Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-azd-2_08-cv-01970/USCOURTS-azd-2_08-cv-01970-1/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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 1 Petitioner challenges his state court conviction of first degree murder, burglary in

the first degree, and endangerment. (Doc. 1.) On February 27, 1998, Petitioner engaged in

a verbal argument with the victim at a motel in Phoenix, Arizona. The victim retired to his

motel room with a woman. Petitioner followed the victim, kicked down the door fired a

number of shots at the victim, killing him. Petitioner was arrested in 2001 in Milford,

Connecticut. Petitioner proceeded to a jury trial in April, 2002, and was convicted of first

degree murder, burglary in the first degree, and endangerment. Petitioner was sentenced to

concurrent sentences of: (a) life without possibility of parole for 25 years, (b) 10.5 years, and

(c) 2.25 years.

WO

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

Jerome Mason, )

)

Petitioner, ) CV 08-1970-PHX-PGR (JRI)

)

v. ) ORDER

)

Dora B. Schriro, et al., ) NON-DEATH PENALTY

)

Respondents. )

____________________________)

Currently before the Court is the Report and Recommendation of Magistrate Judge

Irwin (Doc. 13) based on Petitioner’s Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus filed pursuant to

28 U.S.C. § 2254.1

 Having reviewed de novo the Petition, the Report and Recommendation

of Magistrate Judge Irwin, and the Petitioner's objections thereto,

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Magistrate Judge’s Report and Recommendation

(Doc. 13) is ACCEPTED and ADOPTED by the Court. 

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the portion of Ground One based on trial counsel’s

Case 2:08-cv-01970-PGR Document 17 Filed 02/09/10 Page 1 of 2
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 2 This Court agrees with Magistrate Judge Irwin’s finding that the portion of Ground

One based on trial counsel’s failure to submit an affidavit by Petitioner’s passenger and all

of Ground Three (actual innocence) are without merit for the reason set forth in the Report

and Recommendation. The remainder of Petitioner’s grounds for relief are unexhausted or

procedurally defaulted and Petitioner has failed to show cause and prejudice or actual

innocence to excuse that default. Accordingly, denial with prejudice is warranted.

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failure to submit an affidavit by Petitioner’s passenger and all of Ground Three (actual

innocence) of the Petitioner’s Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus is DENIED.

2

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the remainder of Petitioner’s Petition for Writ of

Habeas Corpus (Doc. 1) is DISMISSED with prejudice. 

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Clerk of the Court shall close this case.

DATED this 8th day of February, 2010.

Case 2:08-cv-01970-PGR Document 17 Filed 02/09/10 Page 2 of 2