Keele v. Guajardo

United States Court of Appeals Fifth Circuit F I L E D IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS August 21, 2007 FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT Charles R. Fulbruge III Clerk No. 06-51087 Conference Calendar LARRY KEELE Plaintiff-Appellant v. FRANK GUAJARDO, III Defendant-Appellee Appeal from the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas USDC No. 5:01-CV-176 Before HIGGINBOTHAM, SMITH, and CLEMENT, Circuit Judges. PER CURIAM:* Larry Keele, Texas prisoner # 1077576, appeals pro se from the dismissal of his civil rights complaint following a judgment in a bench trial in favor of the defendant. Keele argues that his appointed trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance by failing to subpoena witnesses for trial. The constitutional right to the effective assistance of counsel does not apply in a civil context. See F.T.C. v. Assail, Inc., 410 F.3d 256, 267 (5th Cir. 2005). * Pursuant to 5TH CIR. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR. R. 47.5.4. No. 06-51087 Keele’s requests for a new trial and for the appointment of appellate counsel are denied. This appeal is without arguable merit and is dismissed as frivolous. See Howard v. King, 707 F.2d 215, 219-20 (5th Cir. 1983); 5TH CIR. R. 42.2. In Keele v. Chance, No. 4:03-CV-4191 (S.D. Tex. Nov. 25, 2003), the district court imposed the 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g) bar against Keele. He is therefore barred from bringing in forma pauperis civil actions or appeals unless he is in imminent danger of serious physical injury. § 1915(g); see Adepegba v. Hammons, 103 F.3d 383, 385-88 (5th Cir. 1996). We caution Keele that further frivolous filings may result in additional sanctions. APPEAL DISMISSED; SANCTION WARNING ISSUED. 2