Court Opinion

ID: 20789
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2010-04-25 07:37:53+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:55:24.335199
License: Public Domain

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
                                  FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT

                                                No. 99-11069
                                              Summary Calendar

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

                                                                                             Plaintiff-Appellee,

                                                      versus

MICHAEL JOHN MULLINS,

                                                                                          Defendant-Appellant.

                          __________________________________________

                             Appeal from the United States District Court
                                  for the Northern District of Texas
                                     USDC No. 3:97-CV-911-R
                          __________________________________________
                                           April 25, 2000

Before HIGGINBOTHAM, DeMOSS, and STEWART, Circuit Judges.

PER CURIAM:*

        Michael John Mullins, federal prisoner # 23522-077, seeks a certificate of appealability

(“COA”) to appeal the district court’s judgment denying his 28 U.S.C. § 2255 motion. He renews

his argument that counsel was ineffective in preventing him from testifying on his own behalf. He

does not renew his argument that counsel was ineffective at trial and on appeal in failing to argue that

the evidence was insufficient, and that argument is therefore waived. See

Yohey v. Collins, 985 F.2d 222, 224-25 (5th Cir. 1993).

        If his brief is liberally construed, Mullins also raises the following arguments for the first time

on appeal: (1) the trial court failed to instruct the jury on the element of constructive possession and

the defense of entrapment; (2) the sentencing judge erred in failing to award him an acceptance-of-

        *
           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 R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is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.
responsibility reduction; (3) counsel was ineffective in failing to investigate; (4) counsel was

ineffective in failing to introduce exculpatory evidence; (5) counsel was ineffective in failing to raise

an entrapment defense and in failing to request a jury instruction on entrapment or constructive

possession; and (6) counsel was ineffective in failing to request a sentencing reduction for acceptance

of responsibility. This court does not have jurisdiction to consider these newly raised arguments.

Whitehead v. Johnson, 157 F.3d 384, 387-88 (5th Cir. 1998).

        Mullins contends that the district court erred in determining that his claim that counsel was

ineffective in preventing him from testifying was procedurally barred. He has credibly shown that the

district court erred in so holding. See 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c)(2); Sonnier v. Johnson, 161 F.3d 941, 943

(5th Cir. 1998); see also United States v. Crooks, 83 F.3d 103, 108 (5th Cir. 1996); United States

v. Gaudet, 81 F.3d 585, 589 & n.5 (5th Cir. 1996); United States v. Higdon, 832 F.2d 312, 313-14

(5th Cir. 1987). Accordingly, COA is GRANTED on the issue whether the district court erred in

determining that Mullins’ claim that counsel was ineffective in preventing him from testifying was

procedurally barred. The portion of the district court’s judgment relative to that claim only is

VACATED, and the case is REMANDED for further proceedings.

        COA GRANTED; VACATED AND REMANDED.

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