Jorge Luis Valdez Jr. J. Pickett

Background Facts On September 29, 2000, Petitioner pled nolo contendere to one count of lewd and lascivious act against a minor. (Petition at 2). He was sentenced to three years in prison. (Id.). While serving time in prison, Petitioner was assaulted by his cellmate in April 2000, apparently because of his “R” suffix. (Id. at 17, 61–69). See Cal. Code Regs. tit. 15 § 3377.1(b) (“An ‘R’ suffix shall be affixed to an inmate’s custody designation to ensure the safety of inmates, correctional personnel, and the general public by identifying inmates who have a history of specific sex offenses as outlined in Penal Code Section 290.”). He received a large laceration on his back because he was attacked with a razor blade. (Petition at 64–65). While imprisoned for a different offense starting June 2009, Petitioner was assaulted by an inmate in January 2010, and received a laceration on the right side of his neck as a result. (Id. at 70–73). He was released on parole in 2013. (Id. at 18). On April 10, 2014, Petitioner pled guilty to attempted murder, car jacking, possession of a fire arm, vehicle theft, and gun enhancements. (Id. at 14). Petitioner was 2 “SOMS” stands for Strategic…