Jose C. Garcia Versus Tim Hooper

JOSE C. GARCIA NO. 24-KH-468

VERSUS FIFTH CIRCUIT

TIM HOOPER COURT OF APPEAL

STATE OF LOUISIANA

October 28, 2024

Linda Wiseman
First Deputy Clerk

IN RE JOSE C. GARCIA

APPLYING FOR SUPERVISORY WRIT FROM THE TWENTY-FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT,
PARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA, DIRECTED TO THE HONORABLE FRANK A.
BRINDISI, DIVISION "E", NUMBER 08-5641

Panel composed of Judges Stephen J. Windhorst,
Scott U. Schlegel, and Timothy S. Marcel

WRIT DENIED

In this pro se writ application, relator, Jose C. Garcia, seeks review of the trial

court’s August 28, 2024 denial of his application for post-conviction relief.

In November 2010, a unanimous jury found relator guilty of three counts of

second degree murder, and the trial court sentenced relator to life imprisonment at

hard labor on each count. The trial court ordered the sentences to run consecutively.

In January 2012, this court affirmed relator’s convictions and sentences, and relator

did not did not file a writ application with the Louisiana Supreme Court. State v.

Cornejo-Garcia, 11-619 (La. App. 5 Cir. 1/24/12), 90 So.3d 458.

In July 2024, relator filed an APCR with the district court, asserting:

(1) Louisiana’s non-unanimous jury verdict system violated the Equal Protection

Clause; (2) defective grand jury indictment; and (3) unconstitutional jury instruction.

The trial court denied relator’s APCR because it was untimely and relator failed to

prove any exception applied under La. C.Cr.P. art. 930.8.

Relator asserts the same claims in this writ application. Upon review, we

agree with the trial court that relator’s APCR is untimely under La. C.Cr.P. art.

930.8, which requires a defendant to file an APCR within two years of the judgment

of conviction and sentencing become final. Relator’s convictions and sentences

became final in 2012. See State v. Cornejo-Garcia, 11-619 (La. App. 5 Cir. 1/24/12),

90 So.3d 458. He filed this APCR more than ten years later in 2024. We also find

none of the exceptions set forth in La. C.Cr.P. art. 930.8 A(1), (2), (3), or (4) apply

to relator’s case because his claim does not rest on newly discovered evidence or an

unknown interpretation of constitutional law, his application was filed after October

1, 2001, and he was not sentenced to death.

Accordingly, we deny this writ application.

Gretna, Louisiana, this 28th day of October, 2024.

SJW
SUS
TSM

SUSAN M. CHEHARDY CURTIS B. PURSELL

CHIEF JUDGE CLERK OF COURT

SUSAN S. BUCHHOLZ
FREDERICKA H. WICKER
CHIEF DEPUTY CLERK
JUDE G. GRAVOIS
MARC E. JOHNSON
STEPHEN J. WINDHORST LINDA M. WISEMAN
JOHN J. MOLAISON, JR.
FIRST DEPUTY CLERK
SCOTT U. SCHLEGEL
TIMOTHY S. MARCEL FIFTH CIRCUIT
MELISSA C. LEDET
JUDGES 101 DERBIGNY STREET (70053)
DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL STAFF
POST OFFICE BOX 489
GRETNA, LOUISIANA 70054 (504) 376-1400

(504) 376-1498 FAX
www.fifthcircuit.org

NOTICE OF DISPOSITION CERTIFICATE OF DELIVERY
I CERTIFY THAT A COPY OF THE DISPOSITION IN THE FOREGOING MATTER HAS BEEN
TRANSMITTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH UNIFORM RULES - COURT OF APPEAL, RULE 4-6 THIS
DAY 10/28/2024 TO THE TRIAL JUDGE, THE TRIAL COURT CLERK OF COURT, AND AT LEAST ONE OF
THE COUNSEL OF RECORD FOR EACH PARTY, AND TO EACH PARTY NOT REPRESENTED BY
COUNSEL, AS LISTED BELOW:

24-KH-468
E-NOTIFIED
24th Judicial District Court (Clerk)
Honorable Frank A. Brindisi (DISTRICT JUDGE)
Thomas J. Butler (Respondent)

MAILED
Jose C. Garcia #475721 (Relator)
Louisiana State Penitentiary
Angola, LA 70712