Danny Madrid v. K. Mendoza-Powers

MEMORANDUM

Petitioner Danny Madrid was convicted in 1981 of second degree murder, attempted murder, and two attempted robberies, and sentenced to prison for twenty years to life. In 2006, the parole board denied him parole. The California courts denied Madrid’s habeas petition concluding that there was “some evidence” to support the board’s decision. Madrid sought federal habeas relief, which the district court granted on the ground that he “had been denied parole solely on the basis of immutable factors of his commitment offense, previous record of violence and social history,” and that, under California law, these do not amount to “some evidence that he is currently an unreasonable risk of danger to the public if released.” The state timely appealed.

While this appeal has been pending, Madrid was granted parole and was released from custody in February 2010. His release does not moot this appeal because, as the parties agree, the district court’s order requires the state to credit Madrid’s “five year parole period” with the time between the 2006 denial of parole and his 2010 release.

Also, while this appeal was pending, the Supreme Court decided Swarthout v. Cooke, — U.S.-,…