Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_01-cv-01249/USCOURTS-caed-2_01-cv-01249-1/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

THEIN TONY VU,

Petitioner,

v.

DERRAL G. ADAMS, Warden, et

al.,

Respondents.

 /

Civ. S–01-1249 DFL CMK P

O R D E R

Petitioner applied for a writ of habeas corpus under 28

U.S.C. § 2254, asserting two grounds for relief: (1) on its own

initiative, the state trial court should have instructed the jury

on lesser included offenses; and (2) the evidence presented at

trial was insufficient to support petitioner’s conviction for

conspiracy to commit murder. The petition was denied on June 28,

2005. Pending before the court is petitioner’s request for a

certificate of appealability, filed on July 26, 2005. 

Under 28 U.S.C. § 2253, a certificate of appealability is

warranted only if the case presents a “substantial question,”

Case 2:01-cv-01249-DFL Document 22 Filed 03/08/06 Page 1 of 2
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i.e., one that is “‘debatable among jurists of reason,’” could be

resolved differently by a different court, or is “‘adequate to

deserve encouragement to proceed further.’” Jennings v.

Woodford, 290 F.3d 1006, 1010 (9th Cir. 2002) (quoting Barefoot

v. Estelle, 463 U.S. 880, 893 (1983)). 

This case presents a “substantial question” on the issue

regarding the lesser-included-offense instruction because of a

split in the courts of appeals. Accordingly, petitioner’s

request for certificate of appealability on this issue is

GRANTED. However, the second issue regarding evidence of

conspiracy to commit murder does not present such a “substantial

question.” Therefore, petitioner’s motion for certificate of

appealability on the second issue is DENIED. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: 3/7/2006

DAVID F. LEVI

United States District Judge

Case 2:01-cv-01249-DFL Document 22 Filed 03/08/06 Page 2 of 2