Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-5_98-cv-21027/USCOURTS-cand-5_98-cv-21027-0/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

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Case No. C 98 21027 JF

ORDER DENYING AS MOOT MOTION TO ALLOW COUNSEL TO WITHDRAW

(DPSAGOK)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

SAN JOSE DIVISION

William Michael DENNIS,

 Petitioner,

 v.

Robert L. AYERS Jr., Warden of San Quentin

State Prison,

 Respondent.

Case Number C 98 21027 JF

DEATH-PENALTY CASE

ORDER DENYING AS MOOT

MOTION TO ALLOW COUNSEL TO

WITHDRAW

[Docket No. 219]

Petitioner initiated the instant action in 1998 with a motion for appointment of counsel

and stay of execution. In 1999, the Court appointed Peter Giannini as counsel for Petitioner. In

2006, after a request by Mr. Giannini to appoint James S. Thomson and Saor E. Stetler as cocounsel, the Court on July 17, 2006, appointed Mr. Stetler, individually, as co-counsel. In

response, counsel requested that the Court reconsider the appointment of solely Mr. Stetler. On

November 6, 2006, the Court vacated the July 17, 2006, order and appointed only Mr. Thomson

as co-counsel, in light of the policies of the Judicial Council of the Ninth Circuit, which generally

permit the appointment of only two counsel for a capital habeas petitioner. In denying the

request to reconsider the appointment of both Messrs. Thomson and Stetler as co-counsel, the

Court noted that Mr. Stetler “may serve in the role of associate counsel for James Thomson and

Peter Giannini.”

*efiled 3/29/07

Case 5:98-cv-21027-JF Document 221 Filed 03/29/07 Page 1 of 3
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Case No. C 98 21027 JF

ORDER DENYING AS MOOT MOTION TO ALLOW COUNSEL TO WITHDRAW

(DPSAGOK)

Presently before the Court is a motion to allow Mr. Stetler to withdraw as co-counsel for

Petitioner due to the dissolution of the law partnership of Messrs. Thomson and Stetler. The

request is moot as the Court indicated that Mr. Stetler “may” assist Messrs. Giannini and

Thomson as an associate in representing Petitioner, but was not appointed by the Court and

correspondingly has no obligation to do so. Only an attorney whom the Court has appointed to

represent a party can withdraw as counsel for that party. Not being appointed as co-counsel for

Petitioner, Mr. Stetler ipso facto cannot withdraw as co-counsel for Petitioner.

Accordingly, and good cause therefor appearing, the motion to allow Mr. Stetler to

withdraw as counsel for Petitioner is denied as moot.

 It is so ordered.

DATED: 3/29/07 _______________________________

JEREMY FOGEL

United States District Judge

Case 5:98-cv-21027-JF Document 221 Filed 03/29/07 Page 2 of 3
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Case No. C 98 21027 JF

ORDER DENYING AS MOOT MOTION TO ALLOW COUNSEL TO WITHDRAW

(DPSAGOK)

Copies of Order mailed on 3/29/07 to:

Peter Giannini, Esq.

11755 Wilshire Boulevard, 15th Floor

Los Angeles, CA 90025-1501

James S. Thomson, Esq.

819 Delaware Street

Berkeley, CA 94710

Edmund G. Brown Jr., Esq.

Robert R. Anderson, Esq.

Gerald A. Engler, Esq.

Dane R. Gillette, Esq.

Ronald S. Matthias, Esq.

Office of the Attorney General

455 Golden Gate Avenue, Suite 11000

San Francisco, CA 94102-7004

Habeas Corpus Resource Center

50 Fremont Street, Suite 1800

San Francisco, CA 94105

Federal Court Docketing

California Appellate Project

101 Second Street, Suite 600

San Francisco, CA 94105

Case 5:98-cv-21027-JF Document 221 Filed 03/29/07 Page 3 of 3