Slow Times at the Circuit (at least for Its Criminal and Habeas Docket)

Jackson v. Attorney General, Docket No. 05-2766-pr (2d Cir. Feb. 8, 2006) (Walker, Winter, Jacobs): This short habeas-related decision was rendered on February 8, 2006, but not posted on the Circuit’s website until March 10th. No harm — the Court simply holds that a Certificate of Appealability (“COA”) is required to appeal a district court’s denial of a Rule 59(e) motion (seeking to alter or amend a judgment) when the underlying judgment is one that denies or dismisses a § 2254 petition. The Court relied largely on its earlier decision in Kellogg v. Strack, 269 F.3d 100, 103 (2d Cir. 2001), which held that a COA is required to appeal from the denial of a Rule 60(b) motion (seeking relief from a judgment) when the underlying judgment is a denial or dismissal of a habeas petition.