Thomas v. Boyd et al (INMATE 1)

Filing 44

ORDER that Plaintiff's 42 Motion for Appointment of Counsel is GRANTED as further set out in the order. It is further ORDERED that Joel Thomas Caldwell, Esq. is appointed to represent Ryan Lamar Thomas in this action. Within ten days of the date of this Order, Mr. Caldwell shall file a Notice of Appearance. Signed by Chief Judge William Keith Watkins on 9/28/2016. (dmn, )

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
NORTHERN DIVISION
RYAN LAMAR THOMAS, #250601,
Plaintiff,
v.
WARDEN LOUIS BOYD, et al.,
Defendants.

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CASE NO. 2:13-CV-653-WKW
[WO]

ORDER
Proceeding pro se, Plaintiff Ryan Lamar Thomas, an inmate incarcerated by
the Alabama Department of Corrections (“ADOC”), filed this civil rights suit against
five Defendants, including Officers Stacey C. Singleton and Bruce LaFogg.
Plaintiff’s Eighth Amendment claims against Singleton and LaFogg for use of
excessive force survived summary judgment. Plaintiff moves for the appointment
of counsel to represent him during the jury trial (Doc. # 42), which is set on the April
3, 2017 term of court. For the reasons to follow, the motion is due to be granted.
The district court has broad discretion when determining whether to appoint
counsel for an indigent plaintiff under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(1), but should do so “only
in exceptional circumstances.” Bass v. Perrin, 170 F.3d 1312, 1320 (11th Cir.
1999); Williams v. Plantation Police Dep’t, 379 F. App’x 866, 871 (11th Cir. 2010).
After careful consideration of the legal, factual, and procedural issues, the court finds

that Mr. Thomas requires the assistance of counsel to present the merits of his case
to a jury and the appointment of counsel at this stage of the proceedings “would
advance the proper administration of justice.” Ulmer v. Chancellor, 691 F.2d 209,
213 (5th Cir. 1982) (setting forth factors the court should consider in determining
whether exceptional circumstances exist to warrant appointment of counsel) (cited
with approval in Fowler v. Jones, 899 F.2d 1088, 1096 (11th Cir. 1990)).
Accordingly, it is ORDERED that Plaintiff’s motion for appointment of
counsel (Doc. # 42) is GRANTED.
It is further ORDERED that Joel Thomas Caldwell, Esq., of Copeland,
Franco, Screws & Gill, P.A., is appointed to represent Mr. Thomas in this action.
Within ten days of the date of this Order, Mr. Caldwell shall file a Notice of
Appearance.
DONE this 28th day of September, 2016.
/s/ W. Keith Watkins
CHIEF UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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