Opinion
19-3228-SAC
06-24-2022
CHATHA M. TATUM, Petitioner, v. TOMMY WILLIAMS, Respondent.
MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
SAM A. CROW U.S. SENIOR DISTRICT JUDGE
This matter comes before the court on petitioner's renewed motion for a copy of the state court record. He seeks access to that material out of concern of violating the exhaustion rule. Petitioner also seeks leave to proceed in forma pauperis.
As the court explained in its earlier order, the Tenth Circuit has recognized that an indigent petitioner does not have a constitutional right to a free transcript to search for error. Ruark v. Gunter, 958 F.2d 318, 319 (10th Cir. 1992)(citation omitted); see also United States v. MacCollom, 426 U.S. 317, 325-26 (1976) (plurality) (upholding constitutionality of statute limiting availability of free transcripts in federal habeas corpus actions).
The court has considered the renewed motion for copies of the state court records and will deny the request. Petitioner has not presented a persuasive argument for the access he seeks. The court will consider the arguments of the parties concerning any alleged failure to exhaust and will refer to the state court records to resolve such a dispute.
Likewise, the court finds no reason to grant petitioner's motion to proceed in forma pauperis at this time. Petitioner submitted the 1 filing fee at the commencement of this action, and that status remains in effect.
IT IS, THEREFORE, BY THE COURT ORDERED petitioner's renewed motion for a copy of the state court records (Doc. 57) is denied.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED petitioner's motion to proceed in forma pauperis (Doc. 58) is denied.
IT IS SO ORDERED. 2