SMITH v. JOHNSON

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY JAMA SMITH , Civil Action No. 16-3701 (MCA) Petitioner, v. MEMORANDUM OPINION STEVEN JOHNSON, et al., Respondents. This matter has been opened to the Court following supplemental briefing regarding Grounds Seven and Nine of Petitioner’s Petition, which assert ineffective assistance of counsel claims pursuant to Lafler v. Cooper,

566 U.S. 156

(2012) (“Lafler Claim”). The Court previously denied the Petition in part and deferred decision on Grounds Seven and Nine and on issuance of a certificate of appealability (“COA”). For the reasons…