Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_05-cv-01871/USCOURTS-caed-2_05-cv-01871-0/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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 In separate proceedings, petitioner has challenged the Board’s previous denial of parole

in 2002 (case No. CIV S-04-0584 MCE JFM P) and former Governor Davis’ reversal of the Board’s

decision to grant parole in 2003 (case No. CIV S-05-1870 FCD PAN P). The Federal Defender was

appointed to represent petitioner in case No. CIV S-04-0584 MCE JFM P, and Assistant Federal

Defender Carolyn Wiggin is petitioner’s attorney of record in that action.

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

CHARLES H. CARR, JR.,

Petitioner, No. CIV S-05-1871 DFL DAD P

vs.

RODDERICK HICKMAN, et al.,

Respondents. ORDER

 /

Petitioner, a state prisoner proceeding pro se, has filed a petition for writ of habeas

corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254. Petitioner is serving a life sentence for a murder conviction

imposed in the Butte County Superior Court. On August 11, 2004, the California Board of

Prison Terms conducted petitioner’s seventeenth parole consideration hearing and denied parole

for two years. Petitioner challenges the Board’s decision.1

Petitioner has paid the required filing fee of $5.00 but has also filed an application

for leave to proceed in forma pauperis. Examination of the application reveals that petitioner is

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unable to afford the costs of this suit. Petitioner’s request to proceed in forma pauperis will

therefore be granted. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a).

Petitioner has also requested appointment of counsel. The court’s preliminary

review of the habeas petition reveals that petitioner may be entitled to relief if the claimed

violations of constitutional rights are proved. See Rule 4, Fed. R. Governing § 2254 Cases. In

light of the complexity of the legal issues involved in this case, the court finds that the interests

of justice require appointment of counsel at this time. See 18 U.S.C. § 3006A(a)(2)(B); see also

Weygandt v. Look, 718 F.2d 952, 954 (9th Cir. 1983). Petitioner’s request for appointment of

counsel will therefore be granted.

Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that:

1. Petitioner’s October 7, 2005 application to proceed in forma pauperis is

granted;

2. Petitioner’s September 19, 2005 request to appoint counsel is granted;

3. The Federal Defender is appointed to represent petitioner;

4. The Clerk of the Court is directed to electronically serve this order and

petitioner’s September 19, 2005 petition for writ of habeas corpus on David Porter, Assistant

Federal Defender; petitioner’s counsel shall contact the Clerk’s Office to make arrangements

regarding any other documents in the file;

5. The Clerk of the Court is directed to electronically serve this order and

petitioner’s September 19, 2005 petition for writ of habeas corpus on Jennifer A. Neill, Lead

Supervising Deputy Attorney General;

6. A status conference is set for January 13, 2006, at 10:00 a.m. in Courtroom 27;

7. All parties shall appear at the conference by counsel but may appear

telephonically upon making proper arrangements. To arrange telephonic appearance, a party

shall contact Pete Buzo, courtroom deputy to the undersigned, at (916) 930-4128, no later than

48 hours prior to the status conference; and

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8. Five court days prior to the status conference, petitioner shall file and serve a

brief preliminary status report concerning the need for discovery and investigations, the need to

exhaust additional claims, and possible amendments to the pleadings.

DATED: October 24, 2005.

DAD:13

carr1871.110a

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