Court Opinion

ID: 9465229
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-05 00:39:45.211532+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:39:02.970807
License: Public Domain

VANCE, Circuit Judge,
Concurring in Result:
I concur in the result expressed in the opinion of the court but I reach that result by a slightly different path.
*422Over fifty years ago the Supreme Court held,
If the federal courts are to have the jurisdiction in class suits to which they are obviously entitled, the decree when rendered must bind all of the class properly represented.
Supreme Tribe of Ben Hur v. Cauble, 255 U.S. 356, 41 S.Ct. 338, 65 L.Ed. 673 (1921). Bogard makes no claim that his interests were not adequately protected in Gates v. Collier, 349 F.Supp. 881 (N.D.Miss.1972), aff’d., 501 F.2d 1291 (5th Cir. 1974). He was an active participant in the prior case. Its legal and factual bases were virtually identical to those of the case now before the court. Although the class certification in Gates was under Rule 23(b)(1) and 23(b)(2), class members, including Bogard, were given actual written notice and the opportunity to exclude themselves. As Judge Clark’s opinion points out, 380 class members elected to opt out but Bogard did not make such an election. Under this state of facts I would hold that the doctrine of res judicata bars a second, money damage claim by Bogard covering the same period. See generally Gonzales v. Cassidy, 474 F.2d 67 (5th Cir. 1973); International Prisoners’ Union v. Rizzo, 356 F.Supp. 806 (E.D.Pa.1973).
The separate claim involving the stabbing injury, which occurred after the evidence was closed in Gates, is not barred. With respect to that injury I agree that misconduct by Cook, Collier and Byars of the quality required to overcome their qualified immunity was not proved.