Magistrate Judge Cota Appoints Benjamin F. Hall as New Counsel for Petitioner

Magistrate Judge Dennis M. Cota approved the substitution of counsel for the petitioner on April 29, 2026. The Federal Defender moved to withdraw, and the court granted the request.

Benjamin F. Hall, Esq., was appointed as the new counsel under the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) for the remainder of the proceedings. The appointment was made retroactive to the date of the order.

The court directed the Clerk to update the docket to reflect this change, terminating the Federal Defender's representation and substituting Attorney Hall. This procedural shift signals a new phase in the case, with fresh counsel now responsible for advancing the petitioner's interests.

The docket does not specify the underlying claims or procedural posture, but the appointment of CJA counsel typically occurs in federal habeas or post-conviction matters. Judge Cota’s involvement suggests the case remains in pretrial or post-conviction review stages.

The substitution may affect upcoming filings or hearings, as new counsel reviews the record and formulates strategy. The case remains active, but no further details on the claims or timeline are publicly available.