Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-azd-2_99-cv-02016/USCOURTS-azd-2_99-cv-02016-7/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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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

Ernest Valencia Gonzales, 

Petitioner, 

vs.

Dora B. Schriro, et al., 

Respondents. 

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No. CV-99-2016-PHX-SMM

DEATH PENALTY CASE

ORDER

Pending before the Court is Petitioner’s motion for a competency determination,

alleging that he is incompetent to assist habeas counsel. (Dkt. 102.) On November 15, both

parties submitted reports from mental health experts who had the opportunity to examine

Petitioner. The Court has reviewed the reports from the mental health experts and finds that

there is a lack of agreement between the experts regarding Petitioner’s competency to assist

habeas counsel. Consequently, the Court finds reasonable grounds to grant Petitioner’s

motion for a competency determination and to stay litigation of his amended habeas petition

pending an evidentiary hearing to resolve whether he is competent to assist his habeas

counsel. 

Based on the foregoing, the Court finds it necessary to conduct a case management

conference in anticipation of the Court holding an evidentiary hearing regarding whether

Petitioner is competent to assist habeas counsel. At the case management conference, the

parties shall be prepared to discuss proposed dates for the evidentiary hearing, a proposed

Case 2:99-cv-02016-SMM Document 126 Filed 12/11/06 Page 1 of 2
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schedule for the presentation of witnesses at the hearing, and any other legal or factual issue

that needs resolution at the evidentiary hearing.

Accordingly,

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED granting Petitioner’s motion for a competency

determination and granting Petitioner’s motion to stay litigation of his amended habeas

petition pending an evidentiary hearing to resolve whether he is competent to assist his

habeas counsel. (Dkt. 102.)

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, in anticipation of the evidentiary hearing, a case

management conference will be held on January 23, 2007, at 9:00 a.m. in Courtroom No.

605. 

DATED this 8th day of December, 2006.

Case 2:99-cv-02016-SMM Document 126 Filed 12/11/06 Page 2 of 2