Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_97-cv-02167/USCOURTS-caed-2_97-cv-02167-17/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

---

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JEFFREY GERALD JONES, 2:97-CV-2167-MCE-CMK

Petitioner, DEATH PENALTY CASE

vs. ORDER

RON DAVIS,

Respondent.

 /

Petitioner, a state prisoner proceeding with appointed counsel, seeks a writ of

habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254. Pending before the court are: (1) respondent’s

motion to vacate the current stay of proceedings (Doc. 121); and (2) petitioner’s unopposed

motion for appointment of second counsel (Doc. 128). 

On August 28, 2009, the court issued a stipulated stay of proceeding pursuant to

Rohan ex rel. Gates v. Woodford, 334 F.3d 803 (9th Cir. 2003), based on petitioner’s

incompetence to proceed. In Rohan, the Ninth Circuit held that the statutory right to counsel in

death penalty cases carried with it a right of competence to assist counsel. That holding was

abrogated y the Supreme Court in Ryan v. Gonzales, 133 S.Ct. 696 (2013). In Ryan, the Court

concluded that, “[w]here there is no reasonable hope of competence, a stay is inappropriate and

1

Case 2:97-cv-02167-KJM-DMC Document 139 Filed 09/09/15 Page 1 of 2
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

merely frustrates the State’s attempts to defend its presumptively valid judgment.” Id. at 709. In

the current case, petitioner concedes that there is no reasonable hope of regaining competence. 

Therefore, in light of Ryan, the Rohan stay must be vacated. Respondent’s motion will be

granted. 

Petitioner seeks appointment of Michael R. Snedeker, Esq., as second counsel due

to the recent resignation of prior lead counsel, Assistant Federal Defender Joseph Schlesinger,

and staff shortages in the Federal Defender’s Capital Habeas Unit. The motion is unopposed

and, good cause appearing therefor, will be granted. 

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Respondent’s motion (Doc. 121) to vacate the August 28, 2009, stay of

proceedings is granted;

2. The stay issued on August 28, 2009, is lifted; and

3. Petitioner’s unopposed motion (Doc. 128) to appoint Michael R.

Snedeker, Esq., as second counsel is granted. 

DATED: September 8, 2015

______________________________________

CRAIG M. KELLISON

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

2

Case 2:97-cv-02167-KJM-DMC Document 139 Filed 09/09/15 Page 2 of 2