Curtis Healan v. Raul Lopez

MEMORANDUM

California state prisoner Curtis Healan appeals from the district court’s judgment denying his 28 U.S.C. § 2254 habeas petition. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 2258 , and we affirm.

The California Court of Appeal’s decision was not “based on an unreasonable determination of the facts in light of the evidence presented in the State court proceeding,” 28 U.S.C. § 2254 (d)(2), because the trial judge’s determination that Heal-an’s counsel never fell asleep during trial, but functioned appropriately and competently, was supported by the evidence presented at the hearing, including the judge’s own observations of counsel’s trial performance. Cf. Dows v. Wood, 211 F.3d 480, 487 (9th Cir.2000) (trial judge was in good position to evaluate attorney’s actual performance). Healan has not rebutted the trial court’s findings by clear and convincing evidence. See 28 U.S.C. § 2254 (e)(1).

The California Court of Appeal’s decision was neither “contrary to” nor an “unreasonable application of’ Supreme Court precedent. 28 U.S.C. § 2254 (d)(1). No Supreme Court case holds “that prejudice shall be presumed in circumstances” where the attorney may be mentally impaired. Dows, 211…