Case Title: Bufford McDonald v. Larry Norris et al.

Citation: 

Docket Number: 

State: arkansas

Court: Arkansas Supreme Court

Date: 2006-01-12T00:00:00Z

Document:
ARKANSAS SUPREME COURT No. 05-135 NOT DESIGNATED FOR PUBLICATION BUFFORD MCDONALD Appellant v. LARRY NORRIS, ET AL. Appellee Opinion Delivered January 12, 2006 PRO SE MOTION FOR APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL [CIRCUIT COURT OF IZARD COUNTY, CV 2004-50-4, HON. TIMOTHY WEAVER, JUDGE] MOTION DENIED PER CURIAM In 1999, Bufford McDonald entered a plea of nolo contendere to rape and was sentenced to twenty years' imprisonment. In 2004, he filed in the circuit court in the county in which he was incarcerated a pro se petition for a writ of habeas corpus. The petition was denied, and McDonald has lodged an appeal from that order. Now before us is appellant's motion for appointment of counsel. The motion for appointment of counsel is denied. A petition for writ of habeas corpus is a civil action, and there is no absolute right to appointment of counsel in civil matters. See Virgin v. Lockhart, 288 Ark. 92, 702 S.W.2d 9 (1986). Nevertheless, we have held that if an appellant makes a substantial showing that he is entitled to relief in a civil or postconviction appeal and that he cannot proceed without counsel, we will appoint counsel. See Howard v. Lockhart, 300 Ark. 144, 777 S.W.2d 223 (1989). Appellant's conclusory statement in the motion that the appeal has merit is not sufficient to establish that there is indeed merit to the appeal. Motion denied.