Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_05-cv-02474/USCOURTS-caed-2_05-cv-02474-4/pdf.json

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

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

ANTONIS I. KONTOPEDES,

Plaintiff, No. CIV S-05-2474 FCD KJM P

vs.

DAVID L. RUNNELS, et al., 

Defendants. ORDER

 /

Plaintiff has requested the appointment of counsel. The United States Supreme

Court has ruled that district courts lack authority to require counsel to represent indigent

prisoners in § 1983 cases. Mallard v. United States Dist. Court, 490 U.S. 296, 298 (1989). In

certain exceptional circumstances, the court may request the voluntary assistance of counsel

pursuant to 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). In the present case, the court

does not find the required exceptional circumstances. Plaintiff’s request for the appointment of

counsel will therefore be denied.

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Case 2:05-cv-02474-FCD-KJM Document 27 Filed 04/06/07 Page 1 of 2
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Plaintiff has also requested that the court take judicial notice of some mail he

claims was defaced by correctional officers (docket no. 21) and of the fact that he is in danger

from the staff at High Desert State Prison (docket no. 19). Neither subject is an appropriate one

for judicial notice. Fed. R. Evid. 201. 

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Plaintiff’s December 14, 2006 request for the appointment of counsel is

denied; and

2. Plaintiff’s February 5 and March 1, 2007 requests for judicial notice are

denied. 

DATED: April 5, 2007. 

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kont2474.31+

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