Opinion ID: 321118
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Denial of Habeas petition.

Text: 8 Mueller contends that there are unresolved issues of fact, and that an evidentiary hearing was required. We think, however, that the pleadings establish that Mueller is not entitled to relief. The reason concededly given for denial of the transfer is rational on its face and well within the discretion of defendants. Mueller's illness and frequency of his seizures, notwithstanding medication, is undisputed. He does not assert these circumstances his conclusory allegation that the denial was arbitrary and capricious does not entitle him to an evidentiary hearing. 9 Mueller did assert that the prison physician had no objection to the transfer and thought it might well be beneficial to Mueller. Assuming, as we must, that he could have proved this at an evidentiary hearing, it does not follow, as Mueller suggests, that it was arbitrary and capricious for a committee of laymen to decide against the transfer. The committee's decision was that the closer supervision and more readily available medical facilities at the prison were more appropriate for Mueller. It doubtless considered the institutional problems involved as well as Mueller's individual well being. In view of his illness and proneness to sudden seizures, we think the decision was well within administrative discretion even if at variance with the physician's view. 10 Mueller also asserted that other prisoners who suffer with epilepsy have been transferred to the correctional institution. Assuming, again as we must, that he could prove this fact at an evidentiary hearing, it would not, in view of the wide range in form and severity of the disease, establish a denial of equal protection. We deem these two asserted facts, i.e. the physician's view and the transfer of others, immaterial even if established, and that the assertion of them is insufficient to require an evidentiary hearing. 11