Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_93-cv-05531/USCOURTS-caed-1_93-cv-05531-2/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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93dp05531.ODenyWithoutPrejReq4Stay.ben.wpd

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

CHAY’IM BEN-SHOLOM )

a.k.a. Ryan Michael Marshall, )

)

Petitioner, )

)

vs. )

)

ROBERT L. AYERS, JR., as Warden )

of San Quentin State Prison, )

)

Respondent. )

)

Case No. 1:93-CV-05531 AWI

DEATH PENALTY CASE

ORDER DENYING WITHOUT PREJUDICE

RESPONDENT’S REQUEST TO STAY

DIRECTIVE TO STATE COURT TO

VACATE PETITIONER’S DEATH

SENTENCE

This matter is before the Court on the August 26 and 27, 2008 requests by Respondent Robert

L. Ayers, Jr., as Warden of San Quentin State Prison (the “Warden”) to stay the July 11, 2008 order

directing the State of California to set aside the death sentence of Petitioner Chay’im Ben-Sholom

(“Ben-Sholom”) in People v. Ryan Michael Marshall, Tulare County Superior Court Case No. 23087,

and either resentence him to a prison term of life without parole or initiate proceedings to retry the

penalty phase within 90 days. Although the Warden is not appealing the July 11, 2008 order granting

penalty phase relief, Ben-Sholom is appealing the denial of guilt phase relief and if he is successful on

appeal the State of California will be faced with retrying him. The Warden is concerned that BenSholom may receive two retrials, one for the penalty following the July 11, 2008 order, and one for the

conviction and death eligibility special circumstances in the event his appeal to the Ninth Circuit is

successful. He argues that multiple retrials will strain the resources of Tulare County, the situs of any

retrial.

Case 1:93-cv-05531-AWI Document 438 Filed 08/28/08 Page 1 of 2
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93dp05531.ODenyWithoutPrejReq4Stay.ben.wpd 2

The Court does not disagree with the Warden’s concerns. However, the Warden has provided

no support for the notion that the TulareCountyDistrict Attorney intends to retryBen-Sholom’s penalty

phase. Absent an indication from the Tulare County District Attorney that the office will retry BenSholom, the July 11, 2008 order stands. The Warden’s request to stay that order is denied without

prejudice.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: August 27, 2008 /s/ Anthony W. Ishii 

Anthony W. Ishii

United States District Judge

Case 1:93-cv-05531-AWI Document 438 Filed 08/28/08 Page 2 of 2