Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_01-cv-00507/USCOURTS-caed-2_01-cv-00507-43/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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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

CHARLES D. RIEL, 

Petitioner, No. CIV S-01-0507 LKK KJM

vs. DEATH PENALTY CASE

WARDEN, San Quentin

 State Prison, 

Respondent. ORDER

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Petitioner proposed submitting the direct testimony of the following witnesses by

declaration: David Bailey, David G. Cumming, Kay Gray, Randy Newman and Thomas C.

Pollgreen. (Dkt. No. 329.) Respondent agreed to submission of this testimony by declaration if

he were permitted to submit his cross-examinations by declaration. (Dkt. No. 359.) The court

allowed respondent to submit the cross-examination declarations. (Id.) He has done so. (Dkt.

No. 367.) As permitted by the court, petitioner filed a response. (Dkt. No. 378.) 

Petitioner accepts respondent’s proffered cross-examination declarations of David

Bailey, Randy Newman and Thomas C. Pollgreen. However, he notes that the declarations of

Mr. Bailey and Mr. Pollgreen have not been signed and reserves the right to contest their 

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admission should the signed copies differ from those submitted on June 1. The court finds this

procedure acceptable and will order respondent to file signed copies.

With respect to Kay Gray, petitioner objects to the submission of her testimony on

cross-examination by declaration. Submission of cross-examination by declaration is a novel

method. While live cross and re-direct examinations are preferred, the court will accept

submission of cross-examination by declaration to the extent both parties agree to it. 

With respect to David G. Cumming, petitioner objects to a number of statements

in his declaration submitted by respondent. The court is willing to accept Mr. Cumming’s crossexamination testimony by declaration if the parties can reach an agreement that resolves

petitioner’s objections, and also is willing to consider written objections to his declaration

testimony. 

The parties will be ordered to meet and confer to resolve their differences with

respect to both witnesses Gray and Cumming.

Accordingly, and good cause appearing, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED as follows:

1. The declarations of David Bailey, Randy Newman and Thomas C. Pollgreen

filed by petitioner on April 6, 2010 are admitted as their direct testimony. The May 27, 2010

declaration of Randy Newman filed by respondent on June 1 is admitted as Mr. Newman’s

testimony on cross-examination. Within fourteen days of the filed date of this order, respondent

shall file the signed declarations of Mr. Bailey and Mr. Pollgreen. Within seven days of that

filing, petitioner shall inform the court if any differences between those signed declarations and

the declarations submitted on June 1 cause him to contest their admission. 

2. Within fourteen days of the filed date of this order, the parties shall meet and

confer and file a joint statement specifying: (a) whether respondent agrees to the submission of

Ms. Gray’s direct testimony by the declaration filed by petitioner on April 6; (b) if respondent

wishes to cross-examine Ms. Gray, how her deposition testimony will be recorded;

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(c) respondent’s response to the issues raised by petitioner regarding the cross-examination

declaration of Mr. Cumming and petitioner’s proposed submission of the three reports prepared

by Mr. Cumming; and (d) any agreement regarding the submission of Mr. Cumming’s direct

testimony and cross-examination. 

DATED: June 8, 2010.

riel evi decs.or

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