Court Opinion

ID: 47987
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2010-04-25 23:33:18+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:18:11.323370
License: Public Domain

United States Court of Appeals
                                                                                                  Fifth Circuit
                                                                                               F I L E D
                     IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
                                                                                               January 12, 2007
                                   FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT
                                                                                            Charles R. Fulbruge III
                                                                                                    Clerk

                                            No. 05-41053
                                          Summary Calendar

ROGER DALE SPENCER,

                                                                                         Plaintiff-Appellant,

                                                 versus

ROBERT BRUCE; COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
STATE OF TEXAS; LINDA MIRELES; SHERRI ADELSTEIN,

                                                                                       Defendants-
                                                          Appellees.

                       -------------------------------------------------------------
                           Appeal from the United States District Court
                                   for the Eastern District of Texas
                                       USDC No. 4:04-CV-425
                       -------------------------------------------------------------

Before DeMOSS, STEWART and PRADO, Circuit Judges.

PER CURIAM:*

       Roger Dale Spencer, Texas prisoner # 788154, appeals the dismissal of his 42 U.S.C. § 1983

complaint challenging the actions of the trial court and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in

addressing his state postconviction applications. The district court dismissed Spencer’s claims

pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e) as frivolous and for failure to state a claim. Spencer’s claims are

properly raised under § 1983 because he is challenging the procedures used to consider his state

       *
         Pursuant to 5TH CIR. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be
published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR.
R. 47.5.4.
application, and the only relief requested is another opportunity to file his claims. See Wilkinson v.

Dotson, 544 U.S. 74, 82 (2005)(parole procedures).

       To the extent that Spencer is asserting that he was denied access to the courts, his assertion

is unavailing because he was able to prepare and transmit his applications to the state court. See

Brewer v. Wilkinson, 3 F.3d 816, 821 (5th Cir. 1993). Spencer asserts that he was denied due

process because the state court failed to comply with state law and did not hold a hearing on his

applications. Spencer has not established that he was denied his right to be heard “in a meaningful

manner.” Price v. City of Junction, 711 F.2d 582, 589 (5th Cir. 1983). Spencer’s claim that he was

denied equal protection is unavailing, in light of his failure to assert that he was treated in a

discriminatory manner as a result of race or another improper motive. See Thompson v. Patteson,

985 F.2d 202, 207 (5th Cir. 1993).

       Although the district court did not offer Spencer an opportunity to amend his complaint

before dismissing it, Spencer cannot show that amendment would have remedied the errors in his

case. See Eason v. Thaler, 14 F.3d 8, 9 (5th Cir. 1994). Spencer has not established that the district

court abused its discretion by dismissing his civil rights action under § 1915(e). See Calhoun v.

Hargrove, 312 F.3d 730, 733 (5th Cir. 2002). The judgment of the district court is affirmed. See

Bickford v. Int’l Speedway Corp., 654 F.2d 1028, 1031 (5th Cir. 1981).

       The district court’s dismissal of Spencer’s complaint as frivolous counts as one strike under

§ 1915(g). Adepegba v. Hammons, 103 F.3d 383, 387 (5th Cir. 1996). Spencer is cautioned that

if he accumulates three strikes, he may no longer proceed in forma pauperis in any civil action or

appeal filed while he is incarcerated or detained in any facility unless he is under imminent danger of

serious physical injury. See § 1915(g).

       AFFIRMED; SANCTION WARNING ISSUED.