Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_06-cv-01793/USCOURTS-cand-3_06-cv-01793-12/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 535
Nature of Suit: Habeas Corpus - Death Penalty
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Civil Rights Act

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Case Nos. 5-6-cv-219-JF-RS, 5-6-cv-926-JF-RS, & 5-6-cv-1793-JF-RS

ORDER FOLLOWING GRANT OF CERTIORARI IN BAZE V. REES

(DPSAGOK)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

SAN JOSE DIVISION

Michael Angelo MORALES,

 Plaintiff,

 v.

James E. TILTON, Secretary of the California

Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, et

al.,

 Defendants.

Case Number 5-6-cv-219-JF-RS

Case Number 5-6-cv-926-JF-RS

DEATH-PENALTY CASE

ORDER FOLLOWING GRANT OF

CERTIORARI IN BAZE V. REES

PACIFIC NEWS SERVICE,

 Plaintiff,

 v.

James E. TILTON, Secretary of the California

Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, et

al.,

 Defendants.

Case Number 5-6-cv-1793-JF-RS

DEATH-PENALTY CASE

ORDER FOLLOWING GRANT OF

CERTIORARI IN BAZE V. REES

Yesterday, the Supreme Court of the United States granted certiorari in Baze v. Rees, No.

07-5439, 2007 WL 2075334 (U.S. Sept. 25, 2007) (mem.). The questions presented by the

petition for certiorari in Baze are:

I. Does the Eighth Amendment to the United States

Constitution prohibit means for carrying out a method of

Case 3:06-cv-01793-RS Document 69 Filed 09/27/07 Page 1 of 3
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Case Nos. 5-6-cv-219-JF-RS, 5-6-cv-926-JF-RS, & 5-6-cv-1793-JF-RS

ORDER FOLLOWING GRANT OF CERTIORARI IN BAZE V. REES

(DPSAGOK)

execution that create an unnecessary risk of pain and

suffering as opposed to only a substantial risk of the wanton

infliction of pain?

II. Do the means for carrying out an execution cause an

unnecessary risk of pain and suffering in violation of the

Eighth Amendment upon a showing that readily available

alternatives that pose less risk of pain and suffering could

be used?

III. Does the continued use of sodium thiopental, pancuronium

bromide, and potassium chloride, individually or together,

violate the cruel and unusual punishment clause of the

Eighth Amendment because lethal injections can be carried

out by using other chemicals that pose less risk of pain and

suffering?

IV. When it is known that the effects of the chemicals could be

reversed if the proper actions are taken, does substantive

due process require a state to be prepared to maintain life in

case a stay of execution is granted after the lethal injection

chemicals are injected?

Br. for Pet’r at ii–iii, Baze (filed July 11, 2007). While the issues presented in Morales v. Tilton

are not identical in all respects to those before the Supreme Court in Baze, it would appear that at

the very least the Supreme Court’s decision in Baze is likely to affect this Court’s legal analysis

and conclusions. The order granting certiorari indicates that the Supreme Court will not hear

argument in Baze until early in 2008.

The Court held a joint status conference in the above-captioned related actions on

September 14, 2007. At that conference, the Court set a fact-discovery cutoff date of November

16, 2007, scheduled proceedings at San Quentin State Prison on November 19, 2007, and set a

further evidentiary hearing in Morales for December 10 and 11, 2007. The Court is interested in

the parties’ views as to what impact, if any, the Supreme Court’s grant of certiorari in Baze

should have on this schedule. Accordingly, and good cause therefor appearing, the parties to

both actions shall file, on or before October 1, 2007, letter briefs not to exceed five (5) pages in

length addressing this question. Counsel should not assume from this request for briefing that the

Court is inclined to make further changes to the case schedule in Morales absent a compelling

reason for doing so.

In addition, counsel advised the Court at the September 14 conference that the Marin

Superior Court has scheduled argument in Plaintiff Morales’s related state-law action for October

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Case Nos. 5-6-cv-219-JF-RS, 5-6-cv-926-JF-RS, & 5-6-cv-1793-JF-RS

ORDER FOLLOWING GRANT OF CERTIORARI IN BAZE V. REES

(DPSAGOK)

24, 2007. By this order, the Court directs the parties to file a joint statement immediately

following that hearing indicating the status of the action. In addition, Defendants shall advise the

Court immediately if it appears that construction of the new execution chamber will not be

completed prior to November 19, 2007.

Defendants’ motion to dismiss the first amended complaint in Pacific News Service v.

Tilton currently is set for argument on October 26, 2007. In light of the current status of

Morales, and for the reasons stated by the Court at the September 14 conference, the October 26

hearing will be vacated; all pending motions in Pacific News Service are terminated without

prejudice to being restored to the Court’s calendar at a later date.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: September 26, 2007 __________________________________

JEREMY FOGEL

United States District Judge

Case 3:06-cv-01793-RS Document 69 Filed 09/27/07 Page 3 of 3