Opinion
17-13009
06-07-2021
DEONDRA L. LIGGION, Petitioner, v. THOMAS O. WINN, Respondent.
ORDER GRANTING IN PART AND DENYING IN PART PETITIONER'S REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF TIME AND FOR APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL
ROBERT H. CLELAND UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
On March 13, 2020, the court granted Petitioner Deondra L. Liggion's motion to hold this habeas corpus proceeding in abeyance while he exhausts state court remedies. (ECF No. 13.) The court conditioned the stay upon Petitioner complying with certain requirements, including commencing post-conviction proceedings in state court within 60 days of the date of the Stay Order. (Id.) The court has previously granted Petitioner's two motions for extension of time to commence state court proceedings. (ECF Nos. 15, 18.) Now before the court is Petitioner's third request for an extension of time and for the appointment of counsel. (ECF 19.)
Petitioner states that restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic continue to limit access to the law library. He seeks an additional 90 days to commence state court proceedings. The court will grant Petitioner's request, but cautions Petitioner that no further requests will be granted.
Petitioner also renews his request for the appointment of counsel. The court denies the request for the same reasons stated in the earlier denial of counsel. (See ECF No. 15.) Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that Petitioner's request for an extension of time and for appointment of counsel (ECF No. 19) is GRANTED IN PART and DENIED IN PART. It is GRANTED with respect to the extension of time. Petitioner must commence state court proceedings within 90 days from the date of this order. No. further extensions will be granted. It is DENIED as to the request for appointment of counsel.