Smith v. Walmart et al

Filing 6

ORDER adopting 5 --REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS; denying 4 --motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis; amended complaint due 3/20/2017. Signed by Judge Steven D. Merryday on 2/28/2017. (BK)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
TAMPA DIVISION
ROY RANDOLPH SMITH,
Plaintiff,
v.

CASE NO. 8:16-cv-2990-T-23JSS

WALMART, et al.,
Defendants.
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ORDER
The magistrate judge recommends (Doc. 5) denying Roy Randolph Smith’s
motion (Doc. 4) to proceed in forma pauperis; recommends dismissing Smith’s
complaint for failing to establish standing and for failing to comply with the pleading
standards of Rule 8, Federal Rules of Civil Procedure; and recommends allowing
Smith twenty days to amend the complaint. More than fourteen days has passed,
and no party objects. The report and recommendation (Doc. 5) is ADOPTED, and
Smith’s motion (Doc. 6) to proceed in forma pauperis is DENIED.
In addition to the shortcomings raised in the magistrate judge’s report, the
complaint fails to state a claim. First, Smith cannot state a claim under the Eighth
Amendment because the defendants are private persons and not state officers.
Second, “[t]he right for a person to be safe in their own home of being sold poison” is

not a legal claim (at least, in the stated terms). Third, Smith and his son lack
standing to “prosecute” purported criminal activity. Prosecution of criminal activity
is within the province of the United States Attorney.
If Smith wants to continue this action in federal court, no later than
MARCH 20, 2017, Smith must amend the complaint to state a legal claim and pay
the filing fee. Failure to comply with this order will result in dismissal of the action
without further notice.
In preparing the amended complaint Smith must comply with Rules 8, 9, 10,
and 12, Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the Local Rules. For example, Rule 8,
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure states that a complaint must include: “(1) a short
and plain statement of the grounds for the court’s jurisdiction . . . (2) a short and
plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief; and (3) a
demand for the relief sought . . . .” Rule 10 states that “[a] party must state its claims
. . . in numbered paragraphs, each limited as far as is practicable to a single set of
circumstances . . . . If doing so would promote clarity, each claim founded on a
separate transaction or occurrence . . . must be stated in a separate count.” Smith
must identify to which particular defendant each separate count applies.
Smith is warned that litigation in federal court is difficult. The complaint
suffers from deficiencies that suggest Smith requires legal advice and assistance from
a member of The Florida Bar. Smith can contact The Florida Bar for the names of
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organizations providing free or low cost legal services to eligible persons. The court
cannot assist a party, even a pro se party, in conducting a case.
ORDERED in Tampa, Florida, on February 28, 2017.

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