Thompson

INTRODUCTION

This is a stayed, administratively closed habeas case that was recently reassigned to the undersigned District Judge. (ECF No. 54.) Petitioner, a state prisoner proceeding pro se, initially filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254. He then filed an amended petition on May 20, 2004. (ECF No. 10.) On September 29, 2006, the Honorable Saundra B. Armstrong issued an order granting Petitioner’s request for a stay of proceedings while he returned to state court to exhaust his state court remedies as to certain claims. (ECF No. 31.) Prior to the stay being granted, Petitioner was represented by Joseph Baxter, Esq., who had filed a motion for substitution of counsel on June 12, 2006. (ECF No. 14.) However, Petitioner is 24 no longer represented by Attorney Baxter, whose request to withdraw as counsel of record was 25 granted in November 2020. (ECF Nos. 42, 44.) 26 27 Before the Court is Petitioner’s motion for appointment of counsel. (ECF No. 57.) Attorney Baxter has also filed another Notice of Withdrawal, in which he states that if the Court elects to…