Robertson et al v. Pennington et al

Filing 27

ORDER directing service on defendants Bruce Pennington and Lt Birdsong re 13 Order. The Clerk of Court shall prepare summons for the defendants and the US Marshal is directed to serve a copy of the Amended Complaint on defendants without prepayment of fees. Signed by Magistrate Judge Jerome T. Kearney on 11/15/2013. (rhm) (Modified on 11/15/2013 to correct a typographical error) (kdr).

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
WESTERN DIVISION
RANDY ROBERTSON,
ADC #107098, et al.,
v.

PLAINTIFFS
4:13CV00508-KGB-JTK

BRUCE PENNINGTON, et al.

DEFENDANTS
ORDER

By Order dated October 1, 2013 (Doc. No. 13), this Court granted Plaintiffs’ Motions to
Proceed in forma pauperis in this action filed pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. However, finding the
Complaint too vague and conclusory to enable the Court to determine whether it is frivolous, fails
to state a claim, or states a legitimate claim, the Court directed them to submit an Amended
Complaint within thirty days. The Court also cautioned Plaintiffs that an Amended Complaint
would render the Original Complaint without legal effect, and would take the place of the Original
Complaint. Plaintiff Robertson has now submitted an Amended Complaint (Doc. No. 14).1 Having
reviewed the Amended Complaint for screening purposes only,2 it now appears to the Court that
service is appropriate with respect to Plaintiff Robertson’s medical claims against the Defendants.
Accordingly,
IT IS, THEREFORE, ORDERED that service is appropriate for the Defendants Bruce
Pennington and Lt. Birdsong. The Clerk of the Court shall prepare summons for the Defendants and

1

Plaintiff Robertson lists himself as the only Plaintiff in the “Parties” section of the
Complaint, yet signed the names of the other two co-Plaintiffs in the “Relief” section of the
Complaint (Doc. No. 14, p. 6.)
2

The Prison Litigation Reform Act requires federal courts to screen prisoner complaints
seeking relief against a governmental entity, officer, or employee. 28 U.S.C. Sect. 1915A(a).
1

the United States Marshal is hereby directed to serve a copy of the Amended Complaint (Doc. No.
14) and summons on Defendants Pennington and Birdsong without prepayment of fees and costs or
security therefore.
IT IS SO ORDERED this 15th day of November, 2013.

__________________________________
JEROME T. KEARNEY
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

2