Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_20-cv-00878/USCOURTS-caed-2_20-cv-00878-4/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Robert Burton
Respondent
James Michael Feci
Petitioner

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

JAMES MICHAEL FECI, 

Petitioner, 

v. 

ROBERT BURTON, 

Respondent. 

No. 2:20-cv-0878 KJM CKD P 

ORDER 

 Petitioner, a state prisoner proceeding pro se, has filed this application for a writ of habeas 

corpus under 28 U.S.C. § 2254. The matter was referred to a United States Magistrate Judge as 

provided by 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(B) and Local Rule 302. 

 On October 30, 2020, the magistrate judge filed findings and recommendations, which 

were served on all parties and which contained notice to all parties that any objections to the 

findings and recommendations were to be filed within twenty-one days. ECF No. 26. Petitioner 

has filed objections to the findings and recommendations. ECF No. 29. Petitioner’s objections 

focus on why he believes his conviction may be unjust, but do not undermine the magistrate 

judge’s conclusions. In particular, petitioner is unable to explain how he has established good 

cause for a stay as required by Rhines v. Weber, 544 U.S. 269 (2005). 

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Case 2:20-cv-00878-DJC-CKD Document 36 Filed 03/31/21 Page 1 of 2
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 In accordance with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(C) and Local Rule 304, this 

court has conducted a de novo review of this case. Having reviewed the file, the court finds the 

findings and recommendations to be supported by the record and by the proper analysis. 

 Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that: 

 1. The findings and recommendations filed October 30, 2020, are adopted in full. 

 2. Respondent’s motion to dismiss claims 2, 3 and 4 of the federal habeas corpus petition 

(ECF No. 10) is granted. 

 3. Petitioner’s motion to stay his mixed federal habeas petition (ECF No. 6) pursuant to 

Rhines v. Weber, 544 U.S. 269 (2005), is denied for lack of good cause shown, given that 

although petitioner has alleged ineffective assistance of counsel but not provided any evidence to 

support that allegation. 

 3. Petitioner is granted a stay of these proceedings pursuant to Kelly v. Small, 315 F.3d 

1063 (9th Cir. 2003). 

 4. The Clerk of Court is directed to administratively stay these proceedings until further 

order of the court. 

 5. Petitioner is directed to file a status report with the court every 90 days indicating 

whether he has filed a habeas corpus petition in the California Supreme Court in order to exhaust 

his state court remedies. 

 6. Petitioner is further directed to file a motion to lift the stay within 30 days once the 

California Supreme Court issues a decision concerning his habeas corpus petition. 

 7. Once the stay of this case is lifted, petitioner will be granted leave to file a first 

amended 28 U.S.C. § 2254 application adding claims two and four back into the petition. 

DATED: March 31, 2021. 

Case 2:20-cv-00878-DJC-CKD Document 36 Filed 03/31/21 Page 2 of 2