Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_05-cv-02089/USCOURTS-casd-3_05-cv-02089-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 890
Nature of Suit: Other Statutory Actions
Cause of Action: 28:1333 Admiralty

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- 1 - 05cv2089-BEN (LSP)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

F. JOE YEAGER,

Plaintiff,

CASE NO. 05CV2089-BEN (LSP)

ORDER DISMISSING

PLAINTIFF’S SECOND

AMENDED COMPLAINT WITH

LEAVE TO AMEND

vs.

CITY OF SAN DIEGO CALIFORNIA, et al.,

Defendants.

On June 5, 2006, the Court dismissed Plaintiff Joe Yeager’s First Amended Complaint with

leave to amend. Given that over 140 Defendants were named in the First Amended Complaint, the

Court stated that “should Plaintiff elect to file an amended complaint, the Court will screen the

complaint pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2) before it will be necessary for Defendants to

answer.” 

Plaintiff has filed a Second Amended Complaint (“Complaint”). The Court has reviewed

Plaintiff’s Complaint. The Court cannot determine whether Plaintiff’s Complaint is frivolous or

can be amended to state a claim, because it does not comply with Fed. R. Civ. P. 8. Rule 8 sets

forth general rules of pleading for the Federal Courts. 

The Complaint here does not contain a short and plain statement as required by Fed. R.

Civ. P. 8(a)(2). Although the Federal Rules adopt a flexible pleading policy, a complaint must

give fair notice and state the elements of the claim plainly and succinctly. Jones v. Community

Redev. Agency, 733 F.2d 646, 649 (9th Cir. 1984). The requirement of a short and plain statement

Case 3:05-cv-02089-BEN-WMC Document 92 Filed 12/05/06 Page 1 of 2
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- 2 - 05cv2089-BEN (LSP)

means a complaint must include “sufficient allegations to put defendants fairly on notice of the

claims against them.” McKeever v. Block, 932 F.2d 795, 798 (9th Cir. 1991). As it stands, the

Complaint is unintelligible and hard to follow. It is virtually impossible to discern from Plaintiff’s

Complaint the precise legal theories under which Plaintiff seeks relief. 

Consequently, Plaintiff’s Complaint is DISMISSED. Plaintiff shall have an opportunity to

file an amended complaint. For that amended complaint to be successful, Plaintiff must

demonstrate a basis for federal subject matter jurisdiction, must allege separate causes of action,

must state a constitutional or statutory basis for each cause of action, and must allege facts

showing each defendant’s personal involvement in the wrongful act alleged in each cause of

action, as well as Plaintiff’s harm or injury. Any amended complaint must be filed no later than

January 5, 2007.

SO ORDERED.

DATED: December 5, 2006

Hon. Roger T. Benitez

United States District Judge

Case 3:05-cv-02089-BEN-WMC Document 92 Filed 12/05/06 Page 2 of 2