Phippen v. Fiske et al

Filing 88

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER: 1) The court adopts the report and recommendation 83 of MJ Smyser.2) The following counts as to Defendant Loomis are dismissed: Counts14, 15, 21, 29, 39, 46, 47, 56, and 61.3) The following counts are dismissed in their entire ty: Counts 1, 2, 3,12, 13, 16 through 20, 22 through 28, 30 through 38, 40 through 45, 48 through 55, 57 through 60, 62 and 63.4) Pltfs request for a preliminary injunction 72 is denied.5) This case is remanded to Magistrate Judge Smyser for furtherproceedings. Signed by Honorable Sylvia H. Rambo on 10/6/10 (ma, )

Phippen v. Fiske et al

Doc. 88

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA

CLARENCE PHIPPEN,

: : Plaintiff : : v. : : C.O. FISK; P.A. JANAN LOOMIS; : DONALD JONES; JOE NISH; : DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION : PROGRAM REVIEW COMMITTEE; : RHONDA ELLETT, Unit Manager; : DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION; : THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA; : and C.O. MCHUGH, : : Defendants :

CIVIL NO. 3:09-CV-0795 Judge Rambo Magistrate Judge Smyser

MEMORANDUM Before the court is a report of the magistrate judge to whom this matter was referred in which he recommends that the certain counts of the amended complaint be dismissed. As to Defendant Loomis, the magistrate judge recommends dismissal of Counts 14, 15, 21, 29, 39, 46, 47, 56, and 61. As to the other Defendants, the magistrate judge recommends dismissal of Counts 1, 2, 3, 12, 13, 16 through 20, 22 through 28, 30 through 38, 40 through 45, 48 through 55, 57 through 60, 62 and 63. The magistrate judge further recommended that Plaintiff's request for a preliminary injunction be denied. Plaintiff has filed objections to the report and recommendation. The first objection is to the finding of the magistrate judge that the state, its agencies, and its agents sued in their official capacities are immune from suit. Plaintiff alleges that the fact that counsel entered an appearance on behalf of the parties waives immunity. Plaintiff provides no law in support of this objection.

Dockets.Justia.com

Plaintiff also takes issue with the finding by the magistrate judge that DC-ADM 801 violates Wolff v. McDonnell, 418 U.S. 539 (1974), with regard to allowing witnesses at disciplinary hearings and an impartial hearing examiner. The magistrate judge cited the pertinent parts of DC-ADM 801and the pertinent parts of Wolff and found no violation of the holding in Wolff. Upon review, this court finds that the magistrate judge's conclusions are correct. Plaintiff further alleges that even though some of his causes of action are grounded in violations of the criminal statutes, he has pleaded a cause of action. Plaintiff does not realize that the relief he requests requires criminal prosecution which he does not have standing to pursue. The balance of Plaintiff's objections are disagreements with the report and recommendation which produce no new arguments not previously addressed by the magistrate judge in the report and recommendation. An appropriate order will be issued. s/Sylvia H. Rambo United States District Judge Dated: October 6, 2010.

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA : : Plaintiff : : v. : : C.O. FISK; P.A. JANAN LOOMIS; : DONALD JONES; JOE NISH; : DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION : PROGRAM REVIEW COMMITTEE; : RHONDA ELLETT, Unit Manager; : DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION; : THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA; : and C.O. MCHUGH, : : Defendants : CLARENCE PHIPPEN, CIVIL NO. 3:09-CV-0795 Judge Rambo Magistrate Judge Smyser

ORDER In accordance with the accompanying memorandum, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT: 1) The court adopts the report and recommendation of Magistrate Judge Smyser. 2) The following counts as to Defendant Loomis are dismissed: Counts 14, 15, 21, 29, 39, 46, 47, 56, and 61. 3) The following counts are dismissed in their entirety: Counts 1, 2, 3, 12, 13, 16 through 20, 22 through 28, 30 through 38, 40 through 45, 48 through 55, 57 through 60, 62 and 63. 4) Plaintiff's request for a preliminary injunction is denied.

5) This case is remanded to Magistrate Judge Smyser for further proceedings.

s/Sylvia H. Rambo United States District Judge Dated: October 6, 2010.