May v. Hutchinson

Filing 5

ORDER granting #1 Parnell May's motion to proceed in forma pauperis; denying as moot #4 his motion for due process; directing the clerk to send a copy of this order to the Administrator of the Pulaski County Detention Center; staying and administratively terminating this case; and allowing May to move to reopen this case after final disposition of his state criminal case, including any appeal. Any motion to reopen must be filed within 60 days of that final disposition. If May doesn't file a timely motion to reopen or a status report by 10/27/2021, then the case will be reopened and dismissed without prejudice. Signed by Judge Brian S. Miller on 4/28/2021. (kdr)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
CENTRAL DIVISION
PARNELL R. MAY
#22568-16
v.

PLAINTIFF

CASE NO. 4:21-CV-00196-BSM

ASA HUTCHINSON

DEFENDANT
ORDER

Parnell May’s motion to proceed in forma pauperis [Doc. No. 1] is granted, but he
must pay the full filing fee of $350. His motion for due process [Doc. No. 4] is denied as
moot.
The Court does not assess an initial partial filing fee. May’s custodian shall withdraw
monthly payments in the amount of twenty percent of the preceding month’s income credited
to his account each time the account exceeds $10 until the statutory fee has been paid in full.
28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(2). The clerk is directed to send a copy of this order the Administrator
of the Pulaski County Detention Center, 3201 West Roosevelt Road, Little Rock, Arkansas
72204.
May’s incarceration triggers automatic screening of his complaint. See 28 U.S.C. §
1915A. May points out that the Arkansas Supreme Court suspended criminal jury trials as
a result of COVID-19. May claims Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson violated May’s right
to a speedy trial by not finding a way to safely conduct criminal jury trials during the
pandemic; he seeks damages and injunctive relief. Doc. Nos. 2, 3. This Court must abstain
from proceeding with May’s federal claims while his state criminal case, State v. May, 60CR-

20-3852, is ongoing. Younger v. Harris, 401 U.S. 37, 43-45 (1971).
This case is stayed and administratively terminated. May can move to reopen this case
after final disposition of his state criminal case, including any appeal. Any motion to reopen
must be filed within sixty days of that final disposition. If May doesn’t file a timely motion
to reopen or a status report by October 27, 2021, then the case will be reopened and
dismissed without prejudice.
IT IS SO ORDERED this 28th day of April, 2021.

________________________________
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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