Summary
denying the plaintiff's motion for default judgment
Summary of this case from Frank v. BowermanOpinion
Civil Action No. 3:07CV566.
November 6, 2008
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Plaintiff, a Virginia prisoner, filed this 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action through counsel. On June 19, 2008, the Court entered a pretrial order setting this action for jury trial on November 19, 2008. Five (5) motions are currently pending: Plaintiff's motion to dismiss Defendant Christopher Williams (Docket No. 59), Plaintiff's motion for default judgment as to Defendants Jackson, Davis, Johnson, and Whitehead, and for damages hearing (Docket No. 61), Plaintiff's motion for writ of habeas corpus ad testificandum (Docket No. 63), motion for hearing in penal institution pursuant to Local Rule 83.4(D) (Docket No. 65), and motion to continue the trial (Docket No. 67).
I. Plaintiffs Motion to Dismiss Defendant Williams
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(a)(2) authorizes voluntary dismissal by a plaintiff "on terms that the court considers proper." Upon review, the Court concludes that Defendant Williams's legal rights will not be unfairly prejudiced by his dismissal from this action without prejudice. See Davis v. USX Corp., 819 F.3d 1270, 1273 (4th Cir. 1987). Plaintiff's motion to dismiss Defendant Williams (Docket No. 59) will be GRANTED without prejudice to Plaintiff's right to collect the sanctions imposed by the Court's Memorandum Order of October 7, 2008.
II. Plaintiffs Motion for Default Judgment
Defendants Jackson, Davis, Johnson, and Whitehead ("the Defendants") are the sole remaining defendants in this action. On July 28, 2008, the Clerk entered their default. See Fed.R.Civ.P. 55(a). To date, the Defendants have not filed an answer or otherwise responded to the complaint. Entry of default judgment would normally be proper. Because Plaintiff is a prisoner, however, Defendants are not required to answer unless ordered by the Court. 42 U.S.C. § 1997e(g). Because the Court finds that Plaintiff has a reasonable likelihood of success on the merits, see 42 U.S.C. § 1997e(g)(2), Defendants are hereby ORDERED to respond to Plaintiff's complaint within five (5) days of the date of entry hereof. Failure to respond will be treated as an admission of the truth of the allegations contained therein.Plaintiff's remaining motions will be addressed after the Court rules on Plaintiff's motion for default judgment.
An appropriate Order shall enter.