Gerald Glen Boyden v. United States

Gerald Boyden, a federal prisoner incarcerated in the Western District of Washington, seeks to obtain credit against his sentence for time spent in jail prior to the imposition of sentence and while his appeal was pending. His initial petition pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255 was denied by the sentencing court in the Southern District of California on the merits in February, 1971. In February, 1972, Boyden filed a habeas corpus petition in the Western District of Washington seeking the same relief. The petition was denied, and Boyden appeals.

The petition was properly denied because Boyden had not alleged and could not prove that the remedy available to him in the Southern District of California was “inadequate or ineffective” as required by § 2255. Lack of success in the sentencing court does not render his remedy inadequate or ineffective. Application of Pierce, 246 F.2d 902 (9th Cir. 1957) (Denman, C. J., sitting alone); Waugaman v. United States, 331 F.2d 189 (5th Cir. 1964).

However, Boyden may renew his application to the sentencing court in the Southern District of California. Although “[t]he sentencing court shall not be required to entertain a second or successive motion…