Kenneth Lamont Davis v. Steven Smith, Warden

Summary

The United States District Court for the Central District of California accepted the magistrate judge’s findings and recommendation in Kenneth Lamont Davis’s habeas corpus action. The court denied the Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus, denied the requests for discovery and an evidentiary hearing, and dismissed the action with prejudice.

Holdings

1. Discovery was properly denied because Davis did not show good cause: he acknowledged that he already possessed the requested recording, and the discovery was not essential to developing his grounds for relief.
2. An evidentiary hearing was unwarranted because Davis's factual allegations would not entitle him to habeas relief.
3. The court accepted the findings and recommendation of the magistrate judge's Report and Recommendation after conducting de novo review of the portions to which Davis objected.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the district court should accept the magistrate judge's Report and Recommendation after conducting de novo review of the portions challenged by Davis's objections.
2. Whether Davis demonstrated good cause for discovery in his habeas action when he already possessed the requested police-interview recording.
3. Whether an evidentiary hearing was warranted when Davis's factual allegations would not entitle him to habeas relief.

Disposition

dismissed