SEATTLE - The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit will hold a special sitting at the UW School of Law Wednesday, April 11, 2007 in Room 133. A three-judge panel consisting of Circuit Judges Alex Kozinski, Raymond C. Fisher of Pasadena and Richard C. Tallman of Seattle will hear an appeal in a California death penalty case:
- Pinholster v. Woodford, Case 03-99003, in which Warden Jeanne Woodford appeals an
order of the district court granting a habeas petition brought by California death row inmate
Scott Lynn Pinholster, challenging his two first degree murder convictions and death
sentence. The district court concluded that Pinholster's trial counsel provided ineffective
assistance by failing to present legal and medical theories and expert witness opinions at
trial. The district court ordered a new penalty phase trial. Pinholster cross-appeals.
Oral arguments begin at 10 a.m. Visitors who wish to attend are asked to arrive early (as seating is first come, first served) and to follow court etiquette and guidelines.
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals regularly hears cases in Seattle, Portland, San Francisco and
Pasadena, and also travels periodically to other cities within the circuit to hold court.