Vantrae Gregory v. Robert Borg, Warden

977 F.2d 588 NOTICE: Ninth Circuit Rule 36-3 provides that dispositions other than opinions or orders designated for publication are not precedential and should not be cited except when relevant under the doctrines of law of the case, res judicata, or collateral estoppel. Vantrae GREGORY, Petitioner-Appellant, v. Robert BORG, Warden, Respondent-Appellee. No. 91-55014. United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit. Argued and Submitted Sept. 15, 1992. Decided Oct. 6, 1992. Before WIGGINS, KOZINSKI and KLEINFELD, Circuit Judges. 1 MEMORANDUM * 2 Several issues regarding trial counsel's alleged ineffectiveness were raised on appeal, but "the only issues properly before this court are those in the petition." Ahlswede v. Wolff, 720 F.2d 1108, 1109 (9th Cir.1983), cert. denied sub nom. Deutcher v. Wolff, 469 U.S. 873 (1984). We are mindful that "pro se petitions should be liberally construed," Wallace v. Lockhart, 701 F.2d 719, 727 (8th Cir.) cert. denied, 464 U.S. 934 (1983), but even reading the petition in the light most favorable to Gregory, only the claim challenging the closing argument was properly presented below. We therefore dismiss the other claims. If state avenues for…