Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_11-cv-00809/USCOURTS-caed-1_11-cv-00809-34/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 550
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Civil Rights (U.S. defendant)
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

ANTHONY NGUYEN,

Plaintiff,

v.

M. D. BITER,

Defendant.

_____________________________________/

Case No. 1:11-cv-00809-AWI-SKO (PC)

ORDER DENYING MOTION FOR ENTRY 

OF DEFAULT AND FOR ISSUANCE OF

SUBPOENAS AD TESTIFICANDUM

(Doc. 145)

Plaintiff Anthony Nguyen (“Plaintiff”), a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma 

pauperis, filed this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 on May 18, 2011. This action 

is proceeding against Defendant M. D. Biter (“Defendant”) for violation of the Eighth Amendment 

of the United States Constitution, a claim which arises from Plaintiff’s allegations that he was 

exposed to arsenic-contaminated water while at Kern Valley State Prison in Delano, California.

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On July 23, 2015, Plaintiff filed a motion seeking entry of default against Defendant for 

failing to file his opposition and cross-motion for summary judgment on July 20, 2015. Fed. R. 

Civ. P. 55(a). Plaintiff also seeks the issuance of ten trial subpoenas. Fed. R. Civ. P. 45. 

Defendant filed an opposition on August 17, 2015. Given that Plaintiff did not meet his burden as 

the party moving for relief, a reply brief would be futile and the Court elects to address the motion. 

Local Rule 230(l).

 

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Plaintiff is presently incarcerated at California State Prison-Centinela in Imperial.

Case 1:11-cv-00809-AWI-SKO Document 154 Filed 08/24/15 Page 1 of 2
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Defendant timely filed his opposition and cross-motion for summary judgment on July 20, 

2015; and Plaintiff’s motion for entry of default is patently frivolous given that it was prepared by 

Plaintiff at 5:45 p.m. on the filing deadline, without awaiting receipt of the motion through the 

mail. Fed. R. Civ. P. 5(b)((2)(C), (d)(3). Plaintiff’s motion for entry of default is denied.

Plaintiff’s request for subpoenas ad testificandum is denied as premature. Fed. R. Civ. P. 

45. This case is not yet scheduled for trial, and it will not be scheduled for trial until and unless 

the parties’ pending cross-motions for summary judgment are resolved and that resolution results 

in a determination that there are triable issues of fact. Moreover, if this case is set for trial, 

Plaintiff will be entitled to the issuance of subpoenas only if he is able to pay the $40.00 daily 

witness fee and travel expenses.2 28 U.S.C. § 1821. Plaintiff’s in forma pauperis status entitles 

him to service of subpoenas ad testificandum by the United States Marshal, 28 U.S.C. § 1915(d), 

but not to the payment of witness fees and travel expenses from public funds, Dixon v. Ylst, 990 

F.2d 478, 480 (9th Cir. 1993) (citing Tedder v. Odel, 890 F.2d 210, 211-12 (9th Cir. 1989)).

Accordingly, Plaintiff’s motion for entry of default and for the issuance of subpoenas ad 

testificandum is HEREBY DENIED.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: August 21, 2015 /s/ Sheila K. Oberto 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

 

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If this case is scheduled for trial, witness procedures will be set forth in the Second Scheduling Order.

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