Opinion ID: 617872
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Ata's Allegations Are Consistent With the Record

Text: The second step of our analysis requires a review of the record to ensure it does not refute Ata's request for equitable tolling. See Schriro, 550 U.S. at 474, 127 S.Ct. 1933, McSwain, 287 Fed.Appx. at 457. Here, the record indicates a long history of mental illness. Medical records, admitted during the state court proceedings, reveal the existence and severity of Ata's mental illness even prior to his criminal offense. Moreover, the record contains no information inconsistent with Ata's claims of mental incompetency in the years between the end of his direct review and the initiation of his collateral review. If anything, the record corroborates Ata's allegations of mental incompetence preventing timely filing, as Ata's diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia presents a lifelong condition with an accompanying regimen of medication. Moreover, the fact that Ata sought direct review of his conviction does not support an inference that his mental incompetence was cured; he was represented by counsel at the time. Cf. McSwain, 287 Fed.Appx. at 457. Thus, Ata's allegations contain sufficient support in the record. [8]