Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_13-cv-00279/USCOURTS-caed-1_13-cv-00279-4/pdf.json

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

---

1

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

CAYETANO MELENDEZ,

Plaintiff,

 v.

HUNT, et al.,

 Defendants.

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

1:13-cv-00279-AWI-BAM (PC)

ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION 

TO REAPPOINT COUNSEL WITHOUT 

PREJUDICE

(ECF No. 21)

FOURTEEN-DAY DEADLINE

Plaintiff Cayetano Melendez (“Plaintiff”) is a prisoner proceeding in forma pauperis in 

this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. On May 19, 2014, the Court appointed 

voluntary counsel for the limited purpose of drafting an amended complaint. On June 5, 2014, 

Plaintiff, through his limited appointment counsel, filed his second amended complaint. At that 

point, the appointment of counsel terminated. 

On June 6, 2014, the Court screened the complaint pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915A, and 

found that it stated cognizable claims against: (1) Defendant Hunt for excessive force, inhumane 

conditions of confinement and deliberate indifference to serious medical needs in violation of the 

Eighth Amendment; and (2) Defendants Arriola and Cruz for failure to intervene in violation of 

the Eighth Amendment. The Court instructed the Clerk of the Court to send Plaintiff USM-285 

forms, summonses, a Notice of Submission of Documents form, an instruction sheet and a copy 

of the second amended complaint filed June 5, 2014. The Court ordered Plaintiff to complete the 

Notice of Submission of Documents and submit it to the Court within thirty days, along with 

Case 1:13-cv-00279 Document 22 Filed 08/14/14 Page 1 of 2
2

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

completed summonses, a USM-285 for each defendant, and four (4) copies of the endorsed 

second amended complaint filed on June 5, 2014. (ECF No. 16.)

On July 28, 2014, Plaintiff submitted his Notice of Submission of Documents, which 

included three summonses and three completed USM-285 forms. However, Plaintiff failed to 

submit the required copies of the second amended complaint. (ECF No. 17.) On July 29, 2014, 

the Court directed Plaintiff to submit four copies of the endorsed second amended complaint. 

(ECF No. 18.) On August 4, 2014, Plaintiff reported that he twice attempted to mail forms to the 

Court, including the summons and complaint, without success. Plaintiff also reported that he no 

longer had copies. (ECF No. 19.) On August 7, 2014, the Court directed the Clerk of the Court 

to send Plaintiff a copy of the second amended complaint and ordered Plaintiff to submit four 

copies of the complaint for service. (ECF No. 20.)

On August 11, 2014, Plaintiff reported that he received information that the Court never 

received his USM 285 forms. Plaintiff asserted that the prison was not sending them to the 

Court. As such, Plaintiff now requests that the Court allow his limited appointment counsel to 

continue with this case because the prison is losing his paperwork. (ECF No. 21.) 

The Court has received Plaintiff’s USM 285 forms, but has not received the required 

copies of his second amended complaint. However, Plaintiff’s reported difficulty with mailing 

documents does not constitute exceptional circumstances warranting the appointment of counsel. 

See Rand v. Rowland, 113 F.3d 1520, 1525 (9th Cir. 1997). Accordingly, Plaintiff’s request to 

reappoint counsel is HEREBY DENIED without prejudice. 

Within fourteen (14) days following service of this order, Plaintiff shall either (1) provide 

the Court with four copies of his second amended complaint; or (2) notify the Court in writing of 

why he is unable to provide the copies. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: August 14, 2014 /s/ Barbara A. McAuliffe _

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:13-cv-00279 Document 22 Filed 08/14/14 Page 2 of 2