Court Opinion

ID: 9461279
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-04 22:10:24.616585+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:36:58.797988
License: Public Domain

WALLACE, Circuit Judge
(concurring and dissenting):
I concur in Judge Choy’s opinion except as to its treatment of count 3. In this count, McKinney claims that prison officials refused to allow him to show his mother certain catalogues and brochures from lawbook companies. The district court dismissed this count as failing to state a cause of action upon which relief could be granted because it assumed that McKinney’s intention was to have her buy “legal books which he intended to keep in his cell” and that he “was seeking to purchase more books than he was permitted to possess in his cell under applicable prison regulations . . . .” *506McKinney v. DeBord, 324 F.Supp. 928, 932 (E.D.Cal.1970).
Based upon statements in documents other than the unanswered complaint, Judge Choy concludes that McKinney would have put the books, to be purchased in his cell. The district court could not have relied upon these statements, however, without treating the motion as one for summary judgment. If it did so, it would be required to allow McKinney to respond. Dale v. Hahn, 440 F.2d 633, 638 (2d Cir. 1971). Nor do 1 believe the district court could dismiss the complaint as a sham on the basis of pleadings of the defendants without allowing McKinney to respond. Cohen v. Cahill, 281 F.2d 879 (9th Cir. 1960). At no time was McKinney required to or requested to respond. As the court gave no indication it was dismissing other than based upon the complaint itself, I believe we must review the action of the district court under the strict standards referred to by Judge Choy governing dismissals of complaints. We may do so only by referring to the complaint and not to other materials. California Motor Transport Co. v. Trucking Unlimited, 404 U.S. 508, 515, 92 S.Ct. 609, 30 L.Ed.2d 642 (1972); Williford v. California, 352 F.2d 474 (9th Cir. 1965); Marshall v. Sawyer, 301 F.2d 639, 647 (9th Cir. 1962).
I cannot say that the complaint, considered by itself with all factual disputes resolved in favor of McKinney, alleges no facts that could be proved which would support a claim for relief. Conley v. Gibson, 355 U.S. 41, 45-46, 78 S.Ct. 99, 2 L.Ed.2d 80 (1957). Although it could be inferred that McKinney did intend to keep the books in his cell, to reach such a conclusion the evidence would have to be viewed most favorably to the defendants. This the district court cannot do in ruling on a motion to dismiss. Fed.R. Civ.P. 12(b)(5).
I would reverse and remand count 3.