Opinion ID: 775226
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Ineffective Assistance of Appellate Counsel as Cause

Text: 54 Petitioner next argues that even if his claim of ineffective assistance of counsel was procedurally defaulted, nevertheless it may serve as cause for his other procedurally defaulted claims under Carpenter v. Mohr, 163 F. 3d 938 (6th Cir. 1998). However, the Supreme Court has since held that a procedurally defaulted ineffective assistance of counsel claim can serve as cause to excuse the procedural default of another habeas claim only if the habeas petitioner can satisfy the cause and prejudice standard with respect to the ineffective assistance claim itself. Edwards v. Carpenter, 529 U.S.446 (2000). Petitioner has not forwarded any cause and prejudice argument in connection with his defaulted ineffective assistance of appellate counsel claim. Thus, under Edwards, Petitioner's defaulted ineffective assistance of appellate counsel claim may not be used as cause for Petitioner's other defaulted habeas claims.