How do I find (online) a federal ruling on DR appeal
 

I apologize up front if this is posted in the wrong forum area and also if this question has been asked previously:

My friend had his death row federal appeal ruling on Sept 19. But I can't find any site online that directs me to the decision. I haven't heard from him since Sept 17 and even though mail is supposedly slow from there, Polunsky Unit in Texas, I'm wondering if he's really depressed over the ruling & that's why he hasn't written. Can anyone point me in the right direction? I know this is his absolute final appeal, the next one would be to the SCOTUS.

Which just brought me to another horrible thought: if this appeal was denied and the SCOTUS doesn't hear his case/issue a stay, how long afterwards will they set a date? He's been on the row for 19 years now.

PACER for a federal appeal or the actual court where he filed that appeal. Looks like P.A. courts are here: http://www.pacourts.us/courts/supreme-court/

With the reference to Polunsky, that tells me this is a Texas case. As a result, once it left the CCA to enter the feds, you are likely looking for a hand-down from the 5th Circuit.

As noted, all federal filings will be indexed on PACER. Some are viewable (with an account) while some are restricted from public view.