Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_19-cv-01796/USCOURTS-caed-1_19-cv-01796-0/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Steven Allen Brown
Petitioner
Ronald Davis
Defendant

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

STEVEN ALLEN BROWN,

Petitioner,

v.

RONALD DAVIS, Warden of California State 

Prison at San Quentin,

Respondent.

Case No. 1:19-cv-01796-DAD

DEATH PENALTY CASE

ORDER GRANTING APPLICATION FOR 

APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL

(Doc. No. 1) 

ORDER GRANTING APPLICATION TO 

PROCEED WITHOUT PREPAYMENT OF 

FEES 

(Doc. No. 2)

ORDER DENYING WITHOUT PREJUDICE 

APPLICATION FOR STAY OF 

EXECUTION 

(Doc. No. 1)

On December 23, 2019, petitioner Steven Allen Brown, a state prisoner facing capital 

punishment, commenced this action pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254 by filing requests for 

appointment of counsel to represent him and stay of execution. (Doc. No. 1.) Therein, petitioner 

supports the requests and his separate motion to proceed in forma pauperis filed on his behalf by 

Kelly Culshaw, Assistant Federal Defender, (Doc. No. 2), by attesting to his capital conviction

and sentence following direct review and state collateral proceedings, his belief in entitlement to 

redress, his need for appointed counsel and preference for re-appointment of state appellate and 

post-conviction counsel, and his indigence. 

Case 1:19-cv-01796-ADA Document 7 Filed 01/13/20 Page 1 of 3
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Section 3599a)(2) of Title 18 of the United States Code provides for the appointment of 

one or more attorneys to represent an indigent person proceeding under 28 U.S.C. § 2254 to vacate 

a death sentence. Rule 191(c) of the Local Rules of the United States District Court for the Eastern 

District of California also provides for the appointment of counsel for indigent capital habeas 

petitioners. Under this rule, selection of counsel is made from a panel of attorneys qualified for 

appointment in death penalty cases and certified by a selection board appointed by the Chief 

Judge. Based on petitioner’s submissions, he is entitled to appointment of counsel under 18 

U.S.C. § 3599(a)(2).

Section 2251(a)(3) of Title 28 of the United States Code provides for grant of stay of 

execution once federal jurisdiction is invoked by a request for appointment of counsel pursuant 

to 18 U.S.C. § 3599(a). Rule 191(g)(1-2) of the Local Rules also provides for stay of execution 

pending appointment of counsel and final disposition. Based on the petitioner’s submissions, an 

order granting a stay of execution is unnecessary at this time because no execution date has been 

set.

Rule 3(a) of the Rules Governing § 2254 Cases in the United States District Courts provides 

that a petitioner seeking in forma pauperis status shall file an affidavit of assets as required by 28 

U.S.C. § 1915. Rule 3(a) also requires a certificate from the prison stating the amount on deposit 

in the petitioner’s accounts. Based on petitioner’s submissions, he has complied with the 

requirements of 28 U.S.C. § 1915 and Rule 3(a). (See Doc. Nos. 1 & 5.) He is entitled to proceed 

in forma pauperis.

Accordingly, 

1. Petitioner’s application for appointment of counsel is granted. The matter is 

referred to the Selection Board for the Eastern District of California for 

recommendation of suitable counsel. 

2. Petitioner’s application to proceed in forma pauperis is granted. 

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3. Petitioner’s request for stay of execution is denied without prejudice in light of the 

fact that no execution date has been set. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: January 12, 2020 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 1:19-cv-01796-ADA Document 7 Filed 01/13/20 Page 3 of 3