Davis v. Bishop et al
Filing
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OPINION AND ORDER: The Court ORDERS that the Pla's 4 Motion to Remand to State Court is DENIED and the Dft's Motion to Dismiss (at DE 1 ) is DENIED as moot. Signed by Judge Karen K. Caldwell on 11/29/2012. (SCD)cc: COR
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF KENTUCKY
CENTRAL DIVISION
AT LEXINGTON
CIVIL ACTION NO. 5:12-CV-272-KKC
JANET A. DAVIS, Administratrix for the
Estate of Anthony Dwayne Davis, Deceased
v.
PLAINTIFF
OPINION AND ORDER
RONALD L. BISHOP and
UNKNOWN EMPLOYEES of the
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government
Department of Corrections,
** ** ** ** **
DEFENDANTS
This matter is before the Court on the Motion to Remand (DE 4) filed by the
Plaintiff. The Plaintiff, Janet Davis, originally filed this matter in Fayette Circuit Court
alleging that her son, Anthony Dwayne Davis, died after he was incarcerated at the
Fayette County Detention Center. She asserts on behalf of Anthony Davis’s estate claims
against Ronald L. Bishop, who was during the relevant time period the Director of the
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (“LFUCG”) Division of Community
Corrections which operates the Fayette County Detention Center. She also asserts claims
against certain Unknown Employees of the LFUCG Department of Corrections.
She asserts various state law claims against the Defendants and a federal claim
under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 that the Defendants violated her son’s constitutional right to due
process.
In the state court action the parties entered into an Agreed Order quashing the
service of summons and complaint on the Unknown Employees. (DE 1-2, CM-ECF p.
13.) Thus, the unknown defendants have not been served and their consent to removal
was not necessary. Klein v. Manor Healthcare Corp., Nos. 92-4328, 92-4347, 1994 WL
91786, at *3 n. 8 (6th Cir. Mar. 22, 1994). There does not appear to be any current
dispute that the Plaintiffs served Defendant Bishop. (DE 1, Notice of Removal ¶¶ 1, 4,
9.)
Bishop removed the action to this Court asserting that this Court has federal
question jurisdiction over the § 1983 claim under 28 U.S.C. § 1331 and that the Court has
supplemental jurisdiction over the state law claims under 28 U.S.C. § 1367(a). The
Plaintiff moves to remand asserting that this Court does not have subject matter
jurisdiction.
28 U.S.C. § 1331 grants federal district courts jurisdiction over all civil actions
“arising under the Constitution, laws, or treaties of the United States.” Accordingly, this
Court has jurisdiction over the Plaintiff’s § 1983 claim. 28 U.S.C. § 1367(a) grants
federal courts jurisdiction over “all other claims that are so related to claims in the action
within such original jurisdiction that they form part of the same case or controversy under
Article III of the United States Constitution . . . .” All of the Plaintiff’s claims arise out of
the same alleged failure of the Defendants to provide medical care to the Plaintiff’s son.
Accordingly, this Court has supplemental jurisdiction over the Plaintiff’s state law
claims.
In the state court action, Defendant Bishop filed a motion to dismiss the claims
against him. It appears that motion remains pending. It is not clear, however, if Defendant
Bishop still asserts the same arguments made in the motion to dismiss. For example, in
the motion to dismiss, Defendant Bishop argued that he was not properly served with the
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Complaint and summons but, it appears, he no longer contests service. (DE 1, Notice of
Removal ¶¶ 1, 4, 9.) Accordingly, the Motion to Dismiss will be denied as moot with
leave for Defendant Bishop to reassert any of the arguments made in the motion in
accordance with applicable law.
For all these reasons, the Court hereby ORDERS that the Plaintiff’s Motion to
Remand (DE 4) is DENIED and the Defendant’s Motion to Dismiss (DE 1) is DENIED
as moot.
Dated this 29th day of November, 2012.
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