Solomon v. Sanders et al

Filing 53

ORDER denying as moot 29 Motion to Dismiss Party. Signed by Honorable Barry A. Bryant on February 5, 2015. (mll)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
TEXARKANA DIVISION

CLIFTON O. SOLOMON

v.

PLAINTIFF

Civil No. 4:13-cv-04126

CORPORAL ALLEN SANDERS;
and DEWAYNE FLOYD

DEFENDANTS

ORDER
Plaintiff filed this section 1983 action on December 30, 2013. Plaintiff proceeds pro se and
in forma pauperis. Currently before the Court is Plaintiff’s Motion to Sever Trial. ECF No. 29.1
In his Motion, Plaintiff request a separate jury trial for his claim of retaliation against
Defendant Sanders because there is “no relation” of his claims against Defendant Sanders and his
claims against Defendant Floyd. ECF No. 29.
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 42(b) reads:
For convenience, to avoid prejudice, or to expedite and economize, the court may
order a separate trial of one or more separate issues, claims, crossclaims,
counterclaims, or third-party claims. When ordering a separate trial, the court must
preserve any federal right to a jury trial.

Fed. R. Civ. P. 42(b). Whether to sever claims or defendants falls within the discretion of the Court.
Id.; see also Tempur-Pedic Intern., Inc. v. Waste to Charity, Inc., Civil No. 01-2015, 2008 WL
5068913 (W.D. Ark. Nov. 25, 2008).
I find severing Defendant Floyd’s trial from Defendant Sander’s trial would not promote
1

While this document was filed by the Clerk of the Court as a Motion to Dismiss, the
Court construes it as a Motion to Sever.

judicial economy or expedite this matter. While the Court recognizes the claims against Defendant
Floyd and Defendant Sanders are distinct, the claims are closely related in time, the claims both
occurred while Plaintiff was incarcerated at the Miller County Detention Center (“MCDC”), and the
claims both relate to Plaintiff’s constitutional rights as an inmate at the MCDC.
For these reasons, Plaintiff’s Motion to Sever (ECF No. 29) is DENIED as moot.
IT IS SO ORDERED this 5th day of February 2015.
/s/ Barry A. Bryant
HON. BARRY A. BRYANT
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE