Bobby Woods v. Brad Livingston, No. 09-70035 (5th Cir. 2009)
Annotate this Case
Download PDF
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS United States Court of Appeals FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT Fifth Circuit FILED November 30, 2009 No. 09-70035 Charles R. Fulbruge III Clerk BOBBY WAYNE WOODS, Plaintiff - Appellant v. BRAD LIVINGSTON, Executive Director of Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Defendant - Appellee Appeal from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas USDC No. 09-cv-3780 Before DeMOSS, DENNIS, and CLEMENT, Circuit Judges. PER CURIAM:* Bobby Wayne Woods, an inmate of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice ( TDCJ ), is scheduled to be executed on December 3, 2009. In this appeal, Woods seeks a stay of execution in order to pursue a claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Woods wishes to present video evidence of his mental impairment to support a petition for clemency. However, TDCJ officials have denied Woods s requests to allow his lawyer to videotape him. * In a written order, Judge Pursuant to 5TH CIR . R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR . R. 47.5.4. No. 09-70035 Rosenthal dismissed Woods s § 1983 petition on the basis that venue was improper. Judge Rosenthal also reasoned that Woods s petition was malicious because it mimicked claims and sought relief which had been expressly rejected in a separate action before the Western District of Texas, namely, an injunction requiring that TDCJ officials allow Woods to be videotaped. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(i). For this reason, Judge Rosenthal denied Woods s motion for stay of execution. Woods is not entitled to relief. He has previously presented evidence in state and federal tribunals that his mental impairment makes him ineligible for execution. See Woods v. Quarterman, 493 F.3d 580 (5th Cir. 2007). He timely filed a petition for clemency with the aid of appointed counsel. He fails to demonstrate that his inability to supplement the petition with video evidence entitles him to the equitable remedy of a stay of execution. See Nelson v. Campbell, 541 U.S. 637, 649-50 (2004). Woods s motion for stay of execution is DENIED. Woods s motion to proceed in forma pauperis is DENIED. 2
Some case metadata and case summaries were written with the help of AI, which can produce inaccuracies. You should read the full case before relying on it for legal research purposes.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.