Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_11-cv-03341/USCOURTS-caed-2_11-cv-03341-3/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

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

KYLE AVERY, 

Plaintiff, No. 2: 11-cv-3341 JAM JFM (PC)

vs.

MARC ELIA, et al.,

Defendants. ORDER

 /

Plaintiff is a state prisoner proceeding pro se with a civil action pursuant to 42

U.S.C. § 1983. On March 19, 2012, the court determined that service of plaintiff’s original

complaint was appropriate on defendants Marc Elia, T. Virga, Lt. Konrade, Captain R. Carter

and Chaplain Bill Goekee. (See Dkt. No. 4 at p. 2.) These defendants subsequently filed a

motion to dismiss. (See Dkt. No. 19.) Thereafter, plaintiff filed a request for an extension of

time to file an amended complaint. (See Dkt. No. 20.) On October 17, 2012, defendants’ motion

to dismiss was denied without prejudice and plaintiff was given thirty days to file an amended

complaint. (See Dkt. No. 22.) 

On November 1, 2012, plaintiff filed a motion for designation of class action,

motion to appoint counsel and request for class status. (Dkt. No. 23.) Attached to plaintiff’s

motion is his amended complaint. (See id. at p. 2-41.) 

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Plaintiff’s motion for a designation of class action will be denied. It is well

established that a pro se plaintiff may not bring a class action on behalf of other inmates. See

Simon v. Hartford Life, Inc. 546 F.3d 661, 664-65 (9th Cir. 2008) (citations omitted); Oxendine

v. Williams, 509 F.2d 1405 (4th Cir. 1975). 

Plaintiff also requests the appointment of counsel. The United States Supreme

Court has ruled that district courts lack authority to require counsel to represent indigent

prisoners in § 1983 cases. See Mallard v. United States Dist. Court, 490 U.S. 296, 298 (1989). 

In certain exceptional circumstances, the court may request the voluntary assistance of counsel

pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(1). See Terrell v. Brewer, 935 F.2d 1015, 1017 (9th Cir. 1991);

Wood v. Housewright, 900 F.2d 1332, 1335-36 (9th Cir. 1990). In the present case, the court

does not find the required exceptional circumstances. Plaintiff’s motion for the appointment of

counsel will therefore be denied.

Plaintiff’s amended complaint states that he is no longer bringing claims against

defendant Bill Goekee. (See Dkt. No. 23 at p. 7.) Thus, Bill Goekee is no longer a defendant in

this case and he will be dismissed as a defendant in light of plaintiff’s representations as stated in

his amended complaint.

The amended complaint states a cognizable claim for relief pursuant to 42 U.S.C.

§ 1983 and 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(b). If the allegations of the amended complaint are proven,

plaintiff has a reasonable opportunity to prevail on the merits of this action. Accordingly,

defendants Marc Elia, T. Virga, Lt. Konrade, Captain R. Carter will be ordered to respond to the

amended complaint. 

The amended complaint also names three new potential defendants; Sgt. Jones,

Correctional Officer Huggins and the CDCR Secretary.1

 Service of the amended complaint is

1

 Plaintiff does not give the specific name of the Secretary of the CDCR in his amended

complaint. However, the court takes judicial notice that Dr. Jeffrey Beard was appointed the new

Secretary of CDCR on December 27, 2012. See

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appropriate on these three defendants. 

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Plaintiff’s motion for designation of class action and motion to appoint counsel

(Dkt. No. 23.) are DENIED. 

2. The Clerk shall docket pages 2-41 of Dkt. No. 23 as plaintiff’s amended

complaint. 

3. Defendants Elia, Virga, Konrade and Carter shall file a response to the

amended complaint which is attached to Dkt. No. 23 within thirty (30) days of the date of this

order. 

4. Defendant Bill Goekee is dismissed as a defendant. 

5. Service of the amended complaint (See Dkt. No. 23 at p. 2-41) is appropriate

on Sgt. Jones, Correctional Officer Huggins and Dr. Jeffrey Beard. 

6. The Clerk of the Court shall send plaintiff 3 USM-285 forms, one summons,

an instruction sheet and a copy of the amended complaint filed on November 1, 2012 which can

be found at pages 2-41 of Dkt. No. 23. 

7. Within thirty days from the date of this order, plaintiff shall complete the

attached Notice of Submission of Documents and submit the following documents to the court:

a. The completed Notice of Submission of Documents;

b. One completed summons

c. One completed USM-285 form for each defendant listed in number 3

above; and 

d. four copies of the amended complaint filed November 1, 2012.

8. Plaintiff need not attempt service on the three additional defendants listed in

number 3 above and need not request waiver of service. Upon receipt of the above-described

http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/About_CDCR/Secretary.html (last visited on January 15, 2013). 

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documents, the court will direct the United States Marshal to serve the above-named defendants

pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4 without payment of costs. 

DATED: January 17, 2013.

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aver3341.classden

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

KYLE AVERY,

Plaintiff, No. 2: 11-cv-3341 JAM JFM (PC)

vs.

MARC ELIA, et al., NOTICE OF SUBMISSION OF DOCUMENTS

Defendants.

_____________________________/

Plaintiff hereby submits the following documents in compliance with the court’;s

order filed ______________________:

_____ completed summons form

_____ completed USM-285 forms

_____ copies of the amended complaint

DATED:

____________________________________

Plaintiff

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