Lawrence John Stokes v. Raymond K. Procunier, Director, Texas Department of Corrections

REAVLEY, Circuit Judge:

Lawrence John Stokes, who is on parole under the custody of the State of Texas, appeals the denial of habeas corpus relief under 28 U.S.C. § 2254. See Jones v. Cunningham, 371 U.S. 236, 83 S.Ct. 373, 9 L.Ed.2d 285 (1963). He was convicted of attempted burglary in 1973 and, because of two prior convictions, received an enhanced sentence of life imprisonment. After Stokes unsuccessfully challenged his conviction in state court, he filed this action in federal district court. The district court referred two claims — improper comment on Stokes’ post-arrest silence and…