United States v. Watters, 10th Cir. (2010)
United States v. Watters, 10th Cir. (2010)
February 2, 2010
TENTH CIRCUIT
No. 09-5132
(D.C. Nos. 4:08-CV-00610-CVE-PJC
and 4:05-CR-00070-CVE-1)
(N. Dist. Okla.)
v.
JOHN THOMAS WATTERS,
Defendant-Appellant.
ORDER *
Before HARTZ, SEYMOUR and EBEL, Circuit Judges.
After examining the briefs and appellate record, this panel has determined
unanimously that oral argument would not materially assist the determination of
this appeal. See Fed. R. App. P. 34(a)(2); 10th Cir. R. 34.1(G). This case is
therefore ordered submitted without oral argument. This order is not binding
precedent, except under the doctrines of law of the case, res judicata, and
collateral estoppel. It may be cited, however, for its persuasive value consistent
with 10th Cir. R. 32.1 and 10th Cir. R. 32.1.
1
Although his notice of appeal was due on or before September 14, 2009,
see Fed. R. App. P. 4(a)(1)(B), Mr. Watters did not file it until September 15,
2009. The notice of appeal contained a statement that it was mailed on September
8, 2009, suggesting that it could be timely under the prison mailbox rule
articulated in Fed. R. App. P. 4(c)(1) ([i]f an inmate confined in an institution
files a notice of appeal in either a civil or a criminal case, the notice is timely if it
is deposited in the institutions internal mail system on or before the last day for
filing). Because the notice did not include the requisite declaration under
penalty of perjury in compliance with 28 U.S.C. 1746 or a notarized statement,
we issued a show cause order providing Mr. Watters thirty days to demonstrate
compliance with Fed. R. App. 4(c)(1) or otherwise show cause why his appeal
should not be dismissed as untimely. See Sept. 16, 2009 Order at 2. He
responded on September 24 with the requested proof, including a copy of a
certified mail receipt showing a September 9, 2009 mailing date. Thus, his appeal
is timely.
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was not protected by the Fourth Amendment. The court held that it must defer to
counsels tactical decision not to file a motion to dismiss and accordingly
concluded that counsel was not deficient in failing to raise this argument. With
respect to Mr. Watters attack on the subsequent search of the house pursuant to
the warrant the officers obtained, the court reasoned that any question as to the
search pursuant to the warrant was undermined by United States v. Leon, 468 U.S.
897 (1984). Finally, the court observed that Mr. Watters unlawful arrest claims
were vague and conclusory and are not entitled to any weight, rec. vol. I, at
401; and Watters presents no new evidence to support his claim of actual
innocence and has failed to convince the Court that his trial was marred by
constitutional error. Id. at 402. Absent any indication that counsel was
constitutionally deficient for failing to raise meritorious claims, the court denied
the 2255 petition as well as Mr. Watterss motion for an evidentiary hearing.
To obtain a COA, Mr. Watters must make a substantial showing of the
denial of a constitutional right. 28 U.S.C. 2253(c)(2). To make such a showing,
he must demonstrate that reasonable jurists could debate whether . . . the petition
should have been resolved in a different manner or that the issues presented were
adequate to deserve encouragement to proceed further. Slack v. McDaniel, 529
U.S. 473, 483-84 (2000) (internal quotation marks omitted).
After careful review of the briefs, the record on appeal, and the district
courts analysis, we conclude that Mr. Watters has not met the standard for
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obtaining a COA. Accordingly, substantially for the reasons set forth in the
district courts well-reasoned opinion, we DENY Mr. Watterss request for a
COA and DISMISS the appeal.
Stephanie K. Seymour
Circuit Judge
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