MICHAEL LYNN CALDWELL, | No. 02-6242
D.C. No. CIV-02-223-C |
In his habeas petition, Caldwell made eight claims: (1) that evidence was seized from his home in violation of both the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution and Section 30 of the Oklahoma Constitution; (2) that the prosecution impermissibly introduced evidence of his arrest in violation of state law and the federal constitution; (3) that the introduction of hearsay testimony violated state evidence rules and his federal constitutional right to confront the witnesses against him; (4) that the prosecutor engaged in misconduct by referring to facts not in evidence in closing argument; (5) that he suffered from ineffective assistance of counsel at trial; (6) that the bailiff had improper contact with the jury during trial; (7) that his sentence is excessive; and (8) that cumulative errors entitle him to habeas relief. In his appeal to us, Caldwell challenges the district court's denial of all of these claims except claims (6) and (7).
We conclude that Caldwell's Fourth Amendment claims are foreclosed by Stone v. Powell, 428 U.S. 465, 494 (1976), which holds that habeas relief is unavailable for Fourth Amendment violations when the petitioner had a full and fair opportunity to litigate such claims below. See also Smallwood v. Gibson, 191 F.3d 1257, 1265 (10th Cir. 1999). Caldwell's other claims are without merit, involve claims under state law that are not reviewable in a federal habeas proceeding, see, e.g., Davis v. Reynolds, 890 F.2d 1105, 1109 n.3 (10th Cir. 1989) ("Alternative claims, whether grounded in state statutes or the State Constitution, are not cognizable under 28 U.S.C. § 2254(a)."), or are non-reversible, harmless errors.
Accordingly, for substantially the reasons stated in the magistrate's Report and Recommendation, we DENY a certificate of appealability and DISMISS the appeal. Caldwell's motion to proceed in forma pauperis is GRANTED.
ENTERED FOR THE COURT
David M. Ebel
Circuit Judge
*.After examining appellant's brief and the 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) and 10th Cir. R. 34.1(G). The case is therefore ordered submitted without oral argument. This order and judgment is not binding precedent, except under the doctrines of law of the case, res judicata, and collateral estoppel. The 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.