 332 US.
174, 67 S.Ct. 1588 (1947) (where
Constitutionality of federal statute under
which conviction was had, is attacked,
habeas relief has sometimes been
granted). Here Petitioner Coley is
subjected to increased incarceration on a
guideline provision founded in a statute,
18 U.S.C. § 3553.
The conviction, or sentence, is for some
other reason, fundamentally, or
egregiously, defective, even though the
error is not jurisdictional or
Constitutional. See United States v.
Addonizio, supra, (unconstitutional error
24
does not provide basis for collateral
attack unless the claimed _ error
constituted a fundamental defect which
inherently results in a _ complete
miscarriage of justice). See also Davis v.
United States, 417 U.S. 333, 94 S.Ct. 2298
(1974) (non-jurisdictional and _non-
Constitutional claim herein that a claim
that a retroactive change in law rendering
the Petitioner’s conduct non-criminal
may be asserted in federal habeas corpus
proceedings attacking federal conviction).
Even though a 2255 is generally exclusive for
testing the validity of a judgment and sentence, 2241
remedy is available where the 2255 is inadequate, or
ineffective, in testing the merits of the complaint. The
2255's inadequate or ineffective provisio, also called the
“safety hatch,” was retained by the AEDPA. If, in any
particular case, the 2255, as amended by the AEDPA,
does not provide an adequate substitute for habeas
corpus, the prisoner can seek 2241 habeas relief. In Re:
Davenport, 147 F.3d 605 (7 Cir. 1998), and Triestman
v. United States, 124 F.3d 361 (2"4 Cir. 1997).
Under the inadequate or ineffective provisio of
the 2255, a prisoner can take advantage of the gate
keeping provision of the 2241. The inadequate or
ineffective provisio does not refer solely to practical
limitations on the petitioner’s ability to obtain 2255
relief, but also includes legal inadequacies.
25
A § 2241 petition that seeks to challenge a
federal sentence or conviction, effectively acting as a §
2255 motion, may only be entertained when the
Petitioner establishes that the remedy provided for
under § 2255 is inadequate or ineffective. See United
States v. Hayman, 342 U.S. 205, 72 S. Ct. 263 (1952).
Clearly the 2255 is inadequate and ineffective to
challenge the question of law being presented. Nothing
in the Constitution requires that a defendant be
punished for a claim of innocence or an error that is so
plain and blatant that he serves more time in custody
than he is legally responsible for, even if his procedural
default in failing to timely file a § 2255 petition is based
on his own fugitive status.
Though Petitioner bears the burden of
demonstrating a § 2255 remedy is inadequate and
ineffective, Petitioner has made that showing. Circuit
courts have found that a defendant may invoke “the
savings clause” exception when the Constitution
demands it. In this case, the Petitioner will be deprived
of his right to be free of cruel and unusual punishment
under the Eighth Amendment to the United States
Constitution. A violation of the Petitioner’s Fifth and
Sixth Amendment rights, and a miscarriage of justice,
occurs if he serves more time in custody than is
warranted for the crime he was sentenced to, on an
obvious and clear error of legal and Constitutional
proportions. See In Re: Davenport, supra, (noting that §
2241 relief may be available to challenge a conviction or
sentence in order that the prisoner “cannot complain
that the limitations in § 2255 suspended whatever
Constitutional right he might have had under the
26
suspension clause, or conceivably, under the due
process clause, to be allowed to seek Habeas Corpus”).
A claim of actual innocence permits a Petitioner, under
certain circumstances, to utilize § 2241 as a means of
circumventing 2255 restrictions on filing a second or
successive Habeas petition. See Cooper _v. United
States, 199 F.3d 898, 901 (7" Cir. 1999) and also Charles
v. Chandler, 180 F.3d 753, 755 (6 Cir. 1999) (per
curiam).
Level 34 was not applicable to Petitioner’s case,
pursuant to the sentencing guidelines for 5-15 kilos of
cocaine. He was not in custody and could not avail
himself of a timely 2255, therefore, to avoid serving
more time in custody than the law requires, a 2241
must be permitted in order to avoid the deprivation of
liberty afforded all citizens under the United States
Constitution. A 2241 can be used to affect the
Petitioner’s liberty interest in place of a 2255, despite
Petitioner’s fugitive status at the time the 2255 would
have been timely. Because a 2241 protects similar rights
as a 2255, Petitioner can avail himself of the 2241
procedures to correct a _ deprivation of his
Constitutional rights. The similarity of both the
provisions, and the preservation by Congress of both
provisions, indicate Congressional intent to retain 2241
relief where the 2255 is inadequate. Petitioner was not
in custody to file a 2255, a requirement of such a
provision. His fugitive status should not waive his
liberty interests. There are limitations to the
deprivation of Constitutional rights waived while a
fugitive, however, these limitations do not apply to
2241 relief.
27
This Honorable Court should .remand_ the
Petitioner’s 2241 for the relief requested as the 2241
protects similar rights to a 2255 when the 2255 is
inadequate to redress clear liberty and due process
violations. Petitioner’s lack of custody at the time his
2255 was due, and the error in sentencing, allow
Petitioner to effectuate relief to avoid a deprivation of
freedom. The government is not prejudiced by such
action. This Honorable Court must determine if the
2241 can be used to protect Petitioner’s Constitutional
rights due to its similar provisions of the 2255, and the
only reason Petitioner could not avail himself of the
2255, was due to his fugitive status. =
~ CONCLUSION
The petitioner, TERRY COLEY, respectfully
requests that this Court issue a Writ of Certiorari to
review the important questions presented herein.
Respectfully submitted this, the 19 day of
September, 2006.
Submitted by,
Marcia G. Shein
Counsel of Record
Georgia Bar No. 639820
Federal Bar No. 53667
2392 North Decatur Road
Decatur, Georgia 30033
404 633-3797
404 633-7980(fax)
Marcia@msheinlaw.com
A-i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Appendix to Petition
Page
Opinion
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
OE TE BE ee iicicitceihedtickiciiinniccninintinseiciad A-1
Order of
The Honorable David Folsom
Re: Adopting Report and Recommendation of
U.S. Magistrate Judge
GRE FI Boe ierencineninciisnsisciiididaeeiania A-3
Final Judgment
OTIS FREY 6, Bares rccennsinntnicticoresierviivtinsdiiacnenisiaapa A-5
Report and Recommendation of
Caroline M. Craven, U.S. Magistrate Judge
entered May 11, 2005.-..-0..secacesscssscusecsssenseesseseene A-6
-Constitutional Provisions:
Fre Oc UU a A-11
A-1
United States Court of Appeals
Fifth Circuit
No. 05-41180
Conférence Calendar
TERRY COLEY,
Petitioner-Appellant,
versus
HARLEY G. LAPPIN; WARDEN DAVID JUSTICE,
Respondents-Appellees.
[Entered: June 21, 2006]
Appeal from the United States District Court
for the Eastern District of Texas
USDC No. 5:04-CV-108
Before STEWART, DENNIS, and OWEN,
Circuit Judges.
PER CURIAM:
* Pursuant to 5TH CIR. R. 47.5, the court has determined that
this opinion should not be published and is not precedent
except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR.
R. 47.5.4.
A-2
Terry Coley was convicted of conspiracy to
possess drugs with intent to distribute and possession
of drugs with intent to distribute and sentenced to
serve 188 months in prison and a five-year term of
supervised release. He filed a 28 U.S.C. § 2241 habeas
corpus petition to challenge this conviction and
sentence, and he now appeals the district court's
dismissal of his § 2241 petition. He argues that he
should be permitted to pursue § 2241 relief in
accordance with the savings clause of 28 U.S.C. § 2255
because his fugitive status prevented him from timely
pursuing § 2255 relief. He also presents argument on
the merits of his sentencing claims.
Coley has not shown that the district court erred
in determining that his purported § 2241 petition was
best construed as a § 2255 motion over which the
district court lacked jurisdiction. See Reyes-Requena v.
United States, 243 F.3d 893,904 (5th Cir. 2001); Cox v.
Warden, Fed. Det. Ctr., 911 F.2d 1111, 1113 (5th Cir.
1990); Solsona v. Warden, F.C.1., 821 F.2d 1129, 1132 (5th
Cir. 1987). Coley’s contention that he should be
permitted to proceed under § 2241 due to his prior
status as a fugitive is unpersuasive. The judgment of
the district court is
AFFIRMED.
A-3
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
TEXARKANA DIVISION
TERRY COLEY §
VS. § CIVIL ACTION NO. 5:04cv108
F.C.I.WARDEN §
[Entered: July 6, 2005]
ORDER ADOPTING REPORT AND
RECOMMENDATION
The Court referred the above-entitled and
numbered civil action to United States Magistrate
Judge Caroline M. Craven. The Magistrate Judge
presented for consideration the Magistrate Judge’s
Report, containing proposed findings of fact and
recommendations for disposition of this case. Petitioner
filed objections to the Report.
This Court made a de novo review of
Petitioner’s objections and determined that they lack
merit. This Court finds that the Magistrate Judge’s
findings and conclusions are correct, and adopts them
as the Court’s findings and conclusions. The Court
therefore
ORDERS, ADJUDGES, and DECREES that
Petitioner’s petition (dkt. #1) and supplemental motion
for writ of habeas corpus (dkt. #8) are denied and this
action is DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE for lack of
jurisdiction and DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE
regarding all other issues; and
A-4
ORDERS that ail motions not previously ruled
on are denied.
SIGNED this 6th day of July, 2005.
/s/ David Eolsom
David Folsom
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
A-5
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
TEXARKANA DIVISION
TERRY COLEY §
VS. § CIVIL ACTION NO. 5:04cv108
F.C.I. WARDEN _ §
[Entered: July 6, 2005]
FINAL JUDGMENT
This Court considered Petitioner’s case,
rendered the Court's decision by opinion issued this
date, and ORDERS that this action is DISMISSED
WITHOUT PREJUDICE for lack of jurisdiction and
DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE regarding all
other issues.
SIGNED this 6th day of July, 2005.
/s/ David Folsom
David Folsom
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
A-6
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
TEXARKANA DIVISION
TERRY COLEY §
VS. § CIVIL ACTION NO. 5:04cv108
F.C.I.WARDEN §
[Entered: May 11, 2005]
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION
OF UNITED STATE MAGISTRATE JUDGE
Petitioner Terry Coley, a prisoner confined at
FCI Decatur, Georgia, brings this petition for a writ of
habeas corpus challenging his conviction pursuant to
28 U.S.C. § 2241. The petition was referred for findings
of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations for
disposition of the case.
Procedural Background
Terry Coley was convicted in the Northern
District of Georgia, Houston Division, of conspiracy to
possess with intent to distribute in violation of 21
U.S.C. 846 and possession with intent to distribute in
violation of 21 U.S.C. 841(a)(1) and 18 U.S.C. Petitioner
was sentenced to 188 months imprisonment on May 13,
1994.
Petitioner asserts that he was erroneously
subjected to a higher base level offense than he should
have been, that the court erred in subjecting him to an
upward departure from the base level offense, and that
A-7
Petitioner received ineffective assistance of counsel.
Petitioner previously raised these issues in a § 2255
motion in the Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta
Division (State Court Records, Exhibit A at 6) on August
16, 2002 (State Court Records, Exhibit A at 1). That court
dismissed the motion as barred by the statute of
limitations. State Court Records, Exhibit B at 4.
Petitioner is now challenging his sentence
pursuant to § 2241, as opposed to § 2255. Respondent
filed a response asserting that Petitioner’s application
should be dismissed. Respondent asserts that a § 2241
proceeding is inappropriate for Petitioner’s claims.
Petitioner filed a reply asserting that he should be able
to file a § 2241 proceeding because he is time-barred
from filing a § 2255 motion.
Standards and Discussion
Disposition of the petition is governed by the
Fifth Circuit’s opinion in Pack v. Yusuff, 218 F.3d 448
(5th Cir. 2000). The Fifth Circuit noted that a § 2241
proceeding attacks the manner in which a sentence is
carried out. Id. at 451. A § 2255 motion is the method to
mount a collateral attack on a federal conviction. Id. “A
petition for a writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 2241 is
not a substitute for a motion under 2255.” Id. at 452
(citations omitted). A § 2241 petition that seeks to
challenge the validity of a federal sentence must either
be dismissed or construed as a § 2255 motion. Id.
: The Court noted that § 2255 contains a “savings
clause” that will permit a § 2241 petition to act as a §
2255 motion in rare cases where the petitioner shows
A-8
that the remedy under § 2255 is inadequate or
ineffective. Id. The Court held that a § 2241 petition
may not be used as a substitute for a § 2255 motion just
because the § 2255 motion is time barred, like the
present petition would be if it were construed as a §
2255 motion. Id. at 452-53. The Fifth Circuit also noted
that other circuits have held that a defendant may
invoke the “savings clause” exception “only when the
Constitution demands it, or where otherwise Congress
would violate the Suspension Clause by imposing a
conviction or sentence without allowing for section
2241 relief.” Id. at 453 (citing In re Davenport, 147 F.3d
605, 609 (7th Cir. 1998)). The Fifth Circuit chose not to
decide the precise scope of the “savings clause,” but
held that the petitioner in that case did not establish the
inadequacy or ineffectiveness of the § 2255 remedy. Id.
In In re Davenport, 147 F.3d 605, 609 (7th Cir.
1998), the court concluded that a federal prisoner
should be permitted to seek habeas only if he had no
reasonable opportunity to obtain earlier judicial
correction of a fundamental defect in his conviction or
sentence because the law changed after his first 2255
motion. 147 F.3d at 611. The Court went on to specify
the following qualifications: First, the change in the law
has to be made retroactive by the Supreme Court;
second, the change in the law-must be one that eludes
the permission in Section 2255 for successive motions
and, third, the “change in law” is not to be equated to a
difference between the law in the circuit in which the
prisoner was sentenced and the circuit in which he is
incarcerated. Id. at 611-12.
A-9
Petitioner has not even begun to satisfy the
requirements specified in Davenport. Petitioner is not
citing a change in law. In conclusion, Petitioner is
attempting to impermissibly use a § 2241 petition as a
substitute for a § 2255 motion. He is doing so because a
§ 2255 motion would be time barred. He has not
otherwise shown that a § 2255 motion, if he had timely
availed himself of that remedy, would have been
inadequate or ineffective. Following the Fifth Circuit's
lead in Pack v. Yusuff, the Court concludes that the
Petitioner “may not avail himself of section 2241 relief
in this case.” 218 F.3d at 453. The petition should be
dismissed with prejudice for lack of jurisdiction and
dismissed without prejudice regarding all other issues.
Id. at 454-55.
Recommendation
It is accordingly recommended that the petition
and supplemental motion for writ of habeas corpus
(dkt. #8) be dismissed with prejudice for lack of
jurisdiction and dismissed without prejudice regarding
all other issues.
Objections
If the parties file no objections to the United
States magistrate judge’s report, then the district judge
can conclude that the findings of fact and conclusions
of law in the Report are correct, adopt the report, and
issue a final judgment according to the magistrate
judge’s recommendations. Douglass v. United Servs.
A-10
Auto. Ass’n, 79 F.3d 1415, 1418 (5th Cir. 1996); Homan v.
Comm'r of Soc. Sec. Admin., 84 F. Supp. 2d 814, 815 (E.D.
Tex. 2000). Objections must be written, specific, and
served and filed within ten days after being served
with a copy of this report. Douglass, 79 F.3d at 1427-30;
Eddins v. Excelsior Indep. Sch. Dist., 88 F. Supp. 2d 695,
695 (E.D. Tex. 2000); 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1); Fed. R. Civ.
P. 6(a)-(b) and 72(b). A party’s failure to file written
objections to the findings and recommendations
contained in this Report within ten days after service
shall bar that party from the following:
(1) de novo review by the district judge of those
findings and recommendations (Rodriguez v. Bowen,
857 F.2d at 276-77 (5th Cir..1988); Eddins, 88 F. Supp.
2d at 695; see also Douglass, 79 F.3d 1415); and
(2) appellate review, except on grounds of plain
error, of unobjected-to proposed fact findings and
legal conclusions accepted and adopted by the
district court (Meister v. Texas Adjutant General's
Dep’t, 131 F.3d 1120, 1123 (5th Cir. 2001); Eddins, 88
F. Supp. 2d at 695; see also Douglass, 79 F.3d at
1430).
SIGNED this 11th day of May, 2005
/s/ Caroline M. Craven
Caroline M. Craven
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
A-11 ©
Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital,
or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment
or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in
the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in
actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall
any person be subject for the same offence to be twice
put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled
in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor
be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due
process of law; nor shall private property be taken for
public use, without just compensation.
Amendment VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall
enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an
impartial jury of the State and district wherein the
crime shal! have been committed, which district shall
have been previously ascertained by law, and to be
informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to
be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have
compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his
favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his
defence.
Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor
excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual
punishments inflicted.
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.