Robert Charles Jordan, Jr., Petitioner-appellant, v. James Rowland, Director, et al., Respondent-appellee, 24 F.3d 247 (9th Cir. 1994)

MEMORANDUM^** 

Robert Charles Jordan, Jr., appeals from the district court's denial of his petition for writ of habeas corpus. We review the decision of the district court de novo. United States v. Popoola, 881 F.2d 811, 812 (9th Cir. 1989). We have considered Jordan's claims as raised in his briefs submitted to the court of appeals and the district court, and we conclude that the petition was properly denied. We affirm on the basis of the district court's order adopting the magistrate judge's reports and recommendations.

In his motion for appointment of counsel, Jordan points to the discussion of the Ex Post Facto effects of the California Determinate Sentencing Law (DSL) in Morales v. California Department of Corrections, No. 92-56262 (9th Cir. filed February 9, 1994). Morales does not overrule Watson v. Estelle, 886 F.2d 1093, 1094 (9th Cir. 1989), or Connor v. Estelle, 981 F.2d 1032, 1034 (9th Cir. 1992). Like the defendants in Watson and Connor, Jordan committed his crime before the DSL was passed. Between 1972 and July 1, 1977, it was the "policy of California that prisoners 'should' be accorded an annual parole suitability review, except that in 'extreme cases' the review could be every two or three years." Connor, 981 F.2d at 1034. Under the DSL, which became effective for crimes committed on or after July 1, 1977, a prisoner is entitled to a suitability hearing every one-to-three years. Cal.Admin.Code Sec. 2270. Thus, Jordan has not been disadvantaged by the DSL. See Connor, 981 F.2d at 1034.

AFFIRMED.