Hewlett v. Cline et al

Filing 9

SCREENING ORDER signed by Judge William C Griesbach on 1/13/2023. Defendant's Cline and Krueger shall file a responsive pleading to the amended complaint withing 60 days of this notice. (cc: all counsel and mailed to pro se party)(Griesbach, William)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF WISCONSIN
DAMIEN SHONTELL HEWLETT,
Plaintiff,
v.

Case No. 22-C-1334

MITCHELL R. CLINE and
HEATHER KRUEGER,
Defendants.
SCREENING ORDER
Plaintiff Damien Shontell Hewlett, who is currently serving a state prison sentence at
Waupun Correctional Institution and representing himself, filed a complaint under 42 U.S.C.
§1983, alleging that his civil rights were violated. On December 23, 2022, the Court screened the
complaint and gave Hewlett an opportunity to file an amended complaint, which he did on January
3, 2023. The Court will screen the amended complaint as required by 28 U.S.C. §1915A.
SCREENING OF THE AMENDED COMPLAINT
As explained in the original screening order, the Court has a duty to review any complaint
in which a prisoner seeks redress from a governmental entity or officer or employee of a
governmental entity, and dismiss any complaint or portion thereof if the prisoner has raised any
claims that are legally “frivolous or malicious,” that fail to state a claim upon which relief may be
granted, or that seek monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief. 28 U.S.C.
§1915A(b). In screening a complaint, the Court must determine whether the complaint complies
with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and states at least plausible claims for which relief may
be granted. To state a cognizable claim under the federal notice pleading system, a plaintiff is required

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to provide a “short and plain statement of the claim showing that [he] is entitled to relief.” Fed. R. Civ.
P. 8(a)(2).

ALLEGATIONS OF THE AMENDED COMPLAINT
According to Hewlett, he has been prescribed a TENS unit to address the chronic pain he
has as a result of having spondylosis and facet joint disease. Hewlett explains that, per policy, he
is allowed to ask for a TENS unit during medication pass. Hewlett asserts that, on August 14,
2022, he asked Defendant Heather Krueger, who was handing out medication, for a TENS unit,
but she refused his request. According to Hewlett, she looked at her watch, said no, and walked
off. Hewlett further asserts that Defendant Mitchell Cline, the onsite sergeant, approved Krueger’s
refusal. Hewlett states that he was in tears that night because he was in so much pain. Dkt. No. 8
at 2–3.
THE COURT’S ANALYSIS
“[T]he Eighth Amendment, as the Supreme Court has interpreted it, protects prisoners from
prison conditions that cause the wanton and unnecessary infliction of pain . . . .” Gabb v. Wexford
Health Sources, Inc., 945 F.3d 1027, 1033 (7th Cir. 2019) (quoting Pyles v. Fahim, 771 F.3d 403,
408 (7th Cir. 2014)) (internal quotations omitted). The Court uses a two-part test when evaluating
whether a defendant’s actions amount to cruel and unusual punishment. The Court asks: 1)
“whether a plaintiff suffered from an objectively serious medical condition” and 2) “whether the
individual defendant was deliberately indifferent to that condition.” Id. (quoting Petties v. Carter,
836 F.3d 722, 727-28 (7th Cir. 2016) (en banc)). Hewlett may proceed on an Eighth Amendment
claim based on his assertions that Defendants demonstrated deliberate indifference to the pain he
was suffering when they refused to provide him with the prescribed TENS unit.
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that, pursuant to an informal service agreement
between the Wisconsin Department of Justice and this Court, copies of Hewlett’s amended
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complaint and this order are being electronically sent today to the Wisconsin Department of Justice
for service on Mitchell Cline and Heather Krueger.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, pursuant to the informal service agreement between
the Wisconsin Department of Justice and this Court, Mitchell Cline and Heather Krueger shall file
a responsive pleading to the amended complaint within sixty days of receiving electronic notice
of this order.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the parties may not begin discovery until after the
Court enters a scheduling order setting deadlines for discovery and dispositive motions.
Hewlett is reminded that failure to make a timely submission may result in the dismissal
of this action for failure to prosecute. In addition, the parties must notify the Clerk of Court of any
change of address. Failure to do so could result in orders or other information not being timely
delivered, thus affecting the legal rights of the parties, including dismissal of this action.
Dated at Green Bay, Wisconsin this 13th

day of January, 2023.
s/ William C. Griesbach
William C. Griesbach
United States District Judge

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