Williams v. State Of Delaware et al

Filing 31

MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Judge Leonard P. Stark on 9/5/17. (sar)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE
MOSES J. WILLIAMS,
Plaintiff,
Civil Action No. 15-343-LPS

v.

CORPORAL WILLIAM T. HARRIS,
Defendant.

Moses J. Williams, Middletown, Delaware, Pro Se Plaintiff.
Michael F. McTaggart, Deputy Attorney General Deputy, Delaware Department of Justice,
Wilmington, Delaware. Counsel for Defendant.

MEMORANDUM OPINION

September 5, 2017
Wilmington, Delaware

I.

INTRODUCTION
Plaintiff Moses]. Williams ("Plaintiff') filed this civil rights action on April 29, 2015,

pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. (D.I. 2) He appears prose and has been granted in jo17lla pauperis
status. On August 7, 2017, the Court ordered Plaintiff to show cause why this matter should not be
dismissed for his failure to prosecute, pursuant to D. Del. LR 41.1. (See D.l. 28) Plaintiff timely
filed a response to the Order. Nevertheless, for the reasons that follow, the Court will dismiss the
action for failure to prosecute.

11.

BACKGROUND
Following screening of the Complaint pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2), Plaintiff was

allowed to proceed with § 1983 unlawful arrest and excessive force claims against Defendant
Corporal William T. Harris ("Defendant"); all other Defendants and remaining claims were
dismissed as frivolous, for failure to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, and/ or based
upon certain Defendants' immunity from suit pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(i), (ii), and (iii).
Prior to the entry of the August 7, 2017 show cause order, the last action taken by Plaintiff
occurred on April 25, 2016, when he appeared for his deposition. (See D.l. 23) At that time,
Plaintiff stated on the record that he was only pursuing the illegal or false arrest claim. (See D.l. 27
at 64) ("the only thing I'm pursuing right now at this point ... is unlawful arrest. That's it.") On
October 3, 2016, Defendant filed a motion for summary judgment as to that claim under the
doctrine of qualified immunity. (See D.l. 25, 26) When Plaintiff had taken no action in this matter
as of August 7, 2017 (including failing to oppose the motion for summary judgment), the Court
entered a show cause order why the action should not be dismissed for Plaintiff's failure to

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prosecute. (D.I. 28) On August 17, 2017, Plaintiff filed a request for admissions directed to
Defendant. A few days later, he filed a response to the show cause order. (D.I. 30)
In his response, Plaintiff states that his failure to oppose the motion for summary judgment

was not the result of delay or a failure to prosecute. He also states that Defendant misunderstood
his deposition testimony and, it now appears, he seeks to reinstate all previously dismissed claims
and defendants. It also appears that he seeks additional discovery so that he may oppose
Defendant's claim of qualified immunity. He asks that the case not be dismissed and that he be
given additional time to file a response to the motion for summary judgment.

III.

LEGAL STANDARDS
Pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(b), a court may dismiss an action "[f]or failure of the plaintiff

to prosecute or to comply with [the Federal Rules] or any order of court .... " Although dismissal is
an extreme sanction that should only be used in limited circumstances, dismissal is appropriate if a
party fails to prosecute the action. See Harris v. City ef Philadelphia, 47 F.3d 1311, 1330 (3d Cir. 1995).
Under Local Rule 41.1, in a case pending wherein no action has been taken for a period of three
months, upon application of any party, and after reasonable notice and opportunity to be heard, the
Court may enter an order dismissing the case unless good reason for the inaction is given. See D.
Del. LR 41.1.
The following six factors determine whether dismissal is warranted: (1) the extent of the
party's personal responsibility; (2) the prejudice to the adversary caused by the failure to meet
scheduling orders and respond to discovery; (3) a history of dilatoriness; (4) whether the conduct of
the party was willful or in bad faith; (5) the effectiveness of sanctions other than dismissal, which
entails an analysis of other sanctions; and (6) the meritoriousness of the claim or defense. See Pou/is

v. State Farm Fire and Cas. Co., 747 F.2d 863, 868 (3d Cir. 1984). The Court must balance the factors

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and need not find that all of them weigh against Plaintiff to dismiss the action. See Emerson v. Thiel

Coll., 296 F.3d 184, 190 (3d Cir. 2002). Because dismissal for failure to prosecute involves a factual
inquiry, it can be appropriate even if some of Paulis factors are not satisfied. See Hicks v. 1-'eenry, 850
F.2d 152, 156 (3d Cir. 1988).

IV.

DISCUSSION
Initially, the Court notes that Plaintiff provided no explanation for his failure to take any

action in this case for over a year. He merely states that it was not the result of delay or a failure to
prosecute the case.
The Court finds that the Paulis factors warrant dismissal of Plaintiff' case. First, as a pro se
litigant, Plaintiff is solely responsible for prosecuting (and not prosecuting) his claim. See Hoxworth v.

Blinder, Robinson & Co., 980 F.2d 912, 920 (3d Cir. 1992). Second, Defendant is prejudiced by
Plaintiff's failure to prosecute. Prejudice occurs when a plaintiff's failure to prosecute burdens the
defendant's ability to prepare for trial. See Ware v. Rodale Press, Inc., 322 F.3d 218, 222-23 (3d Cir.
2003). During his deposition, Plaintiff stated that he was proceeding on only one claim. Now, 16
months later, he attempts to reinstate all defendants and claims. This change, when discovery has
already concluded, hampers Defendant's ability to prepare for trial.
As to the third factor, the Court docket indicates a history of dilatoriness. As noted, Plaintiff
did not respond to the motion for summary judgment and, until entry of the show cause order, had
taken no action since April 25, 2016 when he appeared for his deposition. In addition, following
screening of the Complaint, in the July 30, 2015 order, Plaintiff was given leave to amend within 30
days, which he failed to do, as he instead waited until three months later to file an unsuccessful
motion to amend. (See D.I. 6, 13, 24) As to the fourth factor, the facts to date lead to a conclusion
that Plaintiff's failure to prosecute his claim against Defendants is willful. His response to the show

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cause order provides no explanation for his failure to take any action in the case. Only Plaintiff can
take steps to prosecute the case.
As to the fifth factor, Plaintiff proceeds pro se and has been granted in Jonna pauperis status.
Hence, it is doubtful that monetary sanctions would be effective. Finally, as to the sixth factor, the
merits of the case, the Court has reviewed Defendant's motion for summary judgment and finds his
assertion of qualified immunity well-founded based upon the law and the facts.
In light of the foregoing, the Court finds the Pou/is factors weigh in favor of dismissal.

V.

CONCLUSION
The Court will dismiss the action for Plaintiff's failure to prosecute and will deny as moot

Defendant's motion for summary judgment (D.l. 25).
An appropriate Order will be entered.

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