Simmons v. Jackson

Filing 168

ORDER granting in part and denying without prejudice in part 107 Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim; adopting Report and Recommendations re 152 Findings and Recommendations on Case; denying as moot 155 Motion for Leave to File; denying in part as moot and in part on the merits 164 Motion for Leave to File. (Ordered by Judge Sidney A Fitzwater on 1/4/2017) (Judge Sidney A Fitzwater)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
DALLAS DIVISION
JASON SIMMONS,
Plaintiff,
VS.
RAY JACKSON, et al.,
Defendants.

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§ Civil Action No. 3:15-CV-1700-D
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ORDER

After making an independent review of the pleadings, files, and records in this case, and the
November 10, 2016 findings, conclusions, and recommendation of the magistrate judge, as clarified
on December 9, 2016 in the magistrate judge’s order of clarification, the court concludes that the
findings and conclusions are correct. It is therefore ordered that the findings, conclusions, and
recommendation of the magistrate judge are adopted.
Accordingly, defendant Methodist Hospitals of Dallas’ (“Methodist’s”) August 18, 2016
motion to dismiss is granted in part and denied without prejudice in part. Plaintiff Jason Simmons’
(“Simmons’”) November 22, 2016 motion for miscellaneous relief is denied in part as moot (to the
extent the magistrate judge has clarified his findings, conclusions, and recommendation) and denied
in part on the merits (to the extent the court’s order today imposes pleading requirements that
Simmons opposes).
No later than January 18, 2017, Simmons must file a fourth amended complaint that complies
with Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a), 8(d)(1), 9(b), and 10(b). The fourth amended complaint must be typed in
at least 12-point font, must be double-spaced, and must not exceed 20 total pages. This is Simmons’
final opportunity to replead his complaint.

In view of the entry of this ruling, Simmons’ December 27, 2016 motion for leave to file an
amended complaint against Methodist is denied in part as moot and denied in part as seeking relief
that is inconsistent with the requirements of this order. Although Simmons has included with his
motion for leave a proposed fourth amended complaint that is double-spaced, it does not appear to
comply in all respects with the applicable Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (e.g., Rule 8(a)(1)); it
still slightly exceeds 20 pages (even excluding exhibits); and it does not appear to include Barbara
Jordan (“Jordan”) and Cristal Cienfuegos (“Cienfuegos”) as defendants, whom Simmons seeks to
join as parties.
Additionally, in view of this ruling, Simmons’ November 17, 2016 request for leave to join
necessary parties is denied as moot. Simmons can add Jordan and Cienfuegos as parties-defendant
in the fourth amended complaint required by this order (and he must do so within the 20 pages
allowed).
SO ORDERED.
January 4, 2017.
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SIDNEY A. FITZWATER
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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