Court Opinion

ID: 9499550
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-05 17:51:16.797559+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:59:34.582016
License: Public Domain

PAEZ, Circuit Judge,
concurring:
Although I concur in the order dismissing this appeal, I write separately to emphasize that, as part and parcel of the evaluation of whether a petitioner’s waiver is knowing and voluntary, the district court must ensure that the petitioner has an understanding of the viability of his legal claims, particularly if they have some likelihood of success. See, e.g., Godinez v. Moran, 509 U.S. 389, 401 n. 12, 113 S.Ct. 2680, 125 L.Ed.2d 321 (1993) (“The purpose of the ‘knowing and voluntary’ inquiry ... is to determine whether the defendant actually does understand the significance and consequences of a particular decision.”); O’Rourke v. Endell, 153 F.3d 560, 568 (8th Cir.1998) (holding that a waiver was not “knowing and voluntary” because “[t]he court never explained to [petitioner] the significance of his decision to waive his postconviction appeal. No one questioned him as to his understanding of the possible results of a successful appeal, which might have included not only a lesser sentence but a new trial with a potentially different outcome.”).
In the section of its ruling entitled, “Legal Position and Options Available and Rational Choices,” the district court discussed whether Comer understood the claims raised in his habeas petition and their potential for success. Comer v. Stewart, 230 F.Supp.2d 1016, 1061-63 (D.Ariz.2002). The court recounted in detail how “Mr. Comer testified plainly and logically that he understands that the merits of his ha-beas appeal are legally strong ... and he is aware that the Ninth Circuit expressed concerns about his conviction and sentence.” Id. at 1061. The court concluded that “Mr. Comer’s testimony makes clear that he is aware that he may have a good chance for reversal of the death sentence and perhaps even the conviction,” but that he wished to halt his legal challenges even so. Id. at 1062. The court further explained that it had initially been “naturally perplexed with and skeptical of Mr. Comer’s decision” but was convinced after the hearing that “his decision is a rational one.” Id. In light of the district court’s thorough findings, including its finding that Comer understood his legal claims, the district court appropriately determined that Comer’s decision to end his appeal was knowing and voluntary.