Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_05-cv-00376/USCOURTS-caed-2_05-cv-00376-10/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

STEVEN DIAZ, No. CIV S-05-0376-MCE-CMK-P

Petitioner, 

vs. ORDER

DERRAL ADAMS,

Respondent.

 /

Petitioner, a state prisoner proceeding with appointed counsel, brings this petition

for a writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254. On November 19, 2007, the court

directed respondent to file a brief within 30 days addressing: (a) petitioner’s request for an

evidentiary hearing on the issue of trial counsel’s performance; (b) whether the court should

grant leave to take trial counsel’s deposition; and (c) the effect of attorney-client privilege. 

Petitioner was provided an opportunity to file a response within 15 days after service of

respondent’s brief. Respondent filed his brief on December 11, 2007, and, to date, petitioner has

not filed a response. 

/ / /

/ / /

Case 2:05-cv-00376-MCE-CMK Document 31 Filed 12/28/07 Page 1 of 2
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Having considered the arguments presented in petitioner’s request for an

evidentiary hearing, as well as respondent’s December 11, 2007, brief, the court hereby grants

petitioner leave to conduct discovery pursuant to Rule 6 of the Federal Rules Governing Section

2254 Cases. Such discovery is limited, however, to taking trial counsel’s deposition. The parties

should focus on trial counsel’s reasons, if any, for not obtaining DNA testing of the physical

evidence. Petitioner shall lodge with the court a transcript of the deposition by February 19,

2008. Following submission of the transcript, the court will rule on the merits of petitioner’s

habeas corpus petition. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: December 27, 2007

______________________________________

CRAIG M. KELLISON

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 2:05-cv-00376-MCE-CMK Document 31 Filed 12/28/07 Page 2 of 2