Opinion ID: 514264
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: As bar to evidentiary hearing

Text: 42 Although we conclude that Osborn's failure to satisfy Wyoming's affidavit requirement does not bar federal review on the merits, the relevant issues in Osborn's petition turn on factual disputes that could not have been resolved on the basis of the state court record. An evidentiary hearing was therefore essential to any meaningful decision on the merits. Although never precisely articulated, the State appears to argue that Osborn deliberately bypassed a full and fair opportunity for a hearing in state court, thereby precluding the federal habeas court from engaging in additional fact-finding. Without additional fact-finding, the federal court would necessarily have been required to dismiss the petition because the record contained insufficient evidence to prove the relevant claims. 43 The State relies on Townsend v. Sain, 372 U.S. 293, 83 S.Ct. 745, 9 L.Ed.2d 770 (1963), where the Court held that when an applicant for a writ of habeas corpus alleges facts which, if proved, would entitle him to relief, the federal court to which the application is made has the power to receive evidence and try the facts anew. Id. at 312, 83 S.Ct. at 757. When state courts have not made the necessary findings to decide a constitutional claim properly before the federal court, Townsend requires federal fact-finding procedures. Id. at 313-14, 83 S.Ct. at 757-58. The Court stated, however, that when state courts make fact-findings in full and fair state proceedings, reviewing federal courts should give deference to those findings. Id. at 318, 83 S.Ct. at 759. This latter holding was codified in substantially similar form. See 28 U.S.C. Sec. 2254(d). 44 The State correctly argues that Townsend does not compel a federal court to hold an evidentiary hearing if the state's failure to develop the relevant facts was due to the inexcusable neglect of [the] petitioner. Id. at 317, 83 S.Ct. at 759. This passage is irrelevant when, as here, a district court exercises its discretion to hold an evidentiary hearing in the interests of justice. Townsend thus holds that a district court may conduct an evidentiary hearing in every case where the merits of a constitutional claim are properly before it, 10 and lists a number of situations where a federal court hearing is required. Section 2254(d) requires federal habeas courts to give deference to state fact findings unless certain exceptions apply. But neither Townsend nor section 2254(d) preclude federal courts from taking evidence in order to make findings that state courts have not made. When discussing the inexcusable neglect standard, the Court merely held that a federal court is not required to hold an evidentiary hearing when the state court's failure to adequately develop the necessary facts was due to the petitioner's inexcusable neglect, not that the federal court is precluded from doing so. See Townsend, 372 U.S. at 317, 83 S.Ct. at 759. 45 In any event, Osborn's failure properly to verify the petition was not due to inexcusable neglect because his out-of-state attorney did not have notice that the petition was so insufficient when it was filed that the state court would refuse to hold an evidentiary hearing. As we have stated, a fact-specific affidavit on information and belief was seemingly sufficient under then existing state law, and Osborn's attorney followed the format used by the state public defender's office.