BROWN v. WOLF et al

Filing 580

ORDER denying 576 Motion for Reconsideration of the Court's Order denying request for a copy of a transcript; and denying 578 Notice to the Court and Request for Clarification as to the Court's Order denying Motion for Reconsideration of the 8/12/2021 448 Opinion and Order. Signed by Judge Marilyn J. Horan on 11/15/2022. (rtw)

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Case 2:16-cv-01081-MJH-CRE Document 580 Filed 11/15/22 Page 1 of 3 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA ALTON D. BROWN, Plaintiff, v. TOM WOLF, et. al, Defendants. ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) Civil No. 16-1081 ORDER Before the Court are two Motions filed by Alton D. Brown ,requesting that the Court take another look at two of its previous Orders. A. Mr. Brown filed a Motion for Reconsideration of the Court’s Order denying his request for a copy of a transcript. ECF No. 575. In that Order, the Court explained that a party’s in forma pauperis status does not entitle him to free copies of transcripts. Id. Mr. Brown argues that the transcript was filed with a Court Order, and he never received a copy of the Order. Such transcript was not filed by a Court Order. The Court Reporter filed a NOTICE OF FILING OF OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT, stating that the February 23, 2021 transcript was filed. ECF No. 554. Mr. Brown also cites provisions of 18 U.S.C. § 753, concerning the release and payment of transcripts by court reporters. Some of the provisions of section 753 do allow for, or require, that, in certain circumstances, a free transcript to be provided to an in forma pauperis litigant. However, none of said provisions apply to Mr. Brown at this time. He also cites a provision showing that Court Reporters “shall not charge a fee for any copy of a transcript delivered to the Case 2:16-cv-01081-MJH-CRE Document 580 Filed 11/15/22 Page 2 of 3 clerk for the records of the court.” Id. This provision forbids a Reporter from charging the clerk’s office for copies of transcripts, but it does not apply to litigants. Finally, Mr. Brown cites section 753(b), which states: “the copy of the transcript in the office of the clerk shall be open during office hours to inspection by any person without charge.” 18 U.S.C § 753(b). This is true. During working hours any member of the public may inspect any available copy of a transcript filed on the record of a case. Nothing in Mr. Brown’s Motion for Reconsideration warrants a change in the Court’s prior Order. Presently, the February 23, 2021 transcript may not be released for free. Accordingly, the Motion for Reconsideration is DENIED. B. Next, Mr. Brown filed a Notice to the Court and Request for Clarification (ECF No. 578) as to the Court’s Order (ECF No. 574) denying Mr. Brown’s Motion for Reconsideration of this Court’s August 12, 2021 Opinion and Order (ECF no. 448), which denied in part, and granted in part, the Defendants’ various Motions to Dismiss and/or Strike. In his Notice and Request for Clarification, Mr. Brown addresses, among other things, his view of the merits of his claims, his desire to amend and/or supplement his complaint, and his concerns over the potential negative effect that consolidation of three cases will have on his claims. The Court notes that Mr. Brown asserts that the Court erred in dismissing his retaliation claims and in consolidating his cases. None of his assertions, however, are related to him seeking clarification of the Court’s Order that denied Mr. Brown’s Motion for Reconsideration. Mr. Brown’s specific requests for clarification are not related to the Court’s Order denying his Motion for Reconsideration. First, he asks that the Court clarify whether the “Plaintiff still has the rights to obtain a separate ruling on the three consolidated matters.” Next, he asks if the Court intends “to attach the three-strike filing provision to the removal case,” that 2 Case 2:16-cv-01081-MJH-CRE Document 580 Filed 11/15/22 Page 3 of 3 was removed to federal court by Defendants. Finally, he asks for clarification as to whether Plaintiff will be allowed to Amend/Supplement his Complaint. Mr. Brown’s requests for clarification are not presented as ripe motions for resolution; they are merely questions. The Request for Clarification does not concern the Order that denied his Motion for Reconsideration. Accordingly, the Notice and Request for Clarification is DENIED. IT IS SO ORDERED. Dated: November 15, 2022 cc: s/Marilyn J. Horan Marilyn J. Horan United States District Judge Alton D. Brown, pro se DL-4686 SCI Fayette 48 Overlook Drive LaBelle, PA 15450-1050 3

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