Opinion ID: 1383355
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: on motion to withdraw as counsel and appointment of new counsel

Text: RIPPLE, Circuit Judge (in chambers). This matter is before me on the motion of appointed counsel to withdraw and on the motion of Mr. Hawkins for the appointment of new counsel. This court decided the merits of this direct criminal appeal in United States v. Hawkins, 499 F.3d 703 (7th Cir.2007). The deadline for the defendant to file a petition for a panel or en banc rehearing was September 11, 2007. Fed. R.App. P. 35(c), 40(a)(1). On that day, Mr. Hawkins' appointed counsel instead filed a motion to withdraw as counsel and requested a thirty-day extension so that Mr. Hawkins could prepare and file a petition for rehearing on his own behalf. Mr. Hawkins then filed a motion asking for the appointment of new counsel. For the reasons set forth in this opinion, I grant the motion to withdraw and grant the motion for the appointment of counsel.