Nelson v. Davenport et al

Filing 110

ORDER ADOPTING 99 Report and Recommendations of Magistrate Judge as to Plaintiff's claims against Wood, William and Allen. As to Plaintiff's claims against Davenport, the Court declines to find him liable for excessive force. Plaintiff&# 039;s claims against Allen, Wood, Williams and Davenport are dismissed with prejudice. His claims against Meinzer are dismissed without prejudice. The Court certifies that an in forma pauperis appeal would be consider frivilous and not in good faith. Signed by Judge Susan Webber Wright on 1/6/2014. (mcz)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
PINE BLUFF DIVISION
DUSTIN NELSON
ADC #145488
V.

PLAINTIFF

NO: 5:13CV00092 SWW

MICHAEL DAVENPORT et al.

DEFENDANTS
ORDER

The Court has reviewed the Proposed Findings and Recommended Disposition submitted
by United States Magistrate Judge H. David Young, and the objections filed. After carefully
considering the objections and making a de novo review of the record in this case, the Court
concludes that the Proposed Findings and Recommended Disposition should be approved and
adopted as to plaintiff’s claims against Wood, William, and Allen. As to plaintiff’s claim against
Davenport, the Court declines to find him liable for excessive force.
The Court finds plaintiff failed to establish that the force applied by Davenport was
malicious and sadistic. The facts establish Davenport was reacting to an incident initiated by
plaintiff when he head-butted Officer Wood. Plaintiff’s leg restraints came off during the struggle
to regain control of him and Davenport struck plaintiff while Officer Allen attempted to secured the
leg irons. Officer Allen testified that after he got the restraints back on plaintiff, he told Davenport
twice to stop striking Plaintiff, which he did after Allen’s second order. There is no evidence that
Davenport intentionally struck Plaintiff without just cause or reason or that he engaged in extreme
or excessive cruelty or delighted in cruelty. He acted in the heat of the incident which quickly was
resolved. There is no evidence of any animosity between Davenport and Plaintiff prior to the
incident.
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED THAT Plaintiff’s claims against Defendants Eddie Allen,

Jonathan Wood, William Williams, and Michael Davenport are DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE.
His claims against Defendant Curtis Meinzer are DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE.
The Court certifies that an in forma pauperis appeal taken from the order and judgment
dismissing this action is considered frivolous and not in good faith.
DATED this 6th day of January, 2014.
/s/Susan Webber Wright
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE