Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_08-cv-00274/USCOURTS-casd-3_08-cv-00274-1/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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1 08cv274

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

Robert C. Bass,

Petitioner,

v.

Matthew Cate et al., 

Respondents.

 

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Civil No. 08cv274 JM (PCL)

ORDER:

GRANTING MOTION TO WITHDRAW

CLAIMS (Doc. 12);

DENYING AS MOOT MOTION TO

STAY (Doc. 8);

SETTING BRIEFING SCHEDULE

On March 21, 2008, Petitioner filed a First Amended Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (FAP). 

(Doc. 5.) Petitioner asserted three grounds for relief: 1) that the trial court denied his request for a

continuance before and during trial in violation of the U.S. Constitution and California state law; 2) that

the trial court denied him a trial by jury; and 3) that the trial court denied him a continuance and

assistance of counsel and character witnesses at the sentencing hearing. (Doc. 5, at 6-8.) He alleged

exhaustion as to these issues. (Id.) Additionally, Petitioner filed a Supplemental Brief in Support of his

FAP. (Doc. 5-4, at 1-13.) In it, he attempted to raise additional claims that were not included in the

FAP and that were not alleged to be exhausted. (See Doc. 6, at 2.) Thus, this Court dismissed the FAP

without prejudice and with leave to amend. (Id.) The Court directed Petitioner to choose one of four

options to avoid dismissal: 1) demonstrate exhaustion; 2) voluntarily dismiss the petition; 3) formally

Case 3:08-cv-00274-JM-PCL Document 21 Filed 10/17/08 Page 1 of 2
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abandon unexhausted claims; or 4) file a motion to stay the federal proceedings. (Id. at 4-5.) On April

15, 2008, Petitioner, proceeding pro se at the time, filed a motion to stay federal proceedings as to

unexhausted claims. (Doc. 8.) This Court then directed Petitioner to file a brief in support of his motion

to stay. (Doc. 10, at 2-3.) On June 12, 2008, Petitioner obtained counsel to represent him. (Doc. 11.) 

On July 11, 2008, Petitioner, through counsel, filed a notice of withdrawal/abandonment of all claims

except for ground 1, which is “the denial of his continuance after he was granted pro se status.” (Doc.

12, at 1.) On August 11, 2008, Petitioner filed an amended Memorandum of Facts and Contentions of

Law only supporting claims in ground 1 of his First Amended Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus. 

(Doc. 20.) Respondent has not opposed Petitioner’s motion to withdraw all claims except as to those in

ground 1.

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED as follows:

1) Petitioner’s motion to withdraw all claims except as to those in ground 1 is GRANTED. See

Rose v. Lundy, 455 U.S. 509, 520-21 (stating that a petitioner who files a mixed petition may

“resubmit[] the habeas petition to present only exhausted claims”). The following claims are withdrawn: a) that the trial court denied him a trial by jury; b) that the trial court denied him a continuance

and assistance of counsel and character witnesses at the sentencing hearing; and c) any additional claims

in his original supplemental brief filed in his original First Amended Petition for which exhaustion was

not asserted. 

2) Petitioner’s motion to stay federal proceedings as to unexhausted claims is DENIED as moot.

3) Within 60 days of the date of service of this order, Respondent SHALL FILE either an answer

to or a motion to dismiss Petitioner’s remaining claims as described in ground 1 of his FAP and as

briefed in his amended Memorandum of Facts and Contentions of Law filed on August 11, 2008. 

4) After the receipt of Respondent’s answer or motion to dismiss, Petitioner is GRANTED thirty

days within which to file either a Traverse or Response, respectively. 

 IT IS SO ORDERED. 

DATED: October 17, 2008

Peter C. Lewis

U.S. Magistrate Judge

United States District Court

Case 3:08-cv-00274-JM-PCL Document 21 Filed 10/17/08 Page 2 of 2