Kirk Rishor v. Attorney General for the State of Washington

NOT FOR PUBLICATION
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE NINTH CIRCUIT
KIRK RISHOR,
Petitioner-Appellant,
v.
ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR THE STATE
OF WASHINGTON,
Respondent-Appellee.
No. 19-35850
D.C. No. 2:18-cv-00708-MJP
MEMORANDUM*
Appeal from the United States District Court
for the Western District of Washington
Marsha J. Pechman, District Judge, Presiding
Submitted March 16, 2021 **
Before: GRABER, R. NELSON, and HUNSAKER, Circuit Judges.
Kirk Rishor appeals pro se from the district court’s order denying his motion
under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 60(b). We have jurisdiction under 28
U.S.C. § 2253, and we affirm.
Rishor challenges the 28 U.S.C. § 2254 habeas corpus proceeding that he
* This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent
except as provided by Ninth Circuit Rule 36-3.
** The panel unanimously concludes this case is suitable for decision
without oral argument. See Fed. R. App. P. 34(a)(2).
FILED
MAR 18 2021
MOLLY C. DWYER, CLERK
U.S. COURT OF APPEALS

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initiated in 2011. Specifically, he argues that (1) the district court violated his
Sixth Amendment right to self-representation by sua sponte appointing counsel to
represent him in the district court; and (2) appointed counsel committed a fraud on
the court by continuing to represent him on appeal. The district court did not abuse
its discretion by denying Rishor’s motion because Rishor has not shown that he is
entitled to relief. See Pizzuto v. Ramirez, 783 F.3d 1171, 1775, 1180 (9th Cir.
2015) (stating standard of review and requirements to show fraud under Rule 60).
The constitutional right to self-representation does not extend to federal habeas
proceedings. See Martinez v. Court of Appeal of California, 528 U.S. 152, 160
(2000) (Sixth Amendment rights attach only “in preparation for trial and at the trial
itself”); Tamalini v. Stewart, 249 F.3d 895, 900-02 (9th Cir. 2001) (Sixth
Amendment rights do not extend beyond the trial). Moreover, the record belies
Rishor’s claim that the district court’s appointment of counsel pursuant to 18
U.S.C. § 3006A(a)(2)(B) was limited in scope and improperly continued on appeal.
See 9th Cir. R. 4-1(a).
In light of this disposition, we do not reach the government’s remaining
arguments.
AFFIRMED.

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