Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-azd-3_04-cv-00977/USCOURTS-azd-3_04-cv-00977-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 510
Nature of Suit: Prisoner Petitions - Vacate Sentence
Cause of Action: 28:2255 Motion to Vacate / Correct Illegal Sentence

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1 Attorney McWhirter represented movant in his underlying criminal

action and is the subject of movant’s ineffective assistance of counsel 

claim herein.

WO

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

United States of America, )

)

Plaintiff/Respondent, ) No. CR 99-206 PCT RCB (LOA)

) CIV 04-977 PCT RCB

vs. ) O R D E R

)

Gerald D. Naha, Sr., )

)

Defendant/Movant. ) )

On January 11, 2007, this court issued a fairly detailed

order, in essence authorizing movant Gerald D. Naha, Sr., an

inmate, to take extremely limited discovery in accordance with Fed.

R. Civ. P. 31. That Rule authorizes depositions by written

questions. After several motions for an extension of time, among

other motions, by a January 8, 2008, order this court granted

movant 15 days “from the date of entry of th[at] order in which to

file and serve any cross questions he may have for attorney

McWhirter.”1 Doc. 108 at 8, ¶ 2 (footnote added). In accordance

Case 3:04-cv-00977-RCB Document 10 Filed 07/17/08 Page 1 of 3
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with Fed. R. Civ. P. 6(a), that meant that movant had until January

23, 2008 by which to comply with the court’s order.

One day late, on January 24, 2008, movant filed a “Notice of

Deposition by Written Questions” pertaining to Mr. McWhirter. Doc.

110. On that same day movant also filed a document entitled

“Movant’s Request for Deposition upon Written Questions and

Submission of Written Questions,” consisting of his proposed

questions to Mr. McWhirter. Doc. 109. This “Request” has been

docketed as a motion, but the “Notice” has not. Given the nature

of docket # 109, as just described, it is more properly designated

as a “Request” rather than as a motion. Therefore, the court

hereby directs the Clerk of the Court to amend the docket to

reflect that change in designation. 

On February 21, 2008, movant filed a notice of appeal as to

the January 11, 2007, discovery order. Perhaps because of the

filing of that notice of appeal, the United States (“the

Government”) did not file any written questions along with the

required notices, as the January 11, 2007 order contemplates. On

May 26, 2008, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals filed its mandate,

reflecting its April 18, 2008, order dismissing movant’s appeal for

lack of jurisdiction. Doc. 114. 

Assuming arguendo that the discovery time was tolled pending 

the appeal, that would mean that the Government had until June 16,

2008, by which to file and serve its written questions and

deposition notices. It has not done that. As the January 11,

2007, order indicates, following completion of the process outlined

therein, the court “shall . . . designate the person(s) before whom

the depositions shall be taken.” Doc. 83 at 4. Obviously the

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process is not complete yet in that only the movant has acted in

accordance with that discovery order. Accordingly, to facilitate

the Rule 31 discovery which this court has previously ordered, the

court hereby ORDERS the Government, within ten (10) days of the

entry date of this order, to serve and file its written questions,

if any, along with the required notice(s) for any depositions it

desires to take.

In the interest of justice and efficient discovery, the court

further ORDERS that Mr. McWhirter shall appear before the Clerk of

the Court for the District of Arizona, or a Deputy Clerk designated

by the Clerk of the Court at the Office of the Clerk, Sandra Day

O’Connor U.S. Courthouse, Suite 130, 401 W. Washington Street,

Phoenix, Arizona 85003-2118, at any time during regular business

hours, up to and including the close of business on Tuesday,

September 2, 2008, to swear or affirm his answers to the written

questions proposed by movant. 

Finally, the court ORDERS that counsel for the respondent the

United States of America, shall immediately provide Mr. McWhirter

with a copy of movant’s proposed questions (doc. 109), a copy of

this order and a copy of all prior orders and filings pertaining to

this Rule 31 discovery process.

IT IS ORDERED.

DATED this 17th day of July, 2008.

Copies to counsel of record and defendant/movant pro se

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