Source: https://casetext.com/case/alexander-v-adams-4
Timestamp: 2019-04-25 04:16:16+00:00

Document:
No. 2:08-cv-1817 LKK KJN P.
Petitioner is a state prisoner proceeding with counsel with an application for writ of habeas corpus under 28 U.S.C. § 2254. On October 4, 2010, petitioner filed a motion for evidentiary hearing. Petitioner seeks the testimony of petitioner and witness Carol Alexander to develop the factual bases for petitioner's claim, to allow the court to assess the credibility of both Ms. Alexander and petitioner, to correct an alleged factual mistake in the Court of Appeal opinion, and to determine whether the trial court knew petitioner wished to testify. Respondent counters, inter alia, that there is no need for an evidentiary hearing as this case can be resolved on the instant record.
Under this statutory scheme, a district court presented with a request for an evidentiary hearing must first determine whether a factual basis exists in the record to support a petitioner's claims and, if not, whether an evidentiary hearing "might be appropriate." Baja v. Ducharme, 187 F.3d 1075, 1078 (9th Cir. 1999); see also Earp v. Ornoski, 431 F.3d 1158, 1166 (9th Cir. 2005); Insyxiengmay v. Morgan, 403 F.3d 657, 669-70 (9th Cir. 2005). A petitioner requesting an evidentiary hearing must also demonstrate that he has a "colorable claim for relief." Earp, 431 F.3d at 1167 (citations omitted). To show that a claim is "colorable," a petitioner must also "allege  facts that, if proved, would entitle him to relief." Schell v. Witek, 218 F.3d 1017, 1028 (9th Cir. 2000). This court is required to take into account the AEDPA standards in deciding whether an evidentiary hearing is appropriate. Schriro v. Landrigan, 550 U.S. 465, 473-74 (2007).
In the instant case, the court has benefit of declarations by petitioner and Carol Alexander. In addition, respondent has lodged the reporter's transcript from the trial as well as from oral argument on petitioner's motion for new trial, held on June 3, 2005. The judge who presided over petitioner's underlying criminal trial also heard petitioner's motion for new trial. Petitioner's defense attorney testified at the motion for new trial, as well as petitioner's sister, Terri Shaffer. Testimony was also provided by an experienced criminal attorney, David Muller, who rendered his professional opinion as to defense counsel's performance. This court concludes that no additional factual supplementation is necessary at this time; therefore, petitioner's motion will be denied without prejudice.
Petitioner also contends that an evidentiary hearing is required to determine whether the trial court was ever aware of petitioner's desire to testify. Petitioner claims the trial judge's recollection of events outside the courtroom on October 4, the day the prosecution rested, indicates the trial judge was aware of petitioner's desire to testify and triggered a duty for the trial judge to inquire of petitioner whether he wished to testify and to inform petitioner he had a constitutional right to testify despite defense counsel's advice to the contrary.
THE COURT: Counsel, it may be of some help to you, Mr. Chan. I'm looking at the clerk's minutes, and the Monday that we've been talking about is Monday, October 4th, and that's the day where the prosecution rested at 10:19 in the morning. We then entertained your defense motion under 1118. We received jury instructions, ordered the defendant to return at 1:30. And it was over that lunch hour that the question of whether you were going to put your client on was — that would have been when you had made that decision.
THE COURT: One sister. There was a conversation right there by the elevator by the first floor of the Sacramento Courthouse, and of course I didn't try to listen to the conversation, but I was curious because obviously I knew everybody that was involved. So I recall specifically seeing you talk to them at that point, and that would have been on Monday right around noon. So if that helps you focus your comments, that's the reason for my comment.
THE WITNESS: Yeah, it does.
(RT 558-59.) The opinion of the Third District Court of Appeal also addresses this issue. This court finds that an evidentiary hearing to obtain the testimony of petitioner and Ms. Alexander would not clarify the issue as to what the trial court knew concerning petitioner's desire to testify. Therefore, petitioner's request for an evidentiary hearing on this issue will also be denied.
Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the motion for evidentiary hearing (Dkt. No. 49) is denied without prejudice.

References: § 2254
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