Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_06-cv-01762/USCOURTS-caed-2_06-cv-01762-12/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

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

KEVIN MICHAEL SMITH,

Petitioner,

vs.

RICHARD KIRKLAND, et al.,

Respondents. 

________________________________/

2:06-cv-01762-RCT

ORDER

Petitioner Smith, a state prisoner, has timely filed a notice of appeal of this

court's November 30, 2009, decision denying his application for a writ of habeas corpus. In

order to proceed with the appeal, Petitioner now seeks a certificate of appealability.

Before Petitioner can appeal the dismissal of his habeas corpus petition, a

certificate of appealability must issue. See 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c); Fed. R. App. P. 22(b). Such a

certificate may issue "only if the applicant has made a substantial showing of the denial of a

constitutional right." 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c)(2). To meet this standard, Petitioner must raise an

issue that is "debatable among jurists of reason," capable of being resolved differently, or

"adequate to deserve encouragement to proceed further." Jennings v. Woodford, 290 F.3d

1006, 1010 (9th Cir. 2002) (quoting Barefoot v. Estelle, 463 U.S. 880, 893 (1983)). 

The court must either issue a certificate of appealability indicating which issues satisfy

the required showing or must state the reasons why such a certificate should not issue. Fed. R.

Case 2:06-cv-01762-RCT Document 40 Filed 01/05/10 Page 1 of 2
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App. P. 22(b). Petitioner has made a substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional right

with respect to the following issue: (1) Whether Petitioner's confession was coerced and

involuntary in violation of his constitutional rights. For the reasons stated in the November 30,

2009, memorandum decision and order, none of the other issues raised by Petitioner meets the

statutory standard for issuance of a certificate of appealability. 

Accordingly, it is hereby ordered that Petitioner's request for a certificate of

appealability is GRANTED as to the sole issue contained in Claim No. 1, regarding whether his

confession was voluntary, and DENIED as to all other issues and claims.

DATED: January 4, 2010

/s/ Richard C. Tallman 

UNITED STATES CIRCUIT JUDGE

Sitting by designation

Case 2:06-cv-01762-RCT Document 40 Filed 01/05/10 Page 2 of 2