Martel

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 DAVID EARL WILLIAMS, No. 2:18-cv-2224 KJM DB P Petitioner, v. FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS MICHAEL MARTEL, Respondent. 16 Petitioner, a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis, has filed an application for a writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254. (ECF No. 1.) Petitioner challenges his 2016 murder conviction. Presently before the court is the petition (ECF No. 1), respondent’s answer (ECF No. 14), and petitioner’s traverse for merits review (ECF No. 19). For the reasons set forth below the court will recommend that habeas relief be denied. BACKGROUND I. Procedural History A jury found petitioner guilty of murder and he was sentenced to 25 years to life in state prison in November 2001. Williams v. Woodford, 859 F.Supp.2d 1154, 1156 (E.D. Cal. Mar. 19, 2012). The conviction was affirmed on appeal. People v. Williams, No. C039886, 2003 WL 1611428…