Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_07-cv-01078/USCOURTS-caed-1_07-cv-01078-3/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Campos
Defendant
Cervantes
Defendant
City Of Fresno
Defendant
Cooper
Defendant
Jerry Dyer
Defendant
Jensen
Defendant
Jeremy King
Plaintiff
McKnight
Defendant
Reyes
Defendant

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JEREMY KING, )

)

)

)

Plaintiff, )

)

v. )

)

FRESNO POLICE OFFICER MCNIGHT, )

et al., )

)

)

)

Defendants. )

 )

1:07cv1078 LJO DLB

ORDER DIRECTING PLAINTIFF TO 

FILE USM-285 FORMS

Plaintiff Jeremy King, a state prisoner appearing pro se and proceeding in forma pauperis,

filed this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983, on July 26, 2007. Plaintiff names

Fresno Police Officers McKnight, Jensen, Cooper, Reyes, Cervantes and Campos, Fresno Police

Chief Jerry Dyer, and the City of Fresno as Defendants. 

The Court recently adopted Findings and Recommendation dated August 3, 2007, and

dismissed the state law causes of action for wrongful death, negligence and negligent infliction of

emotional distress without leave to amend. Pursuant to the discussion below, this action is going

forward only on the Section 1983 causes of action. 

DISCUSSION

A. Screening Standard

The Court is required to screen complaints brought by prisoners seeking relief against a

governmental entity or officer or employee of a governmental entity. 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(a). The

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Court must dismiss a complaint or portion thereof if the prisoner has raised claims that are

legally “frivolous or malicious,” that fail to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, or

that seek monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief. 28 U.S.C.

§ 1915A(b)(1),(2); 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2). If the Court determines that the complaint fails to

state a claim, leave to amend may be granted to the extent that the deficiencies of the complaint

can be cured by amendment. Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d 1122 (9th Cir. 2000) (en banc).

B. Analysis

This complaint arises out of the shooting death of Garland King (“Decedent”), Plaintiff’s

father. The Decedent was fatally wounded on September 4, 2003, after officers responded to

reports of an individual standing in the roadway waving a gun and shouting at motorists. 

His complaint appears to state a cognizable claim for Section 1983 relief. As explained

above, the state law causes of action have been dismissed without leave to amend and are

therefore no longer part of the complaint.

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Service is appropriate for the following Defendants: 

Fresno Police Officers McKnight, Jensen, Cooper, Reyes, Cervantes and Campos

Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer

City of Fresno 

2. The Clerk of the Court shall send Plaintiff eight USM-285 forms, eight

summonses, an instruction sheet and a copy of the complaint filed on July 26,

2007. 

3. Within THIRTY (30) DAYS from the date of this Order, Plaintiff shall complete

the attached Notice of Submission of Documents and submit the completed

Notice to the Court with the following documents:

a. Completed summonses;

b. One completed USM-285 form for each Defendant listed above; and 

c. Nine copies of the endorsed complaint filed on July 26, 2007.

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4. Plaintiff need not attempt service on Defendants and need not request waiver of

service. Upon receipt of the above-described documents, the Court will direct the

United States Marshal to serve the above-named Defendants pursuant to Federal

Rule of Civil Procedure 4 without payment of costs. 

5. The failure to comply with this Order will result in a Recommendation that this

action be dismissed.

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

Dated: September 12, 2007 /s/ Dennis L. Beck 

3b142a UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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