Opinion
3:23-cv-00255-ART-CLB
07-07-2023
STEPHEN CHRISTIE, Petitioner, v. NETHANJAH BREITENBACH,[1] Respondents.
ORDER
ANNE R. TRAUM, UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
Pro se Petitioner Stephen Christie has filed a Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus under 28 U.S.C. § 2254. (ECF No. 1-1 (“Petition”).) The court directed Christie to pay his filing fee or file an in forma pauperis application. (ECF No. 5.) Christie timely complied. (ECF No. 6.) This matter comes before the court for initial review under the Rules Governing Section 2254 Cases (“Habeas Rules”). For the reasons discussed below, the court directs service of the Petition and sua sponte raises the issue of counsel.
The court takes judicial notice of the online docket records of the Second Judicial District Court and Nevada appellate courts. These docket records may be accessed at https://www.washoecourts.com/Query/DetailedCaseSearch and http://caseinfo.nvsupremecourt.us/public/caseSearch.do.
Christie challenges a conviction and sentence imposed by the Second Judicial District Court for Washoe County (“state court”). State v. Stephen John Michael Christie, Case No. CR16-0503. The state court entered a judgment of conviction on April 3, 2017, pursuant to a jury trial, of two counts of robbery, burglary, leaving the scene of an accident involving personal injury, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, two counts of burglary while in possession of a deadly weapon, eluding a police officer, possession of a firearm with the serial number altered, possession of tools commonly used for commission of burglary or larceny, and felon in possession of a firearm. Christie was sentenced to an aggregate of 16 years 8 months to 52 years. Christie appealed, and on May 18, 2018, the Nevada Court of Appeals affirmed. Stephen John Michael Christie v. The State of Nevada, No. 72976. Remittitur issued on June 14, 2018.
Christie filed a state petition for writ of habeas corpus on June 12, 2019. On August 17, 2022, the state court dismissed Christie's state petition. Christie appealed, and the Nevada Court of Appeals affirmed on March 17, 2023. Stephen John Michael Christie v. The State of Nevada, No. 85266-COA. Remittitur issued on April 11, 2023.
Christie initiated this action on or about June 6, 2023. (ECF No. 1-1 at 1.)
Christie previously filed a Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus under 28 U.S.C. § 2254 in case number 3:22-cv-00484-ART-CLB, but it was dismissed without prejudice as unexhausted and premature because his state habeas appeal was still pending.
II. DISCUSSION
Habeas Rule 4 requires this court to examine the Petition and order a response unless it “plainly appears” that the Petition is not entitled to relief. See Valdez v. Montgomery, 918 F.3d 687, 693 (9th Cir. 2019). This rule allows courts to screen and dismiss petitions that are patently frivolous, vague, conclusory, palpably incredible, false, or plagued by procedural defects. Boyd v. Thompson, 147 F.3d 1124, 1128 (9th Cir. 1998); Hendricks v. Vasquez, 908 F.2d 490, 491 (9th Cir. 1990) (collecting cases). A response is warranted in the instant case.
Further, it appears that counsel may be helpful in this case. The Criminal Justice Act authorizes the court to appoint counsel “when the interests of justice so require.” 18 U.S.C. § 3006A(a)(2). Although this court finds that the appointment of counsel is in the interests of justice given the apparent complexities of this case and Christie's lengthy sentence, this court is cognizant of the fact that Christie has not moved for the appointment of counsel. As such, this court gives Christie 30 days to file a motion for the appointment of counsel. If Christie does not file such a motion within 30 days, the court will not appoint counsel and will issue a scheduling order on the Petition.
III. CONCLUSION
It is therefore ordered that the clerk (1) change Christie's address to Northern Nevada Correctional Center, (2) file the Petition (ECF No. 1-1), (3) substitute Nethanjah Breitenbach as a respondent for Respondent Warden Tim Garrett, (4) add Aaron Ford, Attorney General of the State of Nevada, as counsel for respondents, (5) electronically serve respondents' counsel a copy of the Petition (ECF No. 1-1), and (6) electronically provide respondents' counsel a copy of this order and copies of all other items previously filed in this case by regenerating the Notices of Electronic Filing.
This Court has received returned mail noting that Christie is now housed at Northern Nevada Correctional Center. (See ECF Nos. 4, 7.)
It is further ordered that respondents' counsel must enter a notice of appearance within 21 days of entry of this order, but no further response will be required until further order.
It is further ordered that Christie file a motion for the appointment of counsel within 30 days if he desires that counsel be appointed to represent him. If Christie does not file a motion for the appointment of counsel within 30 days, the court will not appoint counsel for Christie and will issue a scheduling order on the Petition.