Meador v. Smith & Wessen et al

Filing 16

ORDER Denying Motion For Appointment Of Investigator (Doc. 14 ), signed by Magistrate Judge Sheila K. Oberto on 5/6/2015. (Fahrney, E)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

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EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

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GORDON D. MEADOR,
Plaintiff,

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Case No. 1:14-cv-02013-SKO (PC)
ORDER DENYING MOTION FOR
APPOINTMENT OF INVESTIGATOR

v.
(Doc. 14)

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SMITH & WESSEN, et al.,

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Defendants.
_____________________________________/

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Plaintiff Gordon D. Meador, a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis, filed

17 this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 on December 18, 2014. On May 4, 2015,
18 Plaintiff filed a motion seeking the appointment of an investigator for the limited purpose of
19 assisting him in identifying the Doe defendants.
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“„[T]he expenditure of public funds [on behalf of an indigent litigant] is proper only when

21 authorized by Congress. . . .‟” Tedder v. Odel, 890 F.2d 210, 211-12 (9th Cir. 1989) (quoting
22 United States v. MacCollum, 426 U.S. 317, 321, 96 S.Ct. 2086 (1976)). There is no provision for
23 the appointment of an investigator to assist Plaintiff with his case. To the extent Plaintiff‟s motion
24 should be construed in the alternative as seeking counsel, this action does not present “exceptional
25 circumstances” justifying the appointment of voluntary counsel. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(1); Palmer
26 v. Valdez, 560 F.3d 965, 970 (9th Cir. 2009); Wilborn v. Escalderon, 789 F.2d 1328, 1331 (9th
27 Cir. 1986).
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Accordingly, Plaintiff‟s motion for the appointment of an investigator is HEREBY

2 DENIED.
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IT IS SO ORDERED.
Dated:

May 6, 2015

/s/ Sheila K. Oberto
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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