NARA v. FRANK (2007)

OPINION SUR MOTION TO STAY THE MANDATE AND ORDER OF THE COURT

Presently before the Court is a motion by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to stay the mandate of our decision in Nara v. Frank, No. 05-4779, 494 F.3d 1132, 2007 WL 2034090 (3d Cir. 2007) pending its filing of a petition for writ of certiorari.   Familiarity with this Court's opinion in the underlying litigation is presumed.  Nara v. Frank, 488 F.3d 187 (3d Cir.2007).

 In exceptional cases, a party may obtain a stay of our mandate if it can demonstrate that its petition presents a “substantial question and that there is good cause for a stay.”  Fed. R.App. P. 41(d)(2)(A) (2007).   This standard requires the movant to show:  (1) a reasonable probability that the Supreme Court will grant certiorari;  (2) a reasonable possibility that at least five Justices would vote to reverse this Court's judgment;  and (3) a likelihood of irreparable injury absent a stay.   In a close case, the movant should make a showing that, on balance, the interests of the parties and the public favor a stay.  Rostker v. Goldberg, 448 U.S. 1306, 1308, 101 S.Ct. 1, 65 L.Ed.2d 1098 (1980) (Brennan, J., in chambers);  Bricklayers Local 21 v. Banner Restoration, Inc., 384 F.3d 911, 912 (7th Cir.2004) (Ripple, J., in chambers);  Doe v. Miller, 418 F.3d 950, 951 (8th Cir.2005);  Fed. R.App. P. 41(d) advisory committee's note.

 The Commonwealth has failed to meet these requirements.   First, the Commonwealth contends that the Supreme Court's holding in Baldwin v. Reese, 541 U.S. 27, 32, 124 S.Ct. 1347, 158 L.Ed.2d 64 (2004), limited the viability of the analysis we set forth in McCandless v. Vaughn, 172 F.3d 255, 260 (3d Cir.1999), but it has not demonstrated that the state courts were required to look beyond Mr. Nara's petitions or briefs for a federal claim.   Second, the Commonwealth argues that we gave insufficient deference to the state courts' rulings and erred in concluding that Nara's competency claim was not procedurally defaulted.   The Commonwealth, however, does not develop these arguments in any way, much less cite authority to suggest that at least five Justices would disagree with our analysis.

Finally, the Commonwealth has failed to show that an “irreparable injury” is likely absent a stay.   Nothing prevents the Commonwealth from preparing to commence trial within 120 days while simultaneously filing a petition for certiorari.

For the foregoing reasons, it is ORDERED that the motion to stay the mandate is DENIED.   This is without prejudice to the applicant's right to file a timely petition for writ of certiorari.

NYGAARD, Circuit Judge.