No. 20-5466

John Eldridge Cone, Jr. v. Janet Dowling, Warden

Lower Court: Tenth Circuit
Docketed: 2020-08-24
Status: Denied
Type: IFP
IFP
Tags: appellate-discretion circuit-split constitutional-claim constitutional-claims factual-innocence habeas-corpus habeas-petition harmless-error ineffective-assistance-of-counsel ineffective-counsel
Latest Conference: 2020-10-30
Question Presented (from Petition)

When a petitioner supplements his Constitutional claim on appeal with a colorable showing of factual innocence that was not raised in his habeas petition in district court, should a Court of Appeals exercise its discretion to consider the claim when an injustice would otherwise result? The Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit's refusal to do so under these circumstances in this case is in conflict with this Court's decision in Hormel v. Helwering, 312 U.S. 552, 556, 551 (1941).

When instructions to the jury are incomplete because of trial counsel's ineffectiveness, can the error be subjected to a harmless error review when it affected defendant's substantial rights? The holding of the Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit does not can be in conflict with the decision of the Sixth and Ninth Circuit Courts of Appeals in U.S. v. Monger, 185 F.3d 574, 578 (6th Cir. 1999), and U.S. v. Alecahin, 433 F.3d 1148, 1159 (9th Cir. 2006).

Question Presented (AI Summary)

When a petitioner supplements his constitutional claim on appeal with a colorable showing of factual innocence, should a Court of Appeals exercise its discretion to consider the claim when an injustice would otherwise result?

Docket Entries

2020-11-02
Petition DENIED. Justice Barrett took no part in the consideration or decision of this petition.
2020-10-08
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 10/30/2020.
2020-07-27
Petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed. (Response due September 23, 2020)

Attorneys

John Eldridge Cone, Jr.
John Eldridge Cone Jr. — Petitioner