Dillard
Dillard v. Roe
Opinion
Lead Opinion
Pregerson, J.
This federal habeas case raises issues concerning the admissibility of expert testimony on battered women’s syndrome and the proper procedure for taking judicial notice of a defendant’s prior felony convictions. This case also involves a challenge to the constitutionality of two five-year sentence enhancements.
California prisoner Adrian Lamont Dillard filed a 28 U.S.C. § 2254 petition in federal district court raising constitutional challenges to his state court conviction and sentence. Dillard was convicted of one felony count of inflicting corporal injury upon a cohabitant, in violation of California Penal Code § 273.5(a). The state trial court sentenced Dillard to twenty-five years to life in prison. In addition, the court imposed two five-year sentence enhancements.
The federal district court issued an order granting in part and denying in part the relief requested in Dillard’s § 2254 petition. The State appeals the portion of the district court’s order granting relief. Dillard cross appeals the portion of the district court’s order denying relief.
We have jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291 , and we affirm the district court’s order in its entirety.