Garrett v. Embrey et al

Filing 8

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER - IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that plaintiff's motion for appointment of counsel [Doc. #7] is DENIED without prejudice. Signed by Magistrate Judge Patricia L. Cohen on February 7, 2018. (MCB)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI
EASTERN DIVISION
MYCHAEL J. GARRETT, II,

)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)

Plaintiff,
v.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, et al.,
Defendants.

No. 4:17cv02492 PLC

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
Plaintiff moves for appointment of counsel. After considering the motion and the
complaint, the motion is denied without prejudice to refiling at a later time.
Plaintiff, who is currently incarcerated at St. Louis County Justice Center brings this
action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 alleging excessive or deadly force used by defendant St.
Louis County police officers and allegedly inadequate training in the use of such force by
defendant St. Louis County when plaintiff was arrested on November 17, 2016.
In his motion for appointment of counsel, plaintiff asserts that because he is in jail, and he
has no formal legal training, he will be at a significant legal disadvantage in this proceeding.
However, at this stage of the litigation, plaintiff has presented non-frivolous allegations in his
complaint, and he has demonstrated that he is able to represent himself. See Nelson v. Redfield
Lithograph Printing, 728 F.2d 1003, 1004 (8th Cir. 1984). Additionally, neither the factual nor
the legal issues in this case are complex.
Once defendants file their answer or other responsive pleading in this matter, the Court
will be able to ascertain more about the progression of this case and whether plaintiff has need
for legal counsel in this proceeding. After that time, the Court will entertain future motions for
appointment of counsel.

Accordingly,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that plaintiff’s motion for appointment of counsel [Doc.
#7] is DENIED without prejudice.

PATRICIA L. COHEN
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
Dated this 7th day of February, 2018

-2-