Document: 529 U.S. 420120 S.Ct. 1479146 L.Ed.2d 435 MICHAEL WAYNE WILLIAMS, PETITIONERv.JOHN TAYLOR, WARDEN No. 99-6615. Supreme Court of the United States Argued February 28, 2000 Decided April 18, Syllabus After petitioner was convicted two capital murders and other crimes, he sentenced to death. The Virginia affirmed on direct appeal later dismissed petitioner's state habeas corpus petition. He then sought federal relief, requesting, among things, an evidentiary hearing three constitutional claims, which had been unable develop in state-court proceedings. Those claims were that (1) prosecution violated Brady v. Maryland, 373 U. S. 83, failing disclose a report pretrial psychiatric examination Jeffrey Cruse, accomplice Commonwealth's main witness against petitioner; (2) trial rendered unfair by seating juror who at voir dire not revealed possible sources bias; (3) prosecutor committed misconduct reveal his knowledge juror's bias. District granted on, inter alia, latter but denied claim. Before any could be held, however, Fourth Circuit requests for emergency stay writ mandamus prohibition, based argument prohibited 28 C. 2254(e)(2), as amended Antiterrorism Effective Death Penalty Act 1996 (AEDPA). On remand, vacated its order granting petition, having determined satisfy 2254(e)(2)'s requirements. In affirming, agreed with statute would apply if exercised diligence court, diligent so "failed factual basis [his three] claim[s] State court," 2254(e)(2). court concluded statute's conditions excusing failure facts held him barred from receiving hearing. Held: Under AEDPA, "fail[ure] develop" claim's proceedings is established unless there lack diligence, or some greater fault, attributable prisoner counsel. does bar seeks bias prosecutorial bars claim because concedes inability further stringent deficiency. Pp. 6-22. (a) Petitioner filed petition after AEDPA's effective date, case controlled opening clause, specifies "[i]f [federal habeas] applicant has failed proceedings, shall hold claim" makes specified showings. 6-8. (b) analysis begins language statute. Although "fail" sometimes used neutral way, importing fault want this sense word "failed" A words must given their ordinary, contemporary, common meaning, absent indication Congress intended them bear different import. E.g., Walters Metropolitan Ed. Enterprises, Inc., 519 202, 207. customary preferred sense, connotes omission, negligence part person do something. If instead "no-fault" standard, it have no more than use, lieu phrase "has to," "did not." This interpretation support Keeney Tamayo-Reyes, 504 1, 8, whose threshold standard codified clause. Court's also avoids putting 2254(e)(2) needless tension 2254(d), authorizes relief developed can prove court's decision "contrary to, unreasonable application of, clearly law, States." rejects arguments reading: treating prisoner's prerequisite renders nullity 2254(e)(2)(A)(ii)'s provision requiring show "a predicate [of claim] previously discovered through exercise due diligence"; anything less no-fault understanding contrary purpose comity, finality, federalism principles. 8-15. (c) did required preserve nondisclosure Cruse's contravened Brady. report, mentioned Cruse little recollection intoxicated time, prepared before tried; yet raised until Given evidence record counsel knew report's existence potential importance, investigate cursory manner, satisfied explanation that, although investigator file, seen when reviewed same file. Because constitutes determine requirements balance are excused. Subparagraph (B) upon showing, clear convincing evidence, reasonable factfinder found guilty murder alleged error. cannot make presented premise. Accordingly, Circuit's judgment barring affirmed. 15-18. (d) However, met burden showing efforts supporting court. questions posed judge dire. First, asked prospective jurors whether related alios, Deputy Sheriff Meinhard, investigated crime scene, interrogated became prosecution's first witness. Venire member Stinnett, divorced Meinhard 17-year marriage four children, remained silent, thereby indicating answer question "no." Second, ever represented attorneys case, including Woodson. Stinnett again said nothing, Woodson her during divorce Meinhard. Later, admitted married divorced, stated consider people "related" involved private attorney divorce. Stinnett's silence suggest unwillingness forthcoming; turn attorney. Moreover, divulge material information response second misleading matter fact Coupled Woodson's own reticence, these omissions whole need disagrees conclusion should relationship contains put notice nonresponse deliberate omission information, reason believe postconviction longer available time came light, futile return courts, neglected pursue remedies under law. foregoing establishes cause procedural default may presenting courts instance. Questions regarding determining prejudice establish obtain addressed lower These take account earlier grant belief deliberately lied 18-22. 189 F. 3d 421, part, reversed remanded. certiorari united states appeals fourth circuit Kennedy, J., delivered opinion unanimous Court. Justice Kennedy 1 Michael Wayne Williams received sentence Morris Keller, Jr., Keller's wife, Mary Elizabeth. Accompanying request which, alleged, (1994 ed., Supp. III), (AEDPA), 110 Stat. 1214, seeks. [his] proceedings," subject receive 2 * evening 27, 1993, Verena Lozano James dropped off friend Alan near local store rural area Cumberland County, Virginia. pair planned rob store's employees customers using .357 revolver stolen course quadruple robbery months earlier. Finding closed, walked Kellers' home. familiar couple, grown up down road where they lived. told couple thousand dollars." App. 78. holding .357, handed gun knocked door. When Mr. Keller opened door, pointed intruders forced way inside. kitchen, Mrs. Keller. ordered captives remove clothing. While kept guard Kellers, searched house money valuables. .38-caliber handgun bullets. Upon tie telephone cords. Kellers confined separate closets while continued ransacking house. 3 gathered all wanted, decided rape With pleading hurt husband, raped her. same. shower dress "take walk" Cruse. Id., 97. As leaving, going burn begged allowed retrieve license, she did, guarded petitioner. 4 details follows. Petitioner, now carrying .38, took thicket dirt standing behind "We'll shoot count three." 103. At third count, shot head, collapsed ground. moment. Saying "he didn't leave witnesses," urged Ibid. fired one into head. Despite wound, stood up, time. To ensure dead, each times. 5 returning loading property jeep, set fire drove jeep Fredericksburg, Virginia, sold property. They threw remaining Rappahannock River jeep. 6 Pursuing lead James, police interviewed about fled Florida. provided useful bodies victims, point consulted plea bargain crimes exchange promise seek death penalty him. described made mention act rape. Commonwealth revoked agreement charged murder. 7 arrested robbery, abduction, rape, Kellers. January 1994, recounted we just described. testified least twice, several times felled bullet. mastermind murders. circumstances between revocation disclosed jury. 158-159. Testifying behalf, idea denied, raping shooting claimed only once. blamed shots disputed parts testimony. 8 jury counts. considering aggravating mitigating sentencing phase, future dangerousness vileness recommended sentence. imposed convictions sentence, Commonwealth, 248 Va. 528, 450 E. 2d 365 (1994), certiorari, 515 1161 (1995). proceeding, pleaded first-degree spare life testimony petitioner, imprisonment. 9 alleging, relevant reached revoked. new agreement, informal undertaking recommend merit certiorari. Netherland, 877 (1996). 10 Eastern November 20, 1996. addition undisclosed us. 83 (1963), confidential pre-trial Finally, prosecutors 11 allegations report. prohibition Appeals. argued III). divided panel Appeals remanded 12 It considered attempting Citing Cardwell Greene, 152 331 (CA4), cert. 525 1037 (1998), bases Brady, bias, claims. See 426 (CA4 1999). ruled alternative even apply, ineligible pre-AEDPA id., 428. 13 Addressing rejected merits 2254(d)(1) and, result, applied. 3d, 429. 14 October 1999, execution stayed decide precludes 528 ___ (1999). 15 We affirm reverse part. II 16 applies case. Lindh Murphy, 521 320, 326-327 (1997). argues AEDPA narrow applicable here. develop, raise, misconduct, violation explains unaware, own, underlying facts. consequence, contends, erects barrier 17 Section controls district becomes central our analysis. provides follows: 18 "If shows that-- 19 "(A) relies on-- 20 "(i) rule retroactive cases collateral review Court, unavailable; 21 "(ii) diligence; 22 "(B) sufficient error, offense." 23 By terms clause prisoners proceedings." facts, meets Here, comply 2254(e)(2)(B), see Brief 25, fall outside 24 There That, says end matter. view neglect, still hand, means developing defalcation contends occur since adequate discover present believed enough avoid statutory bar. 426. agree implies but, unlike Appeals, find regard B 25 start, always, Ron Pair 489 235, 241 (1989). conditional directs attention ask indeed susceptible, normal course, simple yes answer. Here no. 26 begin there. reading statute, development inquire reasons applies. "failed." 27 deny diligence. So "We fail understand argument" mean simply argument." here, however. give " `ordinary, meaning,' 207 (1997) (quoting Pioneer Investment Services Co. Brunswick Associates Ltd. Partnership, 507 380 (1993)). Bailey States, 516 137, 141 See, e.g., Webster's New International Dictionary 910 (2d ed. 1939) (defining "to wanting; short; become deficient measure degree," "failure" falling short," deficiency lack," "[o]mission perform"); 814 (3d 1993) ("to expected action unperformed condition unachieved"). Black's Law 594 (6th 1990) "[f]ault, negligence, refusal"). say duty necessary steps fulfill it. is, bears responsibility failure. perform thwarted, example, conduct another happenstance. Fault lies, those circumstances, either interfered accomplishment all. conclude Had difficulty making intent plain. 29 issue. Baja Ducharme, 187 1075, 1078-1079 (CA9 1999); Miller Champion, 161 1249, 1253 (CA10 1998); Cardwell, 337; McDonald Johnson, 139 1056, 1059 (CA5 Burris Parke, 116 256, 258 (CA7 1997); Love Morton, 112 131, 136 (CA3 1997). 30 Our (1992), years enactment. Keeney, English alleging nolo contendere manslaughter charge knowing voluntary inaccuracies translation caused 4, 8-9. characterized "prisoner's court." 8. demonstrate claim, ibid., "show fundamental miscarriage justice result hearing," 12. 31 initial inquiry "the proceedings" echoes Keeney's borrowed applied procedurally defaulted Wainwright Sykes, 433 72, 87-88 (1977), deciding distinguish properly assert such claim." supra, evident similarity phrasing aspect holding: heightened sure, provisions rather prejudice, eliminating freestanding "miscarriage justice" exception, Contrary position, text otherwise further, control availability broader class covered standard. 32 sum, codifies test prior governing matter, respectful processes meaning absence specific direction contrary. Lorillard Pons, 434 575, 581 (1978) ("[W]here ... adopts law incorporating sections normally presumed incorporated insofar affects statute"). Cottage Savings Assn. Commissioner, 499 554, 562 (1991). 33 Interpreting requires 2254(d). States," obtaining 2254(d)(1). Taylor, ante, (opinion O'Connor, J.). covers pursued undeveloped because, instance, concealed lacking innocence 2254(e)(2)(B). harsh reading, attribute design hearings meritorious went undetected distinction not. 34 premised empties 2254(e)(2)(A)(ii) meaning. treat diligence." 2254(e)(2)(A)(ii). disagree. 35 misconceives mandated efforts. component undertakes search evidence. Diligence purposes depends attempt, light court; depend, it, successful. Though will vain, 2254(e)(2)(A)(ii), innocence, rights conditions. reference pertains discovered, important respect close resemblance (e)(2)(A)(i), Cf. Gutierrez Ada, ___, (2000) (slip op., 5) ("[W]ords known companions"). Locke, 13). parallel within opportunity legal exist 36 persuaded principles federalism. doubt advance doctrines. Federal inform shape historic vital relation mutual existing courts. keeping delicate careful limit scope intrusion criminal adjudications safeguard States' interest integrity Coleman Thompson, 501 722, 726 (1991) ("This concerns owe rules reviewing corpus"); McCleskey Zant, 467, 493 ("[T]he doctrines abuse both designed lessen injury results reexamination conviction ground address prior, appropriate time; vindicate State's finality judgments"). 37 consistent effect Congress' unneeded corpus, recognizing equate pursuing Principles exhaustion recognition judiciaries competence secured Constitution require usual prisoner, minimum, manner prescribed "Comity dictates alleges confinement violates provide relief." O'Sullivan Boerckel, 526 838, 844 For rightful adjudicate rights, presenting, possible, fails so, himself herself contributing full fair adjudication prohibits met. sitting forum trying issues insufficient effort Yet comity served saying despite effort. circumstance, III 38 Now test. stages excused compliance subsection's two. 39 contravention (1963). "ha[d] [murders Kellers], vague memories, alcohol marijuana time." 495. September attached copy explained file averred 40 "Prior filing [petitioner's] I County files [petitioner] co-defendant, evaluation . seeing examined contents am confident remember it." 625-626. 41 late discovery. Nor we. 42 repeated references "psychiatric" "mental health" transcript reveals alerted said: 43 "The point[s] out [Cruse] significantly depressed. suffered post traumatic stress. His symptoms include nightmares, sleeplessness, sobbing, reddening face, severe depression, flash backs [T]he psychological overwhelmed feelings guilt shame actions. numb. suppress feelings, pain sadness." 424. 44 description accords diagnosed suffering post-traumatic stress disorder: 45 "[Cruse] recurrent nightmares visualizes face woman killed. describe nightmare, breaks openly tears reddens. continues feel worthless hope thinking suicide constantly. sleep, often tossing turning, waking feeling fatigued day. neurovegetative major depression nature, [murders]." 495-499. 46 materiality. sole 30, 1995, letter requested "[a]ll reports physical mental examinations, scientific tests, experiments conducted connection investigation offense, limited to: [a]ll polygraph examinations performed documents referring relating tests ." 346-347. declined order, 353, appears done more. Counsel's triggers 47 us reasons, Appeals' 48 49 Petitioner's jurors, "Are you following called witnesses?" Then read list names, "Deputy Claude Meinhard." Bonnie foreperson, 1979, children. officer scene lead-off trial. 50 names prosecutors, Robert Woodson, asked, "Have your immediate family aforementioned attorneys?" 483, 485. 51 affidavit "[she] respond judge's [first] [she] [herself] `related' 1994 [at dire] Once ended him." 627. 52 representation her, 53 "When uncontested drew papers completed. Since neither nor contesting anything, think `represented' us." 628. 54 "[he] aware Juror ex-wife [he] 629. stated, "[t]o mind, once ends divorce." "had Stinnett." 629-630. "[w]hatever involvement 1979 divorce, completely forgotten 630. 55 Even correct technical literal finder veracity disclosing interpretation, acted impartial, Smith Phillips, 455 209, 217, 219-221 (1982), infected process, Donnelly DeChristoforo, 416 637, 647-648 (1974). 56 ordering reasonably judgment, theory 57 disagree point. non-response information. attempt jury, though prompted juror. 388-389. Counsel motion expert services "irregularities, improprieties exist[ed] empaneling [sic] jury." 358. Based suspicions, funding examine empanelment jury's consideration case." opposed motion, depriving investigate. denial understandable allegations, vagueness underdevelopment matters anyone. obligation pay claims; commence continue 58 relationships interviewing referred passing "Bonnie 35. confirmed checking County's public records. ("The Sixth Amendment final 1979. Indeed, located documents, well"). surprised, least, standards practice check records containing personal pertaining every silence, history. misconduct. 59 note appointment July 2, 1996, indigent, 120 days Code Ann. 8.01-654.1 appointed August 10, year uncovered 60 suffice Smith, 215 remedy partiality defendant actual bias"), "Juror tell truth dire." Civ. Action 3:96CV529 (ED Va., Apr. 13, 1998), 529, 557. IV 61 2254(d)(1), unnecessary reach permit 62 opinion. 63 ordered.

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