Goodman v. Tidwell et al

Filing 43

Judge George A. OToole, Jr: ORDER entered. re 42 Suggestion of Death filed by U.S. Department of Justice. In accordance with Rule 25, it is hereby ordered that this action be dismissed without prejudice.(PSSA, 4)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS
TONY GOODMAN
Plaintiff,
v.

CIVIL ACTION NO. 17-40004-GAO

COUNSELOR TIDWELL, et al.,
Defendants.
ORDER
January 8, 2018
O’TOOLE, D.J.
Tony Goodman initiated this civil rights action on January 11, 2017, by filing a pro se
complaint. See Docket No. 1. Goodman’s complaint was accompanied by motions for leave to
proceed in forma pauperis, appointment of counsel, and temporary restraining order. See Docket
Nos. 2, 3.
Goodman was permitted to proceed in forma pauperis, but his motions for appointment of
counsel and temporary restraining order were denied. See Docket Nos. 6, 12. The Clerk issued
summons for the identified defendants and, upon receipt of Goodman’s prison account statement,
he was assessed an obligation to make payments towards the $350.00 filing fee pursuant to 28
U.S.C. § 1915(b)(2). See Docket No. 12, 16.
The government moved to revoke Goodman’s in forma pauperis status pursuant to 28
U.S.C. § 1915(g) (the so-called “three strikes rule”) arguing that he had brought three or more
actions in a court of the United States that were dismissed as frivolous, malicious, or failing to
state a claim upon which relief may be granted. See Docket No. 35. Goodman filed an opposition,
see Docket No. 37, as well as other motions. See Docket Nos. 18-19, 20-21, 36.

On September 20, 2017, the United States, through an Assistant United States Attorney,
notified the court that plaintiff Tony Goodman had died on September 16, 2017. See Docket No.
42. Although the United States does not know whether an executor will be appointed for Mr.
Goodman’s estate, copies were sent to Mr. Goodman’s known next of kin by first-class mail. Id.
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 25(a) provides that if a party dies, unless substitution is
made within 90 days of the service of a suggestion of death, the action shall be dismissed as to the
deceased party. Fed. R. Civ. P. 25(a)(1).
With the death of Goodman, no party has appeared to litigate this action. No motion has
been filed for substitution of a representative for Goodman and the time for doing so has expired.
In accordance with Rule 25, it is hereby ordered that this action be dismissed without prejudice.

It is So Ordered.
/s/ George A. O’Toole, Jr.
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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