Hilliard et al v. Godinez et al

Filing 75

ORDER DENYING 71 MOTION to Strike 64 MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by Deon D. Hilliard, 72 MOTION for Reconsideration re 70 Order filed by Deon D. Hilliard, and 74 MOTION for Phone Conference filed by Deon D. Hilliard. Defendant is ORDERED to file with the Court a notice indicating what initial disclosures he provided Plaintiff, as well as any written discovery received from Plaintiff and any responses provided thereto by March 20, 2017. Signed by Magistrate Judge Donald G. Wilkerson on 3/9/2017. (nms)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS
DEON D. HILLIARD,
Plaintiff,
v.
JAMES LUTH,
Defendant.

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Case No. 3:15-cv-5-NJR-DGW

ORDER
WILKERSON, Magistrate Judge:
This matter comes before the Court on Plaintiff’s Motion to Strike Defendant’s Motion
for Summary Judgment (Doc. 71), Motion to Reply to Judgment (Doc. 72), and Motion for Phone
Conference (Doc. 74). For the reasons set forth below, the Motions are DENIED; however,
Defendant is ORDERED to file with the Court a notice indicating what initial disclosures he
provided Plaintiff, as well as any written discovery received from Plaintiff and any responses
provided thereto by March 20, 2017.
Plaintiff filed this action on January 5, 2015 pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 alleging his
constitutional rights were violated while he was incarcerated at Vandalia Correctional Center
(“Vandalia CC”). Following a screening of Plaintiff’s complaint pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915A,
Plaintiff was allowed to proceed on one claim against Vandalia CC Warden James Luth, in his
official capacity only, for subjecting Plaintiff to unhealthy conditions of confinement that amount
to “cruel and unusual punishment” in violation of the Eighth Amendment (see Doc. 6).
Pursuant to the Court’s Scheduling and Discovery Order entered on December 8, 2015,
discovery in this matter closed on September 30, 2016 and dispositive motions were due on
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October 28, 2016 (Doc. 45). Defendant Luth was granted an extension of time to file his
dispositive motion and said motion was filed on November 14, 2016 (Doc. 64). Plaintiff’s
response to Defendant’s motion was due on December 19, 2016; however, the Court extended
Plaintiff’s response deadline to January 20, 2017 (Doc. 70). Plaintiff did not file a substantive
response to Defendant’s motion for summary judgment; rather, on January 23, 2017, Plaintiff filed
the Motion to Strike and Motion to Reply to Judgment (Docs. 71 and 72) now before the Court.
In these motions, Plaintiff sets forth a number of issues related to his inability to respond to
Defendant’s motion.
First, Plaintiff complains about Defendant’s reliance on his deposition as it was not signed
or approved by him. Plaintiff is advised that although he reserved signature and indicated he
wanted to review the transcript of the deposition, he has not specified an inaccuracy in the
transcript. Moreover, Plaintiff’s testimony was sworn and the Court Reporter attested to the
accuracy of the transcript. As such, the Court has no cause to doubt the accuracy of the transcript
and Plaintiff’s reservation of signature has no effect on the evidentiary value of his deposition
testimony. Therefore, the transcript appears to comport with Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 30
and Plaintiff’s complaints about the use of said transcript are unavailing.
Plaintiff also asserts that he is entitled to have the EPA “and any or all other help that’s
need[ed] to provide [him] with proof that all stated allegation in [his] complaint does exist” (Doc.
71, p. 1). More specifically, Plaintiff indicates that in order to prevail on his claim he needs legal
assistance from this Court for the EPA to come to Vandalia CC and test for mold, mildew,
asbestos, lead, and all other environmental toxins. Insofar as Plaintiff is seeking the Court’s
assistance in engaging in discovery and securing investigations of the living conditions at Vandalia
CC, his request is DENIED. The Court is not a party to this lawsuit and does not assist with such
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matters of discovery.
More generally, in the motions before the Court, Plaintiff complains about the lack of
discovery he was able to engage in, complains that he does not have an attorney, and indicates that
Defendants never disclosed the “things” he needed to prevail. As Plaintiff has failed to provide a
substantial reason for the Court to reconsider its ruling denying his request for counsel, this request
is DENIED. Insofar as Plaintiff lodges general complaints about his lack of discovery, the Court
notes that discovery on the merits in this matter was open for more than nine months and, if
Plaintiff was having issues with discovery, he could have filed a motion with the Court. As
Plaintiff does not make a clear request to the Court in regards to his general discovery complaints,
the Court finds that no ruling on this issue is necessary. The Court, however, takes notice of
Plaintiff’s complaint that Defendant never disclosed the “things” Plaintiff needs to prevail. Out
of an abundance of caution, the Court ORDERS Defendant to file with the Court a notice
explaining what initial disclosures he provided Plaintiff, as well as any written discovery received
from Plaintiff and any responses provided thereto. Said notice shall be filed by March 20, 2017.
Said Order does not constitute the relief Plaintiff seeks in his Motion to Strike (Doc. 71) or Motion
to Reply (Doc. 72), as such, these Motions are DENIED.
In light of this Order, the deadline to respond to Defendant’s motion for summary
judgment is VACATED. The deadline will be reexamined following the filing of Defendant’s
Notice on March 17, 2017 (the Court acknowledges that the deadline for Plaintiff to file a response
has passed; however, it is inclined to reset the deadline in light of Plaintiff’s motions regarding
issues with discovery).
With regard to Plaintiff’s motion for phone conference, his motion is DENIED. The
Court does not find it necessary to have a telephone conference at this time.
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IT IS SO ORDERED.
DATED: March 9, 2017

DONALD G. WILKERSON
United States Magistrate Judge

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