Black v. Washington et al

Filing 15

ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF'S 13 MOTION TO COMPEL AND REQUIRING DEFENDANT PETE HUTSON TO ANSWER OR OTHERWISE PLEAD Signed by District Judge Linda V. Parker. (AFla)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN
SOUTHERN DIVISION
MAURICE D. BLACK,
Plaintiff,
v.

Case No. 24-cv-13417
Honorable Linda V. Parker

HEIDI WASHINGTON, et al.,
Defendants.
__________________________________/
ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION TO COMPEL AND
REQUIRING DEFENDANT PETE HUTSON TO ANSWER OR
OTHERWISE PLEAD
On December 19, 2024, Plaintiff, through counsel, filed this prisoner civil
rights action against Defendants alleging claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. (ECF
No. 1). Counsel has entered an appearance on behalf of all non-John Doe
Defendants, except Pete Hutson (see ECF Nos. 9-12), and counsel for those
Defendants and Plaintiff stipulated to an order allowing limited discovery (ECF
No. 12.) Hutson was personally served with a Summons and a Copy of the
Complaint on January 14, 2025. (ECF No. 6 at PageID. 56.)
Under the Prison Litigation Reform Act, a defendant is not required to file a
response to a prisoner’s complaint unless the court orders otherwise. See 42
U.S.C. § 1997e(g)(1). Plaintiff has filed a motion asking the Court to require
Hutson to respond. (ECF No. 13.) As the Court finds that Plaintiff “has a

reasonable opportunity to prevail on the merits[]” of his claims against Hutson, it is
granting his request.
Accordingly,
IT IS ORDERED that Plaintiff’s motion to compel (ECF No. 13) is
GRANTED and Hutson shall file a responsive pleading or otherwise respond to
Plaintiff’s Complaint on or before March 28, 2025.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Plaintiff shall personally serve a copy
of this Order on Hutson and file a certificate of service.
s/ Linda V. Parker
LINDA V. PARKER
U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE

Dated: March 10, 2025

I hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing document was mailed to counsel of
record and/or pro se parties on this date, March 10, 2025, by electronic and/or
U.S. First Class mail.
s/Aaron Flanigan
Case Manager

2