Murray v. Rice et al

Filing 37

ORDER denying the Plaintiff's following motions: 19 MOTION to Stop Retaliation; 21 MOTION to Stop Retaliation; 29 MOTION to Appoint Counsel; 30 MOTION to Produce; 31 MOTION to Compel; and 32 MOTION to Amend. Signed by Magistrate Judge Shiva V Hodges on 4/26/2017. (mwal)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF SOUTH CAROLINA
Bryantavious Murray, #356248,
Plaintiff,
vs.
Geoffrey Rice, Rank Lt.; Jeremey
McCary, Rank Sgt.; Ronald Cook,
Rank Lt.; and James Tompkins,
Rank Lt., each being sued in their
individual capacity,
Defendants.

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C/A No.: 1:17-220-RBH-SVH

ORDER

Bryantavious Murray (“Plaintiff”), proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis,
brought this action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983, alleging violations of his constitutional
rights. All pretrial proceedings in this case were referred to the undersigned pursuant to
the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b) and Local Civ. Rule 73.02(B)(2)(d) (D.S.C.). This
matter comes before the court on the following motions filed by Plaintiff:
(1)

Motions to Stop Retaliation [ECF Nos. 19, 21];

(2)

Motion to Appoint Counsel [ECF No. 29];

(3)

Motions to Produce/Compel [ECF Nos. 30, 31]; and

(4)

Motion to Amend the Complaint [ECF No. 32].
For the reasons that follow, the court denies all of Plaintiff’s motions.

Motions to Stop Retaliation
In his complaint [ECF No. 1], Plaintiff complains of matters that allegedly
occurred while he was housed at McCormick Correctional Institution (“MCI”) and the
defendants in this action are MCI officers. Plaintiff noted in his motions to stop
retaliation [ECF Nos. 19, 21] that he was being housed at Lieber Correctional Institution.
On March 10, 2017, Plaintiff filed a notice of change of address reflecting that he has
since been moved to Lee Correctional Institution. [ECF No. 26]. Plaintiff does not allege
that the named defendants have taken any action to retaliate against him. Further, because
the court does not have jurisdiction over individuals who are not defendants in this
action, Plaintiff’s motions are denied.
Motion to Appoint Counsel
Plaintiff has filed a motion for the court to appoint him counsel. [ECF No. 29].
There is no right to appointed counsel in 42 U.S.C. § 1983 civil rights cases. Cf.
Hardwick v. Ault, 517 F.2d 295, 298 (5th Cir. 1975). While the court is granted the
power to exercise its discretion to appoint counsel for an indigent in a civil action, 28
U.S.C. § 1915(e)(1); Smith v. Blackledge, 451 F.2d 1201 (4th Cir. 1971), such
appointment “should be allowed only in exceptional cases.” Cook v. Bounds, 518 F.2d
779, 780 (4th Cir. 1975). Plaintiff in his motion has not shown that any exceptional
circumstances exist in this case.
After a review of the file, this court has determined that there are no exceptional or
unusual circumstances presented that would justify the appointment of counsel, nor
would Plaintiff be denied due process if an attorney were not appointed. Whisenant v.
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Yuam, 739 F.2d 160 (4th Cir. 1984). In most civil rights cases, the issues are not
complex, and whenever such a case brought by an uncounseled litigant goes to trial, the
court outlines proper procedure so the uncounseled litigant will not be deprived of a fair
opportunity to present his or her case. Accordingly, Plaintiff’s request for a discretionary
appointment of counsel under 28 U.S.C. §1915 (e)(1) is denied.
Motions to Produce/Compel
Plaintiff has again submitted a motion to produce [ECF No. 30] instead of serving
Defendants with discovery requests as provided by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
The motion appears to request information and documents from defendants. Pursuant to
Rules 33 and 34 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, interrogatories and requests for
production need not be filed with the court. Plaintiff’s motion to produce [ECF No. 30] is
denied.
In his motion to compel [ECF No. 31], Plaintiff states that Defendant had not
responded to his discovery requests and seeks “$150,000.00 as reasonable expenses in
obtaining” an order to compel. Id. at 1. Defendants’ response notes they responded to the
requested discovery on March 10, 2017. [ECF No. 35]. Defendants state they resent the
responses to Plaintiff’s new address. Id. Further, Defendants attached their responses to
Plaintiff’s discovery listing the materials provided. Therefore, Plaintiff’s motion to
compel [ECF No. 31] is denied.
Motion to Amend the Complaint
In his motion to amend [ECF No. 32], Plaintiff seeks to add as defendants “S.
Marshall #016449, Frank Musier, James Thomphins, Joseph Stevens, Jeff Scott Agent,
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Warden Leroy Carledge . . . .” [ECF No. 32]. Plaintiff does not provide a proposed
amended complaint, instead submitting over 70 pages of attachments as grounds for his
proposed amendments. Defendants oppose Plaintiff’s motion, arguing he has failed to
clearly concisely set forth his claims as to Defendants. The undersigned agrees and
denies Plaintiff’s motion to amend [ECF No. 32].
For the foregoing reasons, the court denies the following motions of Plaintiff: (1)
Motions to Stop Retaliation [ECF Nos. 19, 21]; (2) Motion to Appoint Counsel [ECF No.
29]; (3) Motions to Produce/Compel [ECF Nos. 30, 31]; and (4) Motion to Amend the
Complaint [ECF No. 32].
IT IS SO ORDERED.

April 26, 2017
Columbia, South Carolina

Shiva V. Hodges
United States Magistrate Judge

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