Rayford v. Davis, 3:06-CV-0978-B
| Decision Date | 05 September 2017 |
| Docket Number | NO. 3:06-CV-0978-B,3:06-CV-0978-B |
| Parties | WILLIAM EARL RAYFORD, Petitioner, v. LORIE DAVIS, Director Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Correctional Institutions Division Respondent. |
| Court | U.S. District Court — Northern District of Texas |
(Death Penalty Case)
On June 6, 2017, the Criminal District Court of Dallas County, Texas, set the execution of William Earl Rayford for January 30, 2018. On August 9, 2017, Rayford filed his motion for funds for expert services. Motion, doc. 100. The certificate of conference indicated that it is opposed. Mot. at 12. Respondent has filed her response in opposition to the motion. Response, doc. 101. Because Rayford has shown a reasonable need for the funding, the motion is granted.
Rayford seeks this Court's approval for funds to hire an expert, Dr. Richard L. Fulbright, to perform a neuropsychological evaluation on Mr. Rayford in connection with subsequent state clemency proceedings under 18 U.S.C. § 3599(f). See Mot. 10-11 (citing Brown v. Stephens, 762 F.3d 454, 459-61 (5th Cir. 2014)). Rayford argues that the requested services are reasonably necessary to provide the Governor and Board of Pardons and Paroles the information they need in order to determine whether to exercise their discretion to extend grace to the petitioner in order to prevent a miscarriage of justice. Specifically, Rayford asserts that the proposed funding and expert services would provide "material information beyond that already adduced." Mot. 10. Rayford acknowledges that a mental health evaluation was previously conducted by forensic psychologist Dr. Gilda Kessner prior to his capital murder trial, but questions the circumstances and thoroughness of that examination.
Respondent argues that the requested funding is not reasonably necessary because evidence of Rayford's neuropsychological functioning would be cumulative to mental-health evidence already presented during Rayford's trial and during his postconviction proceedings. Resp. 11-18. Further, Respondent argues that Rayford cannot demonstrate that funding is reasonably necessary in light of the brutal nature of his two murders. Resp. 18-19.
Appointed counsel has a duty to represent Rayford through "all available post-conviction process, together with applications for stays of execution and other appropriate motions and procedures, and shall also represent the defendant in such competency proceedings and proceedings for executive or other clemency as may be available to" Rayford. 18 U.S.C. § 3599(e); Harbison v. Bell, 556 U.S. 180, 194 (2009) (). This statute further provides:
Upon a finding that investigative, expert, or other services are reasonably necessary for the representation of the defendant, whether in connection with issues relating to guilt or the sentence, the court may authorize the defendant's attorneys to obtain such services on behalf of the defendant and, if so authorized, shall order the payment of fees and expenses therefor under subsection (g).
18 U.S.C. § 3599(f). After discussing the nature and purpose of clemency proceedings, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit provided guidance on whether district court's should grant funding for clemency investigations.
Thus, when a petitioner requests funds for investigative services for the purpose of clemency proceedings, the petitioner must show that the requested services are reasonably necessary to provide the Governor and Board of Pardons and Paroles the information they need in order to determine whether to exercise their discretion to extend grace to the petitioner in order to prevent a miscarriage of justice.
Brown, 762 F.3d at 460. In construing this language, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit held that a district court abused its discretion in denying funding for a neuropsychological examination on the basis that the inmate had already had mental health examinations because the inmate "pointed to a history of...
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