52 F3d 339 United States v. L Pettit

52 F.3d 339

UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee,
v.
Robert L. PETTIT, Defendant-Appellant.

No. 94-3143.

United States Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit.

April 7, 1995.

NOTICE: Although citation of unpublished opinions remains unfavored, unpublished opinions may now be cited if the opinion has persuasive value on a material issue, and a copy is attached to the citing document or, if cited in oral argument, copies are furnished to the Court and all parties. See General Order of November 29, 1993, suspending 10th Cir. Rule 36.3 until December 31, 1995, or further order.

Before ANDERSON, BALDOCK, and BRORBY, Circuit Judges.

ORDER AND JUDGMENT1

1

After examining the briefs and appellate record, this panel has determined unanimously that oral argument would not materially assist the determination of this appeal. See Fed. R.App. P. 34(a); 10th Cir. R. 34.1.9. The cause is therefore ordered submitted without oral argument.

2

Robert L. Pettit is before us a third time. He was convicted in 1989 for possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute and sentenced to 120 months' imprisonment. On appeal we affirmed his conviction but remanded the case for resentencing. United States v. Pettit, 903 F.2d 1336 (10th Cir.), cert. denied, 498 U.S. 873 (1990). The district court then imposed a sentence of 97 months' imprisonment, and we affirmed. United States v. Pettit, 938 F.2d 175 (10th Cir.1991).

3

On January 23, 1994, Mr. Pettit filed a pleading entitled "A Petition For Extraordinary Writ in the Nature of Error Coram Nobis Pursuant to Title 28 U.S.C. Section 1651" alleging trial errors relating to cross-examination, and improper argument by the prosecutor. As the district court correctly observed, Coram Nobis is an improper avenue of relief for one who is still incarcerated--as Mr. Pettit is. See United States v. Folak, 865 F.2d 110, 113 (7th Cir.1988). A petition for a writ of habeas corpus, 28 U.S.C. 2255, is the only procedure available to Mr. Pettit on this record. He is procedurally barred from raising the issues in question, United States v. Allen, 16 F.3d 377 (10th Cir.1994), and has failed to establish any exception to that rule.

4

The judgment of the district court is AFFIRMED. The mandate shall issue forthwith.

1

This order and judgment is not binding precedent, except under the doctrines of law of the case, res judicata, and collateral estoppel. The court generally disfavors the citation of orders and judgments; nevertheless, an order and judgment may be cited under the terms and conditions of the court's General Order filed November 29, 1993. 151 F.R.D. 470