Opinion ID: 866548
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Timeline of Relevant Events

Text: The proper disposition of this case turns on a what-happened-when analysis. This is particularly helpful in this case given the corruption charges eventually filed against some of the Tulsa police officers involved in Smallwood’s prosecution. The relevant facts are therefore best presented in a timeline: Jan. 8, 2007 Smallwood pleads guilty to drug charges and is sentenced to prison by the Tulsa County District Court. Jan. 19, 2007 Smallwood’s conviction becomes “final” for purposes of § 2254. See Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals (OCCA) Rule 4.2(A) (“to appeal from any conviction on a plea of guilty . . . the defendant must have filed . . . an application to withdraw the plea within ten (10) days from the date of the pronouncement of the Judgment and Sentence”). June 14, 2007 Smallwood files a “Motion for Judicial Review and for Sentence Modification” with the Tulsa County District Court. R. at 44. June 21, 2007 The Tulsa County District Court denies Smallwood’s motion because he is “not eligible for Judicial Review.” R. at 46. Sept. 12, 2007 Smallwood files a second “Motion for Judicial Review and for Sentence Modification” with the Tulsa County District Court. R. at 47. It is not clear when or if the state court ruled on this motion. -2- July 20, 2010 Five Tulsa police officers (including some who were involved in Smallwood’s arrest) are indicted in federal court on corruption charges, including charges of planting drugs. June 10, 2011 After a jury trial of three of the Tulsa police officers, a federal jury convicts one and acquits the other two. Aug. 25, 2011 After a jury trial of the remaining two police officers, a federal jury convicts one (who had also been involved in Smallwood’s arrest) and acquits the other. Nov. 15, 2011 Smallwood files an application for post-conviction relief with the Tulsa County District Court, alleging grounds for relief based in part on the Tulsa police officers’ corruption. Mar. 19, 2012 The Tulsa County District Court denies Smallwood’s application for post-conviction relief. June 25, 2012 The OCCA affirms the lower court’s denial of Smallwood’s application for post-conviction relief. July 23, 2012 Smallwood files for § 2254 relief in federal court.