Stansell v. Foley

Filing 35

Order denying Plaintiff's Motion to appeal in forma pauperis (Related Doc # 32 ). Judge Charles Esque Fleming on 2/7/2024.(S,SR)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO
EASTERN DIVISION
MICHAEL STANSELL,
Plaintiff,
vs.
KEITH FOLEY, Warden,
Defendant.

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CASE NO. 1:22-cv-02222
JUDGE CHARLES E. FLEMING
ORDER
[Resolving ECF No. 32]

Pending is Pro Se Plaintiff Michael Stansell’s Motion to Appeal in Forma Pauperis (ECF
No. 32). Pursuant to Fed. R. App. P. 24(a), in order to apply for leave to proceed in forma pauperis
on appeal, the party must file a motion in the district court and attach an affidavit that “(A) shows
in the detail as prescribed in Form 4 of the Appendix of Forms the party’s inability to pay or to
give security for fees and costs; (B) claims an entitlement to redress; and (C) states the issues that
the party intends to present on appeal.” Fed. R. App. P. 24(a)(1)(A)-(C).
Plaintiff’s affidavit failed to identify the specific issues he intends to present on appeal.
Moreover, Plaintiff’s Reply in support of the motion (ECF No. 34) fails to identify the specific
issues he intends to present on appeal. Therefore, Plaintiff’s Motion to Proceed in Forma Pauperis
on Appeal fails to comply with appellate rule 24(a). See Robinson v. Freeman, No. 3:08-cv-488,
2010 WL 3807050, at *1 (E.D. Tenn. June 14, 2010) (citing Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519, 52021 (1972)).
In addition, the Court dismissed Plaintiff’s action pursuant to the doctrine of claim
preclusion. (See ECF No. 29). The same rationale that led the Court to dismiss the Complaint
(ECF No. 1) supports the conclusion that any appeal in the case could not be taken in good faith.

“The test for whether an appeal is taken in good faith is whether the litigant seeks appellate review
of any issue that is not frivolous.” Hayes, 2013 WL 5739206, at *1 (citing Coppedge v. United
States, 369 U.S> 438, 445 (1962)). In light of the Court’s reasons for dismissing the case, Plaintiff
is not seeking appellate review of a non-frivolous issue. Accordingly, Plaintiff’s Motion to Appeal
in Forma Pauperis (ECF No. 32) is denied. The Court certifies that an appeal from this decision
could not be taken in good faith.
The Clerk of this Court shall send a copy of the within Order by regular mail to Michael
Stansell #A355-967 at Grafton Correctional Institution, 2500 South Avon Belden Road, Grafton,
Ohio 44044.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Dated: February 7, 2024

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______________________
CHARLES E. FLEMING
U.S. District Court Judge