United States Fifth Circuit

Death row inmate's request for a Certificate of Appealability (COA) is denied in its entirety over claims that: 1) his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to investigate for mitigation evidence and for failing to present such evidence during the punishment phase; 2) he was constitutionally entitled to inform the jury that, if sentenced to life imprisonment, rather than death, he would not be eligible for parole for 35 years; and 3) Texas Code of Criminal Procedure article 37.071 is unconstitutional.

Appellate Information

• Decided 01/22/2007
• Published 01/22/2007

Judges

• DENNIS, Circuit Judge:, Before HIGGINBOTHAM, BENAVIDES and DENNIS, Circuit Judges.

Court

• United States Fifth Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellant:
  
• Jani J. Maselli, Houston, TX, for Sonnier., Thomas M. Jones, Austin, TX, for Quarterman.