WILLIAMS v. EMERSON

Filing 19

Entry Granting Motion to Dismiss Petition and Directing Entry of Final Judgment - The petitioner filed a writ of habeas corpus challenging a prison disciplinary proceeding, STP 17-05-0140. The respondent has filed a motion to dismiss arguing that th e challenged disciplinary proceeding and the sanctions resulting therefrom have been vacated, making this action moot. For the reasons set forth below, the respondent's motion to dismiss, dkt. 17 , is granted and this action is dismissed as moot. Judgment consistent with this Entry shall now issue. (See Entry.) Signed by Judge Tanya Walton Pratt on 5/3/2018. (NAD)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF INDIANA
INDIANAPOLIS DIVISION
MARTAZZ WILLIAMS,
Petitioner,
v.
D. EMERSON Superintendent,
Respondent.

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No. 1:17-cv-03747-TWP-MJD

Entry Granting Motion to Dismiss Petition and Directing Entry of Final Judgment
The petitioner filed a writ of habeas corpus challenging a prison disciplinary proceeding,
STP 17-05-0140. The respondent has filed a motion to dismiss arguing that the challenged
disciplinary proceeding and the sanctions resulting therefrom have been vacated, making this
action moot. For the reasons set forth below, the respondent’s motion to dismiss, dkt. [17], is
granted and this action is dismissed as moot.
The petitioner was subject to disciplinary proceeding STP 17-05-0140, in which he was
found guilty of fleeing/resisting. His sanctions included the deprivation of 90 days earned credit
time. He filed the instant petition for a writ of habeas corpus on October 18, 2017. While the
instant case was pending, the Indiana Department of Correction final reviewing authority, on April
13, 2018, vacated the petitioner’s disciplinary conviction and sanctions and designated the case
for re-hearing.
“A case becomes moot when it no longer presents a case or controversy under Article III,
Section 2 of the Constitution.” Eichwedel v. Curry, 700 F.3d 275, 278 (7th Cir. 2012). “In general
a case becomes moot when the issues presented are no longer live or the parties lack a legally
cognizable interest in the outcome.” Id. (citation and quotation marks omitted). A federal court

may issue a writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254 only if it finds the applicant “is in
custody in violation of the Constitution or laws or treaties of the United States.” 28 U.S.C.
§ 2254(a) (emphasis added). Therefore, a habeas action becomes moot if the Court can no longer
“affect the duration of [the petitioner’s] custody.” White v. Ind. Parole Bd., 266 F.3d 759, 763
(7th Cir. 2001).
Here, the petitioner’s conviction and sanctions were vacated and thus can no longer affect
the duration of his custody. Accordingly, the petitioner’s habeas action is moot. See id. An action
which is moot must be dismissed for lack of jurisdiction. See Diaz v. Duckworth, 143 F.3d 345,
347 (7th Cir. 1998).
Judgment consistent with this Entry shall now issue.
IT IS SO ORDERED.

Date: 5/3/2018

Distribution:
MARTAZZ WILLIAMS
160139
PENDLETON - CIF
CORRECTIONAL INDUSTRIAL FACILITY
Electronic Service Participant – Court Only
Andrea Elizabeth Rahman
OFFICE OF THE INDIANA ATTORNEY GENERAL
[e-mail]