Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_12-cv-01518/USCOURTS-caed-2_12-cv-01518-19/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 550
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Civil Rights (U.S. defendant)
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

LATHAHN McELROY, 

Plaintiff, 

v. 

GUSTAFSON, 

Defendant. 

No. 2:12-cv-1518-TLN-EFB P 

ORDER 

Plaintiff is a state prisoner proceeding without counsel in an action brought under 42 

U.S.C. § 1983. On June 2, 2015, the court directed plaintiff to file a pretrial statement. ECF No. 

91. Despite being granted an extension of time (ECF No. 96), he has failed to comply with that 

order. Instead, plaintiff has filed a request for a telephonic appearance (ECF No. 95), a request 

for a “couple of standard forms of summons” (ECF No. 97), a motion to file a supplemental 

complaint (ECF No. 98), and a motion to appoint counsel (ECF No. 100). The court previously 

denied the motion for a telephonic appearance (ECF No. 96) and will address the motion to 

supplement in due course. For the reasons stated below, the request for a summons and the 

request for appointment of counsel are denied. Plaintiff will also be given one final opportunity 

to file a pretrial statement. 

The court previously issued a summons in this case to effectuate service of process on 

defendants. ECF No. 5. There are no additional defendants to be served and no basis for the 

issuance of another summons in this case. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 4. Plaintiff’s request is denied. 

Case 2:12-cv-01518-TLN-EFB Document 103 Filed 08/25/15 Page 1 of 2
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Plaintiff requests that the court appoint counsel. District courts lack authority to require 

counsel to represent indigent prisoners in section 1983 cases. Mallard v. United States Dist. 

Court, 490 U.S. 296, 298 (1989). In exceptional circumstances, the court may request an attorney 

to voluntarily to represent such a plaintiff. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(1); Terrell v. Brewer, 935 

F.2d 1015, 1017 (9th Cir. 1991); Wood v. Housewright, 900 F.2d 1332, 1335-36 (9th Cir. 1990). 

When determining whether “exceptional circumstances” exist, the court must consider the 

likelihood of success on the merits as well as the ability of the plaintiff to articulate his claims pro 

se in light of the complexity of the legal issues involved. Palmer v. Valdez, 560 F.3d 965, 970 

(9th Cir. 2009). Having considered those factors, the court finds there are no exceptional 

circumstances in this case. 

The extended deadline for filing a pretrial statement has passed, and plaintiff has failed to 

comply with or otherwise respond to the court’s most recent order.1 Despite the court’s June 2, 

2015 warning that failure to file a pretrial statement could result in dismissal, and ample time 

within which to prepare and file a pretrial statement, plaintiff has disobeyed this court’s order. 

Within thirty days of the date of this order, plaintiff shall file and serve a pretrial statement and 

any motions necessary to obtain the attendance of witnesses at trial. Absent a showing of 

substantial cause, the court does not intend to grant additional requests for extensions of time. 

Plaintiff is again cautioned that failure to file a pretrial statement in accordance with this order 

may result in the imposition of sanctions, including dismissal of this action. 

Accordingly, it is hereby ordered that: 

1. Plaintiff’s request for a summons (ECF No. 97) is denied. 

2. Plaintiff’s request for appointment of counsel (ECF No. 100) is denied. 

3. Plaintiff shall file a pretrial statement within 30 days from the date of this order. 

DATED: August 25, 2015. 

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 Plaintiff’s filing of a motion to supplement the complaint does not stay or otherwise 

excuse his failure to file a pretrial statement. 

Case 2:12-cv-01518-TLN-EFB Document 103 Filed 08/25/15 Page 2 of 2