Edwards, Jr. v. Cantrell

1
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
FAYETTEVILLE DIVISION
CHRISTOPHER EDWARDS, JR. 	PLAINTIFF/PETITIONER
V. 	CASE NO.: 5:25-CV-5059
SHERIFF JAY CANTRELL 	DEFENDANT/RESPONDENT
ORDER
Before the Court is the Report and Recommendation (“R&R”) (Doc. 4) of the
Honorable Christy Comstock, United States Magistrate Judge for the Western District of
Arkansas, regarding Christopher Edwards, Jr.’s Petition for Habeas Relief pursuant to 28
U.S.C. § 2254. The Magistrate Judge recommends denying the Petition.
On April 2, 2025, Mr. Edwards filed Objections to the R&R (Doc. 7), which
prompted the Court to conduct a de novo review of the record as required by 28 U.S.C.
§ 636(b)(1)(C). Upon review of Mr. Edwards’s Objections, the Court concludes that they
fail to engage with the R&R’s legal reasoning. Abstention is not only appropriate here but
required pursuant to the doctrine announced in Younger v. Harris, 401 U.S. 37 (1971).
Mr. Edwards has been appointed counsel in his state criminal proceeding. Though he
does not appear satisfied with his counsel’s work thus far, there is no reason why he
cannot raise the constitutional questions at issue here in his state criminal case.
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that the Objections are OVERRULED, the R&R is
ADOPTED in full, and the Petition for Habeas Relief pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254 (Doc.
1) is DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE. The Clerk is directed to terminate all other pending
motions and close the case.
Case 5:25-cv-05059-TLB Document 8 Filed 04/10/25 Page 1 of 2 PageID #:
<pageID>

2
IT IS SO ORDERED on this 10th day of April, 2025.
/s/ Timothy L. Brooks
TIMOTHY L. BROOKS
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
Case 5:25-cv-05059-TLB Document 8 Filed 04/10/25 Page 2 of 2 PageID #:
<pageID>