Opinion ID: 32666
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: due process violation based on claim of

Text: ACTUAL INNOCENCE Kelly first argues that his conviction and sentence constitute a denial of due process because he is actually innocent of the crime. Relying on Herrera v. Collins, 506 U.S. 390, 113 S.Ct. 853 (1993), the district court concluded that “[b]ecause clemency can be obtained from the Board o f Pardons and Paroles of the State of Texas, actual innocence, by itself, is not a claim for which relief can be granted in federal habeas corpus for someone sentenced to death under Texas law.” Finding the claim not cognizable in federal habeas proceedings, the district court denied relief and a COA. “Claims of actual innocence based on newly discovered evidence have never been held to state a ground for federal habeas relief absent an independent constitutional violation occurring in the underlying state criminal proceeding.” Herrera, 506 U.S. at 400, 113 S.Ct. 853. Instead, a claim of actual innocence is a gateway through which a habeas petitioner must pass to have his otherwise barred constitutional claim considered on the merits.” Id. at 404, 113 S.Ct. 853. Accordingly, we conclude that the district court’s conclusion is not debatable among jurists of reason. Kelly argues that the independent constitutional claim is the due process violation based on the state’s awareness of the false testimony it elicited at trial. However, as noted previously, the district court has granted a COA with respect to that particular due process claim. At this point in the appeal, we are addressing only the claims that involve a request for a COA. 9