Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_97-cv-06210/USCOURTS-caed-1_97-cv-06210-23/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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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

This matter is before the Court on the joint request of the parties Petitioner John Lee Holt 

(“Holt”) and Kevin Chappell, Warden of California State Prison at San Quentin (the “Warden”) to 

modify the briefing schedule in preparation for the evidentiary hearing. Specifically, they request a 

continuance from January 14, 2014 to May 14, 2014 to file their respective briefs. The grounds for the 

request on Holt’s side include the press of other cases for both CJA counsel Robert Myers and 

Assistant Federal Defender Jennifer Mann. Ms. Mann’s other case responsibilities include litigation 

of Holt’s Atkins petition before the Kern County Superior Court. On the Warden’s side, Deputy 

Attorney Sean McCoy is in involved with a project involving the State Victim Compensation 

Government Claims Board in February, 2014, will have to obtain re-authorization for the State’s 

mental health expert, supervises other deputies in the preparation of pleadings, and carries his own 

case load, aside from Holt’s case. 

JOHN LEE HOLT,

 Petitioner,

v.

KEVIN CHAPPELL, Warden of California 

State Prison at San Quentin,

Respondent.

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Case No.: 1:97-cv-06210 AWI

ORDER MODIFYING BRIEFING SCHEDULE IN 

PREPARATION FOR EVIDENTIARY HEARING

Case 1:97-cv-06210-KES Document 208 Filed 01/10/14 Page 1 of 2
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Given the impacted schedules of Mr. Myers, Ms. Mann, and Mr. McCoy, the Court is troubled 

by the timing of the instant request, five days before briefing due date. The Court also is uneasy about 

delaying the federal action, regarding guilt phase claims, for litigation before the Kern County 

Superior Court, regarding a penalty claim. Holt’s counsel are directed to provide monthly status 

reports concerning that state litigation and to keep the Superior Court up to date on the status of the 

within federal proceedings. Both federal and state courts need to be properly informed. In addition, as 

to the Warden, the moving papers are silent as to the role the other deputy Attorney General assigned 

to this case, Peter Thompson, and Mr. McCoy has not explained how it came to pass that the need to 

obtain re-authorization for the State’s expert only recently came to his attention. The Court is aware 

of and also impacted by budgetary shortfalls.

In light of the foregoing, the parties shall file briefs responsive to the Court’s November 15, 

2013 order (doc. 206) on or before May 14, 2013. Notwithstanding budgetary shortfalls, continuances 

are discouraged and last minute requests are particularly disfavored.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: January 10, 2014 

/s/ Anthony W. Ishii

 Anthony W. Ishii

 United States District Judge

Case 1:97-cv-06210-KES Document 208 Filed 01/10/14 Page 2 of 2