Supreme Court of the United States · Official docket →
Cody James Martinez v. Ryan Thornell, Director, Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry, et al.
IFP petition · United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, No. 25-6539 · judgment March 30, 2026
Question presented
I. Whether Arizona, having refused Strickland cumulative error determination of prejudice, is entitled to AEDPA deference for a decision made using the wrong standard? II. Whether Mr. Martinez has made a substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional right to support a certificate of appealability where the trial court granted sentencing relief as to Count 1 (Murder) but denied relief as to Count 2 (Kidnapping) even though its determination as to Count 1 (Murder) was based on a determination of ineffective assistance of trial counsel as to many of the same aggravating factors that resulted in the aggravated sentence as to Count 2 (Kidnapping)?
Counsel of record
For petitioner
Stephen Jonathan Young
Law Office of S. Jonathan Young
For respondent
Jimmy Dale Nielsen
Office of the Arizona Attorney General
Case
Conference history
Distributed for 1 conference
Proceedings
- Aug 27 2026DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 9/28/2026.
- Aug 21 2026Waiver of right of respondent Ryan Thornell, Director, Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry, et al. to respond filed.
- Jul 18 2026Petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed. (Response due September 17, 2026)