Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-ared-2_14-cv-00002/USCOURTS-ared-2_14-cv-00002-4/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 555
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Prison Condition
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

---

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS 

EASTERN DIVISION 

JAMES SPEARS, JR. 

ADC#122695 

v. No. 2:14-cv-2-DPM-PSH 

PLAINTIFF 

JEFFREY HUGHES, Sergeant, East Arkansas 

Regional Unit; MITCHELL SPARKMAN, 

Corporal, East Arkansas Regional Unit; 

RODNEY MERRELL, Corporal, East 

Arkansas Regional Unit; RENAE MAYO, 

Corporal, East Arkansas Regional Unit; 

PINKIE HILL, Sergeant, East Arkansas 

Regional Unit; and CHRISTOPHER SPEED, 

Corporal, East Arkansas Regional Unit DEFENDANTS 

ORDER 

1. The Court congratulates Spears, Sparkman, Merrell, Mayo, Hill, and 

Speed on their settlement. And the Court thanks Magistrate Judges Cavaneau 

and Harris for holding the settlement conference. The Final Scheduling Order 

is suspended; and the 14 September 2015 trial is canceled. N2 95 & N2 99. The 

Court will dismiss the case with prejudice as to the five settling Defendants 

unless some party requests relief before 18 September 2015. 

2. On Defendant Hughes. The return reflects that Hughes was served 

by certified mail. N2 21. But it does not reflect that a return receipt was 

requested or that delivery was restricted to him. These are essentials for good 

Case 2:14-cv-00002-DPM Document 125 Filed 08/19/15 Page 1 of 2
service. FED. R. CIV. P. 4(e)(l); ARK. R. CIV. P. 4(d)(8)(A)(i). Because it's not 

clear that Hughes was properly served, the Court vacates the Clerk's default, 

NQ 58. This defect was not Spears's fault. The Court therefore reopens the 

time for Spears to serve Hughes until17 December 2015. FED. R. CIV. P. 4(m). 

3. The Court has appointed counsel for Spears. He can and should 

handle service of process now. The Court directs the Clerk to provide counsel 

with Hughes's last known address, which is under seal. NQ 10. 

So Ordered. 

D.P. Marshall Jr. 

United States District Judge 

Case 2:14-cv-00002-DPM Document 125 Filed 08/19/15 Page 2 of 2