Opinion
No. 2016–KP–0248
11-15-2016
STATE of Louisiana v. Chadward Channell WELCH
PER CURIAM:
Denied. Relator's sentencing claim is not cognizable on collateral review. La.C.Cr.P. art. 930.3 ; State ex rel. Melinie v. State, 93–1380 (La. 1/12/96), 665 So.2d 1172 ; see also State v. Cotton, 09–2397 (La. 10/15/10), 45 So.3d 1030 ; State v. Thomas, 08–2912 (La. 10/16/09), 19 So.3d 466.
Relator has now fully litigated his application for post-conviction relief in state court. Similar to federal habeas relief, see 28 U.S.C. § 2244, Louisiana post-conviction procedure envisions the filing of a second or successive application only under the narrow circumstances provided in La.C.Cr.P. art. 930.4 and within the limitations period as set out in La.C.Cr.P. art. 930.8. Notably, the Legislature in 2013 La. Acts 251 amended that article to make the procedural bars against successive filings mandatory. Relator's claims have now been fully litigated in accord with La.C.Cr.P. art. 930.6, and this denial is final. Hereafter, unless he can show that one of the narrow exceptions authorizing the filing of a successive application applies, relator has exhausted his right to state collateral review. The District Court is ordered to record a minute entry consistent with this per curiam.