Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-azd-3_07-cv-08009/USCOURTS-azd-3_07-cv-08009-2/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 350
Nature of Suit: Motor Vehicle Personal Injury
Cause of Action: 28:1441 Petition for Removal- Wrongful Death

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WO

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

Alice Rybolt, et al., 

Plaintiffs,

vs.

Mario Terrence Valella, et al,

Defendants.

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No. CV-07-8009-PHX-PGR 

 

 ORDER

According to the Notice of Suggestion of Death (doc. #35), the statutory

plaintiff in this wrongful death action, Alice Rybolt, the mother of decedent

Michael Rybolt, died on May 18, 2008. To date no replacement statutory plaintiff

has been named. Ms. Rybott’s counsel, Thomas J. Howard of Phillips and

Associates, has moved to withdraw from this action due to Ms. Rybolt’s death. 

Counsel has informed the Court that he has located two adult children of the

decedent, Eli Geschwentener and Michelle Prunty, either one of whom may serve

as a statutory plaintiff pursuant to A.R.S. §12-612. Counsel has further informed

the Court that he corresponded with Mr. Geschwentener and Ms. Prunty at the

end of May, 2008 in order to inform them of the existence of this action, of the

existing time limits and deadlines, and of his intent to withdraw as counsel, and to

advise them to retain new counsel if they wish to participate in this action;

Case 3:07-cv-08009-PGR Document 40 Filed 08/11/08 Page 1 of 2
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counsel further states that he has provided Mr. Geschwentener, who

is a resident of Phoenix, with a complete copy of the file of this action.

Since neither Mr. Geschwentener nor Ms. Prunty has objected to the

motion to withdraw as counsel notwithstanding that they were both served with a

copy of the motion, the Court will grant the motion to withdraw.

Since this action currently has no statutory plaintiff, and cannot continue

without a statutory plaintiff, Mr. Geschwentener and Ms. Prunty are advised that

this action will be dismissed for lack of prosecution unless a new statutory plaintiff

makes an appearance through counsel no later than September 15, 2008. 

Therefore,

IT IS ORDERED that the Motion to Withdraw as Counsel for Plaintiffs (doc.

#39) is granted and that Thomas J. Howard and the law firm of Phillips and

Associates are withdrawn as counsel for the plaintiffs. 

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this action will be dismissed for lack of

prosecution unless a new statutory plaintiff makes an appearance in this action

no later than September 15, 2008.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that all pending deadlines set forth in the

Amended Scheduling Order (doc. #33) are stayed pending further order of the

Court.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Clerk of the Court shall mail a copy of

this Order to Eli Geschwentener, 257 East Beck Lane, Phoenix, AZ 85022, and to

Michelle Prunty, 3939 165th Place NE, Apt. A182, Redmond, WA 98052.

DATED this 11th day of August, 2008.

Case 3:07-cv-08009-PGR Document 40 Filed 08/11/08 Page 2 of 2