Perkins v. Napoli et al

Filing 16

DECISION AND ORDER denying 12 Motion to Appoint Counsel ; granting 14 Motion to Amend or Correct and granting 15 Motion to Amend or Correct. The Amended complaint is the operative pleading for this action; Plaintiff is granted leave to file a S econd Amended Complaint by 5/5/09. In the event that the Plaintiff fails to file a Second Amended Complaint by 5/5/09 the Court will proceed on the Amended Complaint. The Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Order, Amended Complaint, a blank §1983 complaint form, and instructions for preparing an amended complaint to the Plaintiff. Signed by Hon. Michael A. Telesca on 2/25/09. (RE)

-PS-

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT WESTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK MICHAEL PERKINS, 95-A-0851, Plaintiff, -vD. J. M. S. M. D. R. J. S. D. C. F. NAPOLI, COLVIN, BRIDGE, HOPE, McGRAIN, FORREST, DILDINE, MILLER, COMFORT ALLEN, and MILLER, Defendants. 08-CV-6248CJS(Fe) ORDER

Plaintiff Michael Perkins, is an inmate proceeding pro se. By Order filed September 15, 2008, plaintiff was directed to file a single amended complaint in which he raises all of his related claims against each of his intended defendants. In response to the Court's Order, plaintiff filed an Amended Complaint (Docket No. 10), listing the above-captioned defendants. The Amended Complaint is now the operative pleading for this action, and is subject to review pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1915 and 1915A. Subsequent to filing the amended complaint, however, plaintiff filed additional motions: a motion for appointment of counsel (Docket No. 12), a motion to file a Second Amended Complaint

Docket No.

14), and a motion for an extension of the time in which 15).

to file a Second Amended Complaint (Docket No. In light of opportunity to

plaintiff's requests, he is granted one final file another amended complaint. Plaintiff is

reminded that the Second Amended Complaint will completely replace the prior amended complaint in the action. "It is well established that an amended complaint ordinarily supersedes the original and renders it of no legal effect." See Arce v. Walker, 139 F.3d 329, 332 n. 4 (2d Cir. 1998) (quoting International Controls Corp. v. Vesco, 556 F.2d 665, 668 (2d Cir. 1977)); see also Shields v. Citytrust Bancorp, Inc., 25 F.3d 1124, 1128 (2d Cir. 1994).

Therefore, he should set forth all of his claims against each of his defendants in a manner that complies with requirements of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 8 and 10. Further, plaintiff is advised that the Second Amended

Complaint will be subjected to an initial screening pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915 and 1915A, which provides that the Court shall dismiss a complaint if the action (I) is frivolous or malicious; (ii) fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted; or (iii) seeks monetary relief against a defendant who is immune from such relief. See 28 U.S.C. §§ 1915(e)(2)(B) and 1915A(a); see also Abbas v. Dixon, 480 F.3d 636 (2d Cir. 2007). If plaintiff fails to file a Second Amended Complaint by May 5, 2009, the Court will

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proceed on the Amended Complaint (Docket No. Amended Complaint accordingly.

10), and review the

Plaintiff's request for appointment of counsel pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e) is denied at this time. The Court has not yet determined which, if any, of plaintiff's claims are sufficient to go forward. Thus, there is insufficient information before the Court at this time to make the necessary assessment of plaintiff's claims under the standards promulgated by Hendricks v. Coughlin, 114 F.3d 390, 392 (2d Cir. 1997), and Hodge v. Police Officers, 802 F.2d 58 (2d Cir. 1986). Generally, evaluation of such a request requires that issue be joined. ORDER IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Amended Complaint (Docket No. 10) is the operative pleading for this action; FURTHER, plaintiff is granted leave to file a Second Amended Complaint as directed above, and the time to file the Second Amended Complaint is extended to May 5, 2009; FURTHER, that the Clerk of the Court is directed to send to plaintiff with this order a copy of the Amended Complaint (Docket No. 10) complaint, a blank § 1983 complaint form, and the

instructions for preparing an amended complaint; FURTHER, that in the event plaintiff fails to file an amended complaint as directed above by May 5, 2009, the amended complaint

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(Docket No.

10) shall be reviewed pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1915

and 1915A; and FURTHER, that plaintiff's motion for appointment of counsel is denied without prejudice, as premature. SO ORDERED. s/Michael A. Telesca MICHAEL A. TELESCA United States District Judge Dated: February 25, 2009 Rochester, New York

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