RENNEBU v. FRASER

Filing 9

ORDER ON MOTION TO CONSOLIDATE granting 4 Motion to Consolidate Cases By JUDGE GEORGE Z. SINGAL. (lrc)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF MAINE
BRENDA SAMPSON, as Personal
Representative of the Estate of Judi Lynn
Sampson, MELINDA L. SALISBURY, as
Personal Representative of the Estate of
Ruth Rennebu,
Plaintiffs,
v.
HUGH FRASER,

Defendant.

MILTON K.A. RENNEBU, II,
Plaintiff,
v.
HUGH FRASER,

Defendant.

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) Docket no. 1:11-cv-442-GZS
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) Docket no. 1:12-cv-26-DBH
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ORDER ON MOTION TO CONSOLIDATE

Before the Court is the Motion to Consolidate filed by Plaintiff Milton K.A. Rennebu, II.
The Court has reviewed the written objection filed by Plaintiff Melinda Salisbury. The Court
also held a conference of counsel on the Motion on April 13, 2012. At the conference, the Court
directed Attorney Collier to file a copy of the Penobscot County Probate Court decision
appointing a guardian and conservator for Plaintiff Milton Rennebu. The Court has since
received and reviewed that order (Docket # 7 in 1:12-cv-26-DBH). Having considered all of the

parties’ written and oral submissions, the Court now GRANTS the Motion and ORDERS that D.
Me. Docket 1:12-cv-26-DBH be consolidated with D. Me. Docket 1:11-cv-442-GZS.
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 42(a) allows a court broad discretion to consolidate cases
that “involve a common question of law or fact.” These cases undeniably involve common
questions of law and fact to the extent that the claims arise out of the same motor vehicle
accident. The Court is satisfied that no party will be prejudiced by the proposed consolidation
and that consolidation will conserve the resources of the Court and the parties.
Docket 1:11-cv-442-GZS shall serve as the lead case for docketing purposes. The parties
are directed to request a conference with Magistrate Judge Kravchuk in order to discuss any need
to adjust the scheduling order in light of this consolidation.
SO ORDERED.
/s/ George Z. Singal
United States District Judge
Dated this 13th day of April, 2012.

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