Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_12-cv-00105/USCOURTS-caed-1_12-cv-00105-10/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

Plaintiff Lanard Kitchens (“Plaintiff”) is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma 

pauperis in this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. 

Plaintiff initiated this action on January 24, 2012. (ECF No. 1.) On February 28, 

2013, the Court found that Plaintiff stated a cognizable First Amendment claim against 

Defendant Tordsen and an Eighth Amendment claim against Defendants Tordsen, Coker, 

Leach, and Day. (ECF Nos. 28-30, 32.) On August 14, 2013, the Court ordered the United 

States Marshall to serve Defendants Tordsen, Coker, Leach, and Day and set a service 

deadline of December 16, 2013. (ECF No. 36.) Defendants Cocker, Day, and Leach have

since filed an Answer. (ECF No. 38.) As of this date, the Court has not received any 

evidence indicating that Defendant Tordsen has been served.

LANARD KITCHENS,

 Plaintiff,

v.

TORDSEN, et al.,

Defendants.

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Case No.: 1:12-cv-0105-AWI-MJS (PC)

ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFF’S REQUEST 

FOR AN ENTRY OF DEFAULT

(ECF No. 45)

Case 1:12-cv-00105-SJM-MJS Document 46 Filed 11/21/13 Page 1 of 2
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On November 18, 2013, Plaintiff filed a motion requesting that the Court enter an 

order of default judgment against Defendant Tordsen. (ECF No. 45.) 

A default, followed by a default judgment, cannot be taken unless and until a 

defendant has been served and fails to file a responsive pleading within the time allowed. 

Fed. R. Civ. P. 55(a). That has not happened with regard to Defendant Tordsen. There is 

no evidence that Defendant Tordsen has yet been served.

Accordingly, Plaintiff having presented no basis upon which a default could be taken 

against Defendant Tordsen, his motion for a default judgment is DENIED. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: November 20, 2013 /s/Michael J. Seng 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE DEAC_Signature-END:

ci4d6

Case 1:12-cv-00105-SJM-MJS Document 46 Filed 11/21/13 Page 2 of 2