Sykes v. Nettles (INMATE 1)

Filing 16

REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS of the Magistrate Judge that this case be dismissed without prejudice; Objections to R&R due by 4/14/2009. Signed by Honorable Susan Russ Walker on 4/1/2009. (wcl, )

IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF THE UNITED STATES FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF ALABAMA NORTHERN DIVISION ANDRE JERMAINE SYKES, #247501, Plaintiff, v. SYLVESTER NETTLES, Defendant. ) ) ) ) ) CIVIL ACTION NO. 2:08-CV-844-MEF ) [WO] ) ) ) )

RECOMMENDATION OF THE MAGISTRATE JUDGE This cause of action is pending before the court on a 42 U.S.C. § 1983 complaint filed by Andre Jermaine Sykes ["Sykes"], a state inmate, on October 21, 2008. In this complaint, Sykes challenges actions taken against him during his confinement at the Bullock County Correctional Facility. Pursuant to the orders of this court, the defendant filed a written report supported by relevant evidentiary materials in which he addressed the claims for relief presented by Sykes. The report and evidentiary materials refute the conclusory allegations presented in the instant cause of action. The court thereafter issued an order directing Sykes to file a response to the written report. Order of January 27, 2009 - Court Doc. No. 14. The order advised Sykes that his failure to respond to the defendant's written report would be treated by the court "as an abandonment of the claims set forth in the complaint and as a failure to prosecute this action." Id. at 1 (emphasis in original). Additionally, the order "specifically cautioned [the plaintiff] that [his failure] to file a response in compliance

with the directives of this order" would result in the dismissal of this civil action. Id. The time allotted Sykes for filing a response in compliance with this order expired on February 17, 2009. As of the present date, Sykes has failed to file a requisite response in opposition to the defendant's written report. In light of the foregoing, the court concludes that this case should be dismissed. The court has reviewed the file in this case to determine whether a less drastic measure than dismissal is appropriate. After such review, it is clear that dismissal of this case without prejudice is the proper course of action. Sykes is an indigent inmate. Thus, the imposition of monetary or other punitive sanctions against him would be ineffectual. Additionally, Sykes has exhibited a lack of deference for this court and its authority as he has failed to comply with the directives of the orders entered in this case. It is therefore apparent that any additional effort by this court to secure Sykes' compliance would be unavailing. Consequently, the court concludes that the plaintiff's abandonment of his claims, his failure to comply with the orders of this court and his failure to properly continue prosecution of this cause of action warrant dismissal of this case. CONCLUSION For the foregoing reasons, it is the RECOMMENDATION of the Magistrate Judge that this case be dismissed without prejudice. It is further ORDERED that on or before April 14, 2009 the parties may file objections to the Recommendation. Any objections filed must specifically identify the findings in the Magistrate Judge's Recommendation to which the party is objecting. Frivolous, conclusive
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or general objections will not be considered by the District Court. The parties are advised that this Recommendation is not a final order of the court and, therefore, it is not appealable. Failure to file written objections to the proposed findings and advisements in the Magistrate Judge's Recommendation shall bar the party from a de novo determination by the District Court of issues covered in the Recommendation and shall bar the party from attacking on appeal factual findings in the Recommendation accepted or adopted by the District Court except upon grounds of plain error or manifest injustice. Nettles v. Wainwright, 677 F.2d 404 (5th Cir. 1982). See Stein v. Reynolds Securities, Inc., 667 F.2d 33 (11th Cir. 1982). See also Bonner v. City of Prichard, 661 F.2d 1206 (11th Cir. 1981, en banc), adopting as binding precedent all of the decisions of the former Fifth Circuit handed down prior to the close of business on September 30, 1981. Done, this 1st day of April, 2009. /s/ Susan Russ Walker SUSAN RUSS WALKER CHIEF UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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