Opinion
Civil Action No.: 8:14-04583-TMC-JDA
07-11-2015
Willie L. Willis, III, Petitioner, v. Warden Cothran, Respondent.
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION
Petitioner brought this action seeking relief pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254. [Doc. 1.] On March 9, 2015, Respondent filed a motion for summary judgment. [Doc. 15.] On March 10, 2015, pursuant to Roseboro v. Garrison, 528 F.2d 309 (4th Cir. 1975), Petitioner was advised of the summary judgment/dismissal procedure and the possible consequences if he failed to respond adequately. [Doc. 16.] Despite this explanation, Petitioner did not respond to the motion.
Petitioner filed a motion for extension of time to file a response to the motion for summary judgment [Doc. 21], which the Court granted [Doc. 22], extending Petitioner's deadline for responding to the motion for summary judgment from the original deadline of April 13, 2015 to the final deadline of June 12, 2015 [id.].
As Petitioner is proceeding pro se, the Court filed a second Order on June 17, 2015, giving Petitioner through July 6, 2015, to file his response to the motion for summary judgment. [Doc. 26.] Petitioner was specifically advised that if he failed to respond, this action would be dismissed for failure to prosecute. [Id.] However, Petitioner has failed to respond to the motion.
Based on the foregoing, it appears Petitioner no longer wishes to pursue this action. "The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure recognize that courts must have the authority to control litigation before them, and this authority includes the power to order dismissal of an action for failure to comply with court orders." Ballard v. Carlson, 882 F.2d 93, 95 (4th Cir. 1989) (citing Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(b)). "Federal courts possess an inherent authority to dismiss cases with prejudice sua sponte." Gantt v. Md. Div. of Corr., 894 F. Supp. 226, 229 (D. Md. 1995) (citing Link v. Wabash R. Co., 370 U.S. 626 (1962); White v. Raymark Indust., Inc., 783 F.2d 1175 (4th Cir. 1986); Zaczek v. Fauquier Cnty., Va., 764 F. Supp. 1071, 1074 (E.D. Va.1991)).
The Fourth Circuit, in Davis v. Williams, recognizing that dismissal with prejudice is a harsh sanction that should not be invoked lightly, set forth four factors for determining whether Rule 41(b) dismissal is appropriate:
(1) the degree of personal responsibility on the part of the plaintiff;588 F.2d 69, 70 (4th Cir. 1978) (citing McCargo v. Hedrick, 545 F.2d 393, 396 (4th Cir. 1976)). Subsequently, however, the Fourth Circuit noted that "the four factors . . . are not a rigid four-pronged test," and whether to dismiss depends on the particular circumstances of the case. Ballard, 882 F.2d at 95. For example, in Ballard, the court reasoned that "the Magistrate's explicit warning that a recommendation of dismissal would result from failure to obey his order is a critical fact that distinguishes this case from those cited by appellant. . . . In view of the warning, the district court had little alternative to dismissal. Any other course would have placed the credibility of the court in doubt and invited abuse." Id. at 95-96.
(2) the amount of prejudice to the defendant caused by the delay;
(3) the presence or absence of a drawn out history of deliberately proceeding in a dilatory fashion; and
(4) the effectiveness of sanctions less drastic than dismissal.
Because Petitioner is proceeding pro se, he is personally responsible for his failure to file a response. Petitioner has had over four months to respond to the motion for summary judgment. Under the Roseboro Order, Petitioner's response was due by April 13, 2015, and he was subsequently granted an extension until June 12, 2015, but despite being advised of the possible consequences if he failed to adequately respond, Petitioner elected not to respond. The Court filed a second Order, reminding Petitioner a response was due, giving him additional time—until July 6, 2015—to respond, and warning him the case would be dismissed pursuant to Rule 41(b) if he failed to file a response. However, Petitioner has failed to respond. Because Petitioner has already ignored Court Orders and deadlines, sanctions less drastic than dismissal would not be effective.
Wherefore, based upon the foregoing, the Court recommends the case be DISMISSED pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b).
IT IS SO RECOMMENDED.
s/ Jacquelyn D. Austin
United States Magistrate Judge
July 11, 2015
Greenville, South Carolina