State v. Williams, Unpublished Decision (10-24-2001)
State v. Williams, Unpublished Decision (10-24-2001)
Opinion of the Court
In a single assignment of error, defendant-appellant Donald L. Williams, Sr., appeals from the April 4, 2001, judgment of the trial court dismissing his second successive postconviction petition filed on March 2, 2001, for failure to satisfy the requirements of R.C.
R.C.
Either of the following applies:
(a) The petitioner shows that the petitioner was unavoidably prevented from discovery of the facts upon which the petitioner must rely to present the claim for relief.
(b) Subsequent to the period prescribed in division (A)(2) of section
2953.21 of the Revised Code or to the filing of an earlier petition, the United States Supreme Court recognized a new federal or state right that applies retroactively to persons in the petitioner's situation, and the petition asserts a claim based on that right.(2) The petitioner shows by clear and convincing evidence that, but for constitutional error at trial, no reasonable factfinder would have found the petitioner guilty of the offense of which the petitioner was convicted or, if the claim challenges a sentence of death that, but for constitutional error at the sentencing hearing, no reasonable factfinder would have found the petitioner eligible for the death sentence.
As we have previously held, both requirements of R.C.
Williams's second successive postconviction petition fails to satisfy the requirements of R.C.
We note that in his second successive postconviction petition, Williams claims lack of notice of amended findings of fact and conclusions of law journalized by the trial court in the first postconviction proceedings on November 29, 1995, which was clearly subsequent to our affirmance, on July 25, 1995, of the trial court's dismissal of the first postconviction petition. In the absence of a remand by this court or an intervening Ohio Supreme Court decision, any further challenge in the trial court by Williams to the same findings of fact and conclusions of law from the first postconviction proceedings that were part of the record reviewed in the previous appellate decision is barred under the law-of-the-case doctrine.3 The Ohio Supreme Court has stated that the law-of-the-case doctrine ensures consistency of results in a case, avoids endless litigation by settling issues, and preserves the structure of superior and inferior courts as designed by the Ohio Constitution.
Finding no error in the trial court's determination that the statutory requirements were not satisfied with regard to Williams's successive postconviction petition, we overrule the single assignment of error.
Therefore, the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
Further, a certified copy of this Judgment Entry shall constitute the mandate, which shall be sent to the trial court under App.R. 27. Costs shall be taxed under App.R. 24.
Hildebrandt, P.J., Winkler and Shannon, JJ.
Raymond E. Shannon, retired, from the First Appellate District, sitting by assignment.
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