The Michigan Court of Appeals denied leave to appeal on the basis that the petitioner failed to meet the burden of establishing entitlement to relief under Michigan Court Rule 6.508(D), People v. Blanch, No. 319189 (Mich. Ct. App. Jan. 16, 2014), and the state supreme court denied leave to appeal for the same reason, People v. Blanch, 497 Mich. 867, 853 N.W.2d 366 (2014). On October 22, 2014, the petitioner commenced this action, raising the claims that he presented to the state court on direct appeal and in his motion for relief from judgment.