Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-almd-2_07-cv-00399/USCOURTS-almd-2_07-cv-00399-1/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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Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(c)(1) and M.D. Ala. LR 73.1, the parties have consented to the United States

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Magistrate Judge conducting all proceedings in this case and ordering the entry of final judgment.

IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF THE UNITED STATES

FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF ALABAMA

NORTHERN DIVISION

STEPHON LINDSAY, #207044, )

)

 Plaintiff, )

)

 v . ) CIVIL ACTION NO. 2:07-CV-399-WC

) [WO]

)

RICHARD ALLEN, et al., )

)

 Defendants. )

MEMORANDUM OPINION1

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

Stephon Lindsay [“Lindsay”], a state inmate, on May 8, 2007. In this complaint, Lindsay challenges

actions taken against him during his confinement at the Bullock County Correctional Facility. 

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

evidentiary materials in which they addressed the claims for relief presented by Lindsay. The reports

and evidentiary materials refute the self-serving, conclusory allegations presented by the plaintiff in

the instant cause of action. The court thereafter issued an order directing Lindsay to file a response

to the written reports. Order of May 28, 2009 - Court Doc. No. 59. The order advised Lindsay 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 Lindsay for filing a response in compliance

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with this order expired on June 10, 2009. As of the present date, Lindsay has filed nothing in

opposition to the defendants’ written reports as required by the order issued on May 28, 2009. 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 without prejudice

is the proper course of action. Lindsay is an indigent state inmate. Thus, the imposition of monetary

or other punitive sanctions against him would be ineffectual. Additionally, Lindsay has exhibited

a lack of deference for this court and its authority as he has failed to comply with requisite directives

of an order entered in this case. The court therefore deems it unnecessary to continue attempts to

secure Lindsay’s compliance. 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 18th day of June, 2009.

/s/ Wallace Capel, Jr.

WALLACE CAPEL, JR.. 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 2:07-cv-00399-WC Document 60 Filed 06/18/09 Page 2 of 2