Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-azd-4_08-cv-00658/USCOURTS-azd-4_08-cv-00658-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 530
Nature of Suit: Prisoner Petitions - Habeas Corpus
Cause of Action: 28:2254 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (State)

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

Robert Gonzalez, 

Petitioner, 

vs.

Charles Ryan, et al., 

Respondents. 

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No. CV 08-658-TUC-FRZ (DTF)

 ORDER

Before the Court for consideration is the Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus pursuant

to 28 U.S.C. § 2254 filed by Petitioner Robert Gonzalez, through the representation of

counsel, and the Report and Recommendation of the Magistrate Judge, recommending the

dismissal of the Petition.

Petitioner, convicted in Pima County Superior Court of two counts of attempted firstdegree murder, four counts of aggravated assault, two counts of endangerment, and one count

of disorderly conduct, following two separate trials on severed counts, was sentenced in state

court to concurrent and consecutive sentences totaling a term of 36-years of imprisonment.

The Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus sets forth 17 claims for relief.

This matter was referred to Magistrate Judge D. Thomas Ferraro, pursuant to the

provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b), Rule 72, Fed.R.Civ.P., and Local Rules 72.1 and 72.2 of

the Rules of Practice of the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, for

further proceedings and report and recommendation.

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1

Petitioner’s habeas claims are governed by the applicable provisions of the

Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act (AEDPA). See Lindh v. Murphy, 521 U.S.

320, 336, 117 S.Ct. 2059, 2068 (1997). 

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Magistrate Judge Ferraro issued his Report and Recommendation, recommending that

the Court enter an order dismissing the Petition for Writ of Habeas based on his findings that

“Claims 1, 4, 5, 6 (as to [precluded witness] Duran), 10, 12, 14, 15(e), (h) and (i), 16(A) (4),

(7)(a) and (8), 17(A), and 17(B)(1) do not warrant relief under the AEDPA1

 and should be

dismissed on the merits. [And further] Petitioner’s request for discovery and an evidentiary

hearing as to Claims 4 and 16(A)(7)(a) ... be denied.” 

The Magistrate Judge further recommends dismissal of Claims 2, 3, 6 (as to precluded

witnesses Escusa and Canez), 7, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15 (a) to (d), (f) and (g), 16(A)(1), (2), (3), (5),

(6) and (7)(b), 16(B), 17(B)(2), and 17(C), on the basis the claims are procedurally defaulted.

The Report and Recommendation sets forth the factual and procedural history of

Petitioner’s state court proceedings and convictions at issue and provides a thorough analysis

of the claims and legal standards at issue. 

Petitioner filed an exhaustive Objection to the Report and Recommendation of

Magistrate Ferraro pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §636(b), challenging the substantive and procedural

findings set forth therein.

The Court finds, after consideration of the matters presented and an independent

review of the record herein, including Petitioner’s detailed Objection to the Report and

Recommendation, Respondents’ response and Petitioner’s reply thereto, that the Petition

should be denied and this action be dismissed in accordance with the recommendations set

forth therein. 

Petitioner’s assertion that he “is aware that many times the District Court does in fact

adopt the recommendations of the Magistrate notwithstanding the clear and cogent objections

made by Petitioner on such Habeas Corpus petitions” is unfounded and disingenuous.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Petitioner’s request for a certificate of appealability will be

granted. 

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A court “must resolve doubts about the propriety of a COA in the petitioner’s favor.”

Jennings v. Woodford, 290 F.3d 1006, 1010 (9th Cir. 2002)(citing Lambright v. Stewart, 220

F.3d 1022, 1025 (9th Cir. 2000) (en banc). The Court “may issue a COA for any issue with

respect to which petitioner makes a “substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional

right.” Id.; 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c)(2). This showing can be established by demonstrating that

the issues are “adequate to deserve encouragement to proceed further.” Slack v. McDaniel,

529 U.S. 473, 484, S.Ct. (2000) (citing Barefoot v. Estelle, 463 U.S. 880, 893 n.4, S.Ct.

(1983)). The Court finds that the issues presented advance the requisite showing for a COA

to issue. Accordingly, 

IT IS ORDERED that Magistrate Judge Ferraro’s Report and Recommendation [Doc.

22] is hereby ACCEPTED AND ADOPTED as the findings of fact and conclusions of law

by this Court;

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus is DENIED

and this action is hereby DISMISSED;

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that a Certificate of Appealability shall issue;

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that judgment be entered accordingly.

DATED this 19th day of June, 2012.

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