Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-ared-2_12-cv-00123/USCOURTS-ared-2_12-cv-00123-12/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 28:1331 Federal Question: Other Civil Rights

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS 

EASTERN DIVISION 

GARY COVINGTON, on behalf of 

himself and all others similarly situated 

v. No. 2:12-cv-123-DPM 

PLAINTIFF 

ULESS WALLACE, HERMAN HALL, and 

NEAL BYRD, all in their official capacities DEFENDANTS 

ORDER 

1. The parties' jointly proposed changes to the draft notice, see attached, 

are fine. The Court applauds the overall improvements in clarity. We still 

need to fill in the blanks and craft an exclusion form. The Court also needs to 

decide the particulars of notice. Joint report covering all this ground due by 

23 January 2015. 

2. The Court didn't intend to set a deadline for an interim fee petition. 

Covington can file one whenever he chooses. His motions to extend time, 

NQ 145 & 146, are denied without prejudice as moot. 

3. The liability issues are set for trial the week of 9 March 2015. Any trial 

in the related excessive-force case will go first, then this case. The City 

Defendants' objection to bifurcating liability and damages is overruled. 

Bifurcation makes good sense. FED. R. CIV. P. 42(b). Pretrial disclosure sheets, 

Case 2:12-cv-00123-DPM Document 147 Filed 01/07/15 Page 1 of 7
motions in limine, proposed jury instructions, and all other pretrial filings are 

due by 6 February 2015. 

*** 

Motions, NQ 145 & 146, denied without prejudice as moot. 

So Ordered. 

D.P. Marshall Jr. 

United States District Judge 

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Case 2:12-cv-00123-DPM Document 147 Filed 01/07/15 Page 2 of 7
Draft Notice 

23 December 2014 

.NOTICE TO COVINGTON CLASS MEMBERS 

To: All pretrial detainees at the Phillips County Jail who were denied a 

I 

prompt first appearance in the three years before this case was filedsince 

on 22 June 2009~. 

You may be eligible for compensation. 

1. Class Action Claims 

Your rights may be affected by this Gass Action. Gary Covington has 

brought this lawsuit against Phillips County and the City of Helena-West 

Helena. He alleges that the County and the City failed to provide a prompt 

first appearance in court (within 72 hours of arrest) to pretrial detainees at 

the County jail. Covington claims the City and the County violated the U.S. 

Constitution. He seeks damages for himself and others who were allegedly 

denied a prompt first appearance. The Court has held Phillips County 

liable for its violation of the Constitution, and will set the matter for a trial 

on damages owed. The City denies that it violated the Constitution and 

denies any liability to Covington and other pretrial detainees. The Court 

will hold a trial to resolve the City's potential liability. 

2. Location of Lawsuit 

This Gass Action is pending in the United States District Court for the 

Eastern District of Arkansas. The purpose of this Notice is to tell you about 

the Gass claim described in paragraph 1. This Notice is sent for the sole 

purpose of informing you that this case is pending-so you can decide 

whether to participate in this case or not. 

3. Attorney Fees & Costs 

Page 1 of 5 

- { Field Code Changed 

Case 2:12-cv-00123-DPM Document 147 Filed 01/07/15 Page 3 of 7
Draft Notice 

17 December 2014 

If Covington wins, then the Court will be asked to approve payment of 

litigation expenses and attorney fees to the Oass Attorney. Expenses and 

fees may be deducted from the total amount of recovery or they may be 

awarded separately by the Court. No other fees or costs will be charged to 

Oass members. If the City wins, you will not be responsible for paying any 

costs or attorney's fees. Importantly, the Gty and the County have assured the Court 

there will be no retaliation. 

4. Class Representatives & Class Attorney 

The Court has approved Gary Covington as Class Representative. The 

Court has also approved a Class Attorney. He is 

Luther Sutter 

SUTTER & GILLHAM, P.L.L.C. 

Attorneys at Law 

Post Office Box 2012 

Benton, Arkansas 72018 

(501) 315-1910 

If you decide to remain a member of the Oass and wish to communicate 

with the Class Attorney, you may do so by writing to him. 

5. Election by Class Members: Opt Out or Remain in the Class 

Page2of 5 

Case 2:12-cv-00123-DPM Document 147 Filed 01/07/15 Page 4 of 7
Draft Notice 

17 December 2014 

If you are a member of the Covington Class, as described in paragraph 1, 

you must choose whether to remain a member of this Class Action and 

have the Class Representative and Class Attorney identified in paragraph 4 

represent you. Your decision will have important consequences. 

A. If you come within the class of persons described in 

paragraph 1, you will automatically become a Covington Class 

Member unless you ask to be excluded from the Class in the 

manner indicated below. If you want to be a Class Member, 

you are not required to do anything at this time. By remaining a 

Class Member, any claims you have against the County or the 

City for damages will be decided in this case and cannot be 

presented in any other lawsuit. As a member of the Covington 

Class, you will be bound by any result obtained by the Class 

Representative, whether favorable or unfavorable. 

B. If you choose to be excluded from the Covington Class, you 

must mail a written request to postmarked on 

or before . By making this election to be 

excluded: You will not be bound by any decision in this 

lawsuit; you may present any claims you have against the 

County or the City by filing your own lawsuit; or you may seek 

to intervene in this lawsuit through your own counsel. 

6. Rights and Obligations of Class Members 

If you remain a member of this Class: 

A. Gary Covington will act as your Class Representative and 

Luther Sutter of Sutter & Gillham, P.L.L.C. will act as your 

Class Attorney for the presentation of the claims against the 

City and the County. If you desire, you may appear at any 

proceeding in person or by an attorney you have selected. You 

Page3 of 5 

Case 2:12-cv-00123-DPM Document 147 Filed 01/07/15 Page 5 of 7
Draft Notice 

17 December 2014 

may also seek to intervene individually and may advise the 

Court if at any time you consider that you are not being fairly 

and adequately represented by the Class Representative or 

Class Attorney. 

B. Your participation in any recovery that may be obtained 

from the County or the City through trial or settlement will 

depend on the results of the lawsuit. If no recovery is obtained 

for the Class, you will be bound by that result too. 

C. You will be entitled to notice and an opportunity to be heard 

regarding any proposed settlement or dismissal of the Class 

claims. For this reason, and to participate in any recovery, you 

are requested to notify of your full name and 

current address. 

Page4of 5 

Case 2:12-cv-00123-DPM Document 147 Filed 01/07/15 Page 6 of 7
7.FurtherProceedings 

Draft Notice 

17 December 2014 

Pretrial and trial proceedings remain to be done in this case. You may 

communicate with the Gass Attorney if you have evidence you believe 

would be helpful to the establishment of the Covington Gass claims, and 

you may be asked by the parties to provide information relevant to the 

case. 

8. Contact Information 

Any questions you have concerning the matters contained in this Notice 

should not be directed to the Court. They should be directed in writing to 

______ . You may write to the Gaims Administrator at 

_______ . Additionally, you may learn more about the Gass 

I 

Action online at or by calling 1-501-315-1910888-

287 1637. The pleadings and other records in this case may be examined 

and copied at any time during regular office hours at the office of the Clerk 

of the United States District Court, 600 West Capitol Avenue, Little Rock, 

Arkansas. 

9. Reminder as to Time Limit 

If you wish to be excluded from the Covington Gass described in 

paragraph 1, return the completed Exclusion Form to 

------------~by mail postmarked on or before _______ . [Form Missing] 

Pages of 5 

Case 2:12-cv-00123-DPM Document 147 Filed 01/07/15 Page 7 of 7