Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_03-cv-00732/USCOURTS-caed-2_03-cv-00732-15/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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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

MICHAEL HOLTSINGER,

Plaintiff, No. CIV S-03-0732 MCE CMK P

vs.

J.M. BRIDDLE, et al.,

Defendants. ORDER

 /

Plaintiff, who is proceeding without counsel and in forma pauperis, seeks relief

pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Currently before the court is plaintiff’s motion to amend his

complaint and proposed amended complaint and plaintiff’s notification that he has discovered an

address for Tanya Knight, a defendant previously unserved in this action. 

Background

Plaintiff filed his complaint in April 2003 against several defendants. All

defendants were served, except for defendant John Doe # 5 and defendant Tanya Knight. 

Pursuant to the parties’ stipulations, the court entered orders dismissing all the other defendants

with prejudice. (Docs. 134 and 136.) In both orders, the court noted that defendants T. Night

and John Doe # 5 remained as defendants. 

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Case 2:03-cv-00732-MCE -CMK Document 141 Filed 03/24/06 Page 1 of 4
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On February 10, 2006, the court entered an order denying plaintiff’s request for

production of documents from defendants for use in identifying John Doe #5 because the record

revealed that defendants had previously identified John Doe # 5 as Dr. Nolan. (Doc. 137.) 

Although plaintiff had rejected the defendants’ identification of John Doe #5, the court found

that defendants had identified John Doe #5 as Dr. Nolan and that plaintiff therefore had

sufficient information to serve John Doe #5. 

Discussion

Plaintiff seeks to amend his complaint. Pursuant to Rule 15, a party may amend the

party’s pleadings after a responsive pleading has been served only by leave of the court or by

written consent of the adverse party. Fed. R. Civ. P 15(a). Leave to amend shall be freely given

when justice so requires. Accordingly, the court grant’s plaintiff’s motion to file a second

amended complaint. 

The court also notes that this action has been filed since 2003 and plaintiff has yet

to serve defendants Knight and John Doe # 5 (now identified as Dr. Nolan). On February 23,

2006, plaintiff provided the court with notice that he had discovered a possible address for

defendant Knight. The court finds that plaintiff has enough information to identify and serve

John Doe #5. 

Conclusion

In accordance with the above, IT IS ORDERED that:

1. Plaintiff’s motion for leave to file a second amended complaint in granted;

2. The Clerk of the Court is directed to file plaintiff’s proposed second amended

complaint, which was lodged on March 1, 2006;

3. The Clerk of the Court is directed to send to plaintiff two USM-285 forms,

along with an instruction sheet and a copy of the second amended complaint filed March 1,

2006; and

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4. Within thirty days from the date of this order, plaintiff shall complete and

submit the attached Notice of Submission of Documents to the court, with the following

documents:

a. Two completed USM-285 forms—one for defendant Tanya Knight and

one for defendant Dr. Nolan (who has been identified as John Doe #5)

b. Three copies of the endorsed second amended complaint filed March 1,

2006; and

c. Two completed summons forms. Plaintiff is cautioned that failure to

return these materials for service on the above named defendants may result in a

recommendation that this action be dismissed pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4m. 

Dated: March 23, 2006

/s/ Craig M. Kellison 

Craig M. Kellison

U.S. Magistrate Judge

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

Plaintiff, No. CIV 

vs.

 NOTICE OF SUBMISSION

Defendants. OF DOCUMENTS

 /

Plaintiff hereby submits the following documents in compliance with the court's

order filed :

 completed summons form

 completed USM-285 forms

 copies of the 

 Complaint/Amended Complaint

DATED: 

 

Plaintiff

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