Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_22-cv-00455/USCOURTS-caed-1_22-cv-00455-14/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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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

DAVID WAYNE WILSON,

Plaintiff,

v.

LURA MERRITT, et al.,

Defendants.

Case No.: 1:22-cv-00455-JLT-CDB (PC)

ORDER GRANTING EXTENSION OF 

TIME WITHIN WHICH TO FILE 

RESPONSIVE PLEADING

(Doc. 50)

Plaintiff David Wayne Wilson is proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis in this civil 

rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. 

I. INTRODUCTION

Following screening, this action proceeds on Plaintiff’s Eighth Amendment deliberate 

indifference to serious medical needs claims against Defendants Fishburn, Merritt and Carlson, 

First Amendment retaliation claim against Defendant Merritt, and Fourteenth Amendment and 

state law equal protection claims against Defendant Carlson, in their individual capacities only.

The Court issued its Order Finding Service Appropriate on December 13, 2023. (Doc. 36.) 

An amended notice of intent to waive service as to Defendants Carlson, Fishburn, and Merritt was 

filed December 20, 2023. (Doc. 42.) The Waiver of Service of Summons was filed January 18, 

2024, requiring an answer or motion under Rule 12 to be served within 60 days. (Doc. 46.) 

//

Case 1:22-cv-00455-JLT-CDB Document 51 Filed 02/20/24 Page 1 of 2
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On February 16, 2024, Defendants filed an Ex Parte Application for an Extension of Time 

to File and Serve a Responsive Pleading. (Doc. 50.) Defendants seek an extension of time to and 

including March 19, 2024. (Id.) 

II. DISCUSSION

Defense counsel declares he was assigned this matter on December 29, 2023. (Id. at 6, ¶ 

2.) Counsel declares that due to the press of business, he has been unable to prepare, file, and 

serve a responsive pleading. (Id., ¶ 3 [detailing multiple assignments and related filings].) 

Counsel declares preparing a responsive pleading in this action will require a significant 

dedication of time given the length of Plaintiff’s first amended complaint and its 109 pages of 

exhibits, which counsel characterizes as often confusing and difficult to follow. (Id., ¶ 4.) Counsel 

further declares a review of Plaintiff’s medical records will be necessary to prepare a responsive 

pleading and that the relevant records from January 2018 to April 2023 total 4,433 pages. (Id.) 

Defense counsel filed the application ex parte because it is difficult to contact Plaintiff to 

coordinate a stipulation. (Id., ¶ 5.) Counsel has not sought a previous extension of the filing 

deadline and does not believe Plaintiff would be prejudiced by an extension of time. (Id., ¶¶ 5-6.) 

III. CONCLUSION AND ORDER

Accordingly, and for good cause shown, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Defendants’ request for an extension of time within which to file a responsive 

pleading (Doc. 50) is GRANTED; and

2. Defendants SHALL file a responsive pleading no later than March 19, 2024.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: February 20, 2024 ___________________ _

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:22-cv-00455-JLT-CDB Document 51 Filed 02/20/24 Page 2 of 2