Turay v. DSHS et al
Filing
6
ORDER TO AMEND OR SHOW CAUSE. Show Cause Response due by 10/7/2011, signed by Magistrate Judge Karen L Strombom. (MET) cc: plaintiff w/forms
1
2
3
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON
AT TACOMA
4
5
RICHARD G. TURAY,
6
8
9
10
11
No. C11-5618 BHS/KLS
Plaintiff,
7
v.
ORDER TO AMEND OR SHOW CAUSE
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL HEALTH
SERVICES/SPECIAL COMMITMENT
CENTER, KELLY CUNNINGHAM, DOUG
MELTON, RRC JANNSEN, RRC FRENCH,
and CONTRACT WORKER FOR STATUS
ELECTRIC,
12
Defendants.
13
Before the Court for review is the proposed civil rights complaint of Plaintiff Richard G.
14
15
Turay, a resident of the Department of Social Health Services (DSHS) Special Commitment
16
Center (SCC). ECF No. 1-1. Under separate Order, Plaintiff has been granted leave to proceed
17
in forma pauperis (IFP). At this time, the Court will not serve the complaint because it is
18
deficient. Plaintiff shall be given an opportunity to submit an amended complaint, as explained
19
below.
20
DISCUSSION
21
22
The Court “may act on its own initiative to note the inadequacy of a complaint and
23
dismiss it for failure to state a claim” upon which relief may be granted. Wong v. Bell, 642 F.2d
24
359, 361 (9th Cir. 1981) (citing 5 C. Wright & A. Miller, Federal Practice and Procedure, s 1357
25
at 593 (1969)); see also Sparling v. Hoffman Construction Co. Inc., 864 F.2d 635, 638 (9th Cir.
26
1988); Omar v. Sea-Land Service, Inc., 813 F.2d 986, 991 (9th Cir. 1987) (court may sua sponte
ORDER TO AMEND OR SHOW CAUSE- 1
1
invoke Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6) to dismiss deficient complaint); Crawford v. Bell, 599 F.2d 890,
2
893 (9th Cir. 1979).
3
4
The Court must give a plaintiff both “notice of its intention to dismiss” and “some
opportunity to respond,” however, unless plaintiff “cannot possibly win relief.” Sparling, 864
5
F.2d at 638 (quoting Wong, 642 F.2d at 362). Accordingly, while the Court finds that dismissal
6
7
of Plaintiff’s complaint under Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6) is proper for the reasons set forth below,
8
the Court is issuing this order to show cause in order to give Plaintiff an opportunity to file a
9
response.
10
11
12
A complaint is legally frivolous when it lacks an arguable basis in law or fact. Neitzke v.
Williams, 490 U.S. 319, 325 (1989); Franklin v. Murphy, 745 F.2d 1221, 1227-28 (9th Cir.
1984). The Court may, therefore, dismiss a claim as frivolous where it is based on an
13
indisputably meritless legal theory or where the factual contentions are clearly baseless. Neitzke,
14
15
490 U.S. at 327. A complaint or portion thereof, will be dismissed for failure to state a claim
16
upon which relief may be granted if it appears the “[f]actual allegations . . . [fail to] raise a right
17
to relief above the speculative level, on the assumption that all the allegations in the complaint
18
are true.” See Bell Atlantic, Corp. v. Twombly, 127 S.Ct. 1955, 1965 (2007) (citations omitted).
19
In other words, failure to present enough facts to state a claim for relief that is plausible on the
20
face of the complaint will subject that complaint to dismissal. Id. at 1974.
21
22
Although complaints are to be liberally construed in a plaintiff’s favor, conclusory
23
allegations of the law, unsupported conclusions, and unwarranted inferences need not be
24
accepted as true. Jenkins v. McKeithen, 395 U.S. 411, 421 (1969). Neither can the Court
25
supply essential facts that an inmate has failed to plead. Pena, 976 F.2d at 471 (quoting Ivey v.
26
Board of Regents of Univ. of Alaska, 673 F.2d 266, 268 (9th Cir. 1982)). Unless it is absolutely
ORDER TO AMEND OR SHOW CAUSE- 2
1
clear that amendment would be futile, however, a pro se litigant must be given the opportunity to
2
amend his complaint to correct any deficiencies. Noll v. Carlson, 809 F.2d 1446, 1448 (9th Cir.
3
1987).
4
To state a claim under 42 U.S.C. ' 1983, a complaint must allege that (l) the conduct
5
complained of was committed by a person acting under color of state law and that (2) the
6
7
conduct deprived a person of a right, privilege, or immunity secured by the Constitution or laws
8
of the United States. Parratt v. Taylor, 451 U.S. 527, 535 (1981), overruled on other grounds,
9
Daniels v. Williams, 474 U.S. 327 (1986). Section 1983 is the appropriate avenue to remedy an
10
alleged wrong only if both of these elements are present. Haygood v. Younger, 769 F.2d 1350,
11
1354 (9th Cir. 1985), cert. denied, 478 U.S. 1020 (1986).
12
In his complaint, Plaintiff alleges that on July 29, 2011, between 10:00 a.m. and 10:30
13
a.m., an unidentified electrical worker was using power tools in the Cedar Unit of the Special
14
15
Commitment Center (SCC). The worker responded to another resident’s question by stating
16
“None of your business, ‘RAPOS’, Don’t’ talk to me!” Plaintiff claims that residents in the
17
dayroom began to move toward the worker demanding an apology and requesting that the
18
worker leave. Plaintiff alleges that the worker was “brandishing” a large screwdriver
19
menacingly. After a desk staff requested that everyone “lock up,” Plaintiff said “No! Nobody
20
lock up!” as he felt they were all in danger. ECF No. 1-1, pp. 4-5. Plaintiff alleges that after a
21
22
23
24
25
26
few minutes, the “QRT Team” showed up to “allow [him] to get away from this guy.” Id., p. 5.
Plaintiff seeks $5 million in damages against SCC for their “criminal negligence,” and $1
million in damages for Plaintiff’s pain and suffering. ECF No. 1-1, p. 3.
As currently plead, Plaintiff’s complaint is subject to sua sponte dismissal. First and
foremost, the “contract” worker is not a “person acting under color of state law.” To succeed on
ORDER TO AMEND OR SHOW CAUSE- 3
1
a § 1983 claim, a plaintiff ordinarily must demonstrate deprivation of a constitutional right by a
2
person acting under color of state law. Dang Vang v. Van Xiong X. Toyed, 944 F.2d 476, 479
3
(9th Cir.1991). “It is firmly established that a defendant in a § 1983 suit acts under color of state
4
law when he abuses the position given to him by the state. Thus, generally, a public employee
5
acts under color of state law while acting in his official capacity or while exercising his
6
7
responsibilities pursuant to state law.” West v. Atkins, 487 U.S. 42, 49-50, 108 S.Ct. 2250, 101
8
L.Ed.2d 40 (1988) (citations omitted). “Under color of state law” means under pretense of state
9
law. Screws v. United States, 325 U.S. 91, 111, 65 S.Ct. 1031, 89 L.Ed. 1495 (1945). There is
10
no such pretense if the wrongful acts are wholly unrelated to the employee’s duty. Murphy v.
11
Chicago Transit Auth., 638 F.Supp. 464, 467 (N.D.Ill.1986) (citing Johnson v. Hackett, 284
12
F.Supp. 933, 937 (E.D.Pa.1968)). “[A]ctions taken under color of state law must be related to the
13
state authority conferred on the actor, even though the actions are not actually permitted by the
14
15
authority.” Dang Vang, 944 F.2d at 480 (citations omitted).
16
Plaintiff cannot pursue a Section 1983 claim in this court against an unidentified
17
electrical “contract” worker who is not a state employee and was not acting under color of state
18
law when he allegedly insulted another resident. In addition, Plaintiff alleges only that the
19
undentified electrical worker verbally abused another resident. However, allegations of verbal
20
21
22
harassment and abuse fail to state a claim cognizable under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. See Freeman v.
Arpaio, 125 F.3d 732, 738 (9th Cir. 1997); Rutledge v. Arizona Bd. Of Regents, 660 F.2d 1345,
23
1353 (9th Cir. 1981), aff’d sub nom. Kush v. Rutledge, 460 U.S. 719 (1983); see, e.g., Keenan v.
24
Hall, 83 F.3d 1083, 1092 (9th Cir. 1996), amended 135 F.3d 1318 (9th Cir. 1998) (disrespectful
25
and assaultive comments by prison guard not enough to implicate 8th Amendment); Oltarzewski
26
v. Ruggiero, 830 F.2d 136, 139 (9th Cir. 1987) (directing vulgar language at prisoner does not
ORDER TO AMEND OR SHOW CAUSE- 4
1
state constitutional claim); Burton v. Livingston, 791 F.2d 87, 99 (8th Cir. 1986) (“mere words,
2
without more, do not invade a federally protected right”); Ellingburg v. Lucas, 518 F.2d 1196,
3
1197 (8th Cir. 1975) (prisoner does not have cause of action under § 1983 for being called
4
obscene name by prison employee); Batton v. North Carolina, 501 F.Supp. 1173, 1180
5
(E.D.N.C. 1980) (mere verbal abuse by prison officials does not state claim under § 1983). This
6
7
is so even if the verbal harassment is racially motivated. See Hoptowit v. Ray, 682 F.2d 1237,
8
1252 (9th Cir. 1982) (federal court cannot order guards to refrain from using racial slurs to harass
9
prisoners); Burton, 791 F.2d at 101 n.1 (use of racial slurs in prison does not offend
10
Constitution). Moreover, Plaintiff may not pursue a cause of action under 42 § 1983 on behalf of
11
any other detainee.
12
Plaintiff also sues DSHS, the SCC, Kelly Cunningham, Doug Melton, RRC Jannsen, and
13
RRC French, but includes no factual allegations or claims against these individuals. In fact,
14
15
Plaintiff has alleged no conduct by anyone that could be construed as a violation of any of his
16
constitutional rights. Plaintiff must allege facts demonstrating how the specific acts and
17
conditions complained of have resulted in a deprivation of his federal constitutional rights and
18
how each named defendant was involved in the deprivation of his rights. See Ellis v. Cassidy,
19
625 F.2d 227 (9th Cir.1980). There can be no liability under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 unless there is
20
some affirmative link or connection between a defendant’s actions and the claimed deprivation.
21
22
See Rizzo v. Goode, 423 U.S. 362, 96 S.Ct. 598, 46 L.Ed.2d 561 (1976); May v. Enomoto, 633
23
F.2d 164, 167 (9th Cir.1980); Johnson v. Duffy, 588 F.2d 740, 743 (9th Cir.1978). Vague and
24
conclusory allegations of official participation in civil rights violations will not suffice. See Ivey
25
v. Board of Regents, 673 F.2d 266, 268 (9th Cir.1982).
26
ORDER TO AMEND OR SHOW CAUSE- 5
1
Due to the deficiencies described above, the Court will not serve the complaint.
2
However, Plaintiff shall be given an opportunity to file an amended complaint to cure, if
3
possible, the deficiencies identified by the Court. Plaintiff shall set forth his factual allegations
4
in separately numbered paragraphs and shall allege with specificity the following:
5
(1)
the names of the persons who caused or personally participated in causing the
6
7
alleged deprivation of his constitutional rights;
8
(2)
the dates on which the conduct of each Defendant allegedly took place; and
9
(3)
the specific conduct or action Plaintiff alleges is unconstitutional.
10
11
12
An amended complaint operates as a complete substitute for (rather than a mere
supplement to) the present complaint. In other words, an amended complaint supersedes the
original in its entirety, making the original as if it never existed. Therefore, reference to a prior
13
pleading or another document is unacceptable – once Plaintiff files an amended complaint, the
14
15
original pleading or pleadings will no longer serve any function in this case. See Loux v. Rhay,
16
375 F.2d 55, 57 (9th Cir. 1967) (as a general rule, an amended complaint supersedes the prior
17
complaint). Therefore, in an amended complaint, as in an original complaint, each claim and the
18
involvement of each defendant must be sufficiently alleged.
19
20
Plaintiff shall present his complaint on the form provided by the Court. The amended
complaint must be legibly rewritten or retyped in its entirety, it should be an original and not a
21
22
copy, it may not incorporate any part of the original complaint by reference, and it must be
23
clearly labeled the “Amended Complaint” and must contain the same cause number as this case.
24
Plaintiff should complete all sections of the court’s form. Plaintiff may attach continuation
25
pages as needed but may not attach a separate document that purports to be his amended
26
complaint. In order to make a short and plain statement of claims against the defendants,
ORDER TO AMEND OR SHOW CAUSE- 6
1
plaintiff should include factual allegations that explain how each named defendant was involved
2
in the denial of his rights. The Court will screen the amended complaint to determine whether it
3
contains factual allegations linking each defendant to the alleged violations of Plaintiff’s rights.
4
The Court will not authorize service of the amended complaint on any defendant who is not
5
specifically linked to the violation of Plaintiff’s constitutional rights.
6
7
8
9
10
11
Accordingly, it is ORDERED:
(1)
If Plaintiff decides to file an amended civil rights complaint in this action, he shall
do so on or before October 7, 2011.
(2)
The Clerk is directed to send to Plaintiff the appropriate form for filing a 42
U.S.C. 1983 civil rights complaint, a copy of this Order and a copy of the General Order.
12
13
DATED this 12th day of September, 2011.
14
A
15
Karen L. Strombom
United States Magistrate Judge
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
ORDER TO AMEND OR SHOW CAUSE- 7
Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia.
Why Is My Information Online?