Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_12-cv-00956/USCOURTS-caed-1_12-cv-00956-1/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

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

EDWARD SAMUEL FULLER,

Plaintiff,

v.

AIKENS, et al.,

Defendants.

 /

CASE NO. 1:12-cv-00956-LJO-SKO PC

ORDER DENYING MOTION FOR

RECONSIDERATION

(Doc. 11)

Plaintiff Edward Samuel Fuller, a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis,

filed this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 on June 13, 2012. On August 9, 2012,

Plaintiff filed a motion seeking reconsideration of the Magistrate Judge’s order denying his motion

for the appointment of counsel. 

I. Legal Standard

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 60(b)(6) allows the Court to relieve a party from an order

for any reason that justifies relief. Rule 60(b)(6) “is to be used sparingly as an equitable remedy to

prevent manifest injustice and is to be utilized only where extraordinary circumstances . . .” exist. 

Harvest v. Castro, 531 F.3d 737, 749 (9th Cir. 2008) (internal quotations marks and citation

omitted). The moving party “must demonstrate both injury and circumstances beyond his control

. . . .” Id. (internal quotation marks and citation omitted). In seeking reconsideration of an order,

Local Rule 78-230(k) requires Plaintiff to show “what new or different facts or circumstances are

claimed to exist which did not exist or were not shown upon such prior motion, or what other

grounds exist for the motion.” 

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“A motion for reconsideration should not be granted, absent highly unusual circumstances,

unless the district court is presented with newly discovered evidence, committed clear error, or if

there is an intervening change in the controlling law,” and it “may not be used to raise arguments or

present evidence for the first time when they could reasonably have been raised earlier in the

litigation.” Marlyn Nutraceuticals, Inc. v. Mucos Pharma GmbH & Co., 571 F.3d 873, 880 (9th Cir.

2009) (internal quotations marks and citations omitted) (emphasis in original).

II. Discussion and Order

In cases such as this, the Court may request the voluntary assistance of counsel pursuant to

28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(1) only if exceptional circumstances exist. Palmer v. Valdez, 560 F.3d 965, 970

(9th Cir. 2009); Wilborn v. Escalderon, 789 F.2d 1328, 1331 (9th Cir. 1986). In making this

determination, the Court is required to evaluate the likelihood of success on the merits and the ability

of Plaintiff to articulate his claims pro se in light of the complexity of the legal issues involved. 

Palmer, 560 F.3d at 970 (citation and quotation marks omitted); Wilborn, 789 F.2d at 1331.

The Magistrate Judge did not err in denying Plaintiff’s motion for the appointment of

counsel, which was brought shortly after suit was filed. Marlyn Nutraceuticals, Inc., 571 F.3d at 880.

Once the Court is able to evaluate Plaintiff’s likelihood of success on the merits, it will take into

consideration Plaintiff’s ability to prosecute his case in light of his vision impairment. Palmer, 560

F.3d at 970; Wilborn, 789 F.2d at 1331. At this juncture in the proceedings, however, exceptional

circumstances warranting the appointment of counsel do not exist.

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Based on the foregoing, Plaintiff’s motion for reconsideration is HEREBY DENIED.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: August 15, 2012 /s/ Lawrence J. O'Neill 

66h44d UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Plaintiff’s complaint is pending screening on the merits. 28 U.S.C. § 1915A. There is a large volume of

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cases pending in this district and Plaintiff’s complaint it will be screened in due course.

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