Opinion ID: 765712
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Failure to Develop Factual Basis

Text: 16 Several of our sister circuits have considered the impact of a habeas petitioner's failure to develop a factual basis for a claim at the state court level, within the meaning of S2254(e)(2). We agree that where an applicant has diligently sought to develop the factual basis of a claim for habeas relief, but has been denied the opportunity to do so by the state court, S 2254(e)(2) will not preclude an evidentiaryhearing in federal court. Cardwell, 152 F.3d at 337. See also McDonald v. Johnson, 139 F.3d 1056, 1059 (5th Cir. 1998); Burris v. Parke, 116 F.3d 256, 258-59 (7th Cir. 1997); Love v. Morton, 112 F.3d 131, 136 (3d Cir. 1997); see, e.g., Jones v. Wood, 114 F.3d 1002, 1013 (9th Cir. 1997) (applying pre AEDPA law, but asserting that if the state courts simply fail to conduct an evidentiary hearing, the AEDPA does not preclude a federal evidentiary hearing). We therefore consider whether the absence of a factual basis for Baja's claim in this case was the result of a curtailed proceeding at the state level. 17 The state Court of Appeals properly found that, with respect to the claim of ineffective assistance of counsel presented in the personal restraint petition, Baja could make a prima facie case by supporting his allegation with evidence in the record, or by demonstrating that there was competent, admissible evidence with respect to facts outside the record that would support his allegations. See In re Rice, 828 P.2d 1086, 1092 (Wash. 1992) (As a threshold matter, the petitioner must state in his petition the facts underlying the claim . . . and the evidence available to support the factual allegations . . . . [P]etitioner must state with particularity facts which, if proven, would entitle him to relief.). State law not only permitted but required Baja to come forward with affidavits or other evidence, to the extent that his claim relied on evidence outside the trial record. Clearly, Baja had the opportunity in state proceedings to come forward with evidence to support his allegation that Counsel was ineffective at trial, but failed to do so. He therefore failed to develop the factual basis of his claim in state court proceedings within the meaning of 28 U.S.C. S 2254(e).