Stephens v. Pearson, No. 7:2012cv00356 - Document 19 (W.D. Va. 2013)

Court Description: MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by District Judge Glen E. Conrad on 04/16/2013. (kab)

Download PDF
CL ERK:OFFI t. DI COURT CE )S. ST. ATY OKE, VA FIED L AF 16 2 1 2 23 I TH E UN I N TED STA TE S D I STRI T CO U R T C FO R TH E W ESTER N D I STR I T O F V I G I I C R N A RO A N O K E D I I O N V SI R O G ER LEE ST EPH EN S, JL CD L c U . CL K Cz R v CA SE N O .7: 2C V00356 1 Petti i oner, V. M EM O M N D UM O PI I N N O EDDI PEARSON W ARDEN, E By: Gln E.Co e nrad Chi f U nie St e D i t i tJudge e t d at s s r e Res pondent . o Roge Lee St phe , a Vigi ai aepr e ng pr K ,fl d t spe ii f a w rtof r e ns 1 r ni nm t oce di ie hi tton or i . h b a c r u , u s a t o2 U. C. 2 5 , h le gn asaec u tu g n c n cighm a e s o p s p ru n t 8 S. j 2 4 c aln ig tt o rj d me t o vitn i oft c sofmur ra r lt d ofe es St phe a s rst thi co c i mus be wo ount de nd ea e f ns . e ns s e t ha s nvitons t ove t nedbec us i rm i tng sae e s obt ne i vi ai ofhi rghtt c rur a e nc i na i t tm nt, ai d n ol ton s i o ouns l we e e, r us d agans hi a ti . Upo r e ofSt phe 's e i t m t ral n eviw e ns ubmi sons t a opra esa ec t s i , he ppr it t t our r c ds a t m o i n t dimis t co tc l e or , nd he to o s s , he ur oncudest tt m o i t dim ism us be ha he ton o s s t gr nt d. a e l add es i Stphe 'cam on a al t Supr me Co tofVigi a r le on t n r sng e ns li ppe , he e ur r ni e id he f l i f c s whi h a e noti di pu e' olow ng a t , c r n s t. Zac r Tiusa M a k Ho ns n we e s a kil i t c s ofadr g ha y t nd r pki o r hot nd led n he our e u tans ton and r be y i Pit yl ni Cot y. r ac i ob r n ts va a mt Roge Le St ve wasa r s e i r e e ns r e td n co c i w ih t e m ur r a t ke t apolc s a i i Cha hn ,Vi gi a nne ton t hes de s nd a n o i e t ton n t m r ni f ques i ni O fi e sW ila H .Cha y a T. N i hol on wih t or to ng. fc r li m ne nd L. c s t he Pit yl ni Co mt She if sD e r m e c ts va a t y r f ' pa t nt onduc ed t i e r ton. fi er t he nt r oga i O fc Cha y a s d St ve ofhi rghtt ha c ne dvi e e ns s i o ve ouns lpr en dt i t c t a e es t u ng he us odi l 1 Atti and on diec appeal pe ii wasr e r t asRogerLee St ral r t ttoner ef r ed o evensa/ a RogerLee k/ , St ephens Pettonerhaschos t fl t spetton undert name RogerLee St . ii en o ie hi ii he ephens.Ther or t ef e, he cour wilr ert pettone asSt phe . t l ef o ii r e ns i e r ton a hi rghtt r mai slnto t r naet i e r ton a a nt roga i nd s i o e n ie r e mi t he nt roga i t ny tmeptr ua t M ia v. iona,38 U. 436,8 S. .1 i ls nt o r nda Arz 4 S. 6 Ct 602,16L. 2d Ed. 694( 966) a Stve vol aiywave t erght.Stve a we e t 1 , nd e ns untrl i d hes i s e ns ns r d he ofk e s ques i f r a oxi a e y t hotr , li w hi h tm e he di notas t r' tons o ppr m t l wo ls dtr ng c i d k f a a t ne and m a no i rm i tng s a e e t . or n tor y de nc i na i t t m n s The ne m o ni pur ua t t m agit a e' or r St ve w a xt r ng, s nt o he s r t s de , e ns s ta pored t t c t l ng f hi i ta a a a e be or a c t of r ns t o he our buidi or s nii l ppe r nc f e our not r c d f pur esofa sng hi ofhi r g t ba la f a e or or pos dvi i m s i ht o i nd or ppoi t e of n m nt c e i a oprae. ouns l f ppr it Codejj1 2-1 a -1 Howe r t ma srt s 9. 58 nd 59. ve ,he gitae' o d ric re tys n Se e st t ej v ni a ddo si r lto sdsrc c u t r e n o rcl e t tv n o h u e l n metc eain itit o r e r t t n t ge a diti tco t Be a et ge r diti c twa no i aher ha he ner l src ur. c us he ne al srct our s t n s sin, tv n wa p a e i ah ligc lp n i ghi ta se b c t j i. e so S e e s s lc d n odn el e d n s rn fr a k o al Ofk e Cha y r c ve wor t tSt ve wa edt t l wih Cha y t r ne e ei d d ha e ns nt o ak t ne a n.Cha y w e t t hol ng c l a ha a tba i co gai ne nt o he di e l nd d i s c nver a i 'w ih s ton' t St ve . e e ns Stvensas i hec d go homet s hi c l Cha y e a ne ked f oul o ee s hid. ne xpli d t tSt ve w a i polce c t f s r ls r ousc i esa co d notg ha e ns s n i us ody or eve a e i rm nd ul o ho e.Chane t d St ve t tl t rhew oul ha St ve br m y ol e ns ha a e d ve e ns oughtdow n t o Cha y' ofi ,whi h wa i t s m ebuidi ast hol ng cel t t k wih ne s fce c s n he n l ng he di l, o al t hi s e m or m om e. La e i t da Ofi e sCha y a Niholon had St ve br t r n he y, fc r ne nd c s e ns oughtt o t i o fc The c he r f i e. onve s ton w a di t ly r c de a pr e d asf l s rai s gia l e or d nd oc ede olow : Cha y: ou w n ,you w a tt t l t uss m e m or ne Y nna n o ak o o e? St ve Y a'lwa t t k t m e ors e hi e ns: l nt o al o om t ng? Cha y: e h.You w a t t l t us ne Y a nt o a k o ? Stve :Ya'lwa t t kt me?lan' d ngnohi gna bljsti e ns 1 nt o al o i t oi t ng i udi e itng. Chane W el r s w e as i c e w e br y: l ea on k s aus oughtyou bac ove t t t s k r ha , hi m or ng you a ke f me,a webr ug yo bac ove he et r s lm ni s d or nd o ht u k r r he ea on ' as ng yo i bec us yourrght sila y.You silunde sa yourrght? ki u s a e i s tl ppl tl rt nd i s St ve :lha t rghtt r m a n sl nt e ns ve he i o e i ie . N i hol o Y e h. c s n: a Cha y:Eve yt ng t tIr a you l tni t do you s ilunde sa yo l ne r hi ha e d as gh , tl r t nd tr rg s i ht ? St evens:M m - m . hm Cha y:Y o ca ha a l w ye pr s nti y w a one. ne u n ve a r e e f ou nt St ve :Iwa , ha ' wha lne 1wa t know wha ' , know wha e ns nt t ts t ed. nt o ts you t I' sayi m ng. Cha y:You ca s o ans e i a a tm e. ne n t p w rng t ny i St ve : t swha Iw a t a l w y r m a e ns Tha ' t n , a e , n. Cha y:You do w a a l w ye . ne nt a r St ve : m e n,ha ' wha It htt y br e ns l a t ts t houg he oughtm eup he e f t r or oday. N i hol on: e lt y go a ntyou a l w ye . m ea you gonna ge a c s W l he nna ppoi a r1 n t l yer. aw Chane The que ton i do you wanta l wye bef e you t l t usaga n y: si s a r or ak o i orar you w ilng t t k t us e li o al o ? St ve :lm ea 1 1 ls e t ya butyo a r ad s d i lc d s op i I e ns n '1 it n o u le y ai f oul t f w ant ed. Cha y:St a we i a anytmeyou wa t ne op ns rng t i nt o. St ve :11 lse t wha you g t s I you wa - i ls y e ns , it n o 1 t ot o ay. f nt f a s e hi - i lf l1don' w a t s y no m or ya'ld t d m e 1c s o om t ng f ee t nt o a e l one ol an t p. N i s Yessi chol on: r. Cha ney:St a tm e you w a t op ny i nt o. N i hol on: o pr e a al w ih t t c s N obl m t 1 t ha . Cha y:A1 you gott s y i ldon' wa t s - ld twantt t l t ne l o a s t nt o ay on' o ak o you no m or Tha ' al you gota s e. t s 1 t ay. Folow i t sexc nge, he of i e sc i d t i e v e St ve f l ng hi ha t fc r ontnue o nt r i w e ns or a oxi ael t a a- l hour durngwhih tme St ve made ppr m t y wo- nd- haf s i c i e ns i r m i tng sa e e s nc i na i t t m nt . Stve v. e ns Commonwe lh,720S. 2d 8 8182( 201 . at E. 0, - Va. 2) The e fe ,St phe wa i c e f t c unt ofm t de ,malci wot ng, r a tr e ns s ndit d or wo o s l r r i ous mdi r r c pia y t co m i r r a f c sofus ofafr r i t c mi son of obbe y, ons r c o m t obbe y, nd our ount e iea m n he om s i afl ( s Nos CR0 eony. Ca e . 8000599- t oughCR08000607- ) Theti co tde ed 00 hr 00. ral ur ni St phe 'moton t s e shi sa e t t polcea unconsiutona l obt ne and t c s e ns i o uppr s s tt men s o i s tt i ly ai d, he a e pr c e e t til A j r i t eCic iCo r o Pi s l naCo ny c n itd Se e so al o e d d o ra. u y n h r ut u t f t yva i u t o vce tph n f l t c ag s The l ys tSe e s p n s me t t1 0y asi p io OnJ n a y27 20 9 t e h r e . jz e tph n ' u ih n a 6 e r n rs n. a u r , 0 ,h r til o r i o e tes ne c stb t ej r . ra c u tmp s d h e tn e e y h u y S e h n a p ae t j d me t oteCo r o Ap e l o Vig na c n e igta t e tp e s p e ld he u g n t h u t f p as f r i i, o tndn h t h polce ha obt i d i rm i tng s a e e s f om hi i vi a i ofhi rghtt c i d a ne nc i na i t t m nt r m n ol ton s i o ouns . A el di de pa loft Com' ofA p a sf m d t tofi e s ha il aly c i vi d ne he t pe l ot ha fc r d leg l ontnued t ques i o ton St phe a t he ha unn bi e ns fer d m guous y i l nvoke hi rghtt c d s i o ouns ,t tt ti lco te r d i el ha he r a ur r e n denyi t m oto t s ppr s ,a t tt se w rw a notha m l s . Thepa lr ver ed ng he i n o u e s nd ha hi l s r es ne e s St phe 'co c i a r m and t m a tr f ra ne t i . St ve v.Com m onwea t e ns nvi tons nd e ed he te o w ral e ns lh, Re or No. c d 0266- 3,201 W L 248 ,a *6( Ap J 22,2010) Afe grntngt 090 2325 t Va. p.une . tr a i he Com m o nwea t spe ii f r he rng en ba ,t Co tofA ppea s a fr e St phe ' lh' tton or e a i nc he ur l f im d e ns convi i ,fndi t t i cour di noter i denyi t m oton t s ctons i ng he ral t d rn ng he i o uppress. St evensv. Co n at , 0 S. 2d5 5( . p. 01 ) Th S p e Co r o Vigni g a td mmo we lh 7 4 E. 8 Va Ap 2 1 . e u rme u t f r i a rn e St phe 's eque pe ii f a al b on J nua y 1 201 a fr e St phe ' e ns ubs nt tton or ppe , ut a r 3, 2, f im d e ns c ctons fndi no ero i t Cour ofAppe s de son.St ns 720 S. 2d 80. onvi i , i ng r r n he t al' cii eve , E. Stphe fldhi tmey j225 peii i Augus 201 2 Ashedi ondiec r viw, e ns ie s i l 4 tton n t 2. d r te e St phe a g t tt i rmi tng sa e nt us d a ns hi we e o ai d i vi a i of e ns r ues ha he nc i na i tt me s e gai t m r bt ne n olton hi Fit Ame e rghtt co e a s d ha be n s e s Res s fh ndm nt i o uns l nd houl ve e uppr s ed. ponde m ovest nt o di m i st pe ii a St phe hasr ponde m a ng t m a t rpe f di poston. s s he tton, nd e ns es d, ki he ter i or s ii 11 Cl tt c t a et prncpa fr m fra sri c ttto c lnge t sae ûslae ours r he i i l o u o se tng onsiuinal hale s o tt c c i . H a rng o v.Ri ht r 562 U . onvi tons' r i l n ' c e, S. - ,- , 1 1S.Ct770,787( 1.Thus t r28 3 . 201 ) ,mde U. C.j2254( t f rlha a c t tgi dee e et sat c t ui ont S. *,he edea be s our mus ve fr nc o t e our r lngs he m e is ofpe ii r sc a m s3 The f de alc tm a g a tha asr le onl i t sa e cour' rt ttone ' l i . e r our y r n be e i f y f he t t ts a j dc to S sc nr r t , riv le a u r a o bea p iain o , la l e tbih d du iai n i o ta y o o n ov d n n e s na l p lc to fce ry sa ls e wa Fe a La a deer i by t Supr m eCour oft Unie Stt s'ort bas d on an der l w, s t m ned he e t he t d a e , i ' was e unr s na e d e m i ton oft f t i lg oft e de e pr s nt i t St t c t ea o bl et r na i he ac s n i ht he vi nc e e ed n he a e our pr e ng.' U. C j22544 s eas W ila v. vlr 5 U. 362,403- 3( oce di '28 S. *; e lo lims Ta o , 29 S. 1 2000) . W he e pe ii rc l st s a e c t sa i a i off r lpr ce nt he m us r ttone halenge he t t our ' pplc ton ede a e de , t d mo srt t a t esaec u tsa j dc to wa d o o l er n o s b to jci l e n tae h t h tt o r' du iain s t t ny ro e u , u be t y n ve u ra o a l . Yaboo hv. nr 5 0U. 1 5( 0 3 .Th saec u tsa j diaino a n e s n b e' r r uc Ge ty, 4 S. , 2 0 ) e tt o r' du c to f ' 2 St ephensfl hi petton i t Unied St t Diti Cour f t Easer Diti of ied s ii n he t a es srct t or he t n srct Vigi a,andt cas wastansered her becaus Pityl aCount i w ihi t t r ioral r ni he e r f r e e ts vani y s t n he e rt i j rs cin o t i c r. u idito f h s ou t 3 A bs avald excus , a sat prs ent i e t e ionermus haveexhaus e hi sat cour r e esbef e t td s t e t em di or s e i ha a c r usr ifi fdea c u t 28U. C.j225 ( ) Br adv. u t,1 4F. 61 , 9 e kng be s o p el n e r l o r. e S. 4 b ; e r Pr el 3 3d 5 6l (t Ci.1 ) Re po e ta mist tSe he e a se hssaec ur r me e ast hi c r n 4 h r 998 . s nd n d t ha tp ns xh u td i tt o t e dis o s ure t j2 4 cam b pr s ni i t t S rmeCo t Vigni o die ta e l 25 li y e e tng t o he up e ur of r i a n r c pp a . cli a bengwihou me ipr l sfdealha asrle unde j225 d)unl speii am s i t t rt ecude e r be eif r 44 es ttoner d mo srtst a ih r i n po sb lyfimid dj rssc udds g e ta tesaec u t e n tae h tt ee s o siii ar n e u it o l ia r e h t h tt o r' t t s decson c lc swiht sCour' p e e t .'Harng on,l S. . t786(mit i enal ii onfit t hi ts r c den s' ri t 3l Ct a o ti ntr ng - quotto ) ûse to 225 d)rte t t viw t tha a c pusi aguad a i te rme ains. t cin 44 el cs he e ha be s or s r gans xte maf n to si t saeci n l u tc s se , o as b ttt f ro dnayer rc re to lu cin n he tt rmia j sie y tms n t u siue o r i r ro o r cin t o ha a.'1 ( ti i enalquoai ) hr ug ppe l' d. omitng ntr ttons. TheSi hAme me t t Unie SttsCo tmto pr de t térj alci na xt nd nt o he td ae nsi in ovi s ha iin l rmi l p o e u in ,h a c s d s ale j yterg t. .oh v t eAsitn eo Co nslf r s r s c to s t e c u e h l no h ih . t a e h ssa c f u e o hi de e ' Thi pr t c i a i f om t fr tf m a c r ng pr e ng, ih t goa of f nce. ' s o e ton pples r he i s or l ha gi oce di w t he l as ur ng t tt C c us s lnotbe l f t hi o n de ce i f c ng t pr e or a f ce s i ha he l c ed hal a et o s w vi s n a i he os cut i l or s ofo ga ze s it ' M ornv. bi 475U. 41 430( 986)(mitngi e a r ni d ocey.' a Bur ne, S. 2, 1 o ti ntm l quoutons. i ) Eve bef r t i ta i ofac i i lc r ,howeve ,adif r ntrght- t rghtt n o e he niiton rm na ha ge r fe e i - he i o ha c ve ouns pr s ntdurng c t a i e r ton - a iesi r a i t t Fit Amendme ' el e e i usodil ntr ogai - rs n elton o he fh nts guaa e t tûl opes n ... halbec rnte ha tnl ro s l ompele i a ci na ca et beawine sagans ld n ny rmi l s o t s it hi ef' M c lv.W ic i 501U. 1 ,1 ( 91 .Unde t sFit Ame ms l.' Nei s onsn, S. 71 76 19 ) r hi fh ndment pr t c i a s pe ti c t o e ton, us c n usody,ç vi e e s hi de ie t de w ih t polc onl ç ng xpr s ed s sr o al t he i e y ha t rug c u s li n ts b e t ofrh ritro ai nb t a to i e'wih u c u s l h o h o n e,s o u j c t u te n er g to y he uh rt s' to t o n e i pr e ,unl st s pe tw a ve a e r i rr es nt es he us c i s n a le eque tf r c s o ouns . Edw a dsv. rzo ,451 U . el r A i na S. 477,48 85( 981. 4- 1 ) To i nvoke t Edwar rul t pr bisf t polce ques i ng,t sus he ds' e hat ohi t urher i toni he pectm us t ttxp e s 1 hi wihf t patculrs r oflwyel asitncet ti t s j c of te r s l 9 s s or he ri a o t a ry ssa ha s he ub e t M ia ' M ç i,501U. a 1 ( i Edwa ds 451U. a 484) Mor s iialy,he rnda. Nel ' S. t 78 quotng r , S. t . e pecfc l t s pe tm us ma t o e sa e e tt tc n r s na y bec t e t bea expr s i ofa us c t ke û m tt m n ha a ea o bl s onsnzd o n e son de ie f rt as i t e ofan a t e i dea i wih c t a i e r ton bv t polc ' l s r o he s s anc tona y n lng t us odi l nt r oMa i he i e.' d. (mpha i i orgna) çW heenohi a t rquetf c e ort cic tnc e ss n ii l. d r t ng bouthe e s or ouns l he rumsa es l a ng up t t r e di o he eque tw oul r nde i n bi uo ,a 1que toni m us c s ' Sm ih v. s d e r t m g us 1 s i ng t ea e.' t Ilnoi,469U. 91, ( 98 .W hee,howe r C s pe tmake arfr nc t a at ney li s S. 98 1 4) r ve ,t us c a s ee e e o n tor t i a bi hat s m guous o e voc i t ta r s r qui al n ha ea onabl of i ri lghtoft c r i s ar s woul e fce n i he iclm t l ce d ha unde s ood onl t tt s pe tm i htbe i ve rt y ha he us c c nvoki t r ghtt c ng he i o ouns l' ofk e sa e not e, t r r ' r uie t ce s quesi ng.Da sv. tdStts 51 U. 45 459( 994)( eq rd o a e toni vi Unie ae , 2 S. 2, 1 emphass i atr dfo o i i l.I s c stain , fiesma b taen t e uie t , s a dto a l e r m rgna) n u h i to s o fc r y, u r o r q rd o a k d iin l e u quesi tocaiywhehe ornot(hes pe t a t l wa sa at tons t lrf t t r t us cq cualy nt n tonwy't bepr s ntdurng 'o ee i t que to ng. l he s i ni d. l hi j2254peiin,Stphe a g st thi sae nt Cl tswha 1wa , lwye , n s tto e ns r ue ha s ttme ,l- ' t nta a r -ha ma , whc wa G d i t ec n e to aM ia d (lvie n , c n tt tda u e uvo a n' ih s ç e n h o tx f rn a a d s me t' o siue n n q i c l ' ma ' a unn bi nd m guousi ato ofhi Fit Ame e trghtt c nvoc i n s fh ndm n i o ouns ldtrng i e e li ntnogai n. to ( No.5, t1 ) Se ECF a 8. tphensaloa srst tnohi a t cic t espr e nghi s se t ha t ng bout he rumsanc ec di s c onve s ton w ih po i e w a a bi rai t lc s m guousore voc l qui a . St phe r i ed t s s m e a gum e si hi a e ns a s he e a r nt n s ppea t t Supr m e Cour ofV igi a. l o he e t r ni Th Co r rj ce S e e s ag me t h t i wo d ao ec nsiue a t q v c l e u s e u t ee td tph n ' r u n t a h s r s ln o t td n me uio a r q e t t f c or ouns ldurng i e r a i St ve ,720 S. 2d a 8 Cii Sm ih, e i nt r og ton. e ns E. t 3. tng t 469 U . a 99- 00, S. t 1 and D a s 51 U . a 459,t Cour r l d t tt e r que tcic s a esa e r l va t vi , 2 S. t he t u e ha d - e s r um t nc r e e nt o pr det m i ng t cl iy oft r er ni he art he eques ' f counsel and i ii t approprat i r as t' or , dentfed he i e nquiy twhe he a r a ona e of i eri lg oft c r um sa sw oul t de s a t s a e e t be l t r e s bl fc n i ht he i c t nce d m r t nd he t t m nt o ar quett ha co e pr s n f t itrogai ' Stve , S. 2da 83- ( ti e s o ve unsl e e t or he ner ton. e ns 720 E. t 84 omitng ' 6 itr a q o ains. TheCo r as rj ce S e h n 'agl n t a hsrq e t s ne n l u tto ) u t lo ee td tp e s r t t h t i e u s wa me une voca bec us he m a i whie bei r m i d ofhi M i a rght ,fndi t ta qui l a e de t l ng e nde s r nda i s i ng ha br de vi w ofpr - e oa r e e r ques c r um smw e w a r uie 1 a 8 t ic t s s eq r d. d. t 4. The cic s a e pr ce ng t m o e w he t of i e shea d St ve s y r um t nc s e di he m nt n he fc r r e ns a tgl tswha lwa ,alwy r ma 'ncude Stvens prorwai rofhi ûtha' t nt a e , n'i l d e ' i ve s M ianda r g s t o c r i ht ; w onve s to dtrng w hi h St ve di no r ques a r a i ns li c e ns d t e tn ator y;St ve 'r i ta i oft s c c t ne e ns e-niiton he e ond onve s ton wih Ofi rCha y; rai t fce ne and t ofi e s knowl dge t tone oft r a ons St ns wasbr he t c r ' e ha he e s eve oughtt t o he cour buidi w a f rt a nt e ofa ator y t r pr e hi i t t l ng s o he ppoi m nt n t ne o e es nt m n he ens ng l galpr ee ngs bu t tno a t r y had be n a ui e oc di , t ha to ne e ppoi t d f hi by t n e or m he tm et y m e wih St nsf t t r tmebec us t ge r dititcour i he t t eve or he hid i a e he ne al src t w asnoti s s on. s c r um s a ess ppo ta r as bl polc of i e ' n es i The e ic t nc u r e ona e i e fc r s beleft tSt ve wasw ilng t t l w ih t ofi e sw ihouta a t ne i ha e ns li o a k t he f c r t n tor y pr e a t tSt ve w a i t cou tbuidi f rt a nt e ofa l w ye es nt nd ha e ns s n he r l ng o he ppoi m nt a r butno l yerhad yetbeen appoi ed.I t scont ,St aw nt n hi ext evens'r equestf a or l w ye c d be u r t by a r as bl polc ofk e t r f rt e t ra a r oul nde s ood e ona e i e f r o e e o ihe l w ye f pur esoft c t a i e r ton ora l w y rt r pr e St ns a r or pos he us odi l nt r oga i a e o e es nt eve i c t W e a e wih t Cour ofA ppe s t tunde t f c s o t sc e, n our . gr e t he t al , ha r he a t f hi as Ofi e sChane a Niholon 'c ul ha r as na y viwe St ve ' fc r y nd c s Co d ve e o bl e d e ns s a e e a n bi t t m nt s m guous and t t y we e pe m it d t a k St ve cl rf ng , hus he r r te o s e ns a iyi quesi ....' tons ' I ( i Stve ,704S. 2da 592)(oonot o te . d. quotng e ns E. t f t e mitd) The cour c t nnnotfnd f om t sr c d t tSt phe ha de ons r t d gr i r hi e or ha e ns s m ta e ounds f r le or e i f t rj2254.TheSuprmeCour ofVigi aa idt etbls f dealsa r t t mde e t r ni pple he sa ihed e r tnda ds o he que t o ofl w a i s . w he he pe ii r sr ques f rco e w asan une voc li a i s i n a t s ue' t r ttone ' e t o uns l qui a nvoc ton oft r g t co eldurng i e r ton. Co i r ng onl pr - e he i ht o uns i nt r oga i nsde i y e r ques c r um s a s a t t ic t nce nd he r que tis f asr ui e unde Sm ih a Da s t s a e c tf m d t pe ii r s r ques e s t el, eq r d r t nd vi , he t t our ot hat ttone ' e t co d be r s na y i e pr t a e t ra r ques f rco m s lt be pr e i m e a el t dea ul ea o bl nt r e ed s ihe e to t e o es nt m di t y o l w ih t polc o f couns lt be a nt d f t c i i lpr e ngs Bec us Edw a ds t he i e r or e o ppoi e or he rm na oce di . a e r r quie a c s ton ofque toni o y a t an t a bi uous r ques t ha couns lf e r s es a i s i ng nl fer m m g e t o ve e or i e r ton pur es t s a e c tpr r y f nt r oga i pos , he t t our ope l ound t tSt phens n bi ha e ' m guous r f r nc t ee e e o c ouns ldi nott i rEd a dspr t ton; ha t ofk er 'pos - e e d r gge w r o ec i t t he t s t r ques que tonst c a iy t si o lrf St phe 'c e ns once s di notvi a e Fi t Am e e pr t c i a i ts l -nc i i ton;a m d ol t fh ndm nt o e tons ga ns e f i r m na i nd t tpe ii r wasnote il d t ha hi s e nt i rm i tng s a e e s s es e Thi ha ttone ntte o ve s ubs que , nc i na i t t m nt uppr s d. s c u tidsn p s ii t ta al e s n bejlit wo l a ret th s saec u t o cuso s o r fn o o sbl y h t l ra o a l t ss u d g e ha te e tt o r c n l i n i r r pr s ntan i r ec applca i o es a i he f de a sa r . H a rng on,l S.Ct a 786. e ee nco r t i ton f t bls d e r l t nda ds ri t 3l .t - Th s t ec u t s as fn t th saec u tsa j dc t no Se h n 'cam wa n t u ,h o r mu t lo id ha te tt o r' du iai f tp e s li s o o co r r t ora unr as bl a i a i of e t bls f r l1 w a m us gr ntt m oton nt a y o, n e ona e pplc ton , s a i hed ede a a nd t a he i t dimist rj22544 Ana opraeode wilis t sda o s s mde *. ppr it r r l sue hi y. Pe ii ne i a s d t them a a al hi de ii n, s ntt Rul s3 a 4 oft tto r s dvie ha y ppe t s c so pur ua o e nd he Fe r lRul ofAppelt Pr e e i aj oft Unie Stt Co tofAppeasf t de a es lae oc dur, f udge he td aes ur l or he Fou t Cic tort sc tsue ac rii aeo a pe lbiiy,puruantt 28U. C.j2253() rh r ui hi our is s e ttc t f p aa lt s o S. c. A c ri i t o a pe l biiy m a i s o y i t a i antha m ade a s t nta s e tfca e f p a a lt y s ue nl f he pplc s ubs a i l howi of ng t de a ofaco tt i lrg .j225 c)1.Thec tfndst tpeii rhasfie t he nil nsiutona iht 3( ( ) our i ha ttone ald o de o t a e ta s t nta s i oft de a ofa co tt i na r g ' a t r or t m ns r t t ubs a i l how ng he ni l nsiuto l i ht' nd he ef e, he c tde lne t is a cett t ofa albiiypurua tt Rul 22( oft Fe rlRul our ci s o sue ny rikae ppe a lt s n o e b) he dea es ofAppelaePr edu e.Se M ilrElv. lr l 5 U. 3 ( lt oc r e le- Cockel, 37 S. 22 2003) Slc v. c ni ,5 ; a k M Da el 29 U. 473( S. 2000) l peii ri e t a a a s kac tfc t ofa lbiiyfom t . f ttone ntnds o ppe l nd ee eriiae ppeaa lt r he Fourh Cic t hi fr tse i t fl ano i ofa alwih t sco twihi 30 da oft da e t r ui, s is tp s o ie tce ppe t hi ur t n ys he t ofe t y oft sm e or nr hi m andum opi on a t a com pa ng or r orw ihi s h e e ni nd he c nyi de , t n uc xt nded perodast c t ygrntpurua t Rul 4()5 . i he our ma a s nt o e a( ) The Cl r i die t d t s nd c e oft sm e or nd l o ni n a a com pa ng e k s r c e o e opi s hi m a tm pi o nd c nyi or rt pe ii ne . de o tt o r EN TER: Thst i 6 N d yof rl2 3. a Api 01 , Chi f Unied St t D i ti tJ e t a es sr c udge

Some case metadata and case summaries were written with the help of AI, which can produce inaccuracies. You should read the full case before relying on it for legal research purposes.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.