Smith v. Fischer

OPINION

SWEET, District Judge.

Petitioner Patrick Smith (“Mr. Smith” or “Petitioner”) has petitioned for a writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254, opposed by respondent Superintendent Brian Fischer (“Mr. Fischer” or the “Respondent”).

The instant matter centers on the testimony of an informant in Petitioner’s criminal trial. The issue presented here is whether Petitioner’s trial counsel provided ineffective assistance by failing to seek a hearing with respect to the informant, pursuant to Massiah v. United States, 377 U.S. 201, 84 S.Ct. 1199, 12 L.Ed.2d 246 (1964).

For the reasons set…