Source: https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F2/976/268/47492/
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 14:58:48+00:00

Document:
David Darrell Moore, pro se.
John L. Clay, States Asst. Atty. Gen., Mike Moore, Atty. Gen., Jackson, Miss., Leonard Vincent, Staff Atty., Parchman, Miss., for Mabus.
Before POLITZ, Chief Judge, KING and GARWOOD, Circuit Judges.
David Darrell Moore and Elton Banks appeal the 28 U.S.C. § 1915(d) dismissal of their pro se, in forma pauperis civil rights complaint, and the denial of their application for appointment of counsel. We affirm in part, vacate the dismissal, remand for further proceedings, and direct that counsel be appointed.
Moore and Banks are inmates at the Mississippi State Penitentiary in Parchman, Mississippi. In 1990 Moore, Banks, and Eddie Ray Gowdy1 filed a 42 U.S.C. § 1983 complaint against various Mississippi state officials alleging, in relation to HIV-positive prisoners: (1) deliberate indifference to serious medical needs in violation of the eighth amendment, (2) conditions of confinement in violation of the eighth amendment, (3) violation of the fourteenth amendment right of privacy, (4) loss of privileges in violation of fourteenth amendment due process and equal protection components, and (5) denial of rights guaranteed by state law. The complaint also inartfully purported to be a class action on behalf of prisoners denominated by the plaintiffs as the "fluid" class. The plaintiffs moved for appointment of counsel.
Following a Spears2 hearing the magistrate judge recommended dismissal as frivolous under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(d). The district court accepted the recommendation, denied the appointment of counsel, and dismissed the complaint. Moore and Banks timely appealed.
The district court did not have the benefit of two recent Supreme Court decisions when it considered the instant complaint. Denton v. Hernandez3 clarified the legal standard for a finding of factual frivolousness under section 1915(d)4 and the standard for appellate review of such a finding, and Wilson v. Seiter5 mandated the application of the deliberate indifference standard to all conditions of confinement cases.
We view Neitzke and Denton as mandating that a Spears-hearing record clearly distinguish between findings of factual, legal, or mixed factual and legal frivolousness. In addition, to facilitate a meaningful, "intelligent appellate review" the district court's reasons for a section 1915(d) dismissal should reflect the Neitzke- Denton considerations.
Plaintiffs allege that: (1) during September 1989, after meeting with the prison classification committee, Moore was upgraded to "A" level custody, assigned to the prison law library as a clerk, and transferred to Unit 29-J, a minimum security unit; (2) Moore then signed a contract which granted him certain privileges, including access to vocational classes, college, jobs, extended family visits, gym call, nightly telephone visits, emergency leave, attendance at entertainment functions, and other privileges; (3) in October 1989 Moore was transferred to Unit 15-B, the administrative segregation unit, and denied all privileges, including the contract privileges; (4) in November 1989 Moore and approximately 45 other HIV-positive prisoners were moved to Unit 28-D, a unit designated for housing of HIV-positive prisoners where the living conditions were substantially inferior to the housing of other prisoners because of defective plumbing, vermin and insect infestation, and building deterioration exposing prisoners to adverse weather conditions; (5) there was a lack of physicians trained to treat HIV-related medical problems; (6) prison dentists refused to provide HIV-positive prisoners with timely treatment; (7) Moore did not receive adequate diagnosis and treatment of his AIDS condition; (8) AIDS drugs were not provided; (9) some HIV-positive prisoners remained in the general prison population; (10) privileges were denied HIV-positive prisoners without any rational basis other than their medical status; (11) guards failed to protect HIV-positive prisoners; and (12) prisoner privacy rights were violated by publication of their medical status.
This complaint poses questions nearly identical to those faced by our Eleventh Circuit colleagues in Harris v. Thigpen.14 Both complaints pose allegations of serious constitutional violations related to the "range of difficult, AIDS-related issues that confront all correctional officials, administrators, policymakers and inmates as they attempt to grapple with the problems engendered by the presence of HIV infection in our nation's prisons and jails." When our colleagues noted the seminal importance of Thigpen, they were not reviewing an appeal from a section 1915(d) dismissal but one following a post-trial judgment. Reflecting the careful record development inherent in a full-blown trial, the lengthy Thigpen opinion details the novelty and difficulty of resolution of the issues. Thigpen does not involve the mere application of well-settled principles of law. Many of the issues with which the Thigpen court struggled are res nova in this circuit.
Thigpen also informs why we believe the district court erred in denying the plaintiffs' motion to appoint counsel under Ulmer v. Chancellor.20 Thigpen demonstrates beyond cavil that (1) the type and complexity of the issues raised in the complaint are deserving of professional development, (2) the complex subject of HIV-AIDS management in a prison environment is beyond the ability of a mere prisoner to investigate adequately, (3) the scope of the questions raised and the extensive resources required to pursue properly the issues in this case far exceed the capability and resources of a prisoner, and (4) the apparently essential testimony from experts on HIV-AIDS management in the prison environment will require professional trial skills. We are persuaded that this is an extraordinary case in which appointment of counsel will assist the plaintiffs, the State of Mississippi, and the court in resolving these important unanswered questions. The district court should promptly appoint qualified counsel.
The denial of the motion for the appointment of counsel is REVERSED and counsel is to be appointed. The district court judgment insofar as it dismisses the privacy and loss of privileges claims is AFFIRMED; otherwise the dismissal of the complaint as frivolous is VACATED and the case is REMANDED for further proceedings consistent herewith.

References: § 1915
 § 1983
 § 1915
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