Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-ared-2_24-cv-00125/USCOURTS-ared-2_24-cv-00125-1/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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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS

DELTA DIVISION

ABRAHAM GRANT

ADC #128147

V. No. 2:24-cv-125-DPM

PLAINTIFF

E. DION WILSON,

Circuit Judge, Phillips County

ORDER

DEFENDANT

Grant has paid the filing fee, and this Court must screen his pro se

complaint. 28 U.S.C. § 1915A. Grant is serving a life sentence for

capital murder. In January 2023, he petitioned the Phillips County

Circuit Court to correct what Grant believes is an illegal sentence.

Doc. 2 at 11-15. In October 2023, that Court (Judge Wilson presiding)

granted his motion to proceed informa pauperis. Grant now sues under

42 U.S.C. § 1983, alleging that Judge Wilson's delay in addressing the

merits of his petition violates his constitutional rights. Doc. 2.

Grant seeks an order requiring Judge Wilson to act.

This Court cannot provide the ultimate relief Grant seeks in this

§ 1983 case. To challenge the validity of his state criminal sentence,

Grant must do so either in state post-conviction proceedings or, after

exhausting those remedies, through a petition for federal habeas

review. Preiser v. Rodriguez, 411 U.S. 475, 500 (1973). Accepting the

Case 2:24-cv-00125-DPM Document 9 Filed 08/05/24 Page 1 of 2
pleaded facts as true, Grant's dissatisfaction with Judge Wilson's speed

in addressing his pending state petition does not state a constitutional

claim. This Court does not superintend Judge Wilson's docket.

The circumstances do not show a due process violation; litigation

takes time. Grant's complaint is therefore dismissed without

prejudice. The Court recommends that this dismissal count as a

"strike" for the purposes of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). An in forma pauperis

appeal from this Order and accompanying Judgment would not be

taken in good faith. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(3).

So Ordered.

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D.P. Marshall Jr.

United States District Judge

/vrs -

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Case 2:24-cv-00125-DPM Document 9 Filed 08/05/24 Page 2 of 2