Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_06-cv-00942/USCOURTS-caed-1_06-cv-00942-8/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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06dp000942.OApptgCounsel.SanNic.wpd 1

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

RODNEY JESSE SAN NICOLAS, )

)

Petitioner, )

)

vs. )

)

ROBERT L. AYERS, JR., as Warden )

of San Quentin State Prison, )

)

Respondent. )

)

Case No. 1:06-CV-00942-LJO

DEATH PENALTY CASE

ORDER APPOINTING COUNSEL

On July 20, 2006, Petitioner Rodney Jesse San Nicolas (“San Nicolas”) commenced this action

pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254 by electronically filing a combined request for appointment of counsel,

for stay of execution, and to proceed in forma pauperis. San Nicolas’s request for appointment of

counsel was granted on July 21, 2006, and the matter was referred to the Selection Board for the Eastern

District of California to recommend counsel to represent him. San Nicolas’s request for a stay of

execution was granted and all court and other proceedings related to the execution of his sentence of

death were stayed temporarily pending appointment of counsel. Two extensions of the temporary stay

of execution pending appointment of counsel were granted.

On January 16, 2007, the Court received a letter from the Selection Board recommending the

appointment of WesleyA. Van Winkle as co-counsel, but serving alone on an interim basis until another

attorney to serve as co-counsel to Mr. Van Winkle could be located. Because of concerns regarding the

running of the statute of limitations, the Selection Board recommended that Mr. Van Winkle be

appointed at once, with the understanding that separate counsel would be appointed as soon as

availability and qualification issues were resolved. Since that time, the Capital Habeas Unit of the

Case 1:06-cv-00942-KES Document 41 Filed 03/30/07 Page 1 of 2
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06dp000942.OApptgCounsel.SanNic.wpd 2

Office of the Federal Defender has been assessing whetherit would be able to accept appointment as cocounsel. The decision of the Federal Defender in this regard has been tied to federal budgetary restraints.

On February 2, 2007, the Court appointed Mr. Van Winkle as interim counsel retroactive to

January 24, 2007. On March 30, 2007, the Selection Board, by letter, advised the Court that the the

Federal Defender’s Office would be available for appointment as Mr. Van Winkle’s co-counsel, with

Assistant Federal Defender Harry Simon as the attorney designated to work with Mr. Van Winkle on

San Nicolas’s case. The Court accepts the Selection Board’s recommendation. Effective March 30,

2007, Mr. Van Winkle and Mr. Simon are co-counsel in this case.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: March 30, 2007 

 /s/ Lawrence J. O’Neill 

Lawrence J. O’Neill

 United States District Judge

Case 1:06-cv-00942-KES Document 41 Filed 03/30/07 Page 2 of 2