Court Opinion

ID: 178965
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2010-11-09 00:25:30+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:25:46.722371
License: Public Domain

Case: 09-20794 Document: 00511287461 Page: 1 Date Filed: 11/08/2010

           IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
                    FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT  United States Court of Appeals
                                                    Fifth Circuit

                                                 FILED
                                                                          November 8, 2010
                                     No. 09-20794
                                   Summary Calendar                         Lyle W. Cayce
                                                                                 Clerk

RONALD CHRISTOPHER BINGHAM,

                                                   Petitioner-Appellant

v.

RICK THALER, DIRECTOR, TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE,
CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS DIVISION,

                                                   Respondent-Appellee

                    Appeal from the United States District Court
                         for the Southern District of Texas
                              USDC No. 4:93-CV-2544

Before JOLLY, GARZA, and STEWART, Circuit Judges
PER CURIAM:*
       Ronald Christopher Bingham, Texas prisoner # 511223, was convicted of
murder in 1989.       His sentence, enhanced by a prior felony conviction, was
assessed at 45 years in prison. In 1993, he unsuccessfully sought relief under
28 U.S.C. § 2254, and in 1995, this court denied him a certificate of probable
cause (CPC). In 2007, more than a decade later, Bingham sought a certificate
of appealability (COA). The district court denied the COA, and we dismissed his

       *
         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 R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not
be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR .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.
     Case: 09-20794 Document: 00511287461 Page: 2 Date Filed: 11/08/2010

                                   No. 09-20794

appeal for lack of jurisdiction. In 2008, Bingham filed another request for a COA
in the district court, with the same result. He then filed a motion for relief
pursuant to F ED. R. C IV. P. 60(b) and (d), Article III of the Constitution, and 28
U.S.C. § 2243 seeking relief from the prior judgments. The district court denied
this relief, and Bingham appealed. Although Bingham argues he is not required
to obtain a COA, he moves, in the alternative, for a COA in the event that one
is necessary.
      We have twice rejected Bingham’s attempts to obtain a COA because we
lack jurisdiction to entertain an appeal of the denial of his § 2254 petition. We
find no merit in Bingham’s claims that he may obtain a COA long after the time
for an appeal of the underlying judgment has passed. Nor do we agree with his
objection to our requirement that he must file a motion for a COA. Accordingly,
the district court did not abuse its discretion by denying his motion for relief.
Seven Elves, Inc. v. Eskenazi, 635 F.2d 396, 402 (5th Cir. 1981). We also reject
Bingham’s arguments that he is entitled to equitable relief. His request for a
COA is denied because he has failed to show that reasonable jurists would
debate the district court’s earlier decisions. Slack v. McDaniel, 529 U.S. 473, 483
(2000). The judgment of the district court is affirmed.
      Bingham requests the appointment of counsel, but he has failed to show
that the interest of justice warrant the appointment of counsel. Schwander v.
Blackburn, 750 F.2d 494, 501 (5th Cir. 1985). Therefore, we deny this motion.
      Our denial of Bingham’s motion for a COA terminates the need for
additional briefing. Thus, Bingham’s motion for leave to file supplemental
briefing is denied.
      Finally, we caution Bingham that future repetitive and frivolous filings
may result in the imposition of sanctions, including dismissal, monetary
sanctions, and restrictions on his ability to file pleadings in this court or any
court subject to this court’s jurisdiction.

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   Case: 09-20794 Document: 00511287461 Page: 3 Date Filed: 11/08/2010

                              No. 09-20794

    COA DENIED; MOTION FOR APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL DENIED;
MOTION   TO   FILE   SUPPLEMENTAL        BRIEF    DENIED; JUDGMENT
AFFIRMED; SANCTION WARNING ISSUED.

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