Filed: May 25, 1999
Latest Update: Mar. 02, 2020
Summary: IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT No. 98-40454 Summary Calendar JOSEPH G. STRAWBRIDGE, Plaintiff-Appellant, versus SHANNON L. McDOW, Correctional Officer, Coffield Unit Individually and in official capacity; SCOTT L. HOLLEY, Correctional Officer, Coffield Unit Individually and in official capacity; DAVID S. KASSAW, Correctional Officer, Coffield Unit Individually and in official capacity, Defendants-Appellees. - - - - - - - - - - Appeal from the United States District C
Summary: IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT No. 98-40454 Summary Calendar JOSEPH G. STRAWBRIDGE, Plaintiff-Appellant, versus SHANNON L. McDOW, Correctional Officer, Coffield Unit Individually and in official capacity; SCOTT L. HOLLEY, Correctional Officer, Coffield Unit Individually and in official capacity; DAVID S. KASSAW, Correctional Officer, Coffield Unit Individually and in official capacity, Defendants-Appellees. - - - - - - - - - - Appeal from the United States District Co..
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IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT
No. 98-40454
Summary Calendar
JOSEPH G. STRAWBRIDGE,
Plaintiff-Appellant,
versus
SHANNON L. McDOW, Correctional Officer,
Coffield Unit Individually and in official
capacity; SCOTT L. HOLLEY, Correctional
Officer, Coffield Unit Individually and in
official capacity; DAVID S. KASSAW,
Correctional Officer, Coffield Unit
Individually and in official capacity,
Defendants-Appellees.
- - - - - - - - - -
Appeal from the United States District Court
for the Eastern District of Texas
USDC No. 6:97-CV-364
- - - - - - - - - -
April 28, 1999
Before HIGGINBOTHAM, JONES, and DENNIS, Circuit Judges.
PER CURIAM:*
Joseph G. Strawbridge, Texas prisoner no. 529740, appeals
the magistrate judge’s entry of summary judgment in favor of
Defendants Scott L. Holley and David S. Kassaw and the magistrate
judge’s dismissal, as frivolous, of his claims against Defendant
Shannon L. McDow.
*
Pursuant to 5TH CIR. R. 47.5, the court has determined
that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent
except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR.
R. 47.5.4.
No. 98-40454
-2-
In deciding Strawbridge’s excessive force claim, the
magistrate judge relied upon our decision in Siglar v.
Hightower,
112 F.3d 191 (5th Cir. 1997), to find that
Strawbridge’s injuries were de minimis and thus could not form
the basis of a 42 U.S.C. § 1983 civil rights claim. The
magistrate judge did not have the benefit of our recent decision
in Gomez v. Chandler,
163 F.3d 921 (5th Cir. 1999), in which we
elaborated upon the definition of “de minimis” in a factual
context more similar to the instant case than Siglar. The
magistrate judge’s opinion regarding Strawbridge’s excessive
force claim is thus VACATED; the case is REMANDED for
reconsideration in light of Gomez.
The magistrate judge’s resolution of Strawbridge’s claims
that (1) he was subjected to an unfair disciplinary proceeding,
resulting in a lengthier prison term and undesirable prison
housing, and (2) that he was the victim of retaliation is
AFFIRMED for essentially the same reasons cited by the magistrate
judge. See Strawbridge v. McDow, 6:97-CV-364 (E.D. Tex., March
11, 1998). Strawbridge’s request for appointment of counsel is
DENIED AS MOOT.
AFFIRMED IN PART; VACATED AND REMANDED IN PART. REQUEST FOR
APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL DENIED.