Opinion
9:06-CV-0889 (LEK/DRH).
February 20, 2007
PAUL CIPRIANI, Plaintiff, pro se.
DECISION and ORDER
Presently before the Court is an amended complaint filed by Plaintiff Paul Cipriani ("Plaintiff"). Amended Compl. (Dkt. No. 10). This amended complaint was submitted in compliance with the Memorandum-Decision and Order issued by this Court on November 27, 2006 ("November Order"). Mem. — Decision and Order (Dkt. No. 7).
In its November Order, the Court advised plaintiff that he must set forth facts demonstrating that Defendants were personally involved in a violation of Plaintiff's rights. Id. at 4. Plaintiff was also advised that in order to establish the liability of a municipality, he must allege a custom or policy which is the moving force behind the violation. Id.
In his amended complaint, Plaintiff names thirteen defendants and asserts numerous claims against them arising from his confinement at Schenectady County Jail. Amended Compl. (Dkt. No. 10).
The Court notes that plaintiff has not named "Schenectady County Jail," "Cheryl Clark," or "Kevin J. O'Connor" in his amended Complaint. Therefore, "Schenectady County Jail," "Cheryl Clark," and "Kevin J. O'Connor" are hereby dismissed as defendants in this action.
The Court also notes that Plaintiff's amended Complaint mentions "Mr. Booth" and "Mr. Purdy" only in the caption, and fails to allege any act or omission by these individuals. Dismissal is appropriate where a defendant is listed in the caption, but the body of the complaint fails to indicate what the defendant did to the plaintiff. Gonzalez v. City of New York, No. 97 CIV. 2246(MGC), 1998 WL 382055, at *2 (S.D.N.Y. July 9, 1998) (citing Crown v. Wagenstein, No. 96 CIV. 3895 (MGC), 1998 WL 118169, at *1 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 16, 1998) (mere inclusion of warden's name in complaint insufficient to allege personal involvement) and Taylor v. City of New York, 953 F.Supp. 95, 99 (S.D.N.Y. 1997)). Because plaintiff has failed to allege any personal involvement on the part of defendants "Mr. Booth" and "Mr. Purdy", they are hereby dismissed as defendants in this action.
In his amended Complaint, Plaintiff alleges that the remaining Defendants committed various violations of his constitutional rights, including inadequate medical care, breach of doctor-patient confidentiality, excessive force, denial of due process in a disciplinary proceeding, and interference with the grievance process. Amended Compl. (Dkt. No. 10).
Based on the foregoing, Plaintiff's amended complaint as against the remaining Defendants is accepted for filing.
Plaintiff is advised, however, that the U.S. Marshals cannot effect service on a "John Doe" defendant. In the event that plaintiff wishes to pursue this claim against the "John Doe" defendants named in the amended Complaint, he must take reasonable steps to ascertain their identities. Plaintiff may then file a Motion to amend his complaint and seek leave of the Court to add such individuals, by name, as defendants to this lawsuit. Plaintiff is further advised that if these individuals are not timely served, the action will be against them will be dismissed.
WHEREFORE, it is hereby
ORDERED, that "Mr. Booth," "Mr. Purdy," "Schenectady County Jail," "Cheryl Clark," and "Kevin J. O'Connor" are DISMISSED as defendants in this action, and it is further
ORDERED, that the Clerk revise the docket to add "Schenectady County," "Mr. Burns," "Mr. Jones," "Mr. Adams," "Ms. Jones," "Ms. Hull," "John Doe #1," "John Doe #7," "John Doe #10," and "Loraine Walker" as defendants in this action, and it is further
ORDERED, that the Clerk issue summonses naming the remaining defendants and forward them, along with copies of the amended Complaint (Dkt. No. 10), to the United States Marshal for service upon the defendants, together with a copy of this Order. The Clerk shall also forward a copy of the summons and amended Complaint by mail to the County Attorney for Schenectady County, together with a copy of this Order, and it is further ORDERED, that a formal response to Plaintiff's amended Complaint be filed by Defendants or their counsel as provided for in Rule 12 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure subsequent to service of process on Defendants, and it is further
Plaintiff was granted leave to proceed with this action in forma pauperis. Mem. — Decision and Order (Dkt. No. 7).
ORDERED, that Plaintiff take reasonable steps to ascertain the identities of any other individual(s) that purportedly violated Plaintiff's civil and/or constitutional rights and, if appropriate, file a Motion to amend his complaint and add such individuals, by name, as defendants to this lawsuit, and it is further
ORDERED, that all pleadings, motions and other documents relating to this action must bear the case number assigned to this action and be filed with the Clerk of the United States District Court, Northern District of New York, 7th Floor, Federal Building, 100 S. Clinton St., Syracuse, New York 13261-7367. Any paper sent by a party to the Court or the Clerk must be accompanied by a certificate showing that a true and correct copy of it was mailed to all opposing parties or their counsel. Any document received by the Clerk or the Court which does not include a proper certificate of service will be returned, without processing. Plaintiff must comply with requests by the Clerk's Office for any documents that are necessary to maintain this action. All parties must comply with Local Rule 7.1 of the Northern District of New York in filing motions, which must be returnable before the assigned Magistrate Judge with proper allowance for notice as required by the Rules. Plaintiff is also required to promptly notify the Clerk's Office and all parties or their counsel of any change in his address; his failure to do so will result in the dismissal of this action. All motions will be decided on submitted papers without oral argument unless otherwise ordered by the Court; and it is further ORDERED, that the Clerk serve a copy of this Order on plaintiff by regular mail. IT IS SO ORDERED.