Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_11-cv-01315/USCOURTS-caed-1_11-cv-01315-13/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Rowan Brooks
Petitioner
James Yates
Respondent

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

ROWAN BROOKS,

Petitioner,

v.

JAMES YATES,

Respondent.

No. 1:11-cv-01315-LJO-JLT (HC)

ORDER ADOPTING FINDINGS AND 

RECOMMENDATIONS (Doc. No. 57)

ORDER GRANTING EQUITABLE 

TOLLING AND FINDING FEDERAL 

PETITION TIMELY FILED

ORDER REFERRING MATTER BACK TO 

MAGISTRATE JUDGE FOR FURTHER 

PROCEEDINGS

Petitioner is a state prisoner proceeding in propria persona with a petition for writ of 

habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254. On September 30, 2016, the Magistrate Judge 

assigned to the case issued Findings and Recommendation to grant Petitioner equitable tolling up 

to the point he filed his federal petition thereby rendering the federal petition timely filed. This 

Findings and Recommendation was served upon all parties and contained notice that any 

objections were to be filed within twenty-one days from the date of service of that order. On

October 18, 2016, Respondent filed objections to the Magistrate Judge’s Findings and 

Recommendations. (Doc. No. 58). On October 31, 2016, Petitioner filed a response to 

Respondent’s objections. (Doc. No. 59.) 

In accordance with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636 (b)(1)(C), the Court has conducted a 

Case 1:11-cv-01315-LJO-JLT Document 60 Filed 11/10/16 Page 1 of 2
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de novo review of the case. Having carefully reviewed the entire file, including Respondent’s 

objections and Petitioner’s response, the Court concludes that the Magistrate Judge’s Findings 

and Recommendation is supported by the record and proper analysis. The Court agrees that given 

the facts of this case, the misconduct of Petitioner’s counsel was so egregious that counsel was no 

longer acting on behalf of his client and functioning as his agent. Thus, Petitioner should not be 

bound by his attorney’s actions. The Court will grant equitable tolling until the time he filed his 

federal petition, thereby rendering the petition timely filed. 

Accordingly, the Court orders as follows:

1. The Findings and Recommendations, filed September 30, 2016, is adopted in full;

2. Petitioner is granted equitable tolling up to the point he filed his federal petition;

3. The petition for writ of habeas corpus is considered timely filed; and

4. The matter is referred back to the Magistrate Judge for further proceedings.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: November 9, 2016 /s/ Lawrence J. O’Neill _____ 

UNITED STATES CHIEF DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 1:11-cv-01315-LJO-JLT Document 60 Filed 11/10/16 Page 2 of 2