Bartell v. Salmonsen ( 2021 )


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  •                                                                                                09/21/2021
    IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF MONTANA                                Case Number: OP 21-0462
    OP 21-0462
    FILED
    WESLEY J. BARTELL,
    SEP 21 2021
    Bowen Greenwood
    Petitioner,                                                 Clerk of Supreme Court
    State of Montana
    v.
    ORDER
    JIM SALMONSEN, Warden,
    Montana State Prison, Deer Lodge,
    Respondent.
    Wesley J. Bartell has filed a Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus, "[c]hallenging [his]
    Unlawful and I11ega1 [Judgment] and Imprisonment . . . ." Bartell explains that is seeking
    redress under several U.S. Constitution Amendments—First, Fifth, and Fourteenth—
    because of the lack of subject matter jurisdiction, void judgment, judicial bias, void
    inforrnation, and lack of actual probable cause. He states that his due process rights have
    been violated.       He also rnoves this Court "TO COMPEL ALL CASE FILES,
    DISCOVERY, TRANSCRIPTS AND COURT RECORDS PURSUANT TO M.R.APP.P.
    8(3) AND FOR THE PURPOSE OF COMPLYING WITH THE REQUIREMENTS SET
    FORTH IN M.C.A. § 46-22-201(1),(b)." (Ernphasis in original.) Bartell provides that only
    when he receives all the documentation will he be able to comply with § 46-22-201(1)(b),
    MCA, which states "why the imprisonment or restraint is unlawful[.]"
    Bartell's imprisonment is not unlawful. This Court secured copies of relevant
    documents. In 2018, Bartell entered a guilty plea to felony failure to follow the geographic
    restriction applicable to high-risk sexual offenders in the Lake County District Court. On
    March 21, 2018, the District Court deferred imposition of a three-year sentence. Bartell
    violated conditions of probation about a month later. In 2019, the District Court revoked
    the original sentence, imposing a five-year, unsuspended term of commitment to the
    Department of Corrections, to run concurrently with another sentence. Bartell did not
    appeal.
    Bartell's challenges to his imprisonment are not properly before this Court because
    the challenges go to his conviction. By not appealing, Bartell has thus exhausted his
    remedy of appeal. Section 46-22-101(2), MCA. The remedy of habeas corpus is not a
    substitute for a direct appeal of a conviction and sentence. An appeal is the proper forum
    in which to litigate issues arising from a conviction and sentence. State v. Wright, 
    2001 MT 282
    , ¶¶ 36-37, 
    307 Mont. 349
    , 
    42 P.3d 753
    . Bartell is precluded from challenging
    jurisdiction, the charging docurnents, or probable cause here. See Montgomery v. State,
    
    2015 MT 151
    , ¶ 11, 
    379 Mont. 353
    , 
    350 P.3d 77
     ("The District Court had subject matter
    jurisdiction over the felonies as stated in Mont. Const. art. VII, § 4(1) and § 3-5-302(1)(a),
    MCA, and the court granted leave for the prosecution to commence. Section 46-11-101(3),
    MCA.").
    Bartell's motion is unwarranted. In an original proceeding, such as his petition for
    habeas corpus relief, the court record rule of M. R. App. P. 8(3) does not apply. M. R.
    App. P. 8(3) applies to direct appeals, not petitions for extraordinary relief A petition must
    set forth the facts, legal questions, and authorities, pursuant to M. R. App. P. 14(5). A
    petition for extraordinary relief should not be used to obtain copies of court records,
    charging documents, or other pleadings.
    This Court concludes that Bartell is not entitled to habeas corpus relief Section
    46-22-101(1), MCA; Lott v. State, 
    2006 MT 279
    , ¶ 19, 
    334 Mont. 270
    , 
    150 P.3d 337
    .
    Therefore,
    IT IS ORDERED that Bartell's Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus is DENIED and
    DISMISSED.
    IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Bartell's pending rnotion is DENIED.
    The Clerk is directed to provide a copy of this Order to counsel of record and to
    Wesley J. Bartell personally.
    , 5-4-
    DATED this -e-- I. day of Septernber, 2021.
    Liviolige             -4
    3
    2
    . ?-i noi,t.11.,..
    Justices
    3
    

Document Info

Docket Number: OP 21-0462

Filed Date: 9/21/2021

Precedential Status: Non-Precedential

Modified Date: 9/21/2021