MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER APPOINTING COUNSEL TO ASSIST PETITIONER IN DEVELOPING THE EVIDENCE AND DETERMINING WHETHER AN EVIDENTIARY HEARING IS WARRANTED

LANNY KING, District Judge.

Pending before the Court is Petitioner's pro-se petition for writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254, to which Respondent has filed an answer, and Petitioner has replied. Docket Numbers (DN) 1, 13, and 16. The Court referred this matter to the undersigned Magistrate Judge for rulings on all non-dispositive motions; for appropriate hearings, if necessary; and for findings of fact and recommendations on any dispositive matter. DN 8.

For the reasons below, the Court will appoint counsel to represent Petitioner in developing the evidence and determining whether an evidentiary hearing is warranted on the issue of whether Petitioner can demonstrate the required extraordinary circumstances triggering application of the doctrine of equitable tolling. Additionally, upon resolution of the equitable tolling issue, the Court may direct counsel to assist Petitioner in arguing the underlying merits of the petition.1

Evidence Bearing on the Question of Equitable Tolling

Petitioner admits that he filed his petition outside the 1-year period of limitation established by 28 U.S.C. § 2244(d) but claims that he is entitled to equitable tolling due to his mental impairment and being cut off from communications with the outside world while in the prison psychiatric ward.

Approximately 5 months of Petitioner's 1-year period remained in February, 2012, at the conclusion of exhaustion of state-court remedies, when the Kentucky Court of Appeals denied Petitioner's motion to alter, amend, or vacate pursuant to Kentucky Rules of Criminal Procedure (RCr) 11.42. Petitioner did not file the petition until October, 2014 — over 2 years late.2

According to Petitioner:

A petitioner's mental incompetence, which prevents timely filing, is an extraordinary circumstance that may equitably toll the 1-year statute of limitations. To obtain equitable tolling on the basis of mental incompetence, a petitioner must demonstrate that (1) he is mentally incompetent and (2) his mental incompetence caused his failure to comply with the statute of limitations. Ata v. Scutt, 662 F.3d 736, 742 (6th Cir.2011).

An evidentiary hearing is required when sufficiently specific allegations would entitle the petitioner to equitable tolling. Id. at 743. It is within the Court's sound discretion whether or not to hold a hearing. Id. at n.6.

As in Ata, it is unclear that Petitioner will meet his burden to demonstrate his entitlement to equitable tolling or whether he will prevail on the merits. His pro-se petition makes bare allegations that, upon further development, may justify an evidentiary hearing. See also Carneal v. Donahue, No. 5:09-CV-32-R, 2010 WL 816791, at *2 (W.D.Ky.) (evidentiary hearing warranted as "Carneal has presented at least a colorable argument that equitable tolling [] applies in this case based on his alleged mental incompetency") and Scott v. Pancake, No. 5:08-CV-51-R, DN 43, p. 4 (evidentiary hearing granted on issue of "Scott's mental condition after he was incarcerated and how it affected his ability to timely file a habeas petition").

The interests of justice require appointment of counsel.

Rule 6 of the Rules Governing Section 2254 Cases in the United States District Courts provides that: "If necessary for effective discovery, the judge must appoint an attorney for a petitioner who qualifies to have counsel appointed under 18 U.S.C. § 3006A."

Rule 8(c) makes appointment of counsel under 28 U.S.C. § 3006A mandatory when an evidentiary hearing is warranted.3

Additionally, 28 U.S.C. § 3006A(a)(2)(B) provides for appointment of counsel for any financially eligible person seeking relief under Section 2254 "[w]henever the United States magistrate judge or the court determines that the interests of justice so require."

The interests of justice require appointment of counsel in this case.

Order

Accordingly, it is hereby ORDERED:

1. The Clerk of Court shall appoint Patrick Renn to represent Petitioner under the Criminal Justice Act.

2. Counsel shall represent Petitioner in matters related to the issue of whether Petitioner can demonstrate the required extraordinary circumstances to warrant application of the doctrine of equitable tolling. Additionally, upon resolution of the equitable tolling issue, the Court may direct counsel to assist Petitioner in arguing the underlying merits of the petition.

3. The parties shall jointly provide all prison medical and psychiatric records to the Court within 21 days under seal. The Clerk shall provide a copy to each counsel.

4. If Petitioner determines that an evidentiary hearing is warranted, he shall file a motion to that effect supported by the evidence and a memorandum of law.

5. Respondent may respond to any such motion and Petition may reply pursuant to local rules.