Reinke

MEMORANDUM **

John Wesley Reinke appeals the district court’s denial of his 28 U.S.C. § 2254 petition. We have jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2253 , and we affirm.

Reinke contends that a supplemental jury instruction given by the trial court impermissibly lowered the state’s burden of proof. The government contends that this court should not reach the merits of Reinke’s claim because it was procedurally defaulted. Although the district court addressed the merits of Reinke’s claim, we can affirm on any ground supported by the record. See White v. Klitzkie, 281 F.3d 920, 922 (9th Cir.2002).

We agree with the government and do not reach the merits of Reinke’s claim because the state court applied an independent and adequate state procedural ground in ruling that the claim was procedurally defaulted. See Coleman v. Thompson, 501 U.S. 722, 750 , 111 S.Ct. 2546 , 115 L.Ed.2d 640 (1991) (holding that federal review of claims is barred where those claims have been defaulted in state court pursuant to an independent and adequate state procedural rule unless the petitioner can demonstrate cause and prejudice); accord Bennett v. Mueller, 322 F.3d 573, 580 (9th Cir.2003); see also…