Court Opinion

ID: 9475171
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-05 05:19:01.32602+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:44:32.872285
License: Public Domain

LAY, Chief Judge,
concurring.
Although I agree with the majority that a magistrate cannot hold a jury trial absent consent of the parties, I write specially because I respectfully submit that it is extremely doubtful that a jury trial is warranted under the factual allegations of the pleadings. The allegations stated in the complaint relate primarily to the alleged unwholesome environment surrounding the food served at the prison. Although the complaint alleges a class action, Wickline appears to be the only plaintiff bringing the suit and a class action has not been certified. Plaintiff alleges no injury or harm to himself other than a conclusory claim of denial of a constitutional right. Moreover, plaintiff’s prayer for relief does not request compensatory damages in the form of actual or at least nominal damages, but seeks only punitive damages. Under Missouri law, compensatory damages are a prerequisite to a punitive damages award. See, e.g., Jasperson v. Purolator Courier Corp., 765 F.2d 736, 741 (8th Cir.1985) (“Ordinarily, in actions where punitive damages may be awarded, a showing of legal malice is sufficient to support such damages once there is a base of liability that supports actual or nominal damages.”). See also Restatement (Second) Torts § 908 comment b (1979) (in cases in which punitive damages may be awarded, “a cause of action for the particular tort must exist, at least for nominal damages”). Since there is no prayer for compensatory damages, plaintiff at best would only be entitled to the equitable relief requested in his complaint through the issuance of a temporary or permanent injunction.
It is difficult for me to perceive how many of the complaint’s allegations could be cognizable at law as cruel and unusual punishment or a denial of due process. For example, plaintiff alleges that defendants refuse to provide the recommended dietary allowances established by the state dietician or any proper substitutes for those recommended allowances, that the meals served are not attractive, that inadequate amounts of fresh citrus fruits are served, that the fruit juices are improperly diluted, that meals are not served at hot temperatures, that baked goods become dry from improper storage, that smoking is allowed in food service areas, that food service personnel wear improper clothing, and that civilian personnel are not used to supervise the food service. I do not make light of the allegations that the food is often tainted, that the food is infested with cockroaches and other insects, and that the *1060food service areas are filthy. Inmates have a constitutional right to be free from inhumane treatment and brutality and to be provided the basic necessities of life. See Finney v. Arkansas Board of Corrections, 505 F.2d 194, 215 (8th Cir.1974). If the food is in fact tainted or served in filthy surroundings, then some form of equitable relief may be warranted. However, because plaintiff here at best could be granted only the equitable injunctive relief he seeks, not the legal relief requested solely in the form of punitive damages, he is not entitled to a jury trial in the federal courts. See generally Simler v. Conner, 372 U.S. 221, 83 S.Ct. 609, 9 L.Ed.2d 691 (1963) (per curiam) (cited in Continental Bank & Trust Co. v. American Bonding Co., 605 F.2d 1049, 1055 n. 13 (8th Cir.1979)). See also Setser v. Novack Investment Co., 638 F.2d 1137, 1140 (8th Cir.1981) (discussing types of “legal relief” to which constitutional guarantee of right to trial by jury applies).
Rather than convening a jury, I think it far more desirous that the district court, through the magistrate, hold an evidentiary hearing and determine if any of the allegations have a basis in fact and are so egregious that they state a constitutional claim. If the magistrate determines that through denial of a constitutional right the plaintiff has been personally harmed, the magistrate may then determine whether some form of equitable relief, not money damages, is appropriate. Because the suit appears to be equitable in nature, this case as pled fails to provide a jury issue. I respectfully suggest that analysis of the complaint and resolution of the case based on the pleadings should be our first priority before we attempt to reach any issues of constitutional dimension which are brought before us.