Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_05-cv-02013/USCOURTS-caed-2_05-cv-02013-1/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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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

STEVEN RODRIGUEZ,

Petitioner, No. CIV S-05-2013 DFL DAD P

vs.

M.A. MUNTZ, et al., 

Respondents. ORDER

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Petitioner, a state prisoner at Chuckawalla Valley State Prison in Blythe,

California, is proceeding pro se and has filed an application for a writ of habeas corpus pursuant

to 28 U.S.C. § 2254. Petitioner has paid the filing fee.

In 1983, petitioner entered a plea of guilty to second degree murder as part of a

plea agreement made to the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Petitioner was sentenced to

fifteen years to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole, and an additional two years. In

his habeas petition, petitioner challenges the denial of parole by the Board of Prison Terms on

August 20, 2004, following a hearing at Folsom State Prison. Since petitioner may be entitled to

the requested relief if the claimed violation of constitutional rights is proved, respondents will be

directed to file a response to petitioner’s application. 

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Case 2:05-cv-02013-JAM-DAD Document 9 Filed 12/22/06 Page 1 of 3
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The court notes that the Office of the Federal Defender has previously been appointed to 1

represent petitioner in Rodriguez v. Butler, CIV S-04-2119 LKK GGH P and that the request for

appointment of counsel in this case was prepared by Assistant Federal Defender David Porter. 

2

On October 12, 2006, petitioner filed a notice of related cases and a request for

appointment of counsel. On December 15, 2006, Magistrate Judge Gregory Hollows issued an

order in which he declined to relate this case to Rodriguez v. Butler, CIV S-04-2119 LKK GGH

P. 

As to petitioner’s request for the appointment of counsel, the request will be

granted in light of the complexity of the legal issues involved and in the interests of justice. See

18 U.S.C. § 3006A(a)(2)(B); see also Weygandt v. Look, 718 F.2d 952, 954 (9th Cir. 1983).1

In accordance with the above, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Respondents are directed to file a response to petitioner’s application within

thirty days from the date of this order. See Rule 4, Fed. R. Governing § 2254 Cases. An answer

shall be accompanied by any and all transcripts or other documents relevant to the determination

of the issues presented in the application. See Rule 5, Fed. R. Governing § 2254 Cases;

2. Petitioner’s reply, if any, shall be filed and served within thirty days of service

of an answer, and any motion for an evidentiary hearing shall be filed and served by petitioner

concurrently with his reply to the answer;

3. All motions shall be noticed for hearing before the undersigned on a regularly

scheduled law and motion calendar. Parties may appear at the hearing telephonically; to arrange

telephonic appearance, the party shall contact Pete Buzo, the courtroom deputy of the

undersigned magistrate judge, at (916) 930-4128 no later than three days prior to the hearing; 

4. Petitioner’s October 12, 2006 request for the appointment of counsel is

granted;

5. The Federal Defender is appointed to represent petitioner;

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6. The Clerk of the Court is directed to serve a copy of this order and petitioner’s

application for a writ of habeas corpus on David Porter, Assistant Federal Defender and on

Jennifer A. Neill, Lead Supervising Deputy Attorney General.

DATED: December 21, 2006.

DAD:4

rodr2013.100+

Case 2:05-cv-02013-JAM-DAD Document 9 Filed 12/22/06 Page 3 of 3