Pitzer v. Houston et al
Filing
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MEMORANDUM AND ORDER - Petitioner's Motion for Appointment of Counsel (Filing No. 7 ) is denied. Ordered by Judge Laurie Smith Camp. (Copy mailed/e-mailed to pro se party) (AOA)
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEBRASKA
MATTHEW J. PITZER,
)
)
Petitioner,
)
)
v.
)
)
ROBERT HOUSTON, Director,
)
Nebraska Department of Correctional )
Services, and DENNIS BAKEWELL,
)
Warden, Nebraska State Penitentiary, )
)
Respondents.
)
CASE NO. 4:11CV3028
MEMORANDUM
AND ORDER
This matter is before the court on Petitioner’s Motion for Appointment of Counsel.
(Filing No. 7.) “There is neither a constitutional nor statutory right to counsel in habeas
proceedings; instead, [appointment] is committed to the discretion of the trial court.”
McCall v. Benson, 114 F.3d 754, 756 (8th Cir. 1997). As a general rule, counsel will not
be appointed unless the case is unusually complex or the petitioner’s ability to investigate
and articulate the claims is unusually impaired or an evidentiary hearing is required. See,
e.g., Morris v. Dormire, 217 F.3d 556, 558-59 (8th Cir. 2000), cert. denied, 531 U.S. 984
(2000); Hoggard v. Purkett, 29 F.3d 469, 471 (8th Cir. 1994) (citations omitted). See also
Rule 8(c) of the Rules Governing Section 2254 Cases in the United States District Courts
(requiring appointment of counsel if an evidentiary hearing is warranted.) The court has
carefully reviewed the record and finds that there is no need for the appointment of counsel
at this time.
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that: Petitioner’s Motion for Appointment of Counsel
(Filing No. 7) is denied.
DATED this 5th of May, 2011.
BY THE COURT:
s/Laurie Smith Camp
United States District Judge
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