Justen Hall v. Rick Thaler, Director

JERRY E. SMITH, Circuit Judge: *

Justen Hall was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. He petitioned for a federal writ of habeas corpus under 28 U.S.C. § 2254. The district court denied the petition and a request for a certificate of appealability (“COA”). We deny Hall’s request for a COA and his motion to stay appellate proceedings.

I

One evening in 2002, Hall and several members of the Aryan Circle gang gathered at Chase Hale’ residence, a known drug house used for cooking methamphetamine. Melanie Billhartz arrived there, upset after an argument with Ted Murga-troyd, who was at the…