Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_03-cv-04412/USCOURTS-cand-3_03-cv-04412-4/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 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

LARRY D. DAVIS, 

Plaintiff,

 v.

DONALD CALVO, ET AL., 

Defendants. _____________________________

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No. C 03-4412 JSW (PR)

ORDER OF DISMISSAL BASED ON

DEATH OF PLAINTIFF

Plaintiff Larry D. Davis, a former state prisoner, filed this pro se civil rights

complaint under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 regarding the conditions of his confinement at San

Quentin State Prison (SQSP). In an order dated March 3, 2006, this Court granted

summary judgment in favor of Defendants (docket no. 29). Thereafter, the Court’s order

served on Plaintiff was returned to sender with a notation that the order was

undeliverable, due to the apparent death of Plaintiff. After orders of this Court directing

Defendants’ counsel to file and serve a statement of fact of death on Plaintiff’s

“representative or successor” (docket nos. 32, 33), Plaintiff’s death was suggested on the

record by Plaintiffs (docket no. 34) and the Court was apprised that Defendants’ counsel

had been unable to locate and serve Plaintiff’s widow, Leticia Maria Hernandez (docket

no. 35). 

When a party dies and the claim is not extinguished by applicable substantive law,

the court may order substitution of the deceased party with the proper legal

representative. Fed. R. Civ. P. 25(a)(1); Hilao v. Estate of Marcos, 103 F3d 762, 766 (9th

Case 3:03-cv-04412-JSW Document 36 Filed 07/25/06 Page 1 of 2
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Cir. 1996). Any party to the action or the deceased party’s successors may file a

“statement of fact of death” of the deceased party. The statement is served and filed in

the same manner as a motion generally. Barlow v. Ground, 39 F3d 231, 233 (9th Cir.

1994). The filing of the “statement of fact of death” commences the running of a 90 day

limitations period for substitution of the deceased party.

However, when no such successor or representative has been identified and the

Plaintiff is deceased, the Court will not keep this matter open. As such, Plaintiff’s

complaint is dismissed. The Clerk shall enter judgment and close the file. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: July 25, 2006

 

JEFFREY S. WHITE

United States District Judge

Case 3:03-cv-04412-JSW Document 36 Filed 07/25/06 Page 2 of 2