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

Case 1:08-cv-00109-SLR Document 14 Filed 06/04/2008 Page 1 of 2
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE
DONALD R. COCHRAN, )
Petitioner, g
v. g Civil Action No. 08-109SLR
PERRY PHELPS, g
Warden, and JOSEPH )
R. BIDEN III, Attorney )
General of the State )
of Delaware, )
Respondents. g
O R D E R
At Wilmington this&u.day of %j,,, : ,2008;
IT IS ORDERED that:
Petitioner Donald R. Cochran’s motion for a default judgment is DENIED. (D.l.
12) Whether a default judgment is even available in a habeas corpus proceeding is
subject to debate. g gg, Lemons v. O'Sullivan, 54 F.3d 357, 365 (7“‘ Cir.
1995)("Default judgment is an extreme sanction that is disfavored in habeas corpus
cases"); Gordon v. Duran, 895 F.2d 610, 612 (9“‘ Cir. 1990)("The failure to respond to
claims in a petition for habeas corpus does not entitle the petitioner to a default
judgment"); Aziz v. Leferve, 830 F.2d 184, 187 (11“‘ Cir. 1987). Nevertheless, an entry
of default is not warranted at this juncture because the court granted the State’s motion

Case 1:08-cv-00109-SLR Document 14 Filed 06/04/2008 Page 2 of 2
for an extension of time to tile its answer on May 20, 2008. g Rule 5(a) ofthe Rules
Governing Section 2254 Cases; Fed. R. Civ. P. 55.
UNITED STAT§S DISTRICT JUDGE
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Case 1:08-cv-00109-SLR

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