Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_07-cv-01466/USCOURTS-caed-1_07-cv-01466-0/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

---

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

STEVEN DAVID CATLIN, )

)

Petitioner, )

)

vs. )

)

ROBERT J. AYERS, Warden of )

San Quentin State Prison, )

)

Respondent. )

)

Case No. 1:07-cv-01466-OWW-P

DEATH PENALTY CASE

Order Appointing Counsel

On October 5, 2007, Petitioner Steven David Catlin (“Catlin”), a state

prisoner facing capital punishment, filed a request for appointment of

counsel, for stay of execution and to proceed in forma pauperis pursuant to

28 U.S.C. § 2254. On October 11, 2007, an order was issued granting in

forma pauperis status, referring the case to the Selection Board for the

Eastern District of California for recommendation of counsel, and staying

the execution for 45 days. The Selection Board recommends Lynne S.

Coffin, Esq., 38 Miller Avenue, # 328, Mill Valley, California, 94941, (415)

388-2432, for appointment as lead counsel in this case, and Saor E. Stetler,

Esq., P.O. Box 2189, Mill Valley, California, 9494, (415) 388-8924, for

appointment as co-counsel.

Case 1:07-cv-01466-LJO-SAB Document 4 Filed 11/02/07 Page 1 of 4
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

The Attorney Guide is posted on the Court’s website, under Attorney 1

Info, Fresno, Forms.

OApptCnslCat 2

The Guide to Case Management and Budgeting in Capital Habeas

Cases, Eastern District of California, Fresno Division (hereafter the

1

“Attorney Guide”) provides an overview of the process for capital habeas

corpus cases in this Court. Upon receipt of this order, Ms. Coffin and Mr.

Stetler are directed to familiarize themselves with the Attorney Guide. 

Particular attention should be given to information about case

management procedures and matters governing payment rates for

appointed counsel, investigators, and experts.

Due to the Court’s schedule, a Case Management Conference for

Phase I of this case will not be held, and the matters typically decided at

that conference, see Attorney Guide ¶¶ 48-49, will be determined based on

the filings of the parties. The date for the Phase II Case Management

Conference will be set following approval of Catlin’s Phase I budget.

A reimbursement rate has been established by this Court for Mr.

Stetler in his appointment to another case, but no reimbursement rate has

been established for Ms. Coffin under the current procedures. To assist the

Court in this determination, both Ms. Coffin and Mr. Stetler are directed to

complete and submit a Rate Justification Worksheet (Appendix A to the

Attorney Guide), with an application to establish a rate of reimbursement

for both lead and co-counsel. See Attorney Guide, ¶ 8. Ms. Coffin shall

also complete the Confidential Case Evaluation Form (Appendix B to the

Attorney Guide) or as much of it as is possible at this stage of the

proceedings. These documents may be submitted to the Court

confidentially, and shall be filed within seven days of the date of filing of

Case 1:07-cv-01466-LJO-SAB Document 4 Filed 11/02/07 Page 2 of 4
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

 In this Court, sealed applications are submitted by mail and scanned

2

into the Court’s electronic filing system by Court Clerk’s Office staff. The

original documents are then returned to counsel.

OApptCnslCat 3

this order. Following establishment of a reimbursement rate, appropriate

budget forms will be electronically transmitted to counsel. See Attorney

Guide, ¶ 11.

Respondent is also directed to complete and file the Confidential

Case Evaluation Form within seven days of the date of filing of this order. 

See Attorney Guide, ¶ 47. Respondent is directed to lodge the state record

in this case on or before December 18, 2007, in accordance with Local Rules

81-190(f) and 81-191(j)(1).

Catlin’s proposed budget for Phase I should be presented to the

Court without delay, but should be filed no later than December 3, 2007. 

As specified in the Attorney Guide, the proposed budget and application,

including supporting declarations, should be submitted to the Court under

seal. An electronic copy of the Excel file should be submitted via email to 2

the Court. The proposed budget should include all tasks to be completed

during Phase I, including the time actually spent on tasks which already

have been completed or partially performed. A budget for Phase I of the

litigation must be approved before any reimbursement for professional

services will be authorized. See Attorney Guide, ¶¶ 47-51. Counsel will

not be reimbursed for work performed before the date of appointment

without prior approval on a showing of good cause. The services of

investigators or experts are not contemplated during this phase, but will be

considered upon adequate justification.

Case 1:07-cv-01466-LJO-SAB Document 4 Filed 11/02/07 Page 3 of 4
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

OApptCnslCat 4

Good cause appearing,

Lynne S. Coffin, Esq., is appointed as lead counsel, and Saor E.

Stetler, Esq., is appointed as co-counsel, to represent Catlin for all purposes

in these proceedings.

Counsel for both parties shall file the Confidential Case Evaluation

Form, within seven days of the filing date of this order. Counsel for Catlin

shall concurrently file an application for establishment of an hourly

reimbursement rate. Counsel for Catlin shall file the proposed budget for

Phase I on or before December 3, 2007. Respondent shall lodge the state

record by December 18, 2007.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: November 2, 2007 /s/ Oliver W. Wanger 

b64h1h UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 1:07-cv-01466-LJO-SAB Document 4 Filed 11/02/07 Page 4 of 4