Robert Jerry SMITH, Jr., Petitioner-Appellant, v. William D. CATOE, Director of South Carolina Department of Corrections, Respondent-Appellee, 51 F. App'x 436

PER CURIAM. Robert Jerry Smith, Jr., seeks to appeal the district court’s order denying relief on his petition filed under 28 U.S.C. § 2254. An appeal may not be taken from the final order in a habeas corpus proceeding unless a circuit justice or judge issues a certificate of appealability. 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c)(1) (2000). A certificate of appealability will not issue for claims addressed by a district court on the merits absent “a substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional” right. 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c) (2000).

As to claims dismissed by a district court solely on procedural grounds, a certificate of appealability will not issue unless the petitioner can demonstrate both “(1) ‘that jurists of reason would find it debatable whether the petition states a valid claim of the denial of a constitutional right’ and (2) ‘that jurists of reason would find it debatable whether the district court was correct in its procedural ruling.’ ” Rose v. Lee, 252 F.3d 676, 684 (4th Cir.2001) (quoting Slack v. McDaniel, 529 U.S. 473, 484, 120 S.Ct. 1595, 146 L.Ed.2d 542 (2000)).

We have reviewed the record and conclude for the reasons stated by the district court that Smith has not satisfied either standard. See Smith v. Catoe, No. CA-00-2983-9-10 (D.S.C. May 29, 2002). Accordingly, we deny a certificate of appealability and dismiss the appeal. We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before the court and argument would not aid the decisional process. DISMISSED.