UNPUBLISHED

UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FOURTH CIRCUIT

No. 97-7522

MICHAEL RANKINS,

Petitioner - Appellant,

versus

FRED A. SPRUILL, Sheriff,

Respondent - Appellee.

Appeal from the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, at Raleigh. Malcolm J. Howard, District Judge. (CA-97-615-5-H)

Submitted: March 12, 1998 Decided: March 24, 1998

Before LUTTIG, WILLIAMS, and MICHAEL, Circuit Judges.

Affirmed by unpublished per curiam opinion.

Michael Rankins, Appellant Pro Se.

Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit. See Local Rule 36(c). PER CURIAM:

Appellant appeals the district court's orders denying relief

on his

(1994) petition and denying his motion for

ex parte hearing. We have reviewed the record and the district

court’s opinions and find no reversible error. Accordingly, we

affirm on the reasoning of the district court. Rankins v. Spruill, No. CA-97-615-5-H (E.D.N.C. Sept. 22 & Oct. 6, 1997). We dispense

with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are

adequately presented in the materials before the court and argument would not aid the decisional process.

AFFIRMED

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