Opinion
CIVIL 3:21-CV-1819 3:24-CV-603 3:24- CV-604 3:24- CV-605 3:24- CV-606 3:24-CV-607
12-11-2024
GEORGE LOPEZ, Plaintiff, v. JOHN WETZEL, et al., Defendants DARIEN HOUSER, Plaintiff, v. JOHN WETZEL, et al., Defendants GERALD WATKINS, Plaintiff, v. RALPH STOKES, Plaintiff, v. JOSE UDERRA, Plaintiff, v. JOHN WETZEL, et al., Defendants v. JOHN WETZEL, et al., Defendants
Mehalchick Judge
MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
Martin C. Carlson United States Magistrate Judge
THE BACKGROUND OF THIS ORDER IS AS FOLLOWS:
These pro se prisoner civil rights actions were originally brought as a single lawsuit by six inmates held by the Department of Corrections challenging what they allege was unconstitutionally prolonged and severe solitary confinement by corrections staff. (Doc. 1). According to the plaintiffs they have suffered severe emotional and psychological injuries due to this prolonged solitary confinement. (Id.) However, a review of the plaintiffs' complaint reveals that these alleged instances of solitary confinement occurred at different places and times over the past two decades. (Id.) Further, the complaint asserts that each individual prisoner plaintiff suffered from distinct emotional impairments which were exacerbated in different ways by their confinement. (Id.) Thus, factually these six plaintiffs have claims that involved disparate acts and actors which have had different and distinct impacts upon their lives.
The defendants have moved for a stay of proceedings as they consider whether to pursue a petition for writ of certiorari with the United States Supreme Court, seeking further review of Roy Lee Williams v. Secretary of Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, 117 F.4th 503 (3dCir. 2024), a Third Circuit ruling which denied a defense claim of qualified immunity in a factually similar case.
The plaintiffs are ORDERED to respond to these stay motions on or before January 3, 2025 . The movants may then file reply briefs on or before January 17, 2025 .
So ordered