Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-ca5-15-60718/USCOURTS-ca5-15-60718-0/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Cecelia Arnold
Appellee
Harold J. Blakely
Appellant
Shannon Caraway
Appellee
City of Laurel
Appellee
Jacqueline Jackson
Appellee
Darlean Norris
Appellee
Sonya Payton
Appellee

Document Text:

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS

FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT

No. 15-60718

Summary Calendar

HAROLD J. BLAKELY, 

 Plaintiff - Appellant

v.

CITY OF LAUREL; SHANNON CARAWAY, Police Officer; DARLEAN 

NORRIS, Police Officer; CECELIA ARNOLD, former Municipal Court Judge; 

JACQUELINE JACKSON, Deputy Clerk; SONYA PAYTON, Complainant, 

 Defendants - Appellees

Appeal from the United States District Court

for the Southern District of Mississippi

USDC No. 2:14-CV-82

Before REAVLEY, SMITH, and HAYNES, Circuit Judges.

PER CURIAM:*

This case arises from Harold J. Blakely’s arrest based on charges filed 

by his sister, Sonya Payton (“Payton”). Blakely sued the arresting officers, the 

judge who issued the warrants, the deputy clerk, the City of Laurel (“Municipal

Defendants”), as well as his sister. He appeals the district court’s denial of his 

 

* Pursuant to 5TH CIR. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not 

be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH 

CIR. R. 47.5.4.

United States Court of Appeals

Fifth Circuit

FILED

March 25, 2016

Lyle W. Cayce

Clerk

 Case: 15-60718 Document: 00513439035 Page: 1 Date Filed: 03/25/2016
No. 15-60718

2

motions for default judgment and dismissal of his claims. Blakely’s notice of 

appeal referenced “orders entered in this civil action on the 17th day of 

September, 2015.” Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 3 states that the contents 

of the notice of appeal must “designate the judgment, order, or part thereof 

being appealed.” Fed. R. App. P. 3(c)(1)(B). Blakely’s reference to “orders”

entered on a certain date may pass muster. On appeal, Blakely does not 

adequately explain his arguments or provide supporting authority. Arguments 

not adequately briefed are deemed to be waived. U.S. v. Scroggins, 599 F.3d 

433, 446 (5th Cir. 2010). Notwithstanding, his claims fail on the merits and 

we affirm for the following reasons. 

First, Blakely filed a motion for default judgment against the Municipal

Defendants. The district court correctly denied the motion, finding that the 

defendants had all properly appeared and defended the matter. Additionally,

in its order the court disposed of Blakely’s request to disqualify Defendant’s 

counsel, Brett Woods Robinson, appropriately concluding that Blakely 

presented no evidence of a conflict of interest or of defense counsel’s 

impropriety.

Next, as to Blakely’s motion for default judgment against Payton, the 

district court was well within its discretion in denying the motion as 

premature. It was also proper for the court to decline to exercise its 

supplemental jurisdiction over the claim against Payton, because it had 

dismissed all claims over which it had original jurisdiction. See 28 U.S.C. 

§ 1367(3). 

Finally, in its Memorandum Opinion and Order, the court thoroughly 

analyzed the issues and accurately held that the Municipal Defendants were 

entitled to immunity and that Blakely failed to assert valid claims for which 

relief could be granted.

AFFIRMED.

 Case: 15-60718 Document: 00513439035 Page: 2 Date Filed: 03/25/2016