Opinion
Civil Action 9:22-CV-65
03-27-2023
MAURICE DEMAN HALL, Plaintiff, v. BALDEN O. POLK, et al. Defendants.
ORDER OVERRULING PLAINTIFF'S OBJECTIONS AND ADOPTING THE MAGISTRATE JUDGE'S REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION
MARCIA A. CRONE UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
Plaintiff Maurice Deman Hall, a prisoner previously confined at the Gib Lewis Unit of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Correctional Institutions Division (TDCJ-CID), proceeding pro se, filed this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against Balden O. Polk, Carlos Applewhite, and Cristin L. Boykin.
The court referred this matter to the Honorable Zack Hawthorn, United States Magistrate Judge, at Beaumont, Texas, for consideration pursuant to applicable laws and orders of this court. The magistrate judge has submitted a Report and Recommendation of United States Magistrate Judge. The magistrate judge recommends granting Defendants' motion for partial dismissal.
The court has received and considered the Report and Recommendation of United States Magistrate Judge, along with the record, pleadings, and all available evidence. Plaintiff filed objections to the magistrate judge's Report and Recommendation.
The court has conducted a de novo review of the objections in relation to the pleadings and the applicable law. See FED. R. CIV. P. 72(b). After careful consideration, the court concludes the objections are without merit. The Eleventh Amendment bars Plaintiff's claims for monetary damages against Defendants in their official capacities, and it also bars Plaintiff's claims under the Texas Tort Claims Act. In addition, Plaintiff's allegation that Defendant Boykin failed to investigate his grievances does not rise to the level of a constitutional violation. See Geiger v. Jowers, 404 F.3d 371, 374 (5th Cir. 2005).
ORDER
Accordingly, Plaintiff's objections (#18) are OVERRULED. The findings of fact and conclusions of law of the magistrate judge are correct, and the report of the magistrate judge (#14) is ADOPTED. Defendants' motion for partial dismissal (#9) is GRANTED. Defendant Cristin L. Boykin is DISMISSED from this action.