Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-almd-2_12-cv-00903/USCOURTS-almd-2_12-cv-00903-0/pdf.json

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

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IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF THE UNITED STATES

FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF ALABAMA

NORTHERN DIVISION

ANTONIO NICHOLS, #157833, )

)

Plaintiff, )

)

v. ) CIVIL ACTION NO. 2:12-CV-903-TMH

)

BOBBY BARRETT, et al., )

)

 Defendants. )

MEMORANDUM OPINION

This cause of action is pending before the court on a 42 U.S.C. § 1983 complaint filed

by Antonio Nichols [“Nichols”], a state inmate, on October 15, 2012. In this complaint,

Nichols references actions which he alleges occurred during a brief period of confinement

at the Kilby Correctional Facility. 

Pursuant to the orders of this court, the defendants filed written reports, supported by

relevant evidentiary materials, including affidavits and other documents, in which they

address the claims for relief presented by Nichols. The report and evidentiary materials

refute the self-serving, conclusory allegations presented in the instant cause of action. 

Specifically, the undisputed evidentiary materials indicate that the defendants did not act in

violation of Nichols’s constitutional rights. These documents demonstrate that Nichols’s

transfer to Kilby transpired due to a pending investigation of an inmate homicide, which

occurred during Nichols’s confinement at the St. Clair Correctional Facility. Based on his

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potential involvement in the murder and due to his status as a life without parole inmate,

Kilby officials assigned Nichols to a single cell in administrative segregation. Nichols was

at no time confined in the mental health unit at Kilby. In addition, during his incarceration

at Kilby, Nichols was permitted access to legal materials and retained the ability to access

the courts as clearly demonstrated by his filing the instant cause of action.

After reviewing the defendants’ written reports, the court issued an order directing

Nichols to file a response to arguments set forth by the defendants. Order of March 7, 2013 -

Doc. No. 32. This order advised Nichols that his failure to respond to the defendants’ written

reports would be treated by the court “as an abandonment of the claims set forth in the

complaint and as a failure to prosecute this action.” Id. at 1 (emphasis in original). 

Additionally, the order “specifically cautioned [the plaintiff] that [his failure] to file a

response in compliance with the directives of this order” would result in the dismissal of

this civil action. Id. The time allotted Nichols for filing a response in compliance with the

directives of this order expired on March 27, 2013. As of the present date, Nichols has failed

to file a requisite response in opposition to the defendants’ written reports. In light of the

foregoing, the court concludes that this case should be dismissed.

The court has reviewed the file in this case to determine whether a less drastic

measure than dismissal is appropriate. After such review, it is clear that dismissal of this

case is the proper course of action. Nichols is an indigent inmate. Thus, the imposition of

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monetaryor other punitive sanctions against himwould be ineffectual. Additionally, Nichols

has exhibited a lack of deference for this court and its authority as he has ignored the

directives of an order entered herein directing a necessary response. It is likewise apparent

that any additional effort by this court to secure his compliance would be unavailing. 

Consequently, the court concludes that the plaintiff’s abandonment of his claims, his failure

to comply with the orders of this court and his failure to properly continue prosecution of this

cause of action warrant dismissal of this case. 

A separate order will accompany this memorandum opinion.

Done this 19th day of April, 2013.

 /s/ Wallace Capel, Jr. 

WALLACE CAPEL, JR.

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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