Cochran v. White

District Court, E.D. Virginia

Cochran v. White

Trial Court Opinion

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA Norfolk Division PATRICK ELLIS COCHRAN, Petitioner, v. CIVIL ACTION NO. 2:20-cv-315 HAROLD W. CLARKE, Director, Virginia Department of Corrections, Respondent. FINAL ORDER Before the Court is a Petition for a Writ of Habeas Corpus filed pursuant to

28 U.S.C. § 2254

, ECF No. 1, and the Respondent’s Motion to Dismiss. ECF No. 17. In his Petition, the pro se Petitioner alleges violation of federal rights pertaining to his convictions in the Circuit Court of Fairfax County for Abduction and Malicious Wounding. As a result of the convictions, Petitioner was sentenced to serve 20 years in prison with 15 years suspended for Malicious Wounding and 8 years in prison for Abduction. The Petition was referred to a United States Magistrate Judge for report and recommendation pursuant to the provisions of

28 U.S.C. § 636

(b)(1)(B) and (C) and Local Civil Rule 72 of the Rules of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. The Magistrate Judge’s Report and Recommendation filed June 29, 2021, recommends dismissal of the Petition with prejudice. ECF No. 33. On July 21, 2021, Petitioner filed objections to the Report and Recommendation. Respondent has not responded to Petitioner’s objections and the time to do so has expired. The Court, having reviewed the record and examined the objections filed by Petitioner to the Report and Recommendation, and having made de novo findings with respect to the portions

objected to, does hereby ADOPT and APPROVE the findings and recommendations set forth in the Report and Recommendation filed June 29, 2021. It is, therefore, ORDERED that the Respondent’s Motion to Dismiss, ECF No. 17, be GRANTED, and that the Petition, ECF No. 1, be DENIED and DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE. It is further ORDERED that judgment be entered in favor of the Respondent. Finding that the procedural basis for dismissal of Petitioner’s § 2254 petition is not debatable, and alternatively finding that Petitioner has not made a “substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional right,” a certificate of appealability is DENIED.

28 U.S.C. § 2253

(c), see Rules Gov. § 2254 Cases in U.S. Dist. Cts. 11(a); Miller-El v. Cockrell,

537 U.S. 322

, 335- 38 (2003); Slack v. McDaniel,

529 U.S. 473, 483-85

(2000). Petitioner is ADVISED that because a certificate of appealability is denied by this Court, he may seek a certificate from the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Fed. Rule App. Proc. 22(b); Rules Gov. § 2254 Cases in U.S. Dist. Cts. 11(a). If Petitioner intends to seek a certificate of appealability from the Fourth Circuit, he must do so within thirty (30) days from the date of this Order. Petitioner may seek such a certificate by filing a written notice of appeal with the Clerk of the United States District Court, United States Courthouse, 600 Granby Street, Norfolk, Virginia 23510. The Clerk shall forward a copy of this Order to Petitioner and to counsel of record for the Respondent. It is so ORDERED.

Robeyt Gouna Sepjghbicee SHRP REINS Norfolk, Virginia September 7. 2021

Reference

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