Hammond

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 RICHARD GIDEON HAMMOND, Case No.: 20cv261-BAS(MSB)

Petitioner,

ORDER DENYING PETITIONER’S MOTION

v. FOR APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL [ECF NO. 10.] JOSIE GASTELO, et al., Respondents. 16

On May 18, 2020, Petitioner, proceeding pro se, filed a motion asking the Court to appoint counsel. (See Mot. Appointment Counsel, ECF No. 10 (“Mot.”); see also ECF No. 9.) Petitioner claims that he cannot afford an attorney in light of “poverty and the disruption in everyday life from the COVID-19 Pandemic.” (Mot. at 1, 3). Petitioner further alleges that he contacted several attorneys, but was not able to “find a lawyer capable of working with [him].” (Id. at 2-3.) Additionally, Petitioner contends that he lacks legal training, and this case involves complex legal issues. (Id.) I. LEGAL STANDARD The Sixth Amendment right to counsel does not extend to federal habeas corpus 27 …