Watkins v. Jackson, No. 2:2017cv11121 - Document 16 (E.D. Mich. 2017)

Court Description: OPINION AND ORDER Denying 15 Motion Expand the Record. Signed by District Judge Sean F. Cox. (JMcC)

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Watkins v. Jackson Doc. 16 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN SOUTHERN DIVISION ANTONIO WATKINS, Case No. 2:17-CV-11121 HON. SEAN F. COX UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT Petitioner, v. WILLIE O. SMITH, Respondent, _______________________________/ OPINION AND ORDER DENYING THE MOTION TO EXPAND THE RECORD Before the Court is habeas petitioner Antonio Watkins’ motion to expand the record. In his motion, petitioner actually requests an evidentiary hearing and the appointment of counsel. The Court DENIES the motion without prejudice. A. The motion for an evidentiary hearing. Petitioner has requested an evidentiary hearing. If a habeas petition is not dismissed at a previous stage in the proceeding, the judge, after the answer and the transcript and record of state court proceedings are filed, shall, upon a review of those proceedings and of the expanded record, if any, determine whether an evidentiary hearing is required. If it appears that an evidentiary hearing is not required, the judge shall make such disposition of the petition as justice shall require. 28 U.S.C. foll. § 2254, Rule 8(a); Hence v. Smith, 49 F. Supp. 2d 547, 549 (E.D. Mich. 1999)(Gadola, J.). When deciding whether to grant an evidentiary hearing, a federal court must consider whether such a hearing could enable the habeas petitioner to prove the petition’s factual allegations, which, if true, would entitle the petitioner to federal habeas relief on his claim or claims. Schriro v. 1 Dockets.Justia.com Landrigan, 550 U.S. 465, 474 (2007). “[B]ecause the deferential standards prescribed by § 2254 control whether to grant habeas relief, a federal court must take into account those standards in deciding whether an evidentiary hearing is appropriate.” Id. If the record refutes the habeas petitioner’s factual allegations or otherwise precludes habeas relief, a district court is not required to hold an evidentiary hearing. Id. Stated differently, a habeas petitioner is not entitled to an evidentiary hearing on his claims if they lack merit. See Stanford v. Parker, 266 F. 3d 442, 459-60 (6th Cir. 2001). Under the provisions of the AEDPA, evidentiary hearings are not mandatory in habeas cases. See Vroman v. Brigano, 346 F. 3d 598, 606 (6th Cir.2003). An evidentiary hearing may be held only when the habeas petition “alleges sufficient grounds for release, relevant facts are in dispute, and the state courts did not hold a full and fair evidentiary hearing.” Sawyer v. Hofbauer, 299 F.3d 605, 610 (6th Cir.2002). An evidentiary hearing is not required where the record is complete or if the petition raises only legal claims that can be resolved without the taking of additional evidence. Ellis v. Lynaugh, 873 F. 2d 830, 840 (5th Cir. 1989); United States v. Sanders, 3 F. Supp. 2d 554, 560 (M.D. Pa. 1998). The request for an evidentiary hearing will be denied without prejudice because the Court has not yet received an answer or the state court record from respondent. Without these materials, the Court is unable to determine whether an evidentiary hearing on petitioner’s claims is needed. Following receipt of these materials, the Court will then determine whether an evidentiary hearing is necessary to resolve petitioner’s claims. B. The motion for the appointment of counsel. Petitioner requested the appointment of counsel. The Court will deny the motion for the appointment of counsel. There is no constitutional 2 right to counsel in habeas proceedings. Cobas v. Burgess, 306 F. 3d 441, 444 (6th Cir. 2002). The decision to appoint counsel for a federal habeas petitioner is within the discretion of the court and is required only where the interests of justice or due process so require. Mira v. Marshall, 806 F. 2d 636, 638 (6th Cir. 1986). “Habeas corpus is an extraordinary remedy for unusual cases” and the appointment of counsel is therefore required only if, given the difficulty of the case and petitioner’s ability, the petitioner could not obtain justice without an attorney, he could not obtain a lawyer on his own, and he would have a reasonable chance of winning with the assistance of counsel. See Thirkield v. Pitcher, 199 F. Supp. 2d 637, 653 (E.D. Mich. 2002). Appointment of counsel in a habeas proceeding is mandatory only if the district court determines that an evidentiary hearing is required. Lemeshko v. Wrona, 325 F. Supp. 2d 778, 787 (E.D. Mich. 2004). If no evidentiary hearing is necessary, the appointment of counsel in a habeas case remains discretionary. Id. Counsel may be appointed, in exceptional cases, for a prisoner appearing pro se in a habeas action. Lemeshko, 325 F. Supp. 2d at 788. The exceptional circumstances justifying the appointment of counsel to represent a prisoner acting pro se in a habeas action occur where a petitioner has made a colorable claim, but lacks the means to adequately investigate, prepare, or present the claim. Id. In the present case, petitioner has filed a 44 page petition for writ of habeas corpus, in which he raises six claims for relief. Petitioner has also attached to his petition numerous exhibits in support of his claims. Petitioner therefore has the means and ability to present his claims to the court. Furthermore, until this Court reviews the pleadings filed by petitioner and respondent and the Rule 5 materials, the Court is unable to determine whether an evidentiary hearing is necessary or required. Thus, the interests of justice at this point in time do not require appointment of counsel. 18 U.S.C. § 3006A(a)(2)(B); 28 U.S.C. foll. § 2254, Rules 6(a) and 8(c). The motion for the 3 appointment of counsel is denied without prejudice. IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the motion to expand the record [Dkt. # 15] is DENIED WITHOUT PREJUDICE. The Court will reconsider petitioner’s motion if, following receipt of the responsive pleading and Rule 5 materials, the Court determines that an evidentiary hearing and/or the appointment of counsel are necessary. Dated: July 27, 2017 s/Sean F. Cox Sean F. Cox U. S. District Judge I hereby certify that on July 27, 2017, the foregoing document was served on counsel of record via electronic means and upon Antonio Watkins via First Class mail at the address below: Antonio Watkins 683113 IONIA MAXIMUM CORRECTIONAL FACILITY 1576 W. BLUEWATER HIGHWAY IONIA, MI 48846 s/J. McCoy Case Manager 4

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