Vega v. United States of America

Filing 52

ORDER Denying 50 Sealed Motion to Withdraw Counsel for Ineffective Assistance, by Judge Ronald B. Leighton.(DK)

HONORABLE RONALD B. LEIGHTON

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON
AT TACOMA

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DONATO VALLE VEGA,

CASE NO. C15-5792RBL

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Petitioner,
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v.

ORDER DENYING MOTION FOR
WITHDRAW COUNSEL FOR
INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

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Respondent.

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Petitioner Donato Valle Vega seeks for the third time to fire his attorney for ineffective

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assistance of counsel. In his criminal case, Mr. Valle Vega fired two lawyers because of his

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dissatisfaction with their services. Mr. Valle Vega is a chronic complainer and persistent denier

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of reality.

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This Court has closely monitored the extent to which Timothy Lohraff has gone to meet

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the demands of his client. Even when the Government assures the Court and the Petitioner that

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requested documents do not, and have not ever existed, Mr. Valle Vega blames Mr. Lohraff for

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the response. Mr. Lohraff has done a deep dive into the evidence and the arguments in a District

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Court Circuit criminal case involving Beltran Layva. Mr. Valle Vega argues that Beltran Layva

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ORDER DENYING MOTION FOR WITHDRAW COUNSEL FOR INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE - 1

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and the actions of the lawyers and investigators are material to Petitioner’s § 2255 action. Mr.

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Lohraff will present his arguments based on the Layva action, and more, to the Court on March

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8, 2018 during a day-long evidentiary hearing. His work has thus far been exemplary and he

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should not be replaced.

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The Petitioner’s motion is DENIED.

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Dated this 8th day of December, 2017.

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A

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Ronald B. Leighton
United States District Judge

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ORDER DENYING MOTION FOR WITHDRAW COUNSEL FOR INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE - 2