Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-arwd-1_01-cv-01125/USCOURTS-arwd-1_01-cv-01125-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 535
Nature of Suit: Habeas Corpus - Death Penalty
Cause of Action: 28:2254 Ptn for Writ of H/C - Stay of Execution

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AO72A

(Rev. 8/82)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS

EL DORADO DIVISION

ROGER LEWIS COULTER PETITIONER

v. Case No. 01-1125

LARRY NORRIS, Director,

Arkansas Department of Corrections RESPONDENT

ORDER

Currently before the Court are two motions filed by Respondent,

a Motion to Lift Stay (Doc. 36) and a Motion for Summary Judgment

(Doc. 37). For the reasons that follow, the motions are DENIED as

provided herein.

In the Court Order dated May 24, 2004, this Court dismissed the

single unexhausted claim and stayed the remaining exhausted claims,

holding the petition in abeyance. (Doc. 28.) The stay was

predicated on the condition that Petitioner affirmatively seek

relief on the unexhausted claim from the state of Arkansas within 90

days of the date of the Order and that Petitioner act within 90 days

of the full exhaustion of the unexhausted claim at the state level

to seek to have the stay lifted by this Court on the remaining

claims. Id.

On February 9, 2006, the Arkansas Supreme Court issued a denial

of Petitioner’s Motion to Recall the Mandate or, Alternatively, for

a Writ of Error Coram Nobis. Coulter v. State, 2006 WL 301082

(Ark.). Petitioner has stated that the petition for rehearing was

due on February 27, 2006. (Doc. 39, Response to Motion to Lift Stay

and Motion for Summary Judgement, p.2.) Additionally, a petition

Case 1:01-cv-01125-SOH Document 40 Filed 03/22/06 Page 1 of 2 PageID #: <pageID>
AO72A

(Rev. 8/82)

2

for writ of certiorari, if one becomes necessary, will be due 90

days following a denial of rehearing by the Arkansas Supreme Court.

Id.

As the state proceedings have not become final, full exhaustion

has yet to occur. Petitioner has 90 days after full exhaustion to

request the stay be lifted. Respondent’s request for the stay to be

lifted is premature. Based on the foregoing, Respondent’s Motion to

Lift Stay and Respondent’s Motion for Summary Judgment are DENIED as

premature. 

IT IS SO ORDERED this 22 day of March 2006. nd

/S/ Harry F. Barnes 

Harry F. Barnes

United States District Judge 

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