Vernon Jackson v. Eddie Ylst

Vernon Jackson, a state prisoner, appeals from the district court’s denial of his habe-as corpus petition filed pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254 . A jury convicted him of armed robbery in a California state court. He was sentenced to serve eight years in prison.

Jackson claims that his conviction was obtained in violation of the federal Constitution. He contends that the state trial judge deprived him of due process, equal protection, the right to the effective assistance of counsel in presenting his motion for new trial, and the sixth amendment right to represent himself during the sentencing proceedings. We disagree and affirm.

I.

FACTS

Jackson was convicted of armed robbery. The victim, Manuel Gouvaia, is the owner of a coin shop. Gouvaia testified that he knew Jackson because Jackson had been to the coin shop on previous occasions to purchase baggies. The store’s security system required Gouvaia to press a button that unlocked the front door and allowed patrons to enter. On the day of the robbery, Gouvaia opened the door for Jackson because he recognized him from previous visits. Gouvaia testified that once inside, Jackson pulled a gun and demanded money. He then forced…