McNelly (ID 69108) v. Cline et al

Filing 18

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER ENTERED: Petitioner's motion to proceed on appeal in forma pauperis is granted and his motion for the appointment of counsel is denied. Signed by U.S. Senior District Judge Sam A. Crow on 12/19/17. Mailed to pro se party Kenneth David McNelly by regular mail. (smnd)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF KANSAS

KENNETH DAVID McNELLY,
Petitioner,
v.

CASE NO. 17-3141-SAC

SAM CLINE,
Respondent.

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
This matter is before the Court on petitioner’s combined motion
for leave to proceed on appeal in forma pauperis and to appoint counsel
(Doc. #16).
The Court has examined the certified financial statement
supplied by the petitioner and grants leave to proceed in forma
pauperis.
The Court denies the motion to appoint counsel. An applicant for
habeas corpus relief has no constitutional right to the appointment
of counsel. See Swazo v. Wyo. Dept. of Corr., 23 F.3d 332, 333 (10th
Cir. 1994)(“[T]here is no constitutional right to counsel beyond the
appeal of a criminal conviction, and … generally appointment of
counsel in a § 2254 proceeding is left to the court’s discretion.”).
In this case, the Court has determined the petition is not timely and
has found no ground for equitable tolling. The Court therefore
concludes that the appointment of counsel is not warranted.
IT IS, THEREFORE, BY THE COURT ORDERED petitioner’s motion to
proceed on appeal in forma pauperis is granted, and his motion for
the appointment of counsel is denied.

IT IS SO ORDERED.
DATED:

This 19th day of December, 2017, at Topeka, Kansas.

S/ Sam A. Crow
SAM A. CROW
U.S. Senior District Judge