Bennett v. PrimeCare Medical Inc. et al

Filing 56

MEMORANDUM ORDER granting in part 54 MOTION to Stay filed by Michael Bennett. 1. In order to allow Bennett to endeavor to retain the services of counsel,IT IS ORDERED that on or before August 9, 2019, Bennett will either arrange for the entr y of appearance by counsel in this case or notify the court that he will continue to proceed pro se. 2. Unless newly retained counsel enters an appearance and seeks an extension of time, on or before August 30, 2019, the plaintiff will file a response to the defense motions for summary judgment. Signed by Magistrate Judge Martin C. Carlson on July 9, 2019. (kjn)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA
MICHAEL BENNETT,

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Plaintiff,
v.
PRIMECARE MEDICAL INC., et al.,
Defendants.

CIV NO. 3:18-CV-517
(Judge Caputo)
(Magistrate Judge Carlson)

MEMORANDUM ORDER

This pro se prisoner lawsuit brought by Michael Bennett, a state prisoner,
involves allegations of Eighth Amendment violations involving the prison food
service and healthcare providers at the Cumberland County Prison. There are
currently two defense motions for summary judgment pending in this case. (Docs.
43 and 46.) Responses to these motions are due from the plaintiff, but Bennett,
who has recently been released from custody, reports that he is endeavoring to
arrange for counsel, and seeks to stay this litigation indefinitely while he works to
retain counsel. (Doc.54.)
We appreciate Bennett’s desire to arrange for the assistance of counsel, but
also recognize a need to ensure that this litigation progresses in a timely manner.

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Accordingly, in order to accommodate these competing needs, Bennett’s motion,
(Doc. 54) is GRANTED in part as follows:
1.

In order to allow Bennett to endeavor to retain the services of counsel,

IT IS ORDERED that on or before August 9, 2019, Bennett will either arrange for
the entry of appearance by counsel in this case or notify the court that he will
continue to proceed pro se.
2.

Unless newly retained counsel enters an appearance and seeks an

extension of time, on or before August 30, 2019, the plaintiff will file a response
to the defense motions for summary judgment.
So ordered this 9th day of July 2019.

S/ Martin C. Carlson
MARTIN C. CARLSON
United States Magistrate Judge

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