Keynel KNIGHT, Petitioner-Appellant v. Burl CAIN, Warden, Louisiana State Penitentiary, Respondent-Appellee, 456 F. App'x 464

PER CURIAM: Petitioner-Appellant Keynel Knight, Louisiana prisoner # 483673, appeals the dismissal of his application for a writ of habeas corpus challenging his 2004 conviction of second degree murder. Knight contends that trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance by interfering with his right to testify in his own behalf at trial, and that the federal district court erred in failing to develop the record as to this issue. As Knight’s ineffective-assistance claim was adjudicated by the state court on its merits, the district court’s review was limited to the record before the state court. See Cullen v.

Pinholster, — U.S. -, 131 S.Ct. 1388, 1398-1402, 179 L.Ed.2d 557 (2011). Knight’s conclusional and self-serving contentions in the state court are insufficient to carry his burden of showing that the state court’s rejection of this claim was contrary to, or involved an unreasonable application of, clearly established Federal law, as determined by the Supreme Court of the United States, or that it resulted in a decision that was based on an unreasonable determination of the facts in light of the evidence presented. See 28 U.S.C. § 2254(d). The judgment is AFFIRMED.

Pursuant to 5th Cir R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5th Cir. R. 47.5.4.