Jenkins v. Woody et al

Filing 273

MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by District Judge M. Hannah Lauck on 01/21/2017. (walk, )

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

VIRGINIA PAIGE JENKINS,

Administratrix ofEstate ofErin Jenkins,
Plaintiff,
V.

Civil Action No. 3:15cv355

SHERIFF C.T. WOODY, et aL,
Defendants.

MEMORANDUM OPINION

This matter comes before the Court on Plaintiff Virginia Paige Jenkins's' Motion for
Sanctions Relating to Sheriff Woody's Intentional Spoliation of Evidence and Failure to
Adequately Respond to Discovery (the "Motion for Sanctions"). (ECF No. 112.) Sheriff C.T.
Woody responded, (ECF No. 114), and Plaintiff replied to Sheriff Woody's Response, (ECF
No. 116). Defendants Deputy Elizabeth Beaver, Corporal Vivian Hudson-Parham, and

Lieutenant Johnny Scott (collectively, the "Jail Staff)^ responded to Plaintiffs Motion for
Sanctions, (ECF No. 115), and Plaintiff replied to Deputy Beaver's Response, (ECF No. 117).
The Court heard oral argument on the Motion for Sanctions. Accordingly, the matter is ripe for

disposition. The Court exercises jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331^ and 1367.'' For the

' Because the plaintiff inthis matter, Virginia Paige Jenkins, Administratrix ofthe Estate
of Erin Jenkins, has the same last name as Erin Jenkins, the subject of this case, the Court refers to
Virginia Paige Jenkins as "Plaintiff" and Erin Jenkins as "Ms. Jenkins."

^Ofthe Jail Staff, only Deputy Beaver remains as a defendant.
^ "The district courts shall have original jurisdiction ofall civil actions arising under the
Constitution, laws, or treaties of the United States." 28 U.S.C. § 1331. The Third Amended