Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_91-cv-00616/USCOURTS-caed-1_91-cv-00616-19/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

DOUGLAS RAY STANKEWITZ, )

)

Petitioner, )

)

vs. )

)

ROBERT WONG, Acting Warden )

of San Quentin State Prison, )

)

Respondent. )

)

Case No. 1:91-cv-616-AWI

DEATH PENALTY CASE

Order Granting Respondent’s

Request for Stay of Judgment

Pending Appeal

This matter is before the Court pursuant to a Request, filed by Respondent

Robert Wong (“the Warden”), seeking a stay of the judgment in this case pending

appeal, under Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure Rule 8. The petition for writ

of habeas corpus filed by Petitioner Douglas Ray Stankewitz (“Stankewitz”) was

granted September 22, 2009, and the Warden’s motion for reconsideration was

denied October 15, 2009. The Warden filed a Notice of Appeal January 8, 2010,

concurrently with the request for stay of the judgment pending resolution of

appeal. The Warden asserts that under Rule 8 of the Federal Rules of Appellate

Procedure, this Court may stay execution of a judgment. The Warden contends a

stay will allow for the orderly consideration of the appeal and states that counsel

for Stankewitz does not oppose the stay.

Although the filing of a notice of appeal generally vests jurisdiction over

Case 1:91-cv-00616-AWI Document 614 Filed 01/13/10 Page 1 of 2
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the cause appealed in the Court of Appeals, United States v. El-O-Pathic Pharmacy,

192 F.2d 62, 79 (9th Cir. 1951), it has long been recognized that a lower court

reserves the power to make orders appropriate to preserve the status quo while

the appeal is pending. Newton v. Consolidated Gas Co., 258 U.S. 165, 177 (1922); In

re Federal Facilities Realty Trust, 227 F.2d 651, 654 (7th Cir. 1955). Consistent with

this principle, Rule 8(a) of the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure requires that

a motion for a stay pending appeal be presented initially in the district court.

The Warden’s request for a stay of judgment pending appeal is

GRANTED.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: January 12, 2010 

 /s/ Anthony W. Ishii 

Chief United States District Judge

OGrantingStayJudgm nt2Stnk 2

Case 1:91-cv-00616-AWI Document 614 Filed 01/13/10 Page 2 of 2