BROWN v. ROBINSON (2019)

Tyrell O'Neal Brown, a state prisoner, appeals the district court's order dismissing without prejudice his 28 U.S.C. § 2241 (2012) petition for failure to pay the filing fee.^* Review of the district court's docket reveals that, shortly after the district court entered the dismissal order, Brown paid the filing fee. The district court subsequently reinstated Brown's § 2241 petition, albeit under a new case number. See Brown v. Robinson, No. 3:18-cv-00135-HEH-RCY (E.D. Va., PACER No. 12). By virtue of this order, the district court effectively granted Brown the only relief he could have obtained by way of this appeal. Accordingly, we dismiss this appeal as moot. See CVLR Performance Horses, Inc. v. Wynne, 792 F.3d 469, 474 (4th Cir. 2015) (“Litigation may become moot during the pendency of an appeal when an intervening event makes it impossible for the court to grant effective relief to the prevailing party.”). We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before this court and argument would not aid the decisional process.

DISMISSED

FOOTNOTES

FOOTNOTE.   Although a certificate of appealability generally is required to appeal “the final order in a habeas corpus proceeding,” 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c)(1)(A) (2012), we conclude that no certificate of appealability is required here because the district court's dismissal for failure to pay the filing fee is unrelated to the merits of the § 2241 petition. See Harbison v. Bell, 556 U.S. 180, 183, 129 S.Ct. 1481, 173 L.Ed.2d 347 (2009); United States v. McRae, 793 F.3d 392, 399-400 (4th Cir. 2015).

PER CURIAM:

Dismissed by unpublished per curiam opinion. Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit.