Opinion
Case No. 4:12-cv-028
10-03-2012
Charles Benjamin, Plaintiff, v. Ward County and John Doe, Defendants.
ORDER DENYING MOTION FOR
RECONSIDERATION
Before the court is a "Motion to Reconsider Denial of Appointment of Counsel" filed by plaintiff, an inmate James River Correctional Center in Jamestown, North Dakota, on September 28, 2012.
The court denied plaintiff's initial request for court appointed counsel without prejudice in an order dated September 12, 2012. (Docket No. 30). Plaintiff asks the court to reconsider its decision, asserting: (1) his case is factually complex; (2) he is unable to investigate the facts given his incarceration; (3) there is strong likelihood of conflicting testimony at trial; (4) he has been unable to find counsel willing to take his case; and (5) he will be disadvantaged at trial as the absence of trial counsel will likely have a prejudicial impact on the minds of jurors.
First, the court notes that plaintiff is not entitled to court-appointed counsel as a matter of right. See Davis v. Scott, 94 F.3d 444, 447 (8th Cir. 1996). Second, the court, in its discretion, finds that appointment of counsel is neither necessary nor warranted at this point in time. See id. (stating that trial courts have broad discretion in deciding whether both the plaintiff and the court would benefit from the appointment of counsel); see also Abdullah v. Gunter, 949 F.2d 1032, 1035 (8th Cir.1991) (instructing that the "appointment of counsel should be given serious consideration by the district court if the plaintiff has not alleged a frivolous or malicious claim."). Although plaintiff asserts otherwise, his claims are relatively straightforward and he appears capable of presenting his own case without difficulty as evinced by his filings to date. As for his ability to investigate the facts, there is nothing to suggest that his incarceration poses any real impediment from fully investigating his claim through interrogatories and document discovery.
The court finds no basis for reversing its decision and appointing plaintiff counsel at this time. Plaintiff's request for reconsideration (Docket No. 33) is DENIED.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
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Charles S. Miller, Jr.
United States Magistrate Judge