Opinion
C.A. No. 11-98 Erie.
May 31, 2011
OPINION AND ORDER
I. INTRODUCTION
This is a petition for writ of habeas corpus, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254, filed by a state prisoner presently incarcerated at the State Correctional Institution at Albion in the Western District of Pennsylvania. In his petition, Petitioner Kenneth Raymond states that he was challenges his conviction and sentence that was imposed by the Court of Common Pleas of Centre County, Pennsylvania, on October 19, 2005. As relief, Petitioner seeks remand for a new trial and evidentiary hearing, dismissal of charges, and change of venue.
II. DISCUSSION
Title 28 U.S.C. § 2241(d) provides that where an application for a writ of habeas corpus is made by a person in custody under the judgment and sentence of a state court of a state which contains two or more federal judicial districts,
the application may be filed in the district court for the district wherein such person is in custody or in the district court for the district within which the state court was held which convicted and sentenced him and each of such district courts shall have concurrent jurisdiction to entertain the application. The district court for the district wherein such an application is filed in the exercise of its discretion and in furtherance of justice may transfer the application to the other district court for hearing and determination.28 U.S.C. § 2241(d). See also, Bell v. Watkins, 692 F.2d 999 (5th Cir. 1982) (the district court transferred the action on the basis of the magistrate's recommendation which indicated that the district where the defendant was convicted was the more convenient forum because of the accessibility of evidence).
In the case at bar, Petitioner was apparently tried and convicted of the challenged offenses in Centre County, Pennsylvania. Petitioner's records are located there. He is presently incarcerated at the State Correctional Institution at Albion, within the Western District of Pennsylvania. Centre County is located in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. This Court finds that the interests of justice would be better served by transferring this petition to the Middle District of Pennsylvania wherein all activity in this case occurred.
An appropriate Order follows.
ORDER
AND NOW, this 31st day of May, 2011, it is hereby ORDERED, ADJUDGED and DECREED that this case is transferred to the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.Upon transfer, the Clerk is directed to mark this case closed.