Conrad J. Braun, Petitioner-appellant, v. Carla Stovall, Attorney General of Kansas, Respondent-appellee, 141 F.3d 1184 (10th Cir. 1998)

ORDER AND JUDGMENT^* 

After examining the briefs and appellate record, this panel has determined unanimously that oral argument would not materially assist the determination of this appeal. See Fed. R. App. P. 34(a); 10th Cir. R. 34.1.9. Therefore, the case is ordered submitted without oral argument.

Petitioner Conrad J. Braun, appearing pro se, appeals the district court's dismissal of his petition for writ of habeas corpus under 28 U.S.C. § 2254.

Braun sought review of state court convictions, indicating his motion for post-conviction relief under Kan. Stat. Ann. § 60-1507 was dismissed in state court on jurisdictional grounds. His appeal to the Kansas Court of Appeals from that dismissal was pending at the time he brought his § 2254 action. On July 2, 1997, the federal district court dismissed the § 2254 action without prejudice to allow Braun to fully and properly exhaust state court remedies.¹ 

Braun seeks a certificate of appealability and permission to proceed in forma pauperis on appeal. The district court denied a certificate of appealability and denied leave to proceed in forma pauperis on appeal, finding Braun's appeal was frivolous and not taken in good faith. An appeal cannot be taken to this court in a § 2254 proceeding unless a petitioner has obtained a certificate of appealability by making a substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional right. 28 U.S.C. § 2253. Our review of Braun's opening brief and the entire court record does not disclose any showing of the denial of a constitutional right. Clearly, Braun had not exhausted his state court remedies when the district court entered its order of dismissal.

Braun's request for a certificate of appealability and his motion to proceed on appeal in forma pauperis are DENIED. The appeal is DISMISSED. The mandate shall issue forthwith.