Wells v. Houston

Filing 10

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER regarding 8 Motion to Appoint Counsel. This matter is before the court on Petitioner's Motion to Appoint Counsel. (Filing No. 8 .) [T]here is neither a constitutional nor statutory right to counsel in habeas proceedings; instead, [appointment of counsel] is committed to the discretion of the trial court. McCall v. Benson, 114 F.3d 754, 756 (8th Cir. 1997) (citations omitted). As a general rule, counsel will not be appointed unless the case is unusually complex or th e petitioner's ability to investigate and articulate the claims is unusually impaired or an evidentiary hearing is required. IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that: Petitioner's Motion to Appoint Counsel (filing no. 8 ) is denied. Ordered by Judge Richard G. Kopf. (Copy mailed to pro se party)(LKH)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEBRASKA COREY WELLS, Petitioner, v. ROBERT HOUSTON, Dirc. of Corrections, Respondent. ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) 8:09CV113

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER

This matter is before the court on Petitioner's Motion to Appoint Counsel. (Filing No. 8.) "[T]here is neither a constitutional nor statutory right to counsel in habeas proceedings; instead, [appointment of counsel] is committed to the discretion of the trial court." McCall v. Benson, 114 F.3d 754, 756 (8th Cir. 1997) (citations omitted). 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). Upon review of the pleadings and Petitioner's Motion, there is no need for the appointment of counsel at this time. IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that: Petitioner's Motion to Appoint Counsel (filing no. 8) is denied. May 18, 2009. BY THE COURT: s/Richard G. Kopf United States District Judge