Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_97-cv-06210/USCOURTS-caed-1_97-cv-06210-14/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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97dp06210.OFollStatConf.Hlt.wpd 1

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JOHN LEE HOLT, )

)

Petitioner, )

)

vs. )

)

ROBERT L. AYERS, JR., As Warden )

of San Quentin State Prison, )

)

Respondent. )

)

Case No. 1:97-CV-06210-AWI

ORDER FOLLOWING TELEPHONIC

STATUS CONFERENCE 

DATE: MARCH 19, 2008

TIME: 2:00 p.m.

COURTROOM TWO

This matter came on for a telephonic status conference in the above entitled Court, the Honorable

Anthony W. Ishii, presiding. Petitioner John Lee Holt (“Holt”) was represented by his attorneys of

record, Robert M. Myers and Jennifer M. Corey. Respondent Robert L. Ayers, Jr., as Warden of San

Quentin State Prison (the “Warden”) was represented by Deputy Attorneys General Sean M. McCoy and

Peter Thompson. All counsel appeared telephonically. The conference was originally scheduled for

March 5, 2008, but continued to March 19, 2008 to allow the parties to consider the Court’s suggestion

that the procedures explained in Rohan ex rel. Gates v. Woodford, 334 F.3d 803 (9th Cir. 2003), may

be applicable to this case.

I. Background.

Since March 7, 2005, the parties have been engaged in conducting discovery and preparation for

an evidentiary hearing ordered by the Court on March 30, 2004. Some of the discovery lodged with the

Court has raised the issue of Holt’s present competence to proceed with the litigation. Notably Holt’s

treating doctors at San Quentin Prison and Vacaville Prison have testified in depositions that Holt is

profoundly mentally impaired. He has been under (state) court order for involuntary anti-psychotic

Case 1:97-cv-06210-KES Document 179 Filed 03/20/08 Page 1 of 3
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97dp06210.OFollStatConf.Hlt.wpd 2

medication for at least the past two and one-half years. The doctors are unable to conduct traditional

psychological testing because Holt is non-responsive. He denies symptoms when asked, including

whether he hears voices. According to the treating doctors, his conduct, however, demonstrates that he

is hearing voices because he engages in loud conversations when he is alone, as if talking to another

person.

UnderGates, “where an incompetent capital habeas petitioner raises claims that could potentially

benefit from his ability to communicate rationally, refusing to stay proceedings pending restoration of

competence denies him his statutory right to assistance of counsel, whether or not counsel can identify

with precision the information sought.” 334 F.3d at 819.

II. March 5, 2008 Proceedings.

When the status conference hearing was originally conducted, Holt’s attorneys reported that Holt

is unable “to come down” for legal visits because of his mental condition. The last legal visit his

attorneys conducted was over three years ago. His attorneys represented that they cannot communicate

with him. They were not then committed to requesting a Gates stay, however, and requested a

continuance of the hearing for two weeks to consider their options. Deputy Attorney General Peter

Thompson advocated for addressing the Gates issue presently. The Court suggested that aGates motion,

if filed, could reference existing documents and evidence in the record (including the deposition

transcripts of the treating doctors at San Quentin and Vacaville Prisons).

III. Resolution.

Holt’s counsel are now resolved to file a Gates motion and suggested May 1, 2008 as a due date

for the motion. In consulting the schedules of the Warden’s attorneys, it appears that having Holt file

his Gates motion on May 15, 2008 will be preferable. In light of the fact that Holt will be able to refer

to evidence of his mental condition already before the Court, and possibly additional prison medical

records that are not before the Court, the Warden inquired if he might be permitted to have Holt

examined by an independent mental health professional in order to inform the inquiry under Gates. The

Warden’s concern is that Holt’s treating doctors have examined him for specific medical issues, and not

necessarily on the issue of his competence to rationally communicate with his attorneys and proceed with

the litigation.

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97dp06210.OFollStatConf.Hlt.wpd 3

The Court will permit the Warden to raise this issue of an independent mental evaluation after

Holt files his Gates motion. The Warden shall either file a response to the motion on or before June 16,

2008, or notify the Court that he wishes to address the independent mental evaluation issue at another

status conference hearing. In that event, the Court will consider ordering briefing on the request for an

independent evaluation on Holt’s competence. The Court will weigh a variety of options to satisfy this

request. If the Warden files a response to Holt’s Gates motion, Holt shall file a reply on or before July

7, 2008. The Court will schedule a further status conference hearing after the matter is briefed, if

necessary.

When advancing the Gates motion, Holt is directed to address the nature of claims for which an

evidentiary hearing is ordered and whether Holt’s “ability to communicate rationally” with his attorneys

does or does not bear on the vindication of his statutory right to counsel under 18 U.S.C. § 3599(a)(2)

with respect to those claims.

IT IS SO ORDERED

Date: March 20, 2008 /s/ Anthony W. Ishii 

Anthony W. Ishii

 United States District Judge

Case 1:97-cv-06210-KES Document 179 Filed 03/20/08 Page 3 of 3