Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_20-cv-00215/USCOURTS-caed-1_20-cv-00215-0/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Ronald Davis
Respondent
Richard Allen McWhorter
Petitioner

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

RICHARD ALLEN McWHORTER,

Petitioner,

v.

RONALD DAVIS, Warden of California State 

Prison at San Quentin,

Respondent.

No. 1:20-cv-00215-NONE

DEATH PENALTY CASE

ORDER GRANTING APPLICATION FOR 

APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL

(Doc. No. 1) 

ORDER GRANTING APPLICATION TO 

PROCEED WITHOUT PREPAYMENT OF 

FEES 

(Doc. No. 2)

On February 11, 2020, petitioner Richard Allen McWhorter, a state prisoner facing capital 

punishment, commenced this action pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254 by filing a request for 

appointment of counsel to represent him. (Doc. No. 1.) Therein, petitioner supports the request 

and his separate motion to proceed in forma pauperis filed on his behalf by Kelly Culshaw, 

Assistant Federal Defender, (Doc. No. 2), by attesting to his capital conviction and sentence 

following direct review and state collateral proceedings, his belief in entitlement to redress, his 

need for appointed counsel, and his indigence. 

Section 3599(a)(2) of Title 18 of the United States Code provides for the appointment of 

one or more attorneys to represent an indigent person proceeding under 28 U.S.C. § 2254 to vacate 

a death sentence. Rule 191(c) of the Local Rules of the United States District Court for the Eastern 

Case 1:20-cv-00215-JLT Document 6 Filed 02/18/20 Page 1 of 2
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District of California also provides for the appointment of counsel for indigent capital habeas 

petitioners. Under this rule, selection of counsel is made from a panel of attorneys qualified for 

appointment in death penalty cases and certified by a selection board appointed by the Chief 

Judge. Based on petitioner’s submissions, he is entitled to appointment of counsel under 18 

U.S.C. § 3599(a)(2).

Rule 3(a) of the Rules Governing § 2254 Cases in the United States District Courts provides 

that a petitioner seeking in forma pauperis status shall file an affidavit of assets as required by 28 

U.S.C. § 1915. Rule 3(a) also requires a certificate from the prison stating the amount on deposit 

in the petitioner’s accounts. Based on petitioner’s submissions, he has complied with the 

requirements of 28 U.S.C. § 1915 and Rule 3(a). (See Doc. Nos. 1 & 5.) He is entitled to proceed 

in forma pauperis.

Accordingly, 

1. Petitioner’s application for appointment of counsel (Doc. No. 1) is GRANTED. 

The matter is referred to the Selection Board for the Eastern District of California 

for recommendation of suitable counsel. Assistant Federal Defenders Jennifer 

Mann and Kelly Culshaw shall submit the Board’s recommendation of counsel to 

the court under seal by e-mailing it to ApprovedSealed@caed.uscourts.gov, 

promptly upon issuance. 

2. Petitioner’s application to proceed in forma pauperis (Doc. No. 2) is GRANTED. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: February 18, 2020 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 1:20-cv-00215-JLT Document 6 Filed 02/18/20 Page 2 of 2