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finding that a petitioner was not diligent where he alleged that his letters to his attorney had gone unanswered but failed to specify when he had allegedly sent the letters
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Case No. 5:08CV660.
April 17, 2009
Anthony Lamar Fitts, St. Clairsville, OH, pro se.
Gene D. Park, Office of the Attorney, General, Columbus, OH, for Respondent.
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER
This Memorandum Opinion and Order arises out of the objections (Doc. No. 21) filed by Petitioner Anthony Lamar Fitts ("Fitts") to the Report and Recommendation of Magistrate Judge William Baughman, Jr., recommending that this Court dismiss Fitts's petition for writ of habeas corpus as time-barred (Doc. No. 20). For the reasons that follow, the Court ACCEPTS the Report and Recommendation and DISMISSES Fitts's petition for writ of habeas corpus.
I. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
In his objections, Fitts acknowledged that, with the exception of the Magistrate Judge's calculation of the tardiness of his habeas petition, he agrees with the statement of facts provided by the Magistrate Judge in the Report and Recommendation. Accordingly, the Court shall only provide the factual and procedural history necessary to provide context for this Memorandum Opinion and Order.
On February 2, 2005, the Stark County Grand Jury indicted Fitts on ten counts of robbery, in violation of O.R.C. § 2911.02(A)(2), arising out of a string of robberies occurring in Stark County from August to November 2004. (R. 75.) Section 2911.02(A) states as follows:
No person, in attempting or committing a theft offense or in fleeing immediately after the attempt or offense, shall do any of the following:
(1) Have a deadly weapon on or about the offender's person or under the offender's control;
(2) Inflict, attempt to inflict, or threaten to inflict physical harm on another;
(3) Use or threaten the immediate use of force against another.
At trial, the jury heard testimony from the following individuals:
(1) Aaron Prude, an AT T Wireless store employee, who testified, inter alia, that an African-American male who wore a baseball cap and sunglasses pointed a black handgun at Prude as he demanded Prude to "put all the money in the bag." (R. 75.) Prude positively identified Fitts from a photo array, as did another AT T employee, James Contrucci. (R. 75-76.)
(2) Dawn Marshall, an employee of Maggiore's, who testified, inter alia, that a male wearing pantyhose over his face, a black baseball cap, and a blue "Fubu" shirt pointed a black handgun at her, demanded she open the register, and then took the money from the register. (R. 76.) The robbery was recorded on the store's video surveillance, and an outside camera taped the robber without his mask. ( Id.)
(3) Harriet Weese, a Dollar General employee, who testified, inter alia, that an African-American male with his face covered by a black cloth pointed a black handgun at her and told her to place money in a plastic shopping bag. (R. 76.) When the robber left the store, Weese ran to lock the door and was able to see the man's face without a mask. ( Id.) She positively identified Fitts from a photo lineup and during the trial. ( Id.) Two other individuals, Chris Maley and Casey Frame, both saw the unmasked robber outside the Dollar General, and both made a positive identification of Fitts from a photo lineup and at trial. ( Id.)
(4) Pam Campbell and Camille Sims, employees at the Southgate Bureau of Motor Vehicles, who testified, inter alia, that an African-American male with a stocking cap over his face pointed a black handgun at them and ordered them to give him money from the registers. (R. 76.) When he left the store, a customer followed him and got the license plate number from the vehicle he was driving. ( Id.) The car was later identified as belonging to Barbara Harris. (R. 77.)
(5) Shamica Harris, who testified, inter alia, that she had known Fitts for approximately one year, that Fitts had driven her mother's car, and that Fitts confessed to her that he had committed the string of robberies, including at Priceless Kids, AT T Wireless, Family Dollar, Dollar General, Maggiore's, Mr. Hero, Check into Cash, and Southgate BMV. (R. 77.) She identified Fitts as the man in the still photos taken at the robberies. ( Id.) Additionally, when police spoke to Shamica Harris, she brought them a blue "Fubu" shirt belonging to Fitts that matched the one worn by the robber. ( Id.)
The jury found Fitts guilty of four of the ten counts of robbery, and the trial court sentenced Fitts to four consecutive eightyear terms of imprisonment, for a total of 32 years. (R. 77.)
On February 13, 2006, 2006 WL 337368, the Ohio court of appeals affirmed the judgment of the trial court. (R. 74-94.) Fitts had until March 30, 2006, to file a direct appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court, but he failed to do so. On May 16, 2006, Fitts, through counsel, filed an application to reopen his appeal under Ohio Appellate Rule 26(B), alleging ineffective assistance of appellate counsel. (R. 95.) The Ohio court of appeals denied Fitts's 26(B) application on June 2, 2006, and the Ohio Supreme Court dismissed an appeal as not involving a substantial constitutional question on October 4, 2006, 111 Ohio St.3d 1417, 854 N.E.2d 1094 (2006). (R. 132-33, 158.)
On March 17, 2008, Fitts filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus in this Court. (Doc. No. 1.) In it, Fitts offers a number of constitutional challenges to his imprisonment pursuant to a state court judgment. (Doc. No. 1 at 8-11.) Apparently acknowledging that his petition was not timely filed, Fitts requests that his untimeliness be excused under equitable tolling and that this Court nonetheless consider his petition on the merits. (Doc. No. 1 at 2-7.) The Magistrate Judge recommended that Fitts's petition be dismissed as time-barred. (Doc. No. 20.) Fitts has filed objections to the Magistrate Judge's report. (Doc. No. 21.)
II. LAW AND ANALYSIS
A. Untimeliness of petition
de novo de novo. 28 U.S.C. § 2244
Under the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 ("AEDPA"), an application for writ of habeas corpus by a person in custody pursuant to the judgment of a state court must be filed within one year of the date on which judgment became final by the conclusion of direct review or the expiration of the time for seeking such review. 28 U.S.C. § 2244(d)(1)(A). This one-year period is tolled, however, during the pendency of a properly filed application for state post-conviction or other collateral review. 28 U.S.C. § 2244(d)(2).
28 U.S.C. § 2244 technically provides that the one year statute of limitations shall run from the latest of four situations. Three of those situations, however, are not applicable to this case. See 28 U.S.C. § 2244(d)(1)(B)-(D).
In this case, the Ohio court of appeals affirmed Fitts's convictions on direct review on February 13, 2006. From that point, Fitts had 45 days — or until March 30, 2006 — to file an appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court. Rules of Practice of the Supreme Court of Ohio, Rule II, § 2(A)(1)(a). Fitts did not file a direct appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court, and thus the one-year limitations period began running on March 31, 2006. 28 U.S.C. § 2244(d)(2).
Thereafter, 45 days passed until Fitts filed a Rule 26(B) application to reopen his appeal, which tolled the statute of limitations while the 26(B) application was pending. See 28 U.S.C. § 2244(d)(2). On October 4, 2006, the Ohio Supreme Court declined review of Fitts's 26(B) application, and thus the limitations period resumed on October 5, 2006. Since 45 days had already passed before Fitts filed his Rule 26(B) application, this left him until August 21, 2007, to file a petition for writ of habeas corpus. Fitts did not file his petition for writ of habeas corpus until March 7, 2008. Thus, Fitts filed his petition 198 days past the deadline imposed by AEDPA. This renders Fitts's petition untimely by well over six months.
While the petition was not filed with this Court until March 17, 2008, Fitts signed the petition on March 7, 2008. Since the date a petition is delivered to prison authorities for mailing establishes the filing date, Houston v. Lack, 487 U.S. 266, 270, 108 S.Ct. 2379, 101 L.Ed.2d 245 (1988), this Court deems March 7, 2008, to be the filing date.
Fitts objects that "notwithstanding fact Petitioner [sic] did not seek certiorari[,] said 90-day period must be included in timeliness calculation." (Objections at 1.) Presumably Fitts is referring to the 90-day period in which he could seek direct review of his conviction in the United States Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has held, however, that "§ 2244(d)(2) does not toll the 1-year limitations period during the pendency of a petition for certiorari." Lawrence v. Florida, 549 U.S. 327, 332, 127 S.Ct. 1079, 166 L.Ed.2d 924 (2007). Accordingly, insofar as Fitts objects that his tardiness in filing his habeas petition is any less than 198 days, as calculated above, those objections are OVERRULED.
The Court believes this for two reasons. First, the Ohio Supreme Court does not hear cases "on writ of certiorari," and thus Fitts does not seem to be referring to his failure to directly appeal his conviction to the Ohio Supreme Court. Second, a petition for writ of certiorari must be filed in the United States Supreme Court within 90 days after entry of judgment in a state court of last resort. Sup. Ct. R. 13(1).
B. Equitable tolling
His tardiness notwithstanding, Fitts nonetheless asks this Court to consider his habeas petition on the merits under the principles of equitable tolling. The United States Supreme Court has never decided whether the one-year statute of limitations in § 2244 may be equitably tolled. Lawrence, 549 U.S. at 336, 127 S.Ct. 1079. In Dunlap v. United States, 250 F.3d 1001 (6th Cir. 2001), however, the Sixth Circuit held that the one-year limitation periods in 28 U.S.C. §§ 2244 and 2255 are subject to the doctrine of equitable tolling based on a consideration of five factors. Id. at 1004, 1007-08. The Sixth Circuit has also found equitable tolling to be appropriate where a petitioner makes a credible showing, based upon reliable new evidence, that he is actually innocent. Souter v. Jones, 395 F.3d 577, 596, 602 (6th Cir. 2005).
The Magistrate Judge recommended that equitable tolling not be applied to the case under either the Dunlap five-factor test or actual innocence, and that Fitts's petition accordingly be dismissed as time-barred under AEDPA. (Report and Recommendation at 737-39.) Fitts objected that the Magistrate Judge improperly used the Dunlap test to determine whether equitable tolling was appropriate, unreasonably applied the equitable tolling standard to the facts of this case, and unreasonably concluded that Fitts did not set forth a credible claim of actual innocence. The Court finds none of Fitts's objections persuasive.
1. Standard for equitable tolling
In Dunlap, the Sixth Circuit held that a court should consider the following five factors to determine if equitable tolling of the AEDPA limitations period is appropriate:
(1) the petitioner's lack of notice of the filing requirement;
(2) the petitioner's lack of constructive notice of the filing requirement;
(3) diligence in pursuing one's rights;
(4) absence of prejudice to the respondent; and
(5) the petitioner's reasonableness in remaining ignorant of the legal requirement for filing his claim.Dunlap, 250 F.3d at 1008. Of course, "these factors `are not necessarily comprehensive or always relevant; ultimately, every court must consider an equitable tolling claim on a case-by-case basis.'" Keenan v. Bagley, 400 F.3d 417, 421 (6th Cir. 2005) (quoting King v. Bell, 378 F.3d 550, 553 (6th Cir. 2004)). The petitioner has the burden of proof of demonstrating that he is entitled to equitable tolling. Allen v. Yukins, 366 F.3d 396, 401 (6th Cir. 2004). Further, "`[t]he doctrine of equitable tolling is applied sparingly by federal courts,' and is typically used `only when a litigant's failure to meet a legally-mandated deadline unavoidably arose from circumstances beyond that litigant's control.'" Price v. Lewis, 119 Fed.Appx. 725, 726 (6th Cir. 2005) (quoting Vroman v. Brigano, 346 F.3d 598, 604 (6th Cir. 2003)).
The Magistrate Judge applied the five-factor Dunlap test in recommending that this Court not apply equitable tolling to Fitts's untimely petition. Fitts objects that the five-factor Dunlap test has been modified by Lawrence, and that the Lawrence two-factor test should be used instead. (Objections at 2, 4.) Fitts is incorrect. In Lawrence, the Supreme Court stated:
We have not decided whether § 2244(d) allows for equitable tolling. Because the parties agree that equitable tolling is available, we assume without deciding that it is. To be entitled to equitable tolling, [a petitioner] must show `(1) that he has been pursuing his rights diligently, and (2) that some extraordinary circumstance stood in his way' and prevented timely filing.Lawrence, 549 U.S. at 336, 127 S.Ct. 1079 (citations omitted). As is evident from the above passage, and as this Court has noted in a previous decision, the Supreme Court has neither decided that equitable tolling is available for habeas petitioners nor established a specific test that overrules Sixth Circuit precedent. Plaza v. Hudson, 2008 WL 5273899, at *6 n. 9 (N.D.Ohio Dec. 17, 2008). Indeed, the Sixth Circuit has continued to apply the Dunlap test in habeas cases even after Lawrence. See, e.g., McSwain v. Davis, 287 Fed.Appx. 450, 455 (6th Cir. 2008).
The Court notes, however, that even if it did apply the Lawrence test, Fitts still would not be entitled to relief because, for the reasons described in Section III.B.2, infra, Fitts has neither pursued his rights diligently nor was obstructed from timely filing his habeas petition due to an extraordinary circumstance.
Accordingly, the Court finds Fitts's argument to be without merit, and his objection is therefore OVERRULED. The Court shall apply the Dunlap test to determine if equitable tolling is appropriate in Fitts's case.
2. Application of the equitable tolling standard
Applying the Dunlap test, the Magistrate Judge recommended that equitable tolling not be applied in Fitts's case. Fitts objects that the Magistrate Judge erred in applying the equitable tolling factors, and that he is entitled to equitable tolling based on appellate counsel's "abandon[ing]" him and due to the "poor conditions [. . .] as to knowledge pool at institution [sic]." (Objections at 2-3.) The Court finds that neither justifies equitable tolling.
As a preliminary matter, the Dunlap test requires Fitts to show a lack of actual and constructive notice of the one-year statute of limitations, and that his remaining ignorant of the legal requirement for filing his claim was reasonable. Dunlap, 250 F.3d at 1008. The one-year provision of 28 U.S.C. § 2244 has remained unchanged since its enactment in 1996. See 28 U.S.C.A. § 2244 (annotation) (showing no amendments of § 2244 since 1996). The Sixth Circuit has made clear that the AEDPA statute itself gives constructive notice of the one-year statute of limitations, even if a prisoner is unaware of the statute. Allen, 366 F.3d at 403. Moreover, "ignorance of the law alone is not sufficient to warrant equitable tolling." Id. Since Fitts is charged with constructive notice of the AEDPA limitations period, and because ignorance is not a sufficient justification for lack of actual knowledge of the limitations period, Fitts cannot show the first, second, or fifth factors of the Dunlap test. This alone is sufficient to reject equitable tolling in his case.
Moreover, Fitts has failed to prove that he was diligent in pursuing his rights, as required under Dunlap. Dunlap, 250 F.3d at 1008. Fitts contends that "[t]he record demonstrates that appellate counsel abandoned petitioner after advising him that she would be assisting in seeking federal redress." (Objections at 2.) In truth, the record shows nothing of the sort, and thus his counsel's failure to file a habeas petition on his behalf does not provide him with any ground for equitable tolling. By letter dated October 27, 2006, Assistant State Public Defender Theresa Haire, who represented Fitts during his 26(B) proceedings, notified Fitts that the Ohio Supreme Court had declined to accept jurisdiction of his case, and that the "next legal option involves filing a habeas petition in the district court [. . .]." (Doc. No. 1 Ex. G.) While conceding that the AEDPA standard "is a difficult standard to successfully meet," Haire stated "[n]onetheless, I would like to do additional research into whether a petition on your behalf is warranted. I hope to have the research completed by the end of next month." ( Id.) Thus, far from a "promise" to assist Fitts with his habeas proceedings (Objections at 3), Haire said only that she would investigate whether a habeas petition was warranted.
But even if Haire did "abandon" Fitts, his subsequent lack of diligence negates any claim of right to equitable tolling. Haire's October 27, 2006 letter to Fitts indicates that she would make a final decision as to whether a habeas petition on his behalf was warranted sometime in November or December 2006. (Doc. No. 1 Ex. G.) By his own admission, Fitts "didn't bring matter to attention of fellow inmate [sic], who he could trust to compose a meritorious petition, until Jan./08." (Doc. No. 1 at 3; see also Doc. No. 1 Ex. A.) Fitts has provided no justification for this delay of more than one year in taking any action on his habeas petition. Fitts complains that he sent correspondence to Haire that went unanswered. (Doc. No. 1 at 3.) However, he provides no dates as to when this correspondence allegedly occurred, nor has he "offer[ed] any explanation as to why he was prevented from taking any other action or inquiring about his case by other means during the one-year period." Beltran-Sosa v. United States, 2007 WL 854810, at *4 (W.D.Ky. Mar. 15, 2007). Fitts also claims that he needed time to obtain the assistance of a trusted inmate. Aside from the fact that Fitts has not explained why he needed over a year to initiate contact with the inmate, as a matter of law such efforts do not establish diligence for purposes of equitable tolling. Id. at *3, *5 (efforts to seek assistance of a fellow inmate do not establish diligence for purposes of equitable tolling); see also Plaza, 2008 WL 5273899, at *7 (efforts to seek outside legal counsel do not establish diligence for purposes of equitable tolling).
In an affidavit, fellow inmate Tramaine Martin, who prepared Fitts's habeas petition, stated his honest belief that "Mr. Fitts lacks aptitude to reasonably articulate his compunctions and was only excited to initiate action by my enlightenment and persuasion." (Doc. No. 1 Ex. A.) Martin's contention buttresses Fitts's argumentation in his habeas petition that he should be granted equitable tolling based in part on his "never finish[ing] high school" and his lack of "knowledge or institutional experience which could have equipped him with the procedural rules and limits for this matter." (Doc. No. 1 at 2.) The Magistrate Judge rejected the suggestion that Fitts's lack of education and legal understanding of the "procedural rules and limits" of AEDPA justified equitable tolling, and Fitts did not challenge this recommendation in his Objections. Accordingly, Fitts has waived review of the Magistrate Judge's conclusion by this Court. Fed.R.Civ.P. 72(b)(3); Miller v. Currie, 50 F.3d 373, 380 (6th Cir. 1995).
Even if Fitts had preserved this argument for review by this Court, however, "an inmate's lack of legal training, his poor education, [and] even his illiteracy does not give a court reason to toll the statute of limitations." Cobas v. Burgess, 306 F.3d 441, 444 (6th Cir. 2002) (citations omitted); see also Williams v. Price, 2002 WL 551037, at *3 (E.D.Mich. Mar. 29, 2002) ("A habeas petitioner is not entitled to equitable tolling of the statute of limitations on the basis of his `alleged helplessness' due to a lack of academic and legal education."). "The fact that petitioner lacked the legal sophistication to pursue his claims in either the state or federal courts is not an extraordinary circumstance that would equitably toll the statute of limitations." Williams, 2002 WL 551037, at *3 (citing Hood v. Galaza, 47 F.Supp.2d 1144, 1148 (S.D.Cal. 1999)). Further, in order to show mental incapacity as an extraordinary circumstance, the petitioner must make a factual showing of that incapacity. Lawrence, 549 U.S. at 337, 127 S.Ct. 1079. Fitts has offered no evidence suggesting that he suffers from such an extraordinary mental incapacity as to require equitable tolling of the AEDPA statute of limitations.
Fitts also contends that equitable tolling should be applied in his case because "poor conditions existed as to knowledge pool at institution [sic]." (Objections at 3.) More specifically, Fitts contends that the law library did not have a computerized research system, there were no postings of AEDPA standards or timing limitations, and books on habeas corpus were routinely "borrowed" without authorization. ( Id.) The Sixth Circuit has made clear, however, that "allegations regarding insufficient library access, standing alone, do not warrant equitable tolling." United States v. Stone, 68 Fed.Appx. 563, 565 (6th Cir. 2003); see also Plaza, 2008 WL 5273899, at *6. Further, while it may be true that certain resources are in high demand at the institution in which Fitts is incarcerated, Fitts has provided no evidence that he was denied access to resources over such a long period of time as to justify equitable tolling. And even were such resources denied to Fitts over an entire year, it is still his obligation to take all reasonable means necessary to protect his rights, including, if necessary, calling the clerk of court to inquire about how to protect his rights under the circumstances. See Beltran-Sosa, 2007 WL 854810, at *4 (failure to attempt to call court or inquire about status of appeal demonstrated a lack of diligence on the part of habeas prisoner); Solomon v. United States, 467 F.3d 928, 933 (6th Cir. 2006) (inmate who called clerk of court twice to explain his predicament and inquire how to proceed in his habeas petition, among other circumstances, demonstrated diligence to protect his rights for purposes of equitable tolling).
In short, Fitts has not offered any justification for taking no action on his habeas petition for an entire year, and has failed to prove that he has a right to equitable tolling under the Dunlap factors. Accordingly, Fitts's objections with respect to the Magistrate Judge's application of the Dunlap test are OVERRULED.
3. Actual innocence
Finally, the Magistrate Judge recommended that equitable tolling not be applied in Fitts's case on the basis of Fitts's purported actual innocence. Fitts objects that the Magistrate Judge improperly applied the actual innocence standard enunciated in Schlup v. Delo, 513 U.S. 298, 115 S.Ct. 851, 130 L.Ed.2d 808 (1995), and that Fitts in fact satisfies that standard. The Court disagrees and finds that Fitts's case does not represent the "extremely rare" demonstration of "a credible claim of actual innocence." Souter, 395 F.3d at 600.
In addition to satisfying the Dunlap factors, a habeas petitioner may also have the statute of limitations tolled upon a credible showing of actual innocence. Id. at 602. In this context, "[a]ctual innocence means factual innocence, not mere legal insufficiency." Bousley v. United States, 523 U.S. 614, 623, 118 S.Ct. 1604, 140 L.Ed.2d 828 (1998). To succeed on a claim of actual innocence, a petitioner must offer "new reliable evidence — whether it be exculpatory scientific evidence, trustworthy eyewitness accounts, or critical physical evidence — that was not presented at trial." Schlup, 513 U.S. at 324, 115 S.Ct. 851; see also House v. Bell, 547 U.S. 518, 536-37, 126 S.Ct. 2064, 165 L.Ed.2d 1 (2006). The Court may then equitably toll the statute of limitations only if, "[a]fter viewing all of the evidence, [. . .] `it is more likely than not that no reasonable juror would have found petitioner guilty beyond a reasonable doubt [. . .].'" Connolly v. Howes, 304 Fed.Appx. 412, 417 (6th Cir. 2008) (quoting Schlup, 513 U.S. at 327, 115 S.Ct. 851).
The Court notes that Fitts's claim of actual innocence has been rather schizophrenic. In his petition for writ of habeas corpus, Fitts explicitly conceded "that he does not have any `new' evidence in which to offer by way of this claim [of actual innocence]." (Doc. No. 1 at 5.) Instead, he offered the argument that the state "manipulat[ed] [the] `standard of proof" by charging him with robbery rather than aggravated or armed robbery. (Doc. No. 1 at 6.) In his objections, however, Fitts submitted that he did in fact possess "new" evidence, namely, the "fatal nature of indictment [sic]." (Objections at 4-5.) For purposes of completeness, the Court will consider both positions and explain why neither justifies equitable tolling.
First, Fitts's claim that the state manipulated the standard of proof is wholly meritless. Fitts contends that because the evidence adduced at trial indicated that the robber used a handgun during the commission of the robberies, the State was required to charge Fitts with an offense where possession of a firearm was an element of the crime. (Doc. No. 1 at 6-7.) As a preliminary matter, Fitts has never suggested that he did not commit the robberies for which he was convicted. Thus, Fitts cannot claim refuge from the AEDPA limitations period based on actual innocence equitable tolling. Bousley, 523 U.S. at 623, 118 S.Ct. 1604. Additionally, the crimes with which Fitts was charged was known at the time of Fitts's indictment, and therefore is not new evidence as required under the actual innocence rule. House, 547 U.S. at 536-37, 126 S.Ct. 2064; Schlup, 513 U.S. at 324, 115 S.Ct. 851; Souter, 395 F.3d at 600. But even if the indictment were new, it does not
represent[] the type of `reliable' exculpatory evidence that was contemplated in Schlup, House, and Souter. [Fitts] has not presented DNA or other scientific evidence, credible testimony from an eyewitness, or critical physical evidence that supports his claim of actual innocence.Plaza, 2008 WL 5273899, at *10 (citing House, 547 U.S. at 537, 126 S.Ct. 2064). Finally, Fitts's claim is wrong as a matter of law. "[S]o long as the prosecutor has probable cause to believe that the accused committed an offense described by statute, the decision whether or not to prosecute, and what charges to file [. . .] generally rests entirely in the [prosecutor's] discretion." Bordenkircher v. Hayes, 434 U.S. 357, 364, 98 S.Ct. 663, 54 L.Ed.2d 604 (1978). The fact that the prosecutor decided to charge Fitts under O.R.C. § 2911.02(A)(2), and not § 2911.02(A)(1) or some other statutory provision, is neither improper nor unconstitutional.
Fitts's position of most recent vintage — that he in fact has "new" evidence in the form of the defective nature of the indictment (Objections at 4-5) — is likewise unavailing. Fitts argues, citing Bousley, that a "new constitutional rule" rendered his indictment "fatally defective." (Objections at 4-5.) Bousley does state that a Supreme Court decision "holding that a substantive federal criminal statute does not reach certain conduct" may be applied retroactively to a habeas petitioner, and that it may serve as the basis for a claim of actual innocence because the petitioner would otherwise "stand [] convicted of `an act that the law does not make criminal.'" Bousley, 523 U.S. at 620, 118 S.Ct. 1604 (quoting Davis v. United States, 417 U.S. 333, 346, 94 S.Ct. 2298, 41 L.Ed.2d 109 (1974)). Fitts, however, has never suggested the identity of the "new constitutional rule" that renders his indictment defective, and the Court has been unable to discern a new constitutional rule from either the Ohio or federal court systems that would render Fitts's indictment defective.
Given that no new rule exists that applies to Fitts's case, Fitts's plea for equitable tolling on the basis of alleged defects in the indictment must fail. The Court notes that the indictment does not "present [] DNA or other scientific evidence, credible testimony from an eyewitness, or critical physical evidence that supports [Fitts's] claim of actual innocence," and thus the indictment cannot form the basis for equitable tolling on grounds of actual innocence. Plaza, 2008 WL 5273899, at *10 (citing House, 547 U.S. at 537, 126 S.Ct. 2064). Moreover, this Court's review of the indictment shows that it is not defective in any way. The indictment charges ten counts of robbery under O.R.C. § 2911.02(A)(2), and each count alleges that Fitts, "did, in attempting, or committing a theft offense, or in fleeing immediately after the attempt or offense, attempt to inflict, or threaten to inflict physical harm" on each of the respective individuals identified in the ten counts. (R. 1-3.) Thus, the indictment sufficiently alleges all elements of robbery under O.R.C. § 2911.02(A)(2).
In short, Fitts has failed to offer any new reliable evidence indicating "that it is more likely than not that no reasonable juror would have found him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt." Souter, 395 F.3d at 602. Accordingly, equitable tolling is not warranted, and Fitts may not "pass through the gateway and argue the merits of his underlying constitutional claims." Id. Fitts's objections with respect to his claim of equitable tolling due to a purported actual innocence are OVERRULED.
III. CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, this Court ACCEPTS the Report and Recommendation of the Magistrate Judge (Doc. No. 20) and OVERRULES Fitts's objections (Doc. No. 21). Fitts's petition for writ of habeas corpus (Doc. No. 1) is DISMISSED.
As Fitts has not made a substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional right, this Court certifies, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c), that there is no basis on which to issue a certificate of appealability.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
REPORT RECOMMENDATION
WILLIAM H. BAUGHMAN, JR., United States Magistrate Judge.Introduction
Before me by referral is the pro se petition of Anthony Lamar Fitts for a writ of habeas corpus under 28 U.S.C. § 2254. Fitts is incarcerated at the Belmont Correctional Institution in St. Clairsville, Ohio, where he serving a 32-year sentence imposed by the Stark County Court of Common Pleas in 2005 upon his conviction at a jury trial on four counts of robbery.
ECF # 4.
ECF # 1.
Id. at 4.
The State has moved to dismiss this petition as time-barred. Fitts, who does not dispute that the petition was filed beyond the one-year statute of limitations, argues that any untimeliness should be excused by equitable tolling and/or actual innocence.
ECF # 9.
Alternatively, should the motion to dismiss be denied, the State also raises issues such as procedural default and lack of merit, which are not addressed here.
Fitts also raises arguments going to the State's procedural default claim and its position on the merits, which are not addressed here.
ECF # 1 at 2-3.
For the reasons that follow, I will recommend that this petition be dismissed as time-barred.
Facts
The facts relevant to resolving this motion are brief and not disputed. Fitts was convicted on four counts of robbery in March, 2005. He was sentenced on each count to the maximum eight-year term, such sentences to be served consecutively. The convictions were upheld by the Ohio appeals court on February 13, 2006. Fitts, who then had 45 days within which to file an appeal to the Supreme Court of Ohio, did not file an appeal within the allowed time.
ECF # 8, Attachment (state court record) at 77.
ECF # 1 at 1.
ECF # 8, Attachment at 94.
See, Rule II, Section 2(A)(1)(a), Rules of Practice of the Supreme Court of Ohio.
However, on February 27, 2006, the Ohio Supreme Court decided the case of State v. Foster. In Foster, the Ohio Supreme Court found that, to the extent that Ohio's sentencing statute required judicial fact-finding as a predicate to the imposition of maximum, non-minimum, or consecutive sentences, the statute violated the U.S. Constitution.
State v. Foster, 109 Ohio St.3d 1, 845 N.E.2d 470 (2006).
Id.
As a consequence of the Foster decision, Fitts, now represented by an assistant Ohio Public Defender, moved on May 16, 2006, to reopen his direct appeal pursuant to Ohio Appellate Rule 26(B) on the grounds of ineffective assistance of counsel so as to raise Blakely/Booker issues concerning his sentencing that were addressed in Foster. The Ohio appellate court denied the motion on June 2, 2006. Fitts thereupon timely sought an appeal of that decision from the Ohio Supreme Court, which, in turn, then declined review on October 4, 2006. The record does not show that Fitts subsequently sought a writ of certiorari in the United States Supreme Court.
ECF # 8, Attachment at 95-105.
Id., at 132-33.
Id., at 134-43.
Id., at 144.
Fitts filed the present petition for federal habeas relief on March 7, 2008 — or approximately 17 months after the Ohio Supreme Court declined review of his appeal from the state appellate court's denial of his 26(B) motion.
See, ECF # 1 at 11. March 7, 2008 is the date Fitts signed the petition. As is well-established, the date a petition is delivered to the prison authorities for mailing, and not the date on which the petition was actually received for filing at this Court, is considered to be the filing date. Houston v. Lack, 487 U.S. 266, 270, 108 S.Ct. 2379, 101 L.Ed.2d 245 (1988).
In the petition, Fitts acknowledges that the petition was filed beyond the one-year limitations period. Specifically, he raises the issue of equitable tolling in the first sentence of the introduction to his memorandum in support, asserting that he is entitled to equitable tolling.
In that regard, he advances the following grounds for equitable tolling:
1. that he "never finished high school;"
2. that "he is without knowledge or institutional experience [in prison] which could have equipped him with the procedural rules and limits for this matter;"
3. that his appointed appellate counsel "refused to answer" any correspondence regarding "steps he must initiate for federal habeas review;"
4. that the "delay" in bringing the petition after the expiration of the limitations period — which Fitts asserts to be five months — is "not of such [magnitude] as to place an estoppel (sic) on [the] First Amendment right to petition for redress of grievances;" and,
5. that the delay was due, in part, to Fitts not bringing his claims "to [the] attention of [a] fellow inmate, who he could trust to compose a meritorious [habeas] petition, until Jan./08."
ECF # 1 at 2. The petition and memorandum in support were not paginated by Fitts. I have independently calculated the page numbers given here and provide them to the District Court as an aid in accessing the record.
Id.
Id. at 3.
Id.
Id.
Moreover, Fitts contends that the State will not be prejudiced by a grant of equitable tolling here because if his prior appellate counsel "had not left Petitioner in limbo," the State would now be "litigat[ing] against [the] claims presented herein."
Id.
In addition to the arguments concerning equitable tolling, Fitts also claims that he is actually innocent of the crimes for which he is now incarcerated. After first acknowledging that actual innocence means "`factual innocence not mere legal insufficiency,'" Fitts then concedes that he "does not have any `new' evidence" of his innocence. Rather, he maintains that, since the State allegedly "manipulated" the standard of proof applied to his case by electing to try him for robbery, not aggravated robbery, the State has "forfeited any interest in the administration of justice."
Id. at 4 (quoting Bousley v. United States, 523 U.S. 614, 623-24, 118 S.Ct. 1604, 140 L.Ed.2d 828 (1998)).
Id. at 6.
Id.
Id. at 7.
In its motion to dismiss, the State argues that Fitts has not met any of the five Dunlap factors supporting a grant of equitable tolling. Specifically, the State asserts:
1. that Fitts' excuse of limited education and lack of experience with the criminal justice system do not overcome the notice of the one-year limitations period given by the statute itself;
2. that "`ignorance of the law alone is not sufficient to warrant equitable tolling,'"
3. that reliance on a claim of "ineffective assistance of appellate counsel also will not provide" equitable tolling; and,
4. an analysis as to how equitable tolling would prejudice the State is not needed here since absence of prejudice is a factor to be considered only after a right to equitable tolling is already established.
Dunlap v. United States, 250 F.3d 1001 (6th Cir. 2001).
ECF # 9.
Id. at 12 (citing Allen v. Yukins, 366 F.3d 396, 402 (6th Cir. 2004)).
Id. at 13 (quoting Allen, 366 F.3d at 403, quoting Rose v. Dole, 945 F.2d 1331, 1335 (6th Cir. 1991)).
Id. at 13 (citing Jurado v. Burt, 337 F.3d 638, 644-45 (6th Cir. 2003)).
Id. at 13 (citing Jurado, 337 F.3d at 644).
With respect to Fitts's claim of actual innocence, the State first affirms the rubric that actual innocence is not mere legal insufficiency of the evidence. To that end, the State argues that in this case Fitts must "present some evidence that he actually did not rob anybody." It contends that his failure to produce new evidence of innocence leaves him with merely a challenge to "the sufficiency of the evidence the prosecution relied on to convict him." The State concludes that this challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence is both not "proof that he is innocent of robbery" and "indistinguishable" from his sufficiency of the evidence claim in Ground Three of the petition.
Id. at 14.
Id.
Id. at 15.
Id.
Fitts filed a traverse. The only response to the State's arguments on equitable tolling is the assertion that, under Lawrence v. Florida, the test for equitable tolling now entails just two elements: (1) has the petitioner been diligent in pursuing his rights; and (2) did some extraordinary circumstances stand in the petitioner's way and prevent timely filing?
ECF # 17.
Lawrence v. Florida, 549 U.S. 327, 127 S.Ct. 1079, 166 L.Ed.2d 924 (2007).
ECF # 17 at 1 (citing Lawrence, 549 U.S. at 336, 127 S.Ct. 1079).
The motion to dismiss the petition as untimely filed is, therefore, ready for resolution.
Analysis
A. Standard of review — timeliness, equitable tolling, and actual innocence
The federal statute governing petitions for the writ prescribes, among other things, that such petitions must be filed within one year of the petitioner's conviction becoming final. The statute further provides that the one-year limitations period may be tolled by the time a properly filed application for postconviction relief is pending in state courts.
Even if statutory tolling is not available, however, a petitioner may be entitled to equitable tolling of the federal habeas time limitation period under limited circumstances. As previously noted, the Court in Lawrence stated that a federal habeas petitioner seeking equitable tolling must show "`(1) that he has been pursuing his right diligently, and (2) that some extraordinary circumstance stood in his way' and prevented timely filing."
See, Lawrence, 127 S.Ct. at 1085 ("We have not decided whether § 2244(d) allows for equitable tolling."); Pace v. DiGuglielmo, 544 U.S. 408, 418 n. 8, 125 S.Ct. 1807, 161 L.Ed.2d 669 (2005). The Supreme Court in Lawrence and Pace stated explicitly that it has not determined whether equitable tolling is applicable to the AEDPA statute of limitations. But in both cases the Court was willing to assume that equitable tolling was available for the limited purpose of showing that the petitioners were not entitled to such tolling.
Lawrence, 127 S.Ct. at 1085, quoting Pace, 544 U.S. at 418, 125 S.Ct. 1807.
Notwithstanding that the Supreme Court has not directly held that equitable tolling is available to a habeas petitioner, the Sixth Circuit has concluded that equitable tolling is available in habeas cases and would be evaluated according to the elements set out in Andrews v. Orr. According to that test, factors to be considered in evaluating a claim of equitable tolling are: "(1) lack of actual notice of filing requirement; (2) lack of constructive notice of filing requirement; (3) diligence in pursuing one's rights; (4) absence of prejudice to the defendant; and (5) a plaintiff's reasonableness in remaining ignorant of the notice requirement." The Sixth Circuit has also stated that these specified factors are not comprehensive or always relevant but that equitable tolling claims are to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Keenan v. Bagley, 400 F.3d 417, 421 (6th Cir. 2005); see also, Allen, 366 F.3d at 401.
Keenan, 400 F.3d at 421 (citing Andrews v. Orr, 851 F.2d 146, 151 (6th Cir. 1988)).
Id.
Id., citing King v. Bell, 378 F.3d 550, 553 (6th Cir. 2004).
In addition to these factors, the Sixth Circuit has also held that equitable tolling of the habeas limitations statute may be available upon a "credible showing of actual innocence" pursuant to the standard put forward in Schlup v. Delo. Under this test, a petitioner whose claim is otherwise time-barred will be permitted to have his claim heard on the merits if he can demonstrate, through new, reliable evidence not available at trial, that it is more likely than not that no reasonable juror would have found him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. To that end, the Sixth Circuit has clarified that actual innocence here means factual innocence, not legal insufficiency.
Souter v. Jones, 395 F.3d 577, 602 (6th Cir. 2005).
Schlup v. Delo, 513 U.S. 298, 115 S.Ct. 851, 130 L.Ed.2d 808 (1995).
Souter, 395 F.3d at 590 (citing Schlup, 513 U.S. at 327, 115 S.Ct. 851).
Id. (citing Bousley, 523 U.S. at 623, 118 S.Ct. 1604).
B. The petition should be dismissed since it was not timely filed, statutory tolling is not applicable, and Fitts is not entitled to equitable tolling nor has he established actual innocence. 1. One-year limitations and statutory tolling
As was set forth earlier, I note first that there is no dispute that this petition was not filed within the one-year limitations period following the date when Fitts's conviction became final. This is so even if the one-year limitations period is computed from when Fitt's Rule 26(B) motion was finally adjudicated, and not from an earlier date, as the State contends, with the Rule 26(B) motion providing a period of statutory tolling.
See, ECF # 9 at 11.
Thus, to escape dismissal for untimeliness, Fitts must establish either that he is entitled to equitable tolling or that he is actually innocent.
2. Equitable tolling
As to equitable tolling, I recommend finding that Fitts has not established a right to such relief under the applicable standard. As the State observes, his reliance on his educational level, lack of experience in the criminal justice system, lack of contact with his state appellate attorney or delay in finding a "trusted inmate" to assist him, do not provide ground for finding "extraordinary circumstances" that support equitable tolling.
First, as to the alleged limitation imposed by a high school education or lack of experience in the justice system, I note that Fitts has attempted no showing of how concluding one's formal education with high school or never having before been a criminal defendant necessarily means that one is precluded from understanding the plain meaning of the one-year limitations provision. In that regard, as noted earlier, the law is clear that the statute itself is adequate notice of its terms, and that ignorance of the statute is not, of itself, sufficient to warrant equitable tolling.
Next, as to the claim that his delay was caused by the failure of his state appellate counsel to respond to requests for assistance in preparing a habeas filing, I observe initially that Fitts is essentially asserting that he received ineffective assistance of counsel in preparing his habeas claim. However, it is well-settled that the federal habeas statute does not afford a basis for making an ineffective assistance of counsel claim. Moreover, even if such a claim were possible under the federal statute, Fitts has not attempted to show how the duty of his state-appointed appellate counsel — which duty, as a matter of Ohio law, is to prepare Fitts's appeal as of right to the Ohio appeals court — encompasses a duty to advise Fitts as to a possible federal habeas petition. In addition, as the Sixth Circuit noted, "`[a] lawyer's mistake is not a valid basis for equitable tolling.'"
28 U.S.C. § 2254(i); Post v. Bradshaw, 422 F.3d 419, 423 (6th Cir. 2005). "The language of this statute is clear. It expressly bars relief grounded on claims of incompetent or ineffective counsel in federal post-conviction proceedings."
Ohio Crim. R. 44(A); State v. Gentry, 10 Ohio App.3d 227, 228, 461 N.E.2d 1320 (Ohio App. 10 Dist., 1983).
Jurado, 337 F.3d at 644 (6th Cir. 2003) (quoting Whalen v. Randle, 37 Fed.Appx. 113, 120 (6th Cir. 2002)).
Finally, as concerns Fitts's claim that his delay is excusable because he needed time to locate a trusted inmate to assist him in preparing the petition, it is clear that the decisions to (1) seek assistance in preparing the petition from (2) an inmate were totally Fitts's choices, and the time required to implement them totally under his control. Damaging consequences from a personal choice do not convert the choice into an "extraordinary circumstance" that precluded compliance with a time requirement and now justifies equitable tolling.
See, James v. Hudson, No. 1:07-CV-3651, 2009 WL 111637, at *8 (N.D.Ohio Jan. 15, 2009) (citing Lawrence, 549 U.S. at 336, 127 S.Ct. 1079).
Because I recommend finding that Fitts has not established any basis for equitable tolling, I further recommend finding that no analysis need be done as to whether granting equitable tolling would prejudice the State.
Jurado, 337 F.3d at 644.
3. Actual innocence
As to Fitts's assertion of actual innocence, I note initially that Fitts concedes that he does not present any new, reliable evidence not available at trial that makes it more likely than not that no reasonable juror would have found him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. In fact, as the State observes, Fitts offers no new evidence at all, arguing instead that the State should have been unable to proceed with the robbery charge and that the photo identification was suggestive.
In such a case, as was noted in Noling v. Bradshaw, cited by the State, Fitts is not presenting a true claim of actual innocence, but rather is "actually seeking to retry his case in federal habeas court on the identical physical evidence (or lack thereof) adduced during trial. A habeas court does not sit as a second trial court or a tertiary level of appeal."
Noling v. Bradshaw, No. 5:04-CV-1232, 2008 WL 320531 (N.D.Ohio Jan. 31, 2008).
ECF # 9 at 15.
Noling, 2008 WL 320531, at *19 n. 7 (citing Allen v. Morris, 845 F.2d 610, 614 (6th Cir. 1988)).
Accordingly, I recommend finding that Fitts has not established his claim of actual innocence such as would permit this Court to review his otherwise untimely petition.
Conclusion
For the foregoing reasons, I recommend granting the State's motion and dismissing the petition of Anthony Lamar Fitts for a writ of habeas corpus as untimely filed.
Objections
Any objections to this Report and Recommendation must be filed with the Clerk of Courts within ten (10) days of receipt of this notice. Failure to file objections within the specified time waives the right to appeal the District Court's order.
See, United States v. Walters, 638 F.2d 947 (6th Cir. 1981). See also, Thomas v. Am, 474 U.S. 140, 106 S.Ct. 466, 88 L.Ed.2d 435 (1985), reh'g denied, 474 U.S. 1111, 106 S.Ct. 899, 88 L.Ed.2d 933 (1986).