Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-alnd-3_19-cv-00804/USCOURTS-alnd-3_19-cv-00804-0/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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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA

NORTHWESTERN DIVISION

ROBERT LITTLETON, III.

Petitioner,

v.

STATE OF ALABAMA,

Respondent.

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Case No. 3:19-cv-00804-MHH-JEO

MEMORANDUM OPINION

On May 4, 2020, the magistrate judge entered a report in which he 

recommended that the Court dismiss Mr. Littleton’s § 2254 petition for writ of habeas 

corpus without prejudice because the petition is successive, and Mr. Littleton has not 

obtained permission from the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals to file a successive 

petition. (Doc. 6). The parties were advised of their right to file specific written 

objections within 14 days (Doc. 6, pp. 5–6); the Court has not received objections.

After careful consideration of the record in this case, the record in Case No. 

3:14-cv-371-RDP-JEO, and the magistrate judge’s report, the Court adopts the report 

and accepts the magistrate judge’s recommendation. The Court emphasizes footnote 

3 in Judge Ott’s report. (Doc. 6, p. 3, n.3). The state court judge was mistaken when 

he indicated in a July 12, 2018 order that Mr. Littleton was sentenced to only 12 

months on Count 3, second-degree sexual abuse. (Doc. 1, p. 8). As the Alabama 

FILED

 2020 Jun-02 AM 11:22

U.S. DISTRICT COURT

N.D. OF ALABAMA

Case 3:19-cv-00804-MHH-JEO Document 8 Filed 06/02/20 Page 1 of 2
Court of Criminal Appeals explained in its opinion in Mr. Littleton’s direct appeal, 

the sentencing judge initially sentenced Mr. Littleton to seven years of custody on 

Count 3, one day later changed the sentence to 12 months, and then, following an 

appeal, properly reinstated the seven-year sentence on Count 3. (Doc. 7-4, p. 2, n.1 

in Case No. 3:14-cv-371-RDP-JEO).

By separate order, the Court will dismiss this action. The Court will not issue 

a certificate of appealability, but Mr. Littleton may request a certificate from the 

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. FED. R. APP. P. 22 (b).

DONE and ORDERED this June 2, 2020.

 _________________________________

 MADELINE HUGHES HAIKALA

 UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 3:19-cv-00804-MHH-JEO Document 8 Filed 06/02/20 Page 2 of 2