Free Order on Motion for Default Judgment - District Court of Delaware - Delaware

Case 1 :06-cv—00356-GIVIS Document 37 Filed 02/05/2007 Page 1 of 2
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE
DAMONE E. FLOWERS, )
)
Petitioner, )
)
v. ) Civ. A. No. 06-356-GMS
)
THOMAS CARROLL, Warden, )
et. al., )
)
Respondents. )
O R D E R
_ .+\ ml
At Wilmington this 5 day of , 2007;
IT IS ORDERED that:
Petitioner Damone E. Flowers’ motion for defaultjudgment is DENIED} (D.I. 21)
Whether a default judgment is even available in a habeas corpus proceeding is subject to debate.
See Lemons v. O ’Sullivon, 54 F.3d 357, 365 (7"‘ Cir. 1995)("Defau1tjudgment is an extreme
sanction that is disfavored in habeas corpus cases"); Gordon v. Duran, 895 F .2d 610, 612 (9m
Cir. 1990)("The failure to respond to claims in a petition for habeas corpus does not entitle the
petitioner to a defaultjudgment"); Aziz v. Leferve, 830 F.2d 184, 187 (1 I"` Cir. 1987); Allen v.
Perini, 424 F.2d 134, 138 (6'h Cir. 1970). Regardless, because the court granted the State’s
motion for an extension of time to file its answer on December 13, 2006, an entry of default is
'Although F lowers’ motion is titled "Motion for Summary Judgment", the contents
clearly indicate that Flowers is requesting a default judgment due to the State’s failure to file its
answer within the initial 45 days originally specified by the court. Thus, the court construes the
motion to be a motion for default judgment.

Case 1:06-cv—00356-Gl\/IS Document 37 Filed 02/05/2007 Page 2 of 2
not warranted at this time. See Rule 5(a) of the Rules Governing Section 2254 Cases; Fed. R.
Civ. P. 55.
UNITEDESTA $8 DISTRICT JUDGE
F I L E D
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