Source: http://ca.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20100330_0004425.ECA.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2017-01-24 03:21:26
Document Index: 272163975

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 2254', '§ 1915', '§ 2254', '§ 3006', '§ 2254', '§ 2254']

| Brown v. Barnes
Brown v. Barnes
WILLIAM JOSEPH BROWN, PETITIONER,v.R. BARNES, WARDEN, RESPONDENT.
Petitioner is a state prisoner proceeding without counsel and in forma pauperis in this habeas corpus action filed pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254. This case, filed March 19, 2009, was reassigned to the undersigned on February 9, 2010.*fn1
Examination of the amended in forma pauperis application (Dkt. No. 8) reveals that petitioner is unable to afford the costs of suit. Accordingly, the application to proceed in forma pauperis will be granted. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a).
Petitioner challenges his March 8, 2006 convictions for violations of California Penal Code sections 245(a)(1) (assault with a deadly weapon), 236 (false imprisonment), 422 (criminal threat), 12022.7(e) (great bodily injury), and 667(b)(1) (enhancement), based on alleged prosecutorial misconduct and insufficient evidence. It appears that petitioner's claims have been exhausted in state court. Because petitioner may be entitled to relief if the claimed violations of constitutional rights is proved, respondents will be directed to file a response to petitioner's habeas petition.
Petitioner also seeks appointment of counsel. Dkt. No. 6. There is no absolute right to appointed counsel in habeas proceedings. See Nevius v. Sumner, 105 F.3d 453, 460 (9th Cir. 1996). However, a district court may appoint counsel for a financially eligible person seeking relief pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254 where "the interests of justice so require." 18 U.S.C. § 3006A(a)(2)(B).*fn2 "Indigent state prisoners applying for habeas corpus relief are not entitled to appointed counsel unless the circumstances of a particular case indicate that appointed counsel is necessary to prevent due process violations." Chaney v. Lewis, 801 F.2d 1191, 1196 (9th Cir. 1986) (citations omitted).
Petitioner contends that he requires appointed counsel because the jailhouse lawyer who prepared his writ petition has been transferred to another institution, the issues presented are too complex for petitioner to pursue on his own, and petitioner is unable to type. Dkt. No. 6, at 3, 4. Petitioner also contends that appointed counsel is necessary to investigate petitioner's claim that his convictions improperly rest on the unethical conduct of the prosecution's investigator in using force, threats and monetary payments to obtain the attendance and perjured testimony of the prosecution's principal witness/victim. Petitioner also argues that an expert may be required to testify "based on doctors admitting that [the victim's] pre-existing nasal problems could have created a false diagnoses" [sic], and that petitioner can neither undertake this task nor pay an expert. Dkt. No. 6, at 5. Petitioner's wife and daughter have also written letters in support of petitioner's request for appointment of counsel (Dkt. No. 9), which the court has duly considered.
The court finds, at the present time, that appointment of counsel is not warranted. The issues appear to have been well articulated in the briefing and decisions below. The court will, however, further consider the matter as this case becomes more fully briefed, both generally and relative to the matters raised by petitioner.
1. Petitioner's amended application to proceed in forma pauperis (Dkt. No. 8), is granted;
2. Petitioner's initial application to proceed in forma pauperis (Dkt. No. 2), is denied as moot;
3. Petitioner's motion for appointment of counsel (Dkt. No. 6), is denied without prejudice;
4. Respondents are directed to file and serve a response to petitioner's habeas petition within sixty days from the date of this order. See Rule 4, Fed. R. Governing § 2254 Cases. An answer shall be accompanied by all transcripts and other documents relevant to the issues presented in the petition. See Rule 5, Fed. R. Governing § 2254 Cases;
5. If the response to the habeas petition is an answer, petitioner's reply, if any, shall be filed and served within twenty-eight days after service of the answer;
6. If the response to the habeas petition is a motion, petitioner's opposition or statement of non-opposition to the motion shall be filed and served within twenty-eight days after service of the motion, and respondents' reply, if ...