Johnson v. Wetzel et al

Filing 26

MEMORANDUM (Order to follow as separate docket entry) re 18 MOTION to correct oversight in the order upon excusable neglect or mistake; and or Motion to alter or amend the judgment filed by Jamiel Johnson. Signed by Honorable A. Richard Caputo on 8/31/17. (dw)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA
JAMIEL JOHNSON,
Plaintiff
v.
JOHN E. WETZEL, et al.,
Defendants

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CIVIL NO. 3:CV-17-0364
(Judge Caputo)

MEMORANDUM
I.

Introduction
Pro se Plaintiff Jamiel Johnson seeks to amend/correct the Court’s Order of June 6,

2017. (ECF No. 18.) For the reasons that follow the motion to amend or alter judgment will
be denied.

II.

Standard of Review
The Court’s June 6, 2017, Order was not final as it contemplated further proceedings

in this court. See Aluminum Co. of America v. Beazer East, Inc., 124 F.3d 551, 557 (3d
Cir. 1997); M.K. v. Tenet, 196 F. Supp. 2d 8, 12 (D. D.C. 2001).

It was therefore

interlocutory. A court may revise an interlocutory order “when consonant with justice to do
so.” United States v. Jerry, 487 F.2d 600, 605 (3d Cir. 1973); In re Anthanassious, 418 F.
App’x 91, 95 (3d Cir. 2011)(non-precedential)(quoting Jerry). More specifically, a trial court
may revise an interlocutory order if that order “might lead to an unjust result.”
Anthanassious, 418 F. App’x at 95 (quoted case omitted).

III.

Discussion
On June 6, 2017, after Mr. Johnson failed to file an amended complaint within the

time frame set by the Court, or seek an enlargement of time to do so, the Court entered an
Order noting that the “action proceeds on Mr. Johnson’s original Complaint. (ECF No. 1.)”.
(ECF No. 16.) However, due to a typographical error the Court directed the Clerk of Court
to serve “a copy of the Amended Complaint” on the named Defendants (Wetzel, Varner,
Kauffman, Hollibaugh, Jadlocki, Clinger and Moyer).” (Id.)
On June 19, 2017, Mr. Johnson filed a motion to correct the Court's oversight of
service of the non-existent Amended Complaint on the Defendants and a specific dollar
amount as to his statement of relief (Plaintiff seeks over $750,000 in damages). (ECF No.
18, Mot. to Correct.) He also asserts he failed to file an amended complaint because
prison officials denied him an ink pen. However, Plaintiff has not filed an amended
complaint or sought leave to do so now that he does have access to paper and pen.
A review of the docket in this case reveals that regardless of the typographical error
in the Court's Order, Defendants were served with a copy of Plaintiff's original Complaint in
this matter and defense counsel has timely entered an appearance on their behalf. (ECF
Nos. 19 and 21.) Defendants have also filed a motion to dismiss the Complaint. (ECF No.
23, Mot. to Dismiss.) Plaintiff has yet to respond to Defendants' motion. If Plaintiff seeks to
file an amended complaint or additional time to respond to Defendants’ motion, he need
only seek leave of the Court. If Mr. Johnson seeks to pursue an access to courts claim
concerning prison official's alleged interference with his ability to file an amended complaint
in this action, he may do so in a separate action.

Accordingly, based on the Defendants' receipt of the original Complaint in this
action, Mr. Johnson's motion to correct (ECF No. 18) will be denied as moot.

/s/ A. Richard Caputo
A. RICHARD CAPUTO
United States District Judge
DATE: August 31, 2017