Strader v. Allsbrook

Decision Date05 August 1981
Docket NumberNo. 81-8112,81-8112
Citation656 F.2d 67
PartiesCarroll Eugene STRADER, Appellant, v. Harry L. ALLSBROOK; Attorney General of the State of North Carolina, Rufus L. Edmisten, Appellees.
CourtU.S. Court of Appeals — Fourth Circuit

Carroll Eugene Strader, appellant pro se.

Barry S. McNeill, Associate Atty. Gen., Raleigh, N. C., for appellees.

Before WINTER, Chief Judge, and BUTZNER and RUSSELL, Circuit Judges.

PER CURIAM:

North Carolina inmate Carroll Eugene Strader appeals the order of the United States Magistrate dismissing his claim for relief under 28 U.S.C. § 2254. Strader contends that he was denied the effective assistance of counsel when his court-appointed attorney erroneously informed him that he would be eligible for parole in ten years if he pled guilty to the crimes of second-degree burglary and armed robbery. Strader maintains that he relied on his counsel's incorrect statement of his parole eligibility in entering his guilty pleas. Because Strader has not exhausted available state remedies, we dismiss the appeal.

In his federal habeas corpus petition, Strader indicates that he was not informed until 1980 of his counsel's erroneous advice regarding parole eligibility. Strader thereafter sought relief on this ground by filing a motion for appropriate relief in the court of his conviction and a petition for writ of certiorari in the North Carolina Court of Appeals. Upon denial of both applications, Strader brought this action in federal court.

Prior to 1978, decisions of the North Carolina Court of Appeals in post-conviction proceedings were final and were not subject to further review by the Supreme Court of North Carolina. N.C.Gen.Stat. § 7A-28 (1969 Repl. Vol.) (repealed 1978). Effective July 1, 1978, the North Carolina legislature abolished this limitation and extended appellate review to the state's highest court. Id.; N.C.Gen.Stat. §§ 7A-31, 15A-1422(c), -1444(f), (g) (Supp. 1979). Since Strader has not sought review of his claim by writ of certiorari to the Supreme Court of North Carolina, he has not presented his claim "by any available procedure" as is required to satisfy the exhaustion requirement of 28 U.S.C. § 2254(b). 28 U.S.C. § 2254(c).

Respondents, in their answer, incorrectly pleaded that "Strader had exhausted his State court remedies ... and is entitled to adjudication of (his) contentions on the merits." We hold that this statement is neither conclusive nor a waiver of the exhaustion requirement by the state, and we decline to reach the merits of Strader's...

To continue reading

Request your trial
15 cases
  • Elswick v. Holland
    • United States
    • U.S. District Court — Southern District of West Virginia
    • December 10, 1985
    ...court, he has exhausted his state remedies. Preiser v. Rodriguez, 411 U.S. 475, 93 S.Ct. 1827, 36 L.Ed.2d 439 (1973); Strader v. Allsbrook, 656 F.2d 67 (4th Cir.1981). Second, he now presents to this Court the same grounds which the state court had opportunity to consider. Pitchess v. Davis......
  • Brace v. Warden
    • United States
    • U.S. District Court — District of South Carolina
    • June 17, 2016
    ...Whitley v. Bair, 802 F.2d 1487, 1500 n. 27 (4th Cir. 1986); Mason v. Procunier, 748 F.2d 852, 853-54 (4th Cir. 1984); Strader v. Allsbrook, 656 F.2d 67, 68 (4th Cir. 1981). Because it is clear from the face of the pleadings in this case that Petitioner has several viable state court remedie......
  • Hicks v. Southcarolina
    • United States
    • U.S. District Court — District of South Carolina
    • June 17, 2016
    ...Whitley v. Bair, 802 F.2d 1487, 1500 n.27 (4th Cir. 1986); Mason v. Procunier, 748 F.2d 852, 853-54 (4th Cir. 1984); Strader v. Allsbrook, 656 F.2d 67, 68 (4th Cir. 1981). Because it is clear from the face of the pleadings in this case that Petitioner has several state court remedies (direc......
  • Sweezy v. Garrison
    • United States
    • U.S. District Court — Western District of North Carolina
    • February 28, 1982
    ...he waives the requirement of further exhaustion; therefore, this court will examine petitioner's claims on the merits. Strader v. Allsbrook, 656 F.2d 67 (4th Cir.1981); Jenkins v. Fitzberger, The state offered evidence which showed the following: Mrs. William R. Grigg (Mrs. Connie Grigg) wa......
  • Request a trial to view additional results

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT