United States of America, Plaintiff-appellee, v. Bernard Greene, A/k/a Squeaky, Defendant-appellant, 36 F.3d 1094 (4th Cir. 1994)

Bernard Greene appeals the district court's denial of his motion to file an appeal of his criminal conviction out of time. We affirm. Greene's judgment and commitment order was entered on May 5, 1993. Six months later, on November 10, 1993, Greene filed a motion in the district court to appeal out of time the judgment against him based on allegations that trial counsel was ineffective in constructing Greene's plea bargain.

Rule 4(b) of the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure requires that a notice of appeal be filed within ten days of judgment. The district court may extend the time for filing a notice of appeal for thirty additional days upon a showing of excusable neglect with or without motion being filed. The district court may not otherwise extend the time for filing a notice of appeal. See Ali v. Lyles, 769 F.2d 204, 205 (4th Cir. 1985); United States v. Reyes, 759 F.2d 351, 353 (4th Cir.), cert. denied, 474 U.S. 857 (1985).

Greene filed his "Motion For Appeal-Out-Of-Time" [sic] well beyond the forty-day period following the entry of judgment on May 5, 1993. Hence, the district court did not abuse its discretion in denying Greene's motion. We therefore affirm the district court's denial of Greene's motion to appeal out of time. We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented before the Court and argument would not aid the decisional process.^*