Michael Gonzales v. Lorie Davis, Director

This is an appeal from the district court's denial of an inmate's petition for habeas relief relating to his alleged incompetence to stand trial on capital sentencing, and for a Certificate of Appealability ("COA"). The district court erroneously granted a hearing on the merits of petitioner's claims and denied relief. We deny the petitioner a COA because his claims are procedurally barred and, alternatively, lack merit.

I. BACKGROUND

The petitioner, Michael Gonzales, was convicted of the gruesome murders of an elderly couple and was sentenced to death by an Ector County district court on…