Matthews v. RationalWiki Foundation

Filing 10

MEMORANDUM OPINION re: Pltf's Motion for Reconsideration. Signed by District Judge Liam O'Grady on 02/08/17. (pmil, )

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA
Alexandria Division

Alexander Otis Matthews

Plaintiff,
Civil Action No. 1:14-cv-257

v.

RationalWiki Foundation, et al,

Defendants.

MEMORANDUM OPINION

This matter comes before the Court on the Plaintiffs Motion for Reconsideration

pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 59(e). Dkt. No. 9. Plaintiff seeks reconsideration of
the Court's denial of Plaintiffs Motion to Amend the Complaint. Dkt. No. 8. For the reasons
discussed below, the Court ORDERS that the Motion is DENIED.
I. Background

The factual background of this case was set forth in detail in the Court's earlier Orders in
this matter. See Dkt. Nos. 6, 8. The Court pauses to note only those details essential to the

disposition of this Motion. Plaintifffiled the Complaint on February 25,2014 naming
RationalWiki Foundation for libel arising out of content posted by users on the Foundation's
website. Dkt. No. 1. The Complaint also named a John Doe Defendant as the alleged author of
the libelous statements. The Plaintiff sought to correct the names of the John Doe Defendants on

March 10,2016. Dkt. No. 3. The Court granted the Motion to Amend only so far as to indicate

the day on which he discovered the identity of the John Does. Dkt. No. 6. Plaintiffamended the