GETER v. BALDWIN STATE PRISON

Opinion

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF GEORGIA MACON DIVISION

JEFFERY GETER, : : Plaintiff, : : v. : Case No. 5:16-cv-444-TES-CHW : DR AKUNWANNE, et al., : : Proceedings Under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 Defendants. : Before the U.S. Magistrate Judge :

ORDER Before the Court are three motions. In one motion, Defendant Akunwanne seeks an extension of the discovery period to answer Plaintiff’s recently filed discovery requests, and to take Plaintiff’s deposition. For good cause shown, the Defendant’s motion (Doc. 127) is GRANTED. Discovery should be completed by November 18, 2021. Dispositive motions are due by December 20, 2021. Also before the Court are two motions from Plaintiff Jeffery Geter. In one motion, Geter requests the appointment of counsel. (Doc. 122). As explained in a prior order (Doc. 115, pp. 1- 2), this Court labored for months to secure pro bono counsel for Plaintiff, but the Court’s efforts were frustrated, at least in part, by Plaintiff’s lack of cooperation with counsel. Additionally, the Court has only limited authority to press attorneys into pro bono service. See Mallard v. U.S. District Court, South. Dist. Iowa, 490 U.S. 296 (1989). For these reasons, Geter’s present motion for appointment of counsel is DENIED. In another motion, Plaintiff again asks this Court for discovery assistance. (Doc. 124). This motion is DENIED for reasons already explained: Plaintiff must conduct discovery on his own behalf, and notwithstanding his in forma pauperis status, Plaintiff must bear the costs of his discovery in this action. See (Doc. 121, p. 1). SO ORDERED, this 5th day of October, 2021.

s/ Charles H. Weigle Charles H. Weigle United States Magistrate Judge