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The state supreme court's apparent determination that Mr. Bird entered a knowing and voluntary plea despite the trial court's initial overstatement of the penalty (as three consecutive life sentences when only two consecutive life sentences were possible), see Bird, 901 P.2d at 1130, is neither contrary to, nor an unreasonable application of clearly established Supreme Court precedent. See Williams v. Taylor, 120 S. Ct. 1495, 1522 (2000) (O'Connor, J.). Mr. Bird's contentions that trial and appellate counsel were ineffective must fail. The failure to raise meritless claims does not constitute deficient performance. Moreover, Mr. Bird cannot show prejudice as to trial counsel's advice on this record, i.e. "that there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel's errors, he would not have pleaded guilty and would have insisted on going to trial." Hill v. Lockhart, 474 U.S. 52, 59 (1985). Mr. Bird's allegations that he was coerced into pleading guilty do not constitute clear and convincing evidence that would undermine the state court's contrary factual determinations, see Bird, 939 P.2d at 737-38; see also 28 U.S.C. § 2254(e)(1).

Mr. Bird claims that his two concurrent life sentences without parole were stopped, lengthened and reinstated when a previous sentence was reinstated prior to revocation of parole on that previous sentence. The district court dismissed this claim for failure to exhaust state court remedies, though the parties contend otherwise citing various state court proceedings. Mr. Bird essentially maintains that the claim is exhausted. See I R. doc. 1 (ground six); doc. 18 at 7. Respondents mantain that the claim is exhausted and/or procedurally barred. See id. doc. 3 at 8; doc. 5 at 18-22; doc. 19 at 4. The claim could be construed as a challenge to the execution of Mr. Bird's sentence under 28 U.S.C. § 2241, see Montez v. McKinna, 208 F.3d 862, 865 (10th Cir. 2000); regardless, the district court should have dismissed this claim with prejudice­we are in agreement with Respondents that a federal constitutional claim is not presented. See Estelle v. McGuire, 502 U.S. 62, 67-68 (1991).

The judgment so modified, we DENY Mr. Bird's motion for leave to proceed on appeal without prepayment of costs or fees, DENY his application for a certificate of appealability and DISMISS the appeal.

Entered for the Court

Paul J. Kelly, Jr.

Circuit Judge

^*. This order and judgment is not binding precedent, except under the doctrines of law of the case, res judicata, and collateral estoppel. This court generally disfavors the citation of orders and judgments; nevertheless, an order and judgment may be cited under the terms and conditions of 10th Cir. R. 36.3.

^**. After examining the briefs and the appellate record, this three-judge panel has determined unanimously that oral argument would not be of material assistance in the determination of this appeal. See Fed. R. App. P. 34(a); 10th Cir. R. 34.1 (G). The cause is therefore ordered submitted without oral argument.

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