Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_19-cv-02398/USCOURTS-caed-2_19-cv-02398-2/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 EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

MELVIN LEE WILSON,

Petitioner,

v.

STATE OF CALIFORNIA,

Respondent.

No. 2:19-cv-02398-JAM-CKD P

ORDER 

Petitioner, a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis, has filed a petition for 

a writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254. On January 24, 2020 the undersigned 

screened petitioner’s habeas application pursuant to Rule 4 of the Rules Governing Section 2254 

Cases and recommended that the petition be summarily dismissed because it did not raise any 

Constitutional or statutory claim for relief. ECF No. 6. On February 15, 2010 petitioner 

submitted objections to these Findings and Recommendations. ECF No. 9. For the reasons 

discussed below, the court will vacate the January 24, 2020 Findings and Recommendations and 

will dismiss petitioner’s habeas application, but grant him leave to file an amended § 2254 

petition within 30 days from the date of this order. 

I. Factual Background

Petitioner was convicted in the Tehama County Superior Court of three felony counts 

following his guilty plea in November 2017. ECF No. 1 at 1. He was sentenced to 10 years in 

prison. Id. The only grounds for relief in the § 2254 petition is a request to file a “notice of 

appeal’ and have an appellate attorney appointed.” ECF No. 1 at 5. In his objections petitioner 

Case 2:19-cv-02398-JAM-CKD Document 10 Filed 03/12/20 Page 1 of 2
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clarifies that he is attempting to appeal the ineffectiveness of his trial lawyer for failing to file a 

notice of appeal as requested.1 ECF No. 9 at 9. 

II. Analysis

In light of petitioner’s objections filed on February 15, 2020, it appears to the court that 

petitioner is attempting to raise a Sixth Amendment ineffective assistance of counsel claim 

against his trial lawyer for failing to file a notice of appeal. Such a claim would be cognizable in 

a § 2254 proceeding. However, the § 2254 application filed by petitioner does not contain that 

claim nor any other Constitutional claim for relief. Therefore, the court will dismiss the original 

habeas petition filed on November 27, 2019, but will grant petitioner leave to file an amended 

§ 2254 petition within 30 days from the date of this order. 

Accordingly, IT IS HERBY ORDERED that:

1. The January 24, 2020 Findings and Recommendations (ECF No. 6) are vacated.

2. Petitioner’s federal habeas corpus application (ECF No. 1) is dismissed with leave to 

file a first amended § 2254 petition within 30 days from the date of this order.

3. The Clerk of Court shall send petitioner the form for filing a 28 U.S.C. § 2254 petition 

used in this district.

4. Petitioner’s failure to file an amended § 2254 petition within the time provided shall 

result in a recommendation that this case be dismissed for failing to comply with a 

court order. 

Dated: March 12, 2020

12/wils2398.tryagain.doc

1 To the extent that petitioner indicates that he is attempting to raise his “absolute innocence,” he 

is advised that there is no freestanding claim for relief based on actual innocence. See Herrera v. 

Collins, 506 U.S. 390 (1993) (holding that a claim of actual innocence based on newly discovered 

evidence is not an independent ground for relief in a federal habeas corpus action); Schlup v. 

Delo, 513 U.S. 298, 315 (1995) (finding that an assertion of actual innocence is a procedural 

gateway that allows courts to consider the merits of separate procedurally defaulted claims for 

relief).

_____________________________________

CAROLYN K. DELANEY

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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