Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_02-cv-05018/USCOURTS-caed-1_02-cv-05018-23/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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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

KAVIN M. RHODES, )

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Plaintiff, )

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v. )

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M. ROBINSON, et al., )

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Defendants. )

______________________________)

1:02-cv-5018 LJO DLB PC

 

ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION FOR

CONTINUANCE OF TRIAL

(Doc. 184)

Plaintiff Kavin M. Rhodes ("Plaintiff") is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma

pauperis in a civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. This matter is currently set for trial on

May 20, 2008 before the Honorable Judge O’Neill. On April 28 and 29, 2008, the Clerk of the Court

received letters from inmate Larry Anderson, whom plaintiff stated had voluntarily agreed to testify at

trial. (Docs. 170, 179). In the letters, inmate Anderson states that he does not know plaintiff, knows

nothing about the present case, and does not wish to testify. On April 30, 2008, this court issued an

order vacating the transportation writ for inmate Anderson (Doc. 172). 

On May 8, 2008, plaintiff filed his third motion for a continuance of the trial. (Doc. 184).

Plaintiff alleges that Inmate Anderson is the victim of “threats, coersion [sic] and intimidation by prison

staff”. Plaintiff seeks a continuance of the trial date, or in the alternative, a telephonic conference

between plaintiff, the court, and inmate Anderson. 

As explained in the court’s order issued April 30, 2008, although plaintiff filed a declaration

Case 1:02-cv-05018-LJO-DLB Document 185 Filed 05/14/08 Page 1 of 2
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on January 16, 2008 stating that inmate Anderson had voluntarily agreed to testify, that no longer

appeared to be the case. Further, it did not appear that inmate Anderson has any relevant testimony to 1

give. On these grounds, this court vacated the order and writ issued on April 14, 2008, commanding

the production of inmate Larry Anderson. Plaintiff’s bald allegations that inmate Anderson was likely

coerced, threatened, or intimidated by prison staff do not support a motion for a continuance of the trial

date, or a telephonic conference.

Accordingly, the Court HEREBY ORDERS as follows:

1. Plaintiff’s motion for a continuance of the trial date, filed May 8, 2008, is HEREBY

DENIED;

2. Plaintiff’s motion for a telephonic conference between plaintiff, the court, and inmate

Anderson is HEREBY DENIED; and 

3. This matter shall proceed to trial on May 20, 2008.

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

Dated: May 14, 2008 /s/ Dennis L. Beck 

3b142a UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:02-cv-05018-LJO-DLB Document 185 Filed 05/14/08 Page 2 of 2