Hill v. Detective Jones

Filing 3

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER granting 2 Plaintiff's Motion for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis; dismissing 1 Complaint without prejudice. Signed by Judge Paula Xinis on 11/21/2022. (c/m 11/21/2022 ols, Deputy Clerk)

Case 8:20-cv-01933-PX Document 3 Filed 11/21/22 Page 1 of 3

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF MARYLAND
KEITH A. HILL,

*

Plaintiff,

*

v.

*

DETECTIVE JONES,

*

Defendant.

*

Civil Action No. PX-20-1933

***
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER
On April 6, 2017, self-represented plaintiff Keith A. Hill, an inmate at the Roxbury
Correctional Institution, filed suit pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against Detective Jones of the
Prince George’s County Police Department, alleging that in connection with Hill’s criminal matter,
Jones lied to the grand jury and at trial, and that he falsified documents. ECF No. 1. Hill requests
$2,500,000.00 in compensatory and $1,000,000 in punitive damages, as well as unspecified
injunctive relief. Because Hill appears indigent, his Motion for Leave to Proceed in Forma
Pauperis, ECF No. 2, will be granted. For the reasons that follow, however, the Complaint shall
be dismissed without prejudice.
This action concerns Hill’s criminal prosecution for degree burglary, attempted robbery,
armed robbery, conspiracy to commit an armed robbery, and conspiracy to commit a robbery in
the District Court for Prince George’s County. See State v. Hill, Criminal No. 0E00547701 (Dist.
Ct. for Prince George’s Cnty.) & State v. Hill, Case No. CT141066A (Cir. Ct. for Prince George’s
Cnty.). On May 11, 2016, a jury found Hill guilty of attempted second-degree burglary and firearm
possession with a felony conviction, but acquitted him of attempted armed robbery, attempted

Case 8:20-cv-01933-PX Document 3 Filed 11/21/22 Page 2 of 3

robbery, and conspiracy to commit armed robbery. Id. Hill essentially avers that Jones’ perjured
testimony and falsified documents resulted in his wrongful conviction. ECF No. 1.
Hill has previously filed a near identical suit in this Court. See Hill v. Jones, Civil Action
No. PX-17-956 (D. Md. 2017). The Court dismissed the Complaint because, pursuant to Heck v.
Humphrey, 512 U.S. 477 (1994), Hill could not demonstrate that his criminal conviction “has been
reversed on direct appeal, expunged by executive order, declared invalid by a state tribunal
authorized to make such a determination, or called into question by a federal court’s issuance of a
writ of habeas corpus, 28 U.S.C. § 2254.” 512 U.S. at 486–87. Essentially, before the civil rights
litigation on a matter related to his guilt in the criminal action may proceed, Hill must receive
“favorable termination of his available state, or federal habeas, opportunities to challenge the
underlying conviction or sentence.” Muhammad v. Close, 540 U.S. 749, 751 (2004) (per curiam).
Accordingly, the case was dismissed without prejudice.
To date nothing suggests that his criminal convictions have been reversed, expunged,
invalidated

or

otherwise

called

into

question

to

satisfy

Heck.

See

http://casesearch.courts.state.md.us/casesearch (visited Nov. 9, 2022). Rather, Hill’s direct appeal
and post-conviction proceedings remain pending.

See Hill, supra, Case No. CT141066A.

Accordingly the Court dismisses the Complaint without prejudice so that Hill may refile his claims
if he prevails in his challenge of the underlying criminal convictions.
Accordingly, it is this 21st day of November, 2022, by the United States District Court for
the District of Maryland, hereby ORDERED that:
1.

The Motion to Proceed in Forma Pauperis (ECF No. 2) IS GRANTED;

2.

The Complaint IS DISMISSED without prejudice;

3.

The Clerk SHALL PROVIDE a copy of the foregoing Memorandum and copy of

2

Case 8:20-cv-01933-PX Document 3 Filed 11/21/22 Page 3 of 3

this Order to Hill; and
4.

The Clerk SHALL CLOSE this case.

11/21/22
________________
Date

/S/
_____________________________
Paula Xinis
United States District Judge

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