Thunder Hawk-Gallardo v. USM Name Unknown et al

Filing 13

ORDER denying as moot 9 Motion For Rule 4(m) For Summons Form and USM 285 Form ; denying 10 Motion to Appoint Counsel. Signed by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier on 4/6/2017. (JLS)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF SOUTH DAKOTA
SOUTHERN DIVISION
FRANK THUNDER HAWK-GALLARDO,

4:17-CV-04001-KES

Plaintiff,
vs.

ORDER DENYING MOTIONS

USM NAME UNKOWN, SGT.
WENDLING, DRE RED FEATHER,
Defendants.
Frank Thunder Hawk-Gallardo is an inmate at the Pennington County
Jail in Rapid City, South Dakota. He filed a pro se civil rights lawsuit under 42
U.S.C. ' 1983. Docket 1. Gallardo now moves the court to send him summons
forms. Docket 9. But Gallardo has already been sent the forms he seeks.
Docket 12. Therefore, he motion is denied as moot.
Gallardo also moves the court to appoint him counsel. Docket 10. “A pro
se litigant has no statutory or constitutional right to have counsel appointed
in a civil case.” Stevens v. Redwing, 146 F.3d 538, 546 (8th Cir. 1998). In
determining whether to appoint counsel to a pro se litigant’s civil case, the
district court considers the complexity of the case, the ability of the indigent
litigant to investigate the facts, the existence of conflicting testimony, and the
indigent's ability to present his claim. Id. Gallardo’s claims are not complex,

and he appears able to adequately present his § 1983 claims at this time.
Therefore, his motion is denied.
Accordingly, it is ORDERED
1. Gallardo’s motion for Rule 4(m) for summons form & USM 285 form
(Docket 9) is denied as moot.
2. Gallardo’s motion to appoint counsel (Docket 10) is denied.
Dated April 6, 2017.
BY THE COURT:
/s/ Karen E. Schreier
KAREN E. SCHREIER
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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