Opinion ID: 879899
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: adequacy of the proceeding

Text: Finally, it is argued that the court improperly relied on affidavits submitted after the hearing in violation of Rule 59, M.R.Civ.P.; refused to accept the proffered affidavits of two witnesses; and improperly relied on Perry's unsigned statements. We disagree. Rule 59(c), M.R.Civ.P. provides that the party opposing a motion for new trial has ten days in which to file affidavits. However, Perry's pleading cannot be denoted a motion for new trial within the meaning of Rule 59 as the ten day filing deadline expired in 1971. See 59(b), M.R.Civ.P. Rather, the pleading sounds of a petition for habeas corpus. The crucial question is therefore whether the fact finding procedure employed by the District Court was adequate to afford Perry a full and fair hearing. See, Townsend v. Sain (1963), 372 U.S. 293, 83 S.Ct. 745, 9 L.Ed.2d 770; Little Light v. Crist (9th Cir.1981), 649 F.2d 682. Perry's allegation that the District Court's acceptance of two affidavits immediately following the hearing is reversible error is not convincing. The record discloses that Perry was provided two highly capable and diligent attorneys; that he was provided the services of a court reporter to take depositions at no expense; that he was provided adequate notice; that he was allowed to confront and cross-examine witnesses; that he presented witnesses in his behalf; that he was personally present and took the witness stand; and that exhibits offered on his behalf were admitted into evidence. In addition, Perry did not request a continuance nor did he submit additional evidence following notice of the affidavits. Perry clearly had a full and fair hearing. Similarly, Perry's contention that the District Court improperly refused to accept the affidavits of two witnesses is equally without merit. A review of the record indicates that the court did not refuse to accept the affidavits of Shatto and Kimbell. Rather, the court offered to accept counsel's offer of proof in lieu of the affidavits. Perry's decision not to submit the affidavits will not now be heard to constitute error. Finally, it is contended that the court's acceptance of Perry's sworn statement from 1971 was error because the statement was not signed by him as required by Rule 30(e), M.R.Civ.P. However, we note that district courts are not strictly bound by all the rules of civil procedure in this type of proceeding. See generally, Coleman, supra (although post-conviction review is civil in nature, not all civil procedures are applicable); In Re Hart (1978), 178 Mont. 235, 583 P.2d 411 (habeas corpus may be either civil or criminal in nature); Schlanger v. Seamans (1971), 401 U.S. 487, 91 S.Ct. 995, 28 L.Ed.2d 251 (although habeas corpus is generally a civil action, it is not automatically subject to all the rules governing civil actions); Harris v. Nelson (1969), 394 U.S. 286, 89 S.Ct. 1082, 22 L.Ed.2d 281 (characterization of habeas corpus proceeding as civil is gross and inexact, the proceeding is essentially unique). The crucial question is again whether the procedure employed by the District Court comports with Perry's right to a full and fair hearing. See, Townsend, supra; Little Light, supra. We find that it did. In the instant case, Perry contended that Stillings' recantation, in conjunction with his latest version of the night in question, demonstrated that the State of Montana was unlawfully detaining him on the basis of an unjust verdict. Under such circumstances, it is clearly relevant, and fair, for the District Court to examine Perry's prior explanation of the night of the murder. Particularly, when such statements were originally obtained in the presence of Perry's counsel and Perry had an opportunity to explain the statements at the 1987 hearing. In light of our discussion above, it is clear that Perry has failed to demonstrate that he is being unlawfully detained. The judgment of the District Court is affirmed. TURNAGE, C.J., and HARRISON, WEBER, GULBRANDSON, HUNT and McDONOUGH, JJ., concur.