Clarence Earl James v. United States

Clarence Earl James was convicted after a jury trial of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1). The court subsequently sentenced him to a term of twenty years pursuant to the enhancement sentencing provision of 18 U.S.C. § 924(e). His conviction was affirmed on direct appeal. Thereafter, he filed a pro se motion to vacate, set aside, or correct his sentence pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255, claiming ineffective assistance of counsel. The district court denied that motion.

James subsequently filed a second § 2255 motion. In it, he contended that his…