Opinion ID: 213878
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: State Appellate and Post Conviction Proceedings

Text: The California Supreme Court unanimously affirmed the convictions and sentence on direct review. Id., 64 Cal.Rptr.2d 400, 938 P.2d at 49. The Supreme Court reviewed the motion to reduce sentence and held that the trial court did not abuse its discretion when it reweighed the aggravating and mitigating factors and concluded that the aggravating circumstances `vastly outweigh the mitigating circumstances.' Id., 64 Cal.Rptr.2d 400, 938 P.2d at 46. Samayoa filed his first state habeas petition with the California Supreme Court in 1997, arguing that counsel was ineffective for failing to investigate and present mitigation evidence. On February 23, 1998, while the state habeas petition was pending, the United States Supreme Court denied certiorari on Samayoa's direct appeal. Samayoa v. California, 522 U.S. 1125, 118 S.Ct. 1071, 140 L.Ed.2d 131 (1998). On September 27, 2000, the California Supreme Court denied the ineffective assistance habeas claim on the merits, without explanation.