Opinion
Case No. ED CV 12-1774 JSL (JCG)
05-03-2013
DENIS O'BRIEN, Petitioner, v. MATTHEW CATE, Warden, Respondent.
ORDER ACCEPTING REPORT AND
RECOMMENDATION OF UNITED
STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE AND
DENYING CERTIFICATE OF
APPEALABILITY
Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636, the Court has reviewed the Petition, the Magistrate Judge's Report and Recommendation, Petitioner's Objections to the Report and Recommendation, Petitioner's Motion for Evidentiary Hearing, and the remaining record, and has made a de novo determination.
Petitioner's Objections generally reiterate the arguments made in the Petition and Reply, and lack merit for the reasons set forth in the Report and Recommendation.
To the extent Petitioner's Objections include a request for counsel, Petitioner's request is denied. The Court finds that appointment of counsel is not necessary to avoid due process violations in the instant action. See Knaubert v. Goldsmith, 791 F.2d 722, 728 (9th Cir. 1986) ("[T]he sixth amendment right to counsel does not apply in habeas corpus actions."); Chaney v. Lewis, 801 F.2d 1191, 1196 (9th Cir.1986) ("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."). Further, Petitioner has not shown that he has been unable to articulate his positions because of the complexity of the claims. See Weygandt v. Look, 718 F.2d 952, 954 (9th Cir. 1983) (observing that the decision to appoint counsel turns on petitioner's ability to articulate claims in light of the complexity of the issues and the likelihood of success on the merits).
Furthermore, Petitioner's request for an evidentiary hearing is denied. See Cullen v. Pinholster, 131 S.Ct. 1388, 1398 (2011); Schriro v. Landrigan, 550 U.S. 465, 474 (2007) ("[I]f the record refutes the applicant's factual allegations or otherwise precludes habeas relief, a district court is not required to hold an evidentiary hearing.").
Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED THAT:
1. The Report and Recommendation is approved and accepted;
2. Judgment be entered denying the Petition and dismissing this action with prejudice; and
3. The Clerk serve copies of this Order on the parties.
Additionally, for the reasons stated in the Report and Recommendation, the Court finds that Petitioner has not made a substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional right. See 28 U.S.C. § 2253; Fed. R. App. P. 22(b); Miller-El v. Cockrell, 537 U.S. 322, 336 (2003). Thus, the Court declines to issue a certificate of appealability.
____________________________
HON. J. SPENCER LETTS
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE