Metropolitan Life Insurance Company v. Bezanson et al

Filing 25

ORDER that the Court will defer entering a Pretrial Order and Case Management Plan at this time. If case is not resolved during the PSAP mediation process, parties shall be required to file an updated Certificate and Report o f Rule 26(f) Conference and Discovery Plan for the Court to consider. re: 24 Certification of Initial Attorneys Conference and Discovery Plan. Signed by District Judge Martin Reidinger on 6/21/2018. (Pro se litigant served by US Mail.) (ejb)

THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF NORTH CAROLINA
ASHEVILLE DIVISION
CIVIL CASE NO. 1:18-cv-00024-MR

METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE
COMPANY,

)
)
)
Plaintiff and Stakeholder )
in Interpleader,
)
)
vs.
)
)
WENDELL BEZANSON, CATHY
)
SUMMERFIELD, and PAMELA
)
HEARD,
)
)
Defendants and Claimants )
in Interpleader.
)
_______________________________ )

ORDER

THIS MATTER is before the Court on the parties’ Certificate and
Report of Rule 26(f) Conference and Discovery Plan [Doc. 24].
The Plaintiff Metropolitan Life Insurance Company initiated this
interpleader action on February 2, 2018, identifying Wendell Bezanson,
Cathy L. Summerfield, and Pamela J. Heard as potential claimants of certain
proceeds payable under a life insurance policy issued by the Plaintiff to Doris
S. Barker. [Doc. 1]. All of the Claimants have now answered and asserted
various crossclaims against each other. [See Docs. 11, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20].

One of the Claimants, Cathy Summerfield, is proceeding pro se; the other
two claimants are represented by counsel. Upon joinder of issues, and in
accordance with Local Civil Rule 16.4(c), the Clerk’s Office sent a notice to
Ms. Summerfield regarding the availability of the Court’s Pro Se Settlement
Assistance Program (“PSAP”).

Ms. Summerfield has now responded,

advising that she wishes to participate in the PSAP. [Doc. 22].
Because this case has now been referred to the PSAP, the Court will
defer entering a Pretrial Order and Case Management Plan at this time
Accordingly, IT IS, THEREFORE, ORDERED that the Court will defer
entering a Pretrial Order and Case Management Plan at this time. If this
case is not resolved during the PSAP mediation process, the parties shall be
required to file an updated Certificate and Report of Rule 26(f) Conference
and Discovery Plan for the Court to consider.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Signed: June 21, 2018

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