Opinion
CV 14-8124-RSWL CR 03-01257-RSWL-1
10-08-2015
DANNY FABRICANT, Petitioner/Defendant, v. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Respondent/Plaintiff.
ORDER re: Motion to Vacate, Set Aside or Correct Sentence by a Person in Federal Custody Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255 [CV 1]
Currently before the Court is Petitioner Danny Fabricant's ("Petitioner") Motion to Vacate, Set Aside or Correct Sentence Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255 [CV 1] ("§ 2255 Motion"). The Government opposes the § 2255 Motion [CV 26].
The Court, having considered all papers submitted pertaining to the § 2255 Motion, NOW FINDS AND RULES AS FOLLOWS: Petitioner's § 2255 Motion [CV 1] is DENIED and the Court DENIES a Certificate of Appealability.
I. BACKGROUND
On March 26, 2004, Petitioner and co-defendant Rachel Meyer ("Meyer") were charged with conspiracy and drug trafficking offenses in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841 and 846 [CR 105].
Count one charged conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, a schedule II controlled substance, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846; 841(b)(1)(B)(viii); and 841(b)(1)(C). Indictment, ECF No. CR 105. Counts two and three charged distribution of more than 5 grams of methamphetamine, a schedule II controlled substance, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B)(viii). Id. Count four charged distribution of more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, a schedule II controlled substance, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(A)(viii). Id. Count five charged possession with intent to distribute more than 5 grams of methamphetamine, a schedule II controlled substance, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B)(viii). Id.
On July 28, 2004 a jury convicted Petitioner on all Counts [CR 204]. This Court sentenced Petitioner to life imprisonment [CR 299]. On appeal, the Ninth Circuit reversed Petitioner's convictions and remanded for a new trial [CR 525].
Retrial commenced on September 23, 2008 [CR 674]. The Government called among its witnesses Michael Kramer ("Kramer"), an informant acting on behalf of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives ("ATF") and ATF Special Agent John Ciccone.
On September 26, 2008, a jury again convicted Petitioner on all counts [CR 682]. Petitioner was again sentenced to life imprisonment [CR 848, 849]. Petitioner appealed his conviction and sentence [CR 850]. The Ninth Circuit affirmed Petitioner's conviction and sentence, and the Supreme Court denied certiorari. United States v. Fabricant, 506 F. App'x 636, 642 (9th Cir. 2013), cert. denied 134 S. Ct. 450 (Mem.) (2013).
Several months after sentencing, Petitioner filed an Ex Parte Application for Order Requiring DNA Testing Per 18 U.S.C. § 3600 [CR 979] ("Ex Parte Application for DNA Testing"), in which Petitioner argued that "[i]f the DNA testing confirms that the defendant's DNA is not present on the baggies and packaging materials, it would prove that the defendant was factually innocent of selling Meth to Kramer, and was, in fact, framed by Kramer." Ex Parte Appl. for DNA Testing 11-12. This Court rejected the filing because the case was closed [CR 955]. Petitioner appealed, and the Ninth Circuit reversed and remanded with instructions to consider Petitioner's application on the merits. United States v. Fabricant, 581 F. App'x 663 (9th Cir. 2014). After further briefing by the parties [CR 986 (Opposition); CR 995 (Reply)], this Court denied Petitioner's application on the merits [CR 997], holding that Petitioner failed to meet the statutory requirements for obtaining relief. Petitioner filed a notice of appeal [CR 1002] on September 18, 2014. The matter is currently pending appeal. United States v. Fabricant, No. 13-50526.
On October 21, 2014, Petitioner timely filed his § 2255 Motion [CV 1]. In support of his § 2255 Motion, Petitioner filed a Memorandum of Points and Authorities Part I (Grounds) [CV 3] ("Memorandum Part I"), a Memorandum of Points and Authorities Part II (Statement of Facts) [CV 4] ("Memorandum Part II"), Exhibits Part I [CV 2] and Exhibits Part II [CV 44]. On March 24, 2015 the Government filed its Opposition to Motion to Vacate, Set Aside or Correct Sentence Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255 [CV 26] ("Opposition"). On August 31, 2015 Petitioner filed his Reply to Government's Opposition to Motion to Vacate, Set Aside or Correct Sentence Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255 [CV 45] ("Reply").
A Section 2255 motion must be filed within one year from the latest of, inter alia, "the date on which the judgment of conviction becomes final." 28 U.S.C. § 2255(f)(1). Here, Petitioner's conviction became final on October 15, 2013 when the Supreme Court denied certiorari of his appeal. See United States v. Fabricant, 506 F. App'x 636 (9th Cir. 2013), cert. denied, 134 S. Ct. 450 (Mem.) (Oct. 15, 2013). Petitioner's § 2255 Motion was filed on October 21, 2014, over a year from the date on which his conviction became final. However, pursuant to the "prison mailbox rule," which applies to pro se habeas petitioners such as Petitioner, the filing date of Petitioner's § 2255 Motion is deemed to be the date on which Petitioner delivered his § 2255 Motion to prison authorities to mail to the clerk of court. Stillman v. LeMarque, 319 F.3d 1199, 1201 (9th Cir. 2003). Here, Petitioner's §2255 Motion was postmarked October 13, 2014 [CV 1]. Because October 13, 2014 is within the one-year statute of limitations imposed by 28 U.S.C. § 2255, Petitioner's § 2255 Motion was timely filed.
II. DISCUSSION
A. Legal Standard
28 U.S.C. § 2255 provides that a federal prisoner may make a motion to vacate, set aside or correct his sentence on the ground that the sentence was imposed in violation of the Constitution or laws of the United States, or that the court was without jurisdiction to impose such sentence, or that the sentence was in excess of the maximum authorized by law, or is otherwise subject to collateral attack. 28 U.S.C. § 2255(a).
The range of claims which may be raised in a § 2255 motion is narrow. United States v. Wilcox, 640 F.2d 970, 972 (9th Cir. 1981). In order for a claim to be cognizable under § 2255, a motion must allege: (1) a constitutional error; (2) that the district court lacked jurisdiction to impose the sentence; (3) that the sentence was imposed in excess of the statutory maximum; or (4) that the sentence is otherwise subject to collateral attack. Id.
The remedy under § 2255 does not encompass all claimed errors in conviction and sentencing. United States v. Addonizio, 442 U.S. 178, 185 (1979); Wilcox, 640 F.2d at 973 ("Errors of law which might require reversal of a conviction or sentence on appeal do not necessarily provide a basis for relief under § 2255."). A mere error of law does not provide a basis for collateral relief under § 2255 unless the claimed error constituted "a fundamental defect which inherently results in a complete miscarriage of justice" and renders the entire proceeding "irregular and invalid." Addonizio, 442 U.S. at 185-86.
Further, "the Court has cautioned that § 2255 may not be used as a chance at a second appeal." United States v. Berry, 624 F.3d 1031, 1038 (9th Cir. 2010); United States v. Johnson, 988 F.2d 941, 945 (9th Cir. 1993) ("Section 2255 . . . is not designed to provide criminal defendants multiple opportunities to challenge their sentence."). A matter that has been decided adversely on appeal from a conviction cannot be relitigated on a § 2255 motion absent changed circumstances of law or fact. Odom v. United States, 455 F.2d 159, 160 (9th Cir. 1972); Olmstead v. United States, 55 F.3d 316, 319 (7th Cir. 1995).
Similarly, "[h]abeas relief is an extraordinary remedy and will not be allowed to do service for an appeal." Bousley v. United States, 523 U.S. 614, 621 (1998) (quoting Reed v. Farley, 512 U.S. 339, 354 (1994)) (internal quotation marks omitted). Where a defendant has procedurally defaulted a claim by failing to raise it on direct appeal, the claim may be raised in a § 2255 motion only if the defendant can first demonstrate both "cause" excusing his procedural default and "actual prejudice" resulting from the claim of error, or that he is "actually innocent." Bousley, 523 U.S. at 622. The existence of "cause" for a procedural default turns on whether the petitioner can show that some objective factor external to the defense impeded defense counsel's efforts to comply with the procedural rules or made compliance impracticable. Murray v. Carrier, 477 U.S. 478, 488 (1986). To show "actual prejudice," the petitioner must show that the alleged errors at trial created more than a mere possibility of prejudice, but that the errors worked to his "actual and substantial disadvantage, infecting his entire trial with error of constitutional dimensions." United States v. Frady, 456 U.S. 152, 170 (1982). To establish "actual innocence," Petitioner must demonstrate that "in light of all the evidence, it is more likely than not that no reasonable juror would have convicted him." Bousley, 523 U.S. at 623 (quoting Schlup v. Delo, 513 U.S. 298, 327-28 (1995)) (internal quotation marks omitted).
B. Discussion
Petitioner raises five grounds in his § 2255 Motion. Each ground is discussed below.
1. Petitioner's Due Process Claims
In ground one, Petitioner argues that he was "denied due process by the collective actions of the government, this court, and appointed counsel." Pet'r's Mem. Part I 1-1. Specifically, Petitioner lists twenty-four "examples" of alleged due process violations, which he claims are illustrative of his broader argument found in the 134-page Memorandum Part II. Id. at 1-1 to 1-20.
After having reviewed Petitioner's arguments in Memorandum Parts I and II, Petitioner's "due process" claims can be divided into eight broad categories: (1) the Court denied Petitioner's various motions and ex parte applications, and overruled Petitioner's various objections to the Government's motions and at trial; (2) the Prosecutor "lied" to the Court on at least two occasions; (3) the Government deliberately delayed the proceedings to the prejudice of Petitioner; (4) the Court's hearing to determine whether to allow the Government to use Petitioner's prior convictions for sentencing purposes was constitutionally inadequate; (5) co-counsel failed to object to the introduction of certain evidence at trial; (6) co-counsel "usurped" the defense; (7) the Court erred in its jury instructions; and (8) the Court and Prosecutor improperly questioned Meyer at retrial. Each of these categories is discussed in turn.
Petitioner's "examples" 1-8, 10-14, 18-19 and related arguments. In one instance, Petitioner argues that the Court entirely denied him a hearing when it refused to hear testimony from six witnesses on a motion to exclude communications with Kramer under the priest-penitent privilege.
Petitioner's "example" 9 and related arguments.
Petitioner's "examples" 16, 20 and related arguments.
Petitioner's "example" 13 and related arguments.
Petitioner's "examples" 15, 24 and related arguments.
Petitioner's "examples" 17-18, 24 and related arguments.
Petitioner's "examples" 21, 22 and related arguments.
Petitioner's "example" 23 and related arguments.
a. The Court's denial of Petitioner's various motions and ex parte applications did not constitute a violation of due process.
Petitioner raises several arguments that the Court wrongfully denied his various motions, requests and ex parte applications, including, inter alia: a motion related to visitation at the MDC-LA by any attorney or investigator, a motion to exclude material under the priest-penitent privilege, requests for out-of-district subpoenas, requests for payment of witness fees and mileage, requests for a copy of a Confidential Recommendation letter, requests for discovery materials from the Government, a motion to place Petitioner on the "Extra Law Library" list and a motion for return of property.
Some of these claims were adversely decided against Petitioner on appeal, and Petitioner cannot now raise them in a § 2255 Motion. Odom, 455 F.2d at 160. The remainder of these claims are waived because Petitioner failed to raise them on direct appeal and failed to demonstrate "cause" and "actual prejudice," or "actual innocence," to excuse his procedural default. Bousley, 523 U.S. at 622.
See, e.g., Petitioner's request to be permanently placed on the "Extra Law Library" list [CR 554]; request to allow any attorney or investigator to visit Petitioner at the MDC-LA [CR 511]; request for additional access to a typewriter [CR 519]; motion for return of property [CR 854, 856]. Appellant's Opening Br. 23-24, ECF No. 26-1. The Ninth Circuit held that Petitioner's access to materials and resources was not unreasonable, and that the trial court properly dismissed his motion for return of property. Fabricant, 506 F. App'x at 638-639, 641. Petitioner raised these arguments a second time in his seventh ground of appeal, in which he argued that cumulative errors at trial violated his due process rights. Appellant's Opening Br. 69-70. The Ninth Circuit held that Petitioner failed to establish multiple errors, much less cumulative errors. Fabricant, 506 F. App'x at 640-41.
Petitioner contends that several of his arguments were raised on appeal through his filing of Exhibit M, a six-page addendum to his Opening Brief in the Ninth Circuit. See Pet'r's Exhibits Part II [CV 44]. In Exhibit M, Petitioner asserted additional grounds of appeal which were not included in his Opening Brief due to the Ninth Circuit's word limitations. Many of these additional arguments were not directly addressed in the Ninth Circuit opinion affirming his conviction, and Petitioner now argues that they are not procedurally barred.
However, Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 28(a)(6) provides: "The argument must contain the contentions of the appellant on the issues presented, and the reasons therefor, with citations to the authorities, statutes, and parts of the record relied on." The Ninth Circuit has held that issues raised in a brief that are not supported by argument are deemed abandoned. Martinez-Serrano v. I.N.S., 94 F.3d 1256, 1259 (9th Cir. 1996) (citing Acosta-Huerta v. Estelle, 7 F.3d 139, 144 (9th Cir. 1992)). Furthermore, issues referred to in the appellant's statement of the case but not discussed in the body of the brief are waived. Id. The Ninth Circuit has even refused to consider constitutional matters that were neither briefed nor argued, but merely asserted in conclusory terms. United States v. Mateo-Mendez, 215 F.3d 1039, 1043 (9th Cir. 2000). Petitioner's "laundry list" of claims in Exhibit M were not properly briefed, argued or reasoned in his brief before the Ninth Circuit. Therefore, although the Ninth Circuit did not explicitly reject Petitioner's additional filing, Petitioner did not properly raise these claims on appeal.
Moreover, Petitioner fails to show "cause" and "actual prejudice" to excuse his procedural default. Petitioner's only assertion of "good cause" is that "there simply was not enough room" in his Opening Brief to include all of his arguments. Reply 6. However, this argument does not demonstrate "good cause" for excusing Petitioner's procedural default. Petitioner's inability to craft his arguments in compliance with the Ninth Circuit's 14,000 word limit for opening briefs does not demonstrate an "objective factor external to the defense," which "impeded defense counsel's efforts to comply with the procedural rules or [make] compliance impracticable." Murray, 477 U.S. at 488.
Because Petitioner cannot show cause, we need not consider whether he suffered actual prejudice. Cook v. Schriro, 538 F.3d 1000, 1028 n.13 (9th Cir. 2008) (citing Engle v. Isaac, 456 U.S. 107, 134 (1982)). In any case, Petitioner's assertion that his appellate counsel's choice of grounds to be raised on direct appeal caused him "actual prejudice" is without merit. To show "actual prejudice," Petitioner must show that the claimed errors at trial worked to his "actual and substantial disadvantage, infecting his entire trial with error of constitutional dimensions." Frady, 456 U.S. at 170. The actions of Petitioner's appellate counsel in choosing which arguments to pursue on appeal did not have any effect on the outcome of Petitioner's trial. Regardless, any argument that the Ninth Circuit's page limitations operated to his "actual prejudice" fails. See Watts v. Thompson, 116 F.3d 220, 224 (7th Cir. 1997) (holding that enforcing page limits and other restrictions on litigants is "rather ordinary practice" that does not violate due process); accord Davis v. Malfi, No. CV 06-4744-JVS (JEM), 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 182882, at *76 (C.D. Cal. Oct. 1, 2014).
Alternatively, Petitioner may demonstrate "actual innocence" to excuse his procedural default. Bousley, 523 U.S. at 623. Although Petitioner argues in his Reply that he generally asserted "actual innocence" throughout the proceedings, his only specific argument in this regard is that the absence of his DNA on any of the baggies containing methamphetamine that Kramer sold to Agent Ciccone proves that he was framed. Pet'r's Mem. Part I 4-1; Reply 8. Even if this assertion is taken as true, it does not demonstrate that "in light of all the evidence, it is more likely than not that no reasonable juror would have convicted" Petitioner. Bousley, 523 U.S. at 623. This is so especially in light of the overwhelming evidence establishing Petitioner's guilt, including video and audio recordings of Petitioner's drug transactions, Meyer's testimony, physical evidence of methamphetamine sold by Petitioner, methamphetamine found in Petitioner's residence and Petitioner's own admissions. Thus, Petitioner's assertion falls short of proving that he is "actually innocent" to overcome his procedural default.
The mere fact that Petitioner's DNA was not found on the drug packaging does not show that he did not sell the package to Kramer. The absence of DNA evidence does not prove that a defendant was not involved in the offense. See, United States v. Jordan, 594 F.3d 1265, 1268 (10th Cir. 2010).
In any case, Petitioner's claims of error fail to establish a constitutional due process violation to support his § 2255 Motion. The "root requirement" of procedural due process is that a deprivation of life, liberty or property must be preceded by notice and the opportunity for a hearing. Cleveland Bd. of Educ. v. Loudermill, 470 U.S. 532, 542 (1985) (citing Mullane v. Central Hanover Bank & Trust Co., 339 U.S. 306, 313 (1950)). However, a court's rulings on various motions and ex parte applications do not interfere with a petitioner's constitutional rights to notice and the opportunity to be heard if a full hearing is afforded. United States v. Gallagher, 183 F.2d 342, 345 (3d Cir. 1950) ("[A] wrong decision upon the merits does not constitute denial of due process of law if the opportunity of a full hearing is afforded. Such a decision, therefore, does not involve a denial of constitutional rights which may be made the basis of a motion under Section 2255.").
Moreover, "[t]he standard of review of § 2255 petitions is stringent and the court presumes earlier proceedings were correct." United States v. Benford, No. SACR 05-0010 DOC, 2012 WL 2411920, at *2 (C.D. Cal. June 22, 2012). Relief is not available merely because of error that may have justified reversal on direct appeal. Frady, 456 U.S. at 165. To succeed on a § 2255 motion, the defendant must show a defect in the proceedings which resulted in a "complete miscarriage of justice" and rendered the entire proceedings "irregular and invalid." Addonizio, 442 U.S. at 185-86; see also Berry, 624 F.3d at 1039-40 (an evidentiary ruling may provide grounds for relief under § 2255 where the ruling was so arbitrary as to render the trial fundamentally unfair); Parle v. Runnels, 387 F.3d 1030, 1045 (9th Cir. 2004) (where no specific constitutional violation can be shown, "habeas review of trial error is limited to whether the error so infected the trial with unfairness as to make the resulting conviction a denial of due process"). A due process violation only occurs if the error "[had] the effect of converting what was otherwise a fair trial into one which is repugnant to an enlightened system of justice." Vandergrift v. United States, 313 F.2d 93, 94 (9th Cir. 1963). Mere prejudice to the defendant is not necessarily sufficient. Id.
Here, Petitioner fails to establish that he was deprived of a fair trial as to his convictions. Petitioner's § 2255 Motion is devoid of legal authority to support that any of the errors alleged amount to violations of his due process rights. Moreover, this Court afforded Petitioner a full hearing on his various motions and ex parte applications, and the Court's rulings were not so arbitrary as to render Petitioner's trial fundamentally unfair. See Berry, 624 F.3d at 1039-40. The errors complained of also did not "so infect the trial with unfairness" as to make Petitioner's conviction a denial of due process. See Parle, 387 F.3d at 1045. Not only does Petitioner fail to show in his § 2255 Motion that the Court erred in ruling on his various motions and ex parte applications, but he fails to show a defect in the proceedings which resulted in a "complete miscarriage of justice." Addonizio, 442 U.S. at 185-86. As the Ninth Circuit determined on direct appeal, "Fabricant has not shown multiple errors, let alone cumulative errors that produce sufficient prejudice to warrant a new trial." Fabricant, 506 F. App'x at 641. Rather, Petitioner was given the opportunity for a full hearing on his various motions and ex parte applications throughout the proceedings. Therefore, the Court's denial of Petitioner's various motions and ex parte applications did not constitute a violation of due process.
b. Petitioner fails to establish that the Prosecutor "lied" to the Court on at least two occasions.
On direct appeal, Petitioner failed to raise the argument that the Prosecutor "lied" on at least two occasions, namely, (1) with respect to its access to Petitioner's telephone calls and (2) with respect to the anticipated scope of its questioning of Meyer at retrial. As explained above, because Petitioner failed to demonstrate "cause" and "actual prejudice," or "actual innocence," to excuse his procedural default, these claims are barred from Petitioner's § 2255 Motion. Bousley, 523 U.S. at 622.
In any case, Petitioner's allegations are unsupported in fact. Because Petitioner fails to demonstrate that the Prosecutor "lied" or otherwise engaged in misconduct, he cannot show that the Prosecutor's actions deprived him of a fair trial. United States v. Sanchez-Robles, 927 F.2d 1070, 1077 (9th Cir. 1991), overruled on other grounds by United States v. Heredia, 483 F.3d 913, 923 n.16 (9th Cir. 2007).
As to Petitioner's first allegation, Petitioner argues that the production of only one document as a result of a FOIA request proves that Assistant United States Attorney April Christine was "lying" when she told the Court that "there is a procedure that the Government has to go through [to access Petitioner's phone calls], . . . [and] the Government does not automatically have access to them without going through that procedure." Rep. Tr. 9:22-25, Feb. 11, 2008 [CR 804]; Pet'r's Mem. Part II 19-21. This argument makes little sense and Petitioner fails to show that the Prosecutor "lied" in this instance.
As to Petitioner's second allegation, Petitioner fails to establish that the Government's questioning of Meyer went outside the agreed-upon scope of Meyer's prior admissions before the Court as a matter of public record and in the plea agreement. See Government's Motion In Limine Re: Admissibility of Anticipated Testimony of Witness Rachel Lee Meyer, ECF No. CR 649. Petitioner merely reproduces the text of the Reporter's Transcript without explaining or demonstrating that the Government deviated from the scope of its anticipated questioning. Pet'r's Mem. Part II 83-89. For these reasons, Petitioner's claim that the Prosecutor "lied" to the Court on several occasions fails to state a cognizable claim under § 2255.
c. The Government did not deliberately delay the proceedings in violation of Petitioner's due process rights.
Petitioner argues that the Government engaged in "dirty tricks" by deliberately delaying the hearing on Petitioner's Motion for Transfer of Evidence for Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis at an Independent Laboratory [CR 566] ("Motion for Independent Analysis of Evidence") and waiting until two weeks before trial to file its motion in limine regarding the admissibility of anticipated testimony of Meyer [CR 649]. Pet'r's Mem. Part I 1-6, 1-8. These arguments are entirely without merit.
As an initial matter, Petitioner did not raise these arguments on direct appeal, and fails to demonstrate "cause" and "actual prejudice," or "actual innocence," to excuse his procedural default. Therefore, these claims are barred from his § 2255 Motion. Bousley, 523 U.S. at 622.
On the merits, Petitioner cannot show that the Prosecutor engaged in misconduct which "so infected the trial with unfairness as to make the resulting conviction a denial of due process." Darden v. Wainwright, 477 U.S. 168, 180-81 (1986) (holding that prosecutor's comments in closing argument, though "undoubtedly improper," did not deprive defendant of due process rights). In order to prove a violation of due process due to prosecutorial misconduct, Petitioner must show that "the Government's conduct [was] so grossly shocking and so outrageous as to violate the universal sense of justice," which is an "extremely high standard." United States v. Smith, 924 F.2d 889, 897 (9th Cir. 1991). Because Petitioner fails to show that the Prosecutor engaged in misconduct, he cannot demonstrate that he was denied a fair trial. See Sanchez-Robles, 927 F.2d at 1077.
With regards to the Motion for Independent Analysis of Evidence, Petitioner did not oppose the Government's request for an extension of time to file its Response to the Motion [CR 568]. Both parties then stipulated to take the Motion off-calendar [CR 575, 576]. On the Court's own motion, the hearing was then continued from May 13, 2008 to August 14, 2008 [CR 611]. On August 20, 2008 the Court granted Petitioner's Motion [CR 628]. It is not clear how the Government's actions with regards to this Motion prevented Petitioner from "demonstrat[ing] to the Jury that there was less than 50 grams of pure Meth in the Meth mixture." See Pet'r's Mem. Part I 1-6. It is equally unclear that the Government "deliberately" or wrongfully delayed the hearing of the Motion. Any delay by the Government does not amount to behavior that is "so grossly shocking and so outrageous as to violate the universal sense of justice." Smith, 924 F.2d at 897. Rather, Petitioner's failure to perform the independent analysis before trial rests squarely with the defense.
Petitioner's second argument regarding the timing of the Government's motion in limine concerning Meyer's testimony is similarly unsupported. Petitioner does not demonstrate that the Prosecutor committed misconduct in filing its motion in limine, much less that the timing of this motion "sandbagged" the defense. The Prosecutor's timing for filing its motion in limine two weeks before trial is not an unusual practice and does not meet the "extremely high standard" required to demonstrate prosecutorial misconduct. Smith, 924 F.2d at 897. For these reasons, both of Petitioner's claims fail to state a claim under § 2255.
d. The hearing on the use of Petitioner's prior convictions for sentencing did not violate Petitioner's due process rights.
Petitioner argues that the Court improperly permitted the Government to submit additional briefing on the use of Petitioner's prior convictions for purposes of sentencing. Pet'r's Mem. Part I 1-5; see ECF Nos. CR 264, 277. Prior to the hearing pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 851 to establish prior convictions, Petitioner filed a Motion to compel the United States Attorney's office to provide information showing that Petitioner was provided his Sixth Amendment right to counsel in reaching the prior convictions [CR 203]. The Government opposed Petitioner's Motion [CR 234]. The Court denied the Motion [CR 238]. At a hearing on December 13, 2004, [CR 263] the Court ordered the Government to submit briefs regarding "sufficiency of records" to support its arguments on Petitioner's prior convictions. The Court also ordered "Defendant . . . to respond thereafter." After the Government filed its brief [CR 264], Petitioner filed a Response [CR 277]. On January 24, 2005, the Court held the hearing pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 851 [CR 279], in which the Court denied Petitioner's objections and permitted the Government to use Petitioner's prior convictions for purposes of sentencing. Petitioner now argues that this procedure violated his due process rights. Pet'r's Mem. Part I 1-5.
Petitioner argues that the 21 U.S.C. § 851 hearing was concluded on December 13, 2004. See Pet'r's Mem. Part II at 57. However, at the hearing on December 13, 2004, the Court explicitly requested more information from the parties regarding Petitioner's prior convictions and noted that "[t]he Court will issue a final ruling on this matter at the time of Defendant's sentencing." Minutes of First Day Jury Trial, Dec. 13, 2004, ECF No. 2 63.
To the extent that Petitioner complains that the Court's acceptance of additional filings from the Government regarding the 21 U.S.C. § 851 hearing violated his due process rights, Petitioner failed to raise this argument on direct appeal. Therefore, as noted above, absent a showing of "cause" and "prejudice," or "actual innocence," Petitioner's claim is procedurally barred. Bousley, 523 U.S. at 622.
In any case, the Court's acceptance of further briefing under 21 U.S.C. § 851 did not violate Petitioner's due process rights. Although the Court ordered further briefing from the Government, the Court also ordered further briefing from Petitioner. Therefore, Petitioner was afforded an adequate opportunity to present his arguments. The Court's request for additional information necessary to make a determination under 21 U.S.C. § 851 did not constitute a defect in the proceedings which resulted in a "complete miscarriage of justice" and rendered the entire proceedings "irregular and invalid." Addonizio, 442 U.S. at 185-86; see also United States v. Tucker, 404 U.S. 443, 446 (1972) ("[A] trial judge in the federal judicial system generally has wide discretion in determining what sentence to impose . . . [and] before making that determination, a judge may appropriately conduct an inquiry broad in scope, largely unlimited either as to the kind of information he may consider, or the source from which it may come.").
The Court mandated, "Defendant is to respond [after submission of the Government's briefs]." ECF No. CR 263.
For these reasons, Petitioner's argument cannot form the basis for relief under § 2255.
e. Co-counsel's failure to object to the use of Petitioner's alias, Joe Carse, did not constitute a due process violation.
Petitioner's argument that his due process rights were violated when co-counsel failed to object to the use of Petitioner's alias, Joe Carse, at trial was litigated and adversely decided on appeal. Fabricant, 506 F. App'x at 640-41; Appellant's Opening Br. 69-71 (specifically raising the argument as an example of cumulative error in violation of Petitioner's Fifth Amendment due process rights). The Ninth Circuit rejected this argument and held that "Fabricant has not shown multiple errors, let alone cumulative errors that produce sufficient prejudice to warrant a new trial." Fabricant, 506 F. App'x at 641. Petitioner is therefore barred from relitigating this claim under § 2255. Odom, 455 F.2d at 160.
Even if Petitioner frames this argument as a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel under Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668 (1984), Petitioner's claim fails because Petitioner represented himself at trial. Faretta v. California, 422 U.S. 806, 834 n. 46 (1975) ("[A] defendant who elects to represent himself cannot thereafter complain that the quality of his own defense amounted to a denial of 'effective assistance of counsel.'"); Williams v. Stewart, 441 F.3d 1030, 1047 n.6 (9th Cir. 2006) ("Having failed to show that his decision to represent himself was involuntary, [a defendant] cannot claim that he was denied the effective assistance of counsel at trial."). Moreover, Petitioner's claim that co-counsel interfered with his self-representation has already been resolved against him on appeal, Fabricant, 506 F. App'x at 638-40, and Petitioner is barred from asserting in his § 2255 Motion that co-counsel's failure to object to certain evidence violated his right to self-representation. See Odom, 455 F.2d at 160.
f. Co-counsel's alleged "usurpation" of the defense did not violate Petitioner's due process rights.
On direct appeal of his conviction and sentence, Petitioner claimed that his waiver of right to counsel was invalid, that co-counsel usurped his representation, and that his right to access materials to prepare a defense was unreasonably infringed in violation of Faretta. Appellant's Opening Br. 10-37. The Ninth Circuit rejected all three of these claims. Fabricant, 506 F. App'x at 638-40. Thus, to the extent Petitioner attempts to raise a claim that co-counsel interfered with his self-representation, or that his right to access to materials was unreasonably infringed, these issues have already been resolved against him on direct appeal and cannot be relitigated under § 2255. Odom, 455 F.2d at 160.
However, Petitioner now asserts that co-counsel's "usurpation" of his defense violated his due process rights to a fair trial. Reply 15. He avers that he does not attempt to re-allege Sixth Amendment Faretta violations in his § 2255 Motion. Id. Petitioner cannot merely reformulate the identical Faretta claims he already litigated on appeal as newly raised Fifth Amendment Due Process violations. Moreover, Petitioner's claims are properly analyzed under the Sixth Amendment. Although the Fifth Amendment guarantees criminal defendants "fundamental fairness" throughout the criminal process, "[w]here a particular Amendment 'provides an explicit textual source of constitutional protection' against a particular sort of government behavior, 'that Amendment, not the more generalized notion of "substantive due process," must be the guide for analyzing these claims." Albright v. Oliver, 510 U.S. 266, 273 (1994). Since the Ninth Circuit already addressed these claims under the Sixth Amendment, these claims are barred. Odom, 455 F.2d at 160.
Further, even if Petitioner could procedurally raise these claims, his argument fails. Both the Ninth Circuit and this Court have found that co-counsel did not usurp the defense and that Petitioner's access to materials was not unreasonable. Fabricant, 506 F. App'x at 638-39. Moreover, Petitioner cannot show that the provision of copies of certain documents and materials only to his co-counsel rises to the level of a due process violation when Petitioner specifically authorized co-counsel to communicate with the Government on his behalf. Therefore, none of Petitioner's complained errors amount to a defect in the proceedings which resulted in a "complete miscarriage of justice," and Petitioner fails to show that co-counsel's actions violated his due process rights. Addonizio, 442 U.S. at 185-86.
g. The jury instructions did not violate Petitioner's due process rights.
Petitioner raises two claims that the jury instructions violated his due process rights: (1) the Court erred in not instructing the jury to determine the "exact weight" of methamphetamine in each Count and (2) the Court failed to give a "simple possession" instruction regarding the possession with intent to distribute charge.
Petitioner's first claim fails because Petitioner failed to raise the argument on appeal, and Petitioner cannot demonstrate "cause" and "actual prejudice," or "actual innocence" to excuse his procedural default. Bousley, 523 U.S. at 622. In any case, this claim fails on the merits because Petitioner fails to demonstrate how the instruction was erroneous, much less that it rendered the trial "fundamentally unfair." Berry, 624 F.3d at 1040; see also Henderson v. Kibbe, 431 U.S. 145, 154 (1977) ("The question in . . . a collateral proceeding is 'whether the ailing instruction by itself so infected the entire trial that the resulting conviction violates due process.'"). Here, it is highly unlikely that the jury would have reached a different conclusion had it been instructed to determine the exact weight of methamphetamine in each Count. Therefore, Petitioner fails to show that constitutional error was committed.
As to Petitioner's second claim that the jury instructions violated his due process rights because the Court failed to give a "simple possession" instruction, this claim was fully litigated and adversely decided against Petitioner on appeal. Fabricant, 506 F. App'x at 640. Petitioner cannot relitigate this claim in his § 2255 Motion. Odom, 455 F.2d at 160.
For these reasons, Petitioner's claims of error in the jury instructions fail under § 2255.
h. The questioning of Meyer at trial did not violate Petitioner's due process rights.
Petitioner alleges that the Court and Prosecutor improperly questioned Meyer at retrial when "the Court quickly stepped in as a third prosecutor, and took over the questioning of Meyer," and granted the Prosecutor's request to treat Meyer as a hostile witness. However, Petitioner failed to object to the admission of Meyer's testimony at trial and failed to raise this argument on appeal to the Ninth Circuit. Because Petitioner cannot show "cause" and "actual prejudice," or "actual innocence," to excuse his procedural default, this claim is barred on his § 2255 Motion. Bousley, 523 U.S. at 622.
Petitioner admits that co-counsel did not object to Meyer's questioning. Pet'r's Mem. Part I 1-11.
In any case, under Federal Rule of Evidence 611(a), a district court has a duty to exercise reasonable control over the examination of witnesses so as to make the examination procedures effective for determining the truth, avoid wasting time and protect witnesses from harassment or undue embarrassment. Fed. R. Evid. 611(a). Thus, the district court has broad discretion in supervising trials and may participate in the examination of witnesses to clarify evidence, confine counsel to evidentiary rulings, ensure the orderly presentation of evidence and prevent undue repetition. United States v. Laurins, 857 F.2d 529, 537 (9th Cir. 1988). Additionally, it is well-settled law that where a witness disclosed in her testimony that she was adverse in interest to the party calling her, the party might change the character of the examination from a direct to a cross-examination. See United States v. Budd, 144 U.S. 154, 165-66 (1982); see also Fed. R. Evid. 611(c). Given Meyer's recalcitrant conduct during the Prosecutor's examination at trial, the Court was within its discretion to allow the Prosecutor to treat Meyer as a hostile witness. See Thomas v. Cardwell, 626 F.2d 1375, 1386-87 (9th Cir. 1980) (holding that witness's evasive, ambiguous and conflicting statements properly supported trial court's ruling that witness was hostile). Thus, the actions of the Court and the Prosecutor in questioning Meyer do not constitute an error that is so fundamentally unfair as to constitute a due process violation. Id. at 1386 ("Such a controversy [over whether the court properly declared the prosecutor's witness to be hostile] ordinarily does not give rise to the federal constitutional question necessary for habeas corpus relief."). For these reasons, Petitioner's claim is not cognizable under § 2255.
i. Conclusion
The Court finds that Petitioner's "due process" claims raised in ground one are procedurally barred. In any case, Petitioner fails to establish a constitutional violation of due process to support his § 2255 Motion.
2. Petitioner's Claim That His Sentence Is Unlawful
In ground two, Petitioner claims that his sentence is unlawful because the methamphetamine involved in his conviction was not an "injectable liquid." Pet'r's Mem. Part I 2-1 to 2-2. He asserts that non-"injectable liquid" methamphetamine is a schedule III controlled substance under 21 U.S.C. § 812, not a schedule II controlled substance as charged. Id.
On direct appeal, however, Petitioner did not raise this claim. As noted above, Petitioner fails to make a showing of "cause" and "actual prejudice," or "actual innocence," to excuse his procedural default. Therefore, Petitioner's claim under ground two is procedurally barred. Bousley, 523 U.S. at 622.
Although Petitioner asserted this argument in Exhibit M before the Ninth Circuit, Petitioner did not properly raise this claim on appeal. See Martinez-Serrano v. I.N.S., 94 F.3d at 1259 (holding that issues are waived if merely raised in a brief but not supported by argument).
In any case, Petitioner's claim fails on the merits. It is well settled that methamphetamine, in all its forms, has been classified as a Schedule II controlled substance in accordance with 21 C.F.R. § 1308.12(d). United States v. Durham, 941 F.2d 886, 889 (9th Cir. 1991) ("This court has repeatedly concluded, as we have again in this opinion, that methamphetamine has been properly designated as a Schedule II controlled substance."). This is despite the earlier language of 21 U.S.C. § 812(c) which distinguishes between injectable-liquid and non-injectable methamphetamine, and includes only the former in Schedule II. United States v. Kendall, 887 F.2d 240, 241 (9th Cir. 1989) (per curiam); see also United States v. Turner, 187 F. App'x 698, 700 (9th Cir. 2006) ("We have held that the Attorney General properly rescheduled all forms of methamphetamine to Schedule II [in 21 C.F.R. § 1308.12], despite language in 21 U.S.C. § 812(c) that includes some forms of methamphetamine in Schedule III."). Therefore, Petitioner was properly sentenced in accordance with 21 U.S.C. § 841, and his argument concerning the classification of methamphetamine under 21 U.S.C. § 812 does not warrant reversal of his sentence.
See also Gonzalez v. United States, No. CR-F-03-5165 OWW, 2009 WL 2379978, at *5-6 (E.D. Cal. July 30, 2009); Torres v. United States, No. CR-F-03-5165 OWW, 2008 WL 2225745, at *3 (E.D. Cal. May 28, 2008); accord United States v. Duran, 219 F. App'x 762, 764 (10th Cir. 2007); United States v. Walters, 163 F. App'x 674, 684 (10th Cir. 2006); United States v. Macedo, 406 F.3d 778, 785 (7th Cir. 2005); United States v. Alcorn, 93 F. App'x 37, 39 (6th Cir. 2004); United States v. Gori, 324 F.3d 234, 239-40 (3d Cir. 2003); United States v. Pinkley, 24 F. App'x 287, 288-89 (6th Cir. 2001); United States v. Lane, 931 F.2d 40 (11th Cir. 1991); United States v. Roark, 924 F.2d 1426, 1428-29 (8th Cir. 1991); United States v. Kinder, 946 F.2d 362, 368 (5th Cir. 1989); United States v. Schrock, 855 F.2d 327, 331-32 (6th Cir. 1988); Brain v. United States, No. 4:03-CR-38, 2011 WL 1343344, at *11 (E.D. Tenn. Apr. 8, 2011).
3. Petitioner's Claim of Priest-Penitent Privilege
Petitioner's claim in ground three is that his "conviction was obtained by use of evidence that violated [the] common law priest-penitent privilege." Pet'r's Mem. Part I 3-1.
As an initial matter, Petitioner did not raise a violation of the priest-penitent privilege on direct appeal. As noted above, Petitioner also fails to show "cause" and "actual prejudice," or "actual innocence," to excuse his procedural default. Therefore, Petitioner's argument under ground three is barred. Bousley, 523 U.S. at 622.
As with ground two, Petitioner asserted this argument in Exhibit M before the Ninth Circuit. However, the Court finds that Petitioner did not properly raise this claim on appeal. See Martinez-Serrano v. I.N.S., 94 F.3d at 1259 (holding that issues are waived if merely raised in a brief but not supported by argument).
Regardless of Petitioner's procedural default, Petitioner's claim fails because the communications between Petitioner and Kramer are not protected by the priest-penitent privilege.
Federal Rule of Evidence 501 provides that privileges are "governed by the principles of the common law as they may be interpreted by the courts of the United States in the light of reason and experience." Fed. R. Evid. 501. The Supreme Court has long recognized a priest-penitent privilege, which has been stated broadly as "embracing any confession by a penitent to a minister in his capacity as such to obtain such spiritual aid as was sought and held out in this instance." Mockaitis v. Harcleroad, 104 F.3d 1522, 1531 (9th Cir. 1997), overruled on other grounds by City of Boerne v. Flores, 521 U.S. 507 (1997). The privilege applies to protect communications made (1) to a clergyperson, (2) in his or her spiritual professional capacity (3) with a reasonable expectation of confidentiality. In re Grand Jury Investigation, 918 F.2d 374, 384 (3d Cir. 1990). Communications that fail to meet the requirements of the privilege will not be protected. See United States v. Webb, 615 F.2d 828 (9th Cir. 1980) (holding that communications between prisoner and clergyman were not confidential, and therefore would not be protected).
Here, Petitioner failed to demonstrate that the privilege applied to his communications with Kramer. Petitioner's assertion that he or Kramer was an ordained minister is not by itself sufficient to prove that the priest-penitent privilege applied to the communications at issue. Petitioner failed to present any evidence showing that he or Kramer acted in his spiritual professional capacity, that the communications at issue involved religious or spiritual counseling or that the communications were confidential. See In re Grand Jury Investigation, 918 F.2d at 384. Petitioner's argument that the priest-penitent privilege has no "crime/fraud" exception is similarly unconvincing. Regardless of criminal activity involving Petitioner and Kramer, Petitioner did not present sufficient evidence that he or Kramer sought any sort of spiritual counseling through their communications.
Additionally, Petitioner's assertion that the Court failed to grant him a hearing on the issue is completely without merit. The Court, after having considered the parties' briefs, declarations and affidavits filed therein, and the parties' arguments at the hearing on the matter, determined that Petitioner's argument was factually inadequate [CR 146]. Further, Petitioner's presentation of six witnesses to testify that Kramer (1) regularly acted as an ordained minister and (2) repeatedly told people that "anything said to [him was] confidential," would not have been sufficient to demonstrate that the specific communications at issue fell under the scope of the priest-penitent privilege.
Therefore, because the communications between Petitioner and Kramer were not protected under the priest-penitent privilege, the admission of such communications at trial cannot form the basis for a § 2255 motion.
4. Petitioner's Claim That The Court Improperly Denied His Ex Parte Application for DNA Testing
In ground four, Petitioner argues that his Ex Parte Application for DNA Testing under 18 U.S.C. § 3600 was wrongfully denied. Pet'r's Mem. Part I 4-1. However, this Court lacks jurisdiction to consider this claim because the Court's denial of Petitioner's Application for DNA Testing is currently pending appeal in the Ninth Circuit, United States v. Fabricant, No. 14-50428. Griggs v. Provident Consumer Discount Co., 459 U.S. 56, 58 (1982) ("The filing of a notice of appeal is an event of jurisdictional significance-it confers jurisdiction on the court of appeals and divests the district court of its control over those aspects of the case involved in the appeal.").
Petitioner's alternative argument that ground four asserts his "actual innocence" is considered in relation to Petitioner's procedurally defaulted claims, even though the Court finds this argument unpersuasive.
Further, even if the Court had jurisdiction to consider this claim, "[n]othing in [18 U.S.C. § 3600] shall provide a basis for relief in any Federal habeas corpus proceeding." 18 U.S.C. § 3600(h)(2). Therefore, the statute, by its express terms, does not afford any right to habeas relief. 18 U.S.C. § 3600(h)(2); see also D'Amario v. Banks, No. CV 10-2860-MMM(CW), 2011 WL 5857488, at *4 (C.D. Cal. Sep. 29, 2011). Moreover, there is also no freestanding federal constitutional right to post-conviction DNA testing. See Dist. Attorney's Office for Third Judicial Dist. v. Osborne, 557 U.S. 52, 129 (2009) ("We reject the invitation [to recognize a freestanding right to DNA evidence] and conclude . . . there is no such substantive due process right."). Accordingly, Petitioner's claim under ground four is not cognizable under § 2255.
5. Petitioner's Brady Claims
In ground five, Petitioner challenges his conviction on the ground of newly discovered evidence. Pet'r's Mem. Part I 5-1.
After the Government framed Petitioner's argument as alleging a Brady violation, Petitioner adopted the Government's interpretation in his Reply. The Court considers Petitioner's claim as though he originally alleged a Brady violation. See Castro v. United States, 540 U.S. 375, 381-82 (2003) ("Federal courts sometimes will ignore the legal label that a pro se litigant attaches to a motion and recharacterize the motion in order to . . . create a better correspondence between the substance of a pro se motion's claim and its underlying legal basis.").
a. Legal Standard
"Short proof of actual innocence, claims solely based on new evidence are generally not cognizable on habeas." Berry, 624 F.3d at 1038. A claim of newly discovered evidence to support a motion under § 2255 must be based on an independent constitutional violation. Id. (citing Herrera v. Collins, 506 U.S. 390, 400 ("[N]ewly discovered evidence . . . alleged in a habeas application . . . must bear upon the constitutionality of the applicant's detention; the existence merely of newly discovered evidence relevant to the guilt of a state prisoner is not a ground for relief on federal habeas corpus.") (emphasis in original). A Brady violation involves a constitutional violation of due process, and therefore constitutes an "independent constitutional violation" that is cognizable under § 2255. See United States v. Bagley, 473 U.S. 667, 675-76 (1985) ("The Brady rule is based on the requirement of due process.").
In Brady v. Maryland, the Supreme Court held that "the suppression by the prosecution of evidence favorable to an accused upon request violates due process where the evidence is material either to guilt or to punishment, irrespective of the good faith or bad faith of the prosecution." 373 U.S. 83, 87 (1963). Brady violations have three components: (1) the "evidence at issue must be favorable to the accused, either because it is exculpatory, or because it is impeaching," (2) "that evidence must have been suppressed by the State, either willfully or inadvertently," and (3) "prejudice must have ensued." Runningeagle v. Ryan, 686 F.3d 758, 769 (9th Cir. 2012) (quoting Strickler v. Greene, 527 U.S. 263, 281-82 (1999)). The terms "material" and "prejudicial" are used interchangeably in Brady cases. Id. "Evidence is 'material' under Brady 'when there is a reasonable probability that, had the evidence been disclosed, the result of the proceeding would have been different.'" Id. (quoting Cone v. Bell, 556 U.S. 449, 469-70 (2009)). "A 'reasonable probability' of a different result [exists] when the government's evidentiary suppression 'undermines confidence in the outcome of the trial.'" United States v. Lopez, 577 F.3d 1053, 1059 (9th Cir. 2009) (quoting Kyles v. Whitley, 514 U.S. 419, 434 (1995)).
b. Petitioner's first argument of "newly discovered evidence"
Here, Petitioner's first Brady claim is that newly discovered evidence shows that Agent Ciccone deliberately lied during his cross-examination testimony on the subject of Kramer being able to own, possess and carry firearms. Pet'r's Mem. Part I 5-1 to 5-2. However, as in Berry, where the Ninth Circuit determined that newly discovered evidence that a witness committed perjury at trial did not demonstrate an independent constitutional violation but merely called into doubt the overall weight of the evidence against the § 2255 petitioner, Petitioner's claim regarding Agent Ciccone merely casts doubt on the credibility of Ciccone's testimony. Petitioner does not allege that this newly discovered evidence bears upon the constitutionality of his detention. Nor does the evidence prove that Petitioner is "actually innocent" of the convicted crime. See Berry, 624 F.3d at 1038. Even if the Court interprets Petitioner's claim as an alleged Brady violation, Petitioner cannot establish prejudice as a result of the State's willful or inadvertent suppression of evidence that Agent Ciccone lied. In other words, even if the jury had discounted Agent Ciccone's testimony as a result of this evidence, there was ample other testimony and physical evidence to support Petitioner's guilt, and the suppressed evidence does not undermine confidence in the outcome of the trial. Lopez, 577 F.3d at 1059. Petitioner cannot show a reasonable probability that, had the evidence been disclosed, he would not have been convicted. Runningeagle, 686 F.3d at 769.
c. Petitioner's second argument of "newly discovered evidence"
Petitioner's second claim of newly discovered evidence is also without merit. Petitioner claims that there is newly discovered evidence that "unknown" federal law enforcement agents "lied" to Cynthia Garcia's family about Kramer's involvement in the murder and "got them to agree not to sue Kramer." Pet'r's Mem. Part I 5-2. Once again, Petitioner fails to establish, or even allege, a Brady violation. Nevertheless, Petitioner's allegations amount to nothing more than speculation. He has not presented any evidence of an agreement between Cynthia Garcia's family and the "unknown" federal agents. Nor has he presented evidence that such an agreement existed at the time Kramer testified at retrial, or that the Government suppressed evidence of the agreement. Moreover, even though Kramer was a key witness in the Government's case, any evidence of such an agreement would be cumulative of other impeachment evidence against Kramer, and was therefore not prejudicial to Petitioner. Further, as mentioned above, the Government presented ample evidence of Petitioner's guilt aside from Kramer's testimony. Thus, Petitioner fails to show that there is a reasonable probability that, had the evidence been disclosed, the result of the proceeding would have ended in his acquittal. Runningeagle, 686 F.3d at 769.
For these reasons, Petitioner fails to establish a Brady violation to support his § 2255 Motion.
d. Rule 33 Motion For New Trial
A district court may treat a § 2255 motion as a Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 33 motion for a new trial. Berry, 624 F.3d at 1039. Where petitioner's claim is not cognizable under § 2255, "[t]he proper device [for a claim of newly discovered evidence] is Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 33, which allows a prisoner to move for a new trial based on newly discovered evidence." Berry, 624 F.3d at 1038 (citing Fed. R. Crim. P. 33(b)(1). Such a motion under Rule 33 must be brought within three years of the date of the guilty verdict. Id. Rule 33 time limits are strictly construed. Herrera, 506 U.S. at 409.
Here, the jury convicted Petitioner in September 2008. Petitioner did not file his § 2255 Motion until October 2014, more than six years after the date of the guilty verdict. Therefore, a Rule 33 motion for a new trial is barred as untimely.
In any case, to qualify for a new trial, Petitioner must establish: "(1) the evidence is newly discovered; (2) [Petitioner] was diligent in seeking the evidence; (3) the evidence is material to the issues at trial; (4) the evidence is not (a) cumulative or (b) merely impeaching; and (5) the evidence indicates the [Petitioner] would probably be acquitted in a new trial." Berry, 624 F.3d at 1042 (citing United States v. Hinkson, 585 F.3d 1247, 1264 (9th Cir. 2009) (en banc)). Here, Petitioner's "newly discovered evidence" would merely serve to impeach the testimony of Agent Ciccone and Kramer. Additionally, the evidence does not indicate that Petitioner would probably be acquitted in a new trial. Therefore, Petitioner does not qualify for a new trial under Rule 33.
6. Certificate of Appealability
a. Legal Standard
Under 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c), a federal prisoner must seek and obtain a certificate of appealability ("COA") to appeal the district court's denial of relief under § 2255. 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c)(1) ("Unless a circuit justice or judge issues a [COA], an appeal may not be taken to the court of appeals from . . . the final order in a proceeding under section 2255."). A district judge may also issue a COA. See Fed. R. App. P. 22(b); United States v. Asrar, 116 F.3d 1268, 1269-70 (9th Cir. 1997) ("[D]istrict courts possess the authority to issue [COAs] in § 2255."); Rule 11(a) of the Rules Governing Section 2255 Proceedings for the United States District Courts ("The district court must issue or deny a [COA] when it enters a final order adverse to the applicant.").
A "[COA] may issue . . . only if the applicant has made a substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional right." 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c)(2). To satisfy the showing required by paragraph (c)(2), the petitioner must show that reasonable jurists could debate whether the petition should have been resolved differently or that the issues presented are "adequate to deserve encouragement to proceed further." Slack v. McDaniel, 529 U.S. 473, 483-84 (2000).
b. Analysis
Here, Petitioner fails to make a substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional right because his claims are either procedurally barred, are not cognizable under § 2255 or fail entirely on the merits. Petitioner's claim that several of his arguments raise novel issues of law is also without merit. Reasonable jurists could not debate that Petitioner's § 2255 Motion should have been resolved differently or that the issues presented deserve further proceedings. Therefore, the Court DENIES a COA.
III. CONCLUSION
Based on the foregoing analysis, the Court DENIES Petitioner's § 2255 Motion and DENIES a Certificate of Appealability.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
DATED: October 8, 2015
S/ RONALD S.W. LEW
HONORABLE RONALD S.W. LEW
Senior U.S. District Judge