Opinion ID: 453091
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Retaining Jurisdiction in Federal Court.

Text: 12 Alternatively, Williams argues that even if he failed to exhaust state remedies, the district court should have entered a stay of execution and retained jurisdiction while litigation proceeded in the state courts. Although, as petitioner notes, federal courts may retain jurisdiction and hold a case in abeyance pending exhaustion of state remedies, see, e.g., Collins v. Lockhart, 707 F.2d 341, 344 (8th Cir.1983), they are not required to do so. It is not apparent from the record before this court that the state has set an execution date in this case, and, in any event, Williams does not deny that the Missouri Supreme Court has available procedures for obtaining stays of execution pending completion of post-conviction proceedings. We believe this is a matter appropriately handled by the state courts at this juncture. 13 Accordingly, we affirm the district court's dismissal of this action.