Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_07-cv-01199/USCOURTS-caed-1_07-cv-01199-5/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 190
Nature of Suit: Other Contract Actions
Cause of Action: 28:1332 Diversity-Injunctive &amp; Declaratory Relief

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95dp-5309.OReReq2Conduct3Depos.Ber.wpd 1

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE 

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

RODNEY BERRYMAN, Sr., )

) 

Petitioner, )

)

vs. )

)

ROBERT L. AYERS, Jr., as Warden of )

San Quentin State Prison, )

)

Respondent )

)

Case No. 1:95-cv-05309-AWI

DEATH PENALTY CASE

ORDER RE: PETITIONER’S REQUEST TO

CONDUCT THIRD-PARTY DEPOSITIONS

This matter is before the Court on the request of Petitioner RodneyBerryman, Sr. (“Berryman”)

to conduct the third-party depositions of Juror David Armendariz, trial investigator assistant Ed Beadle,

and trial counsel George Peterson. Berryman also requests clarification from the Court as to the scope

of the anticipated testimony to be elicited from these witnesses. His request follows the Court’s August

15, 2008 order concerning Berryman’s earlier application for an evidentiary hearing on Claim 18 of the

Petition, which alleges that trial co-counsel, Charles Soria, was asleep during a substantial portion of

the penalty phase proceedings of the trial. In the August 15, 2008 order, the Court explained that if no

recording of Mr. Armendariz’s February 21, 2008 interview existed, Berryman’s attorneys could take

Mr. Armendariz’s deposition. The Court also indicated that if there were other witnesses competent to

testify about Mr. Soria’s alleged somnolence, Berryman should so advise the Court. 

Deposition of David Armendariz.

Since the Court previously authorized Berryman’s litigation team to serve a subpoena on Mr.

Armendariz and notice his deposition, no further authorization is necessary. The request remains

granted.

Case 1:07-cv-01199-AWI-GSA Document 36 Filed 08/28/08 Page 1 of 2
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95dp-5309.OReReq2Conduct3Depos.Ber.wpd 2

Deposition of Ed Beadle.

Berryman’s current request clarifies that Mr.Beadle’s deposition would be taken for the purpose

of establishing greater definition of Mr. Soria’s role at the penalty phase. He also states that the focus

of the depositions of both Mr. Beadle and Mr. Peterson will be on Mr. Soria’s somnolence and the

prejudice arising from Mr. Soria’s alleged somnolence. 

The request is denied. The Court previously granted Berryman leave to conduct discovery

concerning the issue of whether Mr. Soria slept during a substantial portion of the penalty phase

proceedings of the trial. Although Berryman makes the ambiguous statement that the Beadle and

Peterson depositions both will focus on somnolence and prejudice, this statement comes more in the

context of the request to take Mr. Peterson’s deposition. Berryman’s explanation of the testimony he

intends to elicit from Mr. Beadle does not concern the issue of whether Mr. Soria was asleep or

inattentive during the actual trial proceedings.

Deposition of George Peterson.

Berryman points out that Mr. Peterson has been uncooperative during investigative efforts

undertaken in this habeas corpus proceeding. Further, Berryman reports that Mr. Peterson’s curt

responses have been ambiguous and unenlightening on the subject of Mr. Soria’s somnolence.

Berryman further argues that Mr. Peterson’s penalty phase performance was insufficient and assistance

from Mr. Soria “should have been welcomed.” The request to depose Mr. Peterson is granted, but the

scope of the questioning shall be limited to the issue of Mr. Soria’s attentiveness during penalty

proceedings. The Court already has determined that Mr. Peterson’s penalty phase performance was

within constitutional limits under Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 688 (1984).

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATE: August 27, 2008 

 /s/ Anthony W. Ishii 

Anthony W. Ishii 

 United States District Judge

Case 1:07-cv-01199-AWI-GSA Document 36 Filed 08/28/08 Page 2 of 2