Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-5_10-cv-00303/USCOURTS-cand-5_10-cv-00303-0/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

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

MARK FACUN ABELLA,

Petitioner,

v.

TIM VIRGA, warden,

Respondent. /

No. C 10-303 SI (pr)

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE

INTRODUCTION

Mark Abella, an inmate at the California State Prison - Sacramento, filed this pro se

action for a writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254. Before the court reviewed his

petition, he filed an amended petition, which supersedes the original petition. His amended

petition is now before the court for review pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §2243 and Rule 4 of the Rules

Governing Section 2254 Cases. His request for appointment of counsel and in forma pauperis

application also are before the court for consideration. 

BACKGROUND

The amended petition provides the following information: Abella was convicted in Contra

Costa County Superior Court of murder and possession of a firearm with a prior juvenile

adjudication. Sentence enhancement allegations were found true. On April 11, 2008, he was

sentenced to two consecutive terms of 25 years to life in prison. Abella appealed. His

conviction was affirmed by the California Court of Appeal in 2009. The California Supreme

Court denied his petition for review in 2009. He then filed this action.

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DISCUSSION

This court may entertain a petition for 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). A

district court considering an application for a writ of habeas corpus 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." 28

U.S.C. § 2243. Summary dismissal is appropriate only where the allegations in the petition are

vague or conclusory, palpably incredible, or patently frivolous or false. See Hendricks v.

Vasquez, 908 F.2d 490, 491 (9th Cir. 1990). 

The amended petition contains the following claims: First, Abella alleges that his right

to due process was violated by admission of evidence of his two prior juvenile adjudications for

impeachment purposes. Second, he alleges that his trial counsel provided ineffective assistance

of counsel by failing to adequately object to the admission of the two prior adjudications. Third,

he contends that his right to due process was violated because the evidence was insufficient to

support the first degree murder conviction. Liberally construed, the claims appear to be

cognizable in a federal habeas action. 

Abella requests that counsel be appointed to represent him in this action. A district court

may appoint counsel to represent a habeas petitioner whenever "the court determines that the

interests of justice so require and such person is financially unable to obtain representation." 18

U.S.C. § 3006A(a)(2)(B). The decision to appoint counsel is within the discretion of the district

court. See Chaney v. Lewis, 801 F.2d 1191, 1196 (9th Cir. 1986). Appointment is mandatory

only when the circumstances of a particular case indicate that appointed counsel is necessary to

prevent due process violations. See id. The interests of justice do not require appointment of

counsel in this action. The issues Abella raises here were fully briefed on direct appeal by his

appointed counsel. The request for appointment of counsel is DENIED. 

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CONCLUSION 

For the foregoing reasons,

1. The amended petition states cognizable claims for habeas relief and warrants a

response. 

 2. The clerk shall serve by certified mail a copy of this order, the petition, amended

petition, and all attachments thereto upon respondent and respondent's attorney, the Attorney

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

3. Respondent must file and serve upon petitioner, on or before April 30, 2010, 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 issued. Respondent must file with the

answer a copy of all portions of the court proceedings that have been previously transcribed and

that are relevant to a determination of the issues presented by the petition. 

4. If petitioner wishes to respond to the answer, he must do so by filing a traverse

with the court and serving it on respondent on or before June 4, 2010.

5. Petitioner is responsible for prosecuting this case. Plaintiff must promptly keep

the court informed of any change of address and must comply with the court's orders in a timely

fashion.

6. Petitioner is cautioned that he must include the case name and case number for this

case on any document he submits to this court for consideration in this case.

7. Petitioner's request for appointment of counsel is DENIED. (Docket # 2, # 7.)

8. Petitioner's in forma pauperis application is DENIED because he has sufficient

funds to pay the $5.00 filing fee. (Docket # 4.) Petitioner must pay the $5.00 filing fee no later

than July 9, 2010 or this action may be dismissed. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: May 12, 2010 

 SUSAN ILLSTON

United States District Judge

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