Kirkwood v. Fisher et al

Filing 51

ORDER ADOPTING PROPOSED FINDINGS OF FACT AND REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS for 48 Report and Recommendations and Denying 27 Motion for Permanent Injunction, Motion for TRO filed by Thurman Kirkwood. Signed by Chief District Judge Louis Guirola, Jr. on 12/14/2016 (wld)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF MISSISSIPPI
SOUTHERN DIVISION

THURMAN KIRKWOOD

PLAINTIFF

v.

CAUSE NO. 1:16CV119-LG-RHW

MARSHALL FISHER, ET AL.

DEFENDANTS

ORDER ADOPTING PROPOSED FINDINGS OF FACT
AND RECOMMENDATION AND DENYING MOTION
FOR TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER
BEFORE THE COURT is the [48] Proposed Findings of Fact and
Recommendation of United States Magistrate Judge Robert H. Walker, filed
November 28, 2016. Plaintiff Thurman Kirkwood has filed an [50] objection to the
recommendation that his [27] letter motion for injunction and a temporary
restraining order be denied. After conducting the required review, the Court finds
that the Magistrate Judge was correct in finding that Kirkwood is not entitled to
injunctive relief. Accordingly, the Proposed Findings of Fact and Recommendation
will be adopted as the opinion of this Court and the motion for injunctive relief
denied.
DISCUSSION
A temporary or preliminary injunction is an extraordinary remedy, Cherokee
Pump & Equip., Inc. v. Aurora Pump, 38 F.3d 246, 249 (5th Cir. 1994), “not to be
granted routinely, but only when the movant, by a clear showing, carries [the]
burden of persuasion.” Black Fire Fighters Ass’n v. City of Dallas, 905 F.2d 63, 65
(5th Cir. 1990) (quoting Holland Am. Ins. Co. v. Succession of Roy, 777 F.2d 992,

997 (5th Cir. 1985)); Cherokee Pump, 38 F.3d at 249 (quoting Miss. Power & Light v.
United Gas Pipe Line Co., 760 F.2d 618, 621 (5th Cir. 1985)) (“The decision to grant
a preliminary injunction is to be treated as the exception rather than the rule”).
Kirkwood is required to show, among other things, “immediate and irreparable
injury, loss or damage.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 65(b).
Kirkwood’s motion requests an injunction to prevent his return to South
Mississippi Correctional Institution in Leakesville, Mississippi, and protect him
from the defendants who are officers there. However, as the Magistrate Judge
noted, there is no indication on the docket that Kirkwood has been housed at SMCI
since filing his Complaint or the letter motion for injunctive relief. At the time he
filed his objection to the Proposed Findings of Fact and Recommendation, he was
still housed at the Wilkinson County Correctional Facility in Woodville, Mississippi.
His claims for injunctive relief based upon conditions at the SMCI have therefore
become moot, as there is no possibility of immediate injury from the named
defendants. Cooper v. Sheriff, Lubbock Cty., Tex., 929 F.2d 1078, 1084 (5th Cir.
1991) (transfer of prisoner renders injunctive relief moot).
Having reviewed Kirkwood’s objection, the Court finds no reason to assume
that he will be transferred back to the SMCI, making a claim for injunctive relief
based upon that possibility too remote and speculative. See Bailey v. Southerland,
821 F.2d 277, 279 (5th Cir. 1987). The Magistrate Judge’s findings and conclusions
are neither clearly erroneous nor contrary to law. United States v. Wilson, 864 F.2d
1219, 1221 (5th Cir. 1989). If Kirkwood is housed at the SMCI in the future and
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subjected to actions he believes entitle him to a preliminary injunction, he may
move at that time for injunctive relief.
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that the Proposed
Findings of Fact and Recommendation [48] of United States Magistrate Judge
Robert H. Walker entered in this cause on November 28, 2016, should be, and the
same hereby is, adopted as the findings of this Court.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that Plaintiff’s [27] letter
motion for an injunction and a temporary restraining order is DENIED.
SO ORDERED AND ADJUDGED this the 14th day of December, 2016.

s/

Louis Guirola, Jr.

LOUIS GUIROLA, JR.
CHIEF U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE

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