Kennard Davis v. Michael Yarborough

MEMORANDUM

Kennard Lee Davis, a California state prisoner, appeals pro se from the district court’s summary judgment in his 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action alleging deliberate indifference to his serious medical needs. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291 . We review for an abuse of discretion the district court’s decision not to appoint counsel, Terrell v. Brewer, 935 F.2d 1015, 1017 (9th Cir.1991), and decision not to hold an evidentiary hearing, Stanley v. Schriro, 598 F.3d 612, 617 (9th Cir.2010). We affirm.

The district court did not abuse its discretion in denying Davis’s requests to appoint counsel because Davis did not show the “exceptional circumstances” required to appoint counsel under 28 U.S.C. § 1915 (e)(1). See Wilborn v. Escalderon, 789 F.2d 1328, 1331 (9th Cir.1986) (articulating standard).

The district court did not abuse its discretion in denying Davis’s requests for an evidentiary hearing because it could suffi ciently evaluate Davis’s requests for counsel on the written record. See Fed.R.Civ.P. 78(b) (court may provide rule for determining motions on briefs); E.D. Cal. L.R. 230(l) (in prisoner actions, motions are deemed submitted on the record unless…