Monday, February 24, 2014 the defense team representing Frank Atwood filed yet another motion to the U. S. District Court, asking that the Honorable Judge John C. Coughenour to reconsider part of his ruling handed down on January 27, 2014. This came just a few days before the defense was expected to file their appeal to the United States Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
They were asking the court to “alter or amend the judgement” in regards to their claims of ineffective counsel by attorney Dan Davis, who represented Atwood in the Post Conviction Relief phase and the beginning of the Writ of Habeas Corpus.
The Honorable Judge Coughenour DENIED this motion Friday, February 28th, 2014.
The seven pages of convoluted claims read more like a desperate last minute effort to stall the deadline to file before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. They have now, 30 days to file before the court.
I would place a large Las Vegas bet that the defense team will ask for an extension before the court, most likely claiming that they need more time to prepare their appeal. Honestly, considering the fact that this defense team has logged in thousands of man hours on this case, it seems professionally embarrassing to think they need more time, but asking for an extension buys Frank Atwood just that, TIME.
I have the utmost confidence that the clock is ticking on Atwood’s fate and that both the United States Ninth Circuit and Supreme Courts will concur with the rulings that the Honorable Judge John Coughenour made.
For now we will wait to see what the defense team does in the next 30 days. And, we will continue in our fight to bring justice to Vicki Lynne.
First off I’d like to say how wonderful I think it is that you have created this website in memory of your sister. Like so many others this heinous crime has affected me deeply,since I was 8 years old. My best friend at that age was Vicky G. who I believe is pictured in Vicki Lynn’s 8th birthday celebration and is a cousin of yours. I played with Vicki Lynn once or twice alongside Vicky G. Her disappearance and murder terrified and saddened me terribly. To this day I am extra vigilant in regards to my own children’s safety because of what happened to your sister. A couple of years ago I googled Frank Atwood’s name and was floored and absolutely livid to find that this monster was still drawing air at taxpayers expense. I am so sorry to hear you and your family have still not gotten justice for Vicki Lynn. I am praying for you and your family as I have for 30 years. I hope this animal is put down very soon. May God bless you and keep you.