Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-5_04-cv-04408/USCOURTS-cand-5_04-cv-04408-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 530
Nature of Suit: Prisoner Petitions - Habeas Corpus
Cause of Action: 28:2254 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (State)

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

SAN JOSE DIVISION

GEORGE RED, JR.,

Petitioner(s),

 v.

D. L. RUNNELS, Warden,

Respondent(s). /

NO. C 04-04408 JW 

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE

Docs # 2, 4 & 5

Petitioner, a state prisoner incarcerated at High Desert State Prison, has filed a pro se

petition for a writ of habeas corpus under 28 U.S.C. § 2254. He also seeks an evidentiary

hearing and leave to proceed in forma pauperis under 28 U.S.C. § 1915.

BACKGROUND

Petitioner was convicted by a jury in the Superior Court of the State of California in

and for the County of Santa Clara of multiple counts of bank robbery and attempting to

evade a police officer while driving recklessly. The court found true allegations that

petitioner had suffered 11 prior “strike” convictions and, on May 24, 2002, sentenced him to

95 years to life in state prison. 

The California Court of Appeal struck two five-year enhancements and otherwise

affirmed the judgment of the trial court. On November 12, 2003, the Supreme Court of

Case 5:04-cv-04408-JW Document 8 Filed 05/09/06 Page 1 of 4
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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California denied review. The instant federal petition followed.

DISCUSSION

A. Standard of Review

This court may entertain a petition for a writ of habeas corpus "in behalf of a person in

custody pursuant to the judgment of a State court only on the ground that he is in custody in

violation of the Constitution or laws or treaties of the United States." 28 U.S.C. § 2254(a). 

It shall "award the writ or issue an order directing the respondent to show cause why

the writ should not be granted, unless it appears from the application that the applicant or

person detained is not entitled thereto." Id. § 2243. 

B. Claims

Petitioner seeks federal habeas corpus relief by raising claims of instructional error

and ineffective assistance of counsel. Liberally construed, the claims appear cognizable

under § 2254 and merit an answer from respondent. See Zichko v. Idaho, 247 F.3d 1015,

1020 (9th Cir. 2001) (federal courts must construe pro se petitions for writs of habeas corpus

liberally).

Petitioner’s request for an evidentiary hearing (doc # 5) is DENIED as premature. 

The court will hold an evidentiary hearing on its own motion if one is deemed necessary.

CONCLUSION 

For the foregoing reasons and for good cause shown,

1. Petitioner's request to proceed in forma pauperis (docs # 2 & 4) is GRANTED.

2. The clerk shall serve a copy of this order and the petition and all attachments

thereto on respondent and respondent's attorney, the Attorney General of the State of

California. The clerk also shall serve a copy of this order on petitioner. 

3. Respondent shall file with the court and serve on petitioner, within 60 days of

the issuance of this order, an answer conforming in all respects to Rule 5 of the Rules

Governing Section 2254 Cases, showing cause why a writ of habeas corpus should not be

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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granted. Respondent shall file with the answer and serve on petitioner a copy of all portions

of the state trial record that have been transcribed previously and that are relevant to a

determination of the issues presented by the petition. 

If petitioner wishes to respond to the answer, he shall do so by filing a traverse with

the court and serving it on respondent within 30 days of his receipt of the answer.

4. Respondent may file a motion to dismiss on procedural grounds in lieu of an

answer, as set forth in the Advisory Committee Notes to Rule 4 of the Rules Governing

Section 2254 Cases. If respondent files such a motion, petitioner shall file with the court and

serve on respondent an opposition or statement of non-opposition within 30 days of receipt

of the motion, and respondent shall file with the court and serve on petitioner a reply within

15 days of receipt of any opposition.

5. Petitioner is reminded that all communications with the court must be served

on respondent by mailing a true copy of the document to respondent’s counsel. Petitioner

must also keep the court and all parties informed of any change of address.

Dated: May 8, 2006 

JAMES WARE

United States District Judge

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT COPIES OF THIS ORDER HAVE BEEN DELIVERED TO:

George Red

High Desert State Prison

P. O. Box 3030

Susanville, Ca 96127

Dated: May 9, 2006 Richard W. Wieking, Clerk

By: /s/JW Chambers 

Melissa Peralta

Courtroom Deputy

Case 5:04-cv-04408-JW Document 8 Filed 05/09/06 Page 4 of 4