Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_07-cv-01541/USCOURTS-caed-1_07-cv-01541-5/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

WALTER BOYD,

Plaintiff, 1:07 cv 01541 OWW MJS PC

vs. ORDER RE REPORTED DEATH OF 

PLAINTIFF 

ESTIOCO, et al.,

Defendants.

Plaintiff is a state prisoner proceeding pro se. Plaintiff seeks relief pursuant to 42

U.S.C. § 1983.

On April 16, 2010, counsel for Defendants filed a document entitled “Suggestion

of Death” which reflected counsel’s belief that the Plaintiff died in March 2010. In an attached 

declaration, counsel stated that on April 14, 2010, he had received electronic notice that an

attempt to serve an order on Plaintiff had been returned as undeliverable due to “death.” Counsel

then contacted the Litigation Office at California State Prison, Sacramento, and was advised by 

the Litigation Coordinator that Plaintiff had died in March 2010 although a death certificate had

Case 1:07-cv-01541-OWW -MJS Document 32 Filed 05/05/10 Page 1 of 2
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not yet been issued. 

Absent evidence to the contrary, the court accepts the hearsay declaration of

counsel as a reasonable basis for proceeding that the claimant has in fact died. 

Fed. R. Civ. P. 25(a)(1) and (2) provide, in an appropriate case, for continuation of

an action by properly substituted parties, if any, following the death of a party. Successors or

representatives of a deceased party may make a motion for substitution not later than 90 days after

service of a statement noting the death of the party. Absent such a motion for substitution, the

action must be dismissed as to a deceased party. 

IT THEREFORE IS ORDERED that unless a motion for substitution of plaintiff or

other proper motion for relief is filed within ninety days of the date of service of this Order, this

case shall be dismissed.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: May 4, 2010 /s/ Michael J. Seng 

ci4d6 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:07-cv-01541-OWW -MJS Document 32 Filed 05/05/10 Page 2 of 2