Case Name: Michael STARNES, Petitioner-Appellant, v. Joe WILLIAMS, Warden, Lea County Correctional Facility; Attorney General for the State of New Mexico, Respondents-Appellees
Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 2001-07-03
Citations: 15 F. App'x 620
Docket Number: No. 00-2265
Parties: Michael STARNES, Petitioner-Appellant, v. Joe WILLIAMS, Warden, Lea County Correctional Facility; Attorney General for the State of New Mexico, Respondents-Appellees.
Judges: Before SEYMOUR, McKAY, and BRORBY, Circuit Judges.
Reporter: West's Federal Appendix
Volume: 15
Pages: 620–621

Head Matter:
Michael STARNES, Petitioner-Appellant, v. Joe WILLIAMS, Warden, Lea County Correctional Facility; Attorney General for the State of New Mexico, Respondents-Appellees.
No. 00-2265.
United States Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit.
July 3, 2001.
Before SEYMOUR, McKAY, and BRORBY, Circuit Judges.

Opinion:
ORDER AND JUDGMENT
SEYMOUR, Circuit Judge.
Michael Ray Starnes, appearing pro se, appeals from the denial of his petition for writ of habeas corpus filed pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254, and seeks a certificate of appealability, see 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c)(1)(A). We deny his request for the certificate and dismiss his appeal.
Mr. Starnes pled guilty in state court to trafficking in cocaine and conspiracy to commit trafficking. In his plea agreement, Mr. Starnes acknowledged that he violated the terms of his probation in another drug-related case. After adjusting Mr. Starnes' sentence downward by six years because of his age and drug addiction, the court sentenced him to 12 years on the trafficking charge, and to 9 years suspended on the conspiracy charge. Following his conviction, Mr. Starnes filed an unsuccessful direct appeal. He was also unsuccessful in his state court habeas petition, and the New Mexico Supreme Court denied his petition for certiorari. He then filed for habeas relief in federal district court, which was denied.
In his appeal to this court, Mr. Starnes raises four issues for our consideration. He argues his right to a speedy trial was denied, there was insufficient evidence to sustain his conviction, he lacked the requisite mens rea to be convicted of trafficking, and he was denied the effective assistance of counsel.
Having reviewed the entire record, we are convinced the opinion of the magistrate judge, adopted by the district court, contains a reasoned and accurate analysis of Mr. Starnes' claims. The magistrate judge analyzed in detail each of the claims Mr. Starnes presented, and concluded under the relevant legal standards for each that his argument was insufficient. We emphasize that the magistrate judge found Mr. Starnes' guilty plea to be voluntary, noting that "given [Mr. Starnes'] experience with plea agreements and the substantial benefit brought hi[m] by this one, this Court does not find that his plea was involuntary or unknowing." Ree., doc. 15, at 7. We are not persuaded the district court erred in denying Mr. Starnes' petition.
Because Mr. Starnes has not "made a substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional right," 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c)(2), we DENY his request for a certificate of appealability and DISMISS his appeal.
After examining appellant's brief and the appellate record, this panel has determined unanimously that oral argument would not materially assist the determination of this appeal. See Fed.R.App.P. 34(a)(2) and 10th Cir.R. 34.1(G). The case is therefore submitted without oral argument. This order and judgment is not binding precedent, except under the doctrines of law of the case, res judicata, or collateral estoppel. The court generally disfavors the citation of orders and judgments; nevertheless, an order and judgment may be cited under the terms and conditions of 10th Cir.R. 36.3.