Conroy v. Thompson

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In 2004, Conroy was charged with solicitation of murder, solicitation of murder for hire, and attempted first‐degree murder. The court determined that Conroy was fit to stand trial. In 2007, Conroy pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 30 years in prison. He did not appeal. Conroy received mental health services through the Illinois Department of Corrections and, in 2007, was diagnosed with depressive and schizoaffective disorders. In 2008, Conroy’s evaluations indicated that he was “alert and oriented,” and his “[t]hought processes were logical, coherent and goal-directed.” Conroy “denied any auditory [or] visual hallucinations or delusions.” In 2009, Conroy filed an unsuccessful state court post-conviction petition, arguing that his counsel provided ineffective assistance by coercing him into pleading guilty. In 2014, Conroy filed other unsuccessful state court post-conviction motions. In 2016, Conroy filed a federal court petition under 28 U.S.C. 2254, alleging ineffective assistance. Conroy argued that the limitations period for filing his petition should be equitably tolled because his mental limitations prevented him from understanding his legal rights. The district court determined that Conroy’s mental limitations were not an extraordinary circumstance and that he failed to show that he had been reasonably diligent in pursuing his claim. The Seventh Circuit affirmed, noting evidence of Conroy’s competency in prior years. Conroy did not meet the “high bar” for equitable tolling. View "Conroy v. Thompson" on Justia Law