Justia Federal District Court Opinions

This appeal is taken from an order of the district court denying the motion of a federal prisoner to vacate sentence pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255.* We affirm.

Appellant was convicted upon a jury trial for conspiring to sell narcotics, a violation of 26 U.S.C. § 7237(b), and was sentenced to five years imprisonment. On direct appeal the conviction was affirmed by the Court. Holsen v. United States, 5th Cir. 1968, 392 F.2d 292. The Supreme Court denied certiorari at 393 U.S. 1029, 89 S.Ct. 640, 21 L.Ed.2d 573.

In his § 2255 motion appellant alleged as grounds for relief:

1) that his desire to call as a witness a co-indictee, Joseph McConnell, Jr., was thwarted by the trial court's ruling that by taking the stand McConnell would waive his right against self-incrimination as to all questions asked of him;

2) that the nine month delay between the offense and his arrest effectually denied him a speedy trial; and

3) that the sale of narcotics to undercover agents at McConnell's residence constituted an illegal search and seizure since the agents gained entry by means of false representations.

Although the District Court denied relief without making full findings of fact and conclusions of law, it is unnecessary to remand for such findings and conclusions (Shale v. United States, 5th Cir. 1969, 409 F.2d 412; Welch v. Beto, 5th Cir. 1968, 400 F.2d 582; Waters v. Beto, 5th Cir. 1968, 392 F.2d 74) since the appellant's allegations fail to present a basis for relief as a matter of law.

The first two issues raised by appellant were considered by this court on direct appeal and were decided adversely to him. The District Court was not in error in not redetermining them. Blackwell v. United States, 5th Cir. 1970, 429 F.2d 514; see also Sanders v. United States, 1963, 373 U.S. 1, 83 S.Ct. 1068, 10 L.Ed.2d 148; Houston v. United States, 5th Cir. 1969, 419 F.2d 30.

As to appellant's final allegation, the Supreme Court has held the contrary. Lewis v. United States, 1966, 385 U.S. 206, 87 S.Ct. 424, 17 L.Ed.2d 312.

The judgment below is affirmed.

Affirmed.

APPENDIX

United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama

Filed: Sep. 18, 1969

Grady Monroe Holsen vs. United States of America

Civil 5669-69-P

  Motion to Vacate Judgment and Sentence

    Motion Denied this 11/25/69
               s/Illegible