Ellis v. Rawson et al

Filing 23

ORDER approving and adopting the 18 Partial Recommended Disposition as this Court's findings in all respects; granting in part and denying in part 9 Defendants' motion to dismiss; dismissing with prejudice Mr. Ellis's claims against Defendants in their official capacities; and allowing Mr. Ellis to proceed on his claims against Defendants in their individual capacities. Signed by Judge Susan Webber Wright on 3/28/2017. (mef)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
PINE BLUFF DIVISION
TRAVIS HOMER ELLIS, JR
ADC # 551269
V.

PLAINTIFF

CASE NO. 5:16-CV-00373 SWW/BD

JACOB RAWSON, et al.

DEFENDANTS
ORDER

The Court has received a Partial Recommended Disposition (“Recommendation”)
filed by Magistrate Judge Beth Deere. After careful review of the Recommendation,
Defendants’ timely objections,1 as well as a de novo review of the record, the Court
concludes that the Recommendation should be, and hereby is, approved and adopted as
this Court’s findings in all respects.
Defendants’ motion to dismiss (#9) is GRANTED, in part, and DENIED, in part.
Mr. Ellis’s claims against Defendants in their official capacities are DISMISSED, with
prejudice. Mr. Ellis may proceed on his claims against Defendants in their individual
capacities.
IT IS SO ORDERED, this 28th day of March, 2017.
/s/Susan Webber Wright
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

1

Defendants Rawson and Kirtley object to the recommended disposition, arguing for the
first time that they are entitled to qualified immunity. Defendants may assert the defense of
qualified immunity in a separate motion, but the affirmative defense cannot be raised by way of
objections to partial recommendations that address completely separate issues.