Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-ared-3_24-cv-00115/USCOURTS-ared-3_24-cv-00115-3/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Debbie Burlson
Defendant
Darrell Elkin
Defendant
James Lee Woods
Plaintiff

Document Text:

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS 

NORTHERN DIVISION 

JAMES LEE WOODS PLAINTIFF 

ADC #184441 

 

V. NO. 3:24-cv-00115-BSM-ERE 

DARRELL ELKIN and 

DEBBIE BURLSON DEFENDANTS 

ORDER 

Pro se plaintiff James Lee Woods has filed: (1) a motion for discovery and 

records; and (2) a motion for the appointment of counsel. Docs. 27, 28. The Court 

will address each motion separately. 

I. Motion for Discovery and Records 

In his motion for discovery and records, Mr. Woods requests that unidentified 

individuals provide him copies of “all discovery, files, records, and/or writings” 

from the Lawrence County Detention Center, the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, 

or the medical providers.” At this time, all merits-based discovery is stayed until the 

Court resolves any exhaustion issues. Doc. 19. As a result, Mr. Woods’ request is 

denied.1

1

 In addition, as the Court previously explained, discovery requests should be 

directed to counsel for the Defendants in this case, not the Court. See Doc. 5 at 2-3; FED.

R. CIV. P. 34 (providing for Requests for Production of Documents between parties to a 

lawsuit); FED. R. CIV. P. 26 (b) (defining proper scope of discovery). 

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In his motion, Mr. Woods also asks that the Court provide him copies of page 

five of docket entry #25 and certain exhibits attached to docket entry #17. The Court 

will instruct the Clerk to provide Mr. Woods a copy of page 5 of docket entry #25. 

However, there are no exhibits attached to docket entry #17. 

II. Motion for the Appointment Counsel 

For the reasons previously stated (Doc. 12), Mr. Woods’ motion for the 

appointment of counsel is denied, without prejudice. This case is neither factually 

nor legally complex. And Mr. Woods has demonstrated that he can present and 

pursue his case. It is understandable that Mr. Woods would prefer to be assisted by 

court-appointed counsel, but the Court lacks resources to appoint counsel in all 

prisoner cases. After considering all relevant factors, the Court declines to appoint 

counsel at this point in the case.2

IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED THAT: 

1. Mr. Woods’ motion for discovery and records (Doc. 27) is GRANTED, 

in part. 

2. The Clerk is instructed to provide Mr. Woods a copy of page five of 

docket entry #25. 

2

 As the case proceeds, the Court will reconsider, on its own, whether counsel should 

be appointed for Mr. Woods. And if the case is scheduled for trial, the Court will likely 

appoint counsel to assist Mr. Woods. 

Case 3:24-cv-00115-BSM-ERE Document 31 Filed 01/06/25 Page 2 of 3
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3. Mr. Woods’ motion for the appointment of counsel (Doc. 28) is 

DENIED, without prejudice. 

SO ORDERED 6 January 2025. 

 ___________________________________ 

 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 

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