Opinion
3:09-cv-00178-JCM-WGC
09-10-2015
AVRAM VINETO NIKA, Petitioner, v. RENEE BAKER, et al., Respondents.
ORDER
In this capital habeas corpus action, the petitioner, Avram Vineto Nika, filed a second amended petition for writ of habeas corpus on August 3, 2015 (ECF No. 73). Respondents are due to respond to Nika's second amended petition by October 5, 2015. See Order entered June 18, 2015 (ECF No. 68).
Also on August 3, 2015, the government of the Republic of Serbia ("Serbia") filed a motion (ECF No. 69), requesting leave of court to file, as amicus curiae, a brief in support of Nika, as well as the proposed amicus brief itself and four attached exhibits (ECF No. 72). Respondents did not respond to Serbia's motion.
A federal district court has discretion to accept an amicus brief from a non-party regarding an issue with ramifications beyond the parties directly involved, or from a non-party that can offer "unique information or perspective that can help the court beyond the help that the lawyers for the parties are able to provide." Cobell v. Norton, 246 F.Supp.2d 59, 62 (D.D.C.2003) (quoting Ryan v. Commodity Futures Trading Comm'n, 125 F.3d 1062, 1064 (7th Cir.1997)); see also NGV Gaming, Ltd. v. Upstream Point Molate, LLC, 355 F.Supp.2d 1061, 1067-69 (N.D.Cal.2005).
The court finds that there is good cause to allow the filing of Serbia's amicus brief and supporting exhibits. The court will grant Serbia leave of court for that filing.
Any further filing by Serbia as amicus curiae must be pursuant to a sua sponte invitation by the court, or with leave of court granted upon a motion. Any motion by Serbia for leave of court to file a further brief as amicus curiae must be filed in such time so as not to delay the progress of this case, and must include, as an attachment, a copy of the proposed brief.
In view of this order granting Serbia leave of court to file a brief as amicus curiae, the court will sua sponte extend the time for respondents to respond to Nika's second amended habeas petition.
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that the motion for leave to file brief of the Republic of Serbia as amicus curiae in support of petitioner is GRANTED. As the amicus brief has already been filed, the clerk of the court need take no further action in this regard.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the time for respondents to respond to the petitioner's second amended habeas petition shall be extended to and including November 13, 2015.
Dated September 10, 2015.
/s/_________
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE