Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_19-cv-02552/USCOURTS-caed-2_19-cv-02552-12/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

ELADIO RODRIGUEZ,

Plaintiff,

v.

G. KNIGHT, et al.,

Defendants.

No. 2:19-cv-2552 DB P

ORDER

Plaintiff is a state inmate proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis with a civil rights action 

pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Plaintiff claims that defendants used excessive force against him, 

failed to protect him, and conspired to violate his rights during the disciplinary hearing process. 

Presently before the court is plaintiff’s motion to appoint counsel. (ECF No. 59.) 

In support of his motion to appoint counsel plaintiff argues that the court should appoint 

counsel because defendants argued against production of video evidence based on plaintiff’s 

status as an inmate proceeding without counsel. (ECF No. 50 at 3.)

Defendants filed an opposition and motion to strike. (ECF No. 60.) Defendants state the 

motion is unsigned and therefore invalid under 28 U.S.C. § 1746 and Local Rule 131(c). (Id. at 

1.) Additionally, they allege that the motion was not mailed by plaintiff. (Id. at 2.) 

As defendants argue, the motion is not signed and it appears it was sent by Juanita 

Machado from an address in Hawthorne, California. (See ECF No. 59 at 6, 31.) The court cannot 

Case 2:19-cv-02552-DJC-DB Document 65 Filed 04/12/22 Page 1 of 2
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consider unsigned filings and plaintiff’s motion to appoint counsel will be stricken from the 

record for that reason. Fed. R. Civ. P. 11; E.D. Cal. R. 131(b). Plaintiff may refile a signed copy 

of the motion. Additionally, plaintiff is advised that while individuals may appear in propria 

persona on their own behalf, they may not represent the interest of others. C.E. Pope Equity Trust 

v. United States, 818 F.2d 696, 697 (9th Cir. 1987) (citations omitted). All future filings should 

be submitted by plaintiff, or an attorney authorized to represent him in this action.

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that plaintiff’s motion to appoint counsel (ECF 

No. 59) is stricken because it is unsigned.

Dated: April 12, 2022

DB:12

DB/DB Prisoner Inbox/Civil Rights/R/rodr2552.mta

Case 2:19-cv-02552-DJC-DB Document 65 Filed 04/12/22 Page 2 of 2