Walls v. Johnson et al

Filing 73

ORDER DENYING 56 MOTION to Appoint Counsel filed by Erven Zachary Taylor Walls, MOOTING 63 MOTION for Production of Record on Appeal filed by Erven Zachary Taylor Walls, GRANTING 64 MOTION for Extension of Time to Complete Discovery < /i> filed by Theodore W McAbee, GRANTING 66 MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer or Other Responsive Pleading filed by Theodore W McAbee, GRANTING 72 MOTION for Extension of Time to File Dispositive Motion filed by Stephen A Johnson, Theodore W McAbee. ( Dispositive Motions due by 5/15/2017). Signed by Magistrate Judge Donald G. Wilkerson on 5/4/17. (sgp)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS
)
)
)
Plaintiff,
)
)
v.
)
THEODORE W. MCABEE and STEPHEN A.)
)
JOHNSON,
)
)
Defendants.
ERVEN ZACHARY TAYLOR WALLS,

Case No. 3:16-cv-18-NJR-DGW

ORDER
WILKERSON, Magistrate Judge:
On March 10, 2016, this Court denied without prejudice Plaintiff’s first motion for
recruitment of counsel by noting the relatively simple nature of this suit, Plaintiff’s educational
background, and the well-written complaint (Doc. 20). The Court instructed Plaintiff that he may
refile the motion if he finds the discovery process difficult. Plaintiff now seeks counsel because
“all filing” in this case have been done with the assistance of another inmate (Doc. 56). The Court
finds Plaintiff’s statement curious in light of his educational background: it is unclear why Plaintiff
would require assistance from another inmate in order to file documents in this Court. The Court
has had an opportunity to observe Plaintiff at the hearing held on August 25, 2016 and he appeared
competent and knowledgeable of the issues in this case and the legal standard to be applied. In
addition, Plaintiff filed an objection to the Report and Recommendation based on information that
he could only have known from having attended the hearing, understanding the proceedings, and
appreciating the consequences of the R & R. Finally, Plaintiff has filed a number of documents
that demonstrate his understanding of the manner in which lawsuits are conducted. Thus, the
Court finds it disingenuous for Plaintiff to indicate that he has no ability to litigate this matter

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without counsel. Counsel will not be recruited in this matter and Plaintiff’s Motion is DENIED
(Doc. 56).
Plaintiff’s motion to prepare the record on appeal is MOOT (Doc. 63). The record will be
prepared by the Clerk of Court if requested by the Court of Appeals.
Defendant’s motion for extension of time to depose Plaintiff is GRANTED (Doc. 64).
Plaintiff’s deposition was taken on March 28, 2017 and is deemed timely.
Defendant’s motion for extension of time to file answer is GRANTED (Doc. 66).
Defendant’s answer filed in April 20, 2017 is deemed timely.
Finally, Defendants motion for extension of time to file dispositive motions is GRANTED
(Doc. 72). The dispositive motion filing deadline is extended to May 15, 2017.
DATED: May 4, 2017

DONALD G. WILKERSON
United States Magistrate Judge

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