Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_06-cv-00357/USCOURTS-caed-1_06-cv-00357-1/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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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

COLIN RAKER DICKEY, )

)

Petitioner, )

)

vs. )

)

ROBERT J. AYERS*, Acting Warden of )

San Quentin State Prison, )

)

Respondent. )

)

Case No. CIV. F-06-357-AWI-P

DEATH PENALTY CASE

Order Appointing Counsel and

Notice of Initial Case

Management Conference

DATE: September 15, 2006

TIME: 8:30 a.m.

On March 30, 2006, Petitioner Colin Raker Dickey (“Dickey”), a state

prisoner facing capital punishment, filed a request for appointment of

counsel, for stay of execution and to proceed in forma pauperis pursuant to

28 U.S.C. § 2254. On March 31, 2006, an order was issued provisionally

granting in forma pauperis status, referring the case to the Selection Board

for the Eastern District of California for recommendation of counsel, and

staying the execution for 45 days. The temporary stay was extended, and

Dickey was granted permanent in forma pauperis status, on May 17, 2006.

________________

* Robert J. Ayers is substituted for his predecessor, Eddie Ylst, as Acting

Warden of San Quentin State Prison, pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil

Procedure 25(d).

Case 1:06-cv-00357-JLT-SAB Document 7 Filed 08/15/06 Page 1 of 4
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26 The Attorney Guide is posted on the Court’s website, under Attorney 1

Info, Fresno, Forms.

OApptCnslDky 2

The Selection Board recommends Kerry Bensinger, Esq., Bensinger,

Ritt & Tai, 65 North Raymond Avenue, Suite 320, Pasadena, California,

91103, (626) 685-2550, for appointment as lead counsel in this case, and

approves Mr. Bensinger’s request that his associate, Elizabeth PiliavinGodwin, Esq. be appointed as second counsel.

The Guide to Case Management and Budgeting in Capital Habeas

Cases, Eastern District of California, Fresno Division (hereafter the

1

“Attorney Guide”) provides an overview of the process for capital habeas

corpus cases in this Court. Upon receipt of this order, Mr. Bensinger is

directed to familiarize himself with the Attorney Guide. Particular

attention should be given to information about case management 

procedures and matters governing payment rates for appointed counsel,

investigators, and experts. See Attorney Guide, ¶¶ 7, 9. As no

reimbursement rate has been established for Mr. Bensinger or Ms. PiliavinGodwin, setting that rate should be the first order of business. To assist the

Court in this determination, Mr. Bensinger and Ms. Piliavin-Godwin are

directed to each complete a Rate Justification Worksheet (Appendix A to

the Attorney Guide). Mr. Bensinger shall also complete as much or all of

the Confidential Case Evaluation Form (Appendix B to the Attorney

Guide) as is possible at this stage of the proceedings. Both of these

documents will be submitted to the Court confidentially with an

application to establish a rate of reimbursement for both lead and second

counsel. Following establishment of a reimbursement rate, appropriate

budget forms will be electronically transmitted to counsel. See Attorney

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 In this Court, sealed applications are submitted by mail and scanned

2

into the Court’s electronic filing system by Court Clerk’s Office staff. The

original documents are then returned to counsel.

In evaluating case complexity, counsel for Respondent is also directed 3

to complete the Confidential Case Evaluation Form, which may be submitted

to the Court confidentially or openly, at the discretion of Respondent. See

Attorney Guide, ¶ 44.

OApptCnslDky 3

Guide, ¶ 10. A preliminary budget for Phase I of the litigation must be

presented and approved before any reimbursement for professional

services will be authorized. See Attorney Guide, ¶¶ 44-48. As specified in

the Attorney Guide, the proposed budget and application, including

supporting declarations, should be submitted to the Court under seal.2

An initial Case Management Conference (“CMC”) is set for

September 15, 2006, at 8:30 a.m., and will be held telephonically. Dickey’s

proposed budget for Phase I should be presented to the Court without

delay, but should be filed no later than one calendar week prior to the

CMC. The purpose of the initial CMC will be to discuss the status of

record assembly and review by Dickey’s counsel, case complexity , an 3

approximate date counsel for Respondent will be able to lodge the record,

and any other matters the parties wish to discuss together with the Court. 

Once case management issues are resolved, counsel for Respondent will be

excused from the CMC so the Court can discuss budgeting procedures

with Dickey’s counsel on an ex parte basis. Among the topics to be

discussed during the ex parte proceedings is the time Dickey’s counsel

believe they will need to complete their review and annotation of the

record. The Court additionally may authorize interim expenditures for

paralegals at an approved rate and schedule a date for submission of a

revised proposed budget for Phase I, if appropriate. The revised proposed

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OApptCnslDky 4

budget should include all tasks to be completed during Phase I, including

the time actually spent on tasks which already have been completed or

partially performed. Counsel will not be reimbursed for work performed

before the date of appointment without prior approval on a showing of

good cause. The services of investigators or experts are not contemplated

during this phase, but will be considered upon adequate justification.

Good cause appearing,

Kerry Bensinger, Esq., is appointed as lead counsel, and Elizabeth

Piliavin-Godwin, Esq., is appointed as second counsel to represent Dickey

for all purposes in these proceedings.

The initial Case Management Conference will be held telephonically

at 8:30 a.m., on September 15, 2006. Counsel for Dickey shall initiate the

conference call.

Counsel for both parties shall file the Confidential Case Evaluation

Form, as indicated above. Counsel for Dickey shall concurrently file the

proposed budget for Phase I.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: August 15, 2006 /s/ Anthony W. Ishii 

b64h1h UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 1:06-cv-00357-JLT-SAB Document 7 Filed 08/15/06 Page 4 of 4