Filed: Mar. 22, 2000
Latest Update: Mar. 02, 2020
Summary: No. 99-60475 -1- IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT No. 99-60475 Summary Calendar ROBERT SAMUEL SCRUGGS, Plaintiff-Appellant, versus JERRY HOWIE; MARK PITTNER; JEFF JACKSON; EARL HAKAS; THE MISSISSIPPI HIGHWAY PATROL DEPARTMENT; JOHN DOE, of the Booneville Sheriff’s Department, Defendants-Appellees. - Appeal from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi USDC No. 1:90-CV-107-B-D - March 21, 2000 Before HIGGINBOTHAM, DeMOSS, and STEWART Cir
Summary: No. 99-60475 -1- IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT No. 99-60475 Summary Calendar ROBERT SAMUEL SCRUGGS, Plaintiff-Appellant, versus JERRY HOWIE; MARK PITTNER; JEFF JACKSON; EARL HAKAS; THE MISSISSIPPI HIGHWAY PATROL DEPARTMENT; JOHN DOE, of the Booneville Sheriff’s Department, Defendants-Appellees. - Appeal from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi USDC No. 1:90-CV-107-B-D - March 21, 2000 Before HIGGINBOTHAM, DeMOSS, and STEWART Circ..
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No. 99-60475
-1-
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT
No. 99-60475
Summary Calendar
ROBERT SAMUEL SCRUGGS,
Plaintiff-Appellant,
versus
JERRY HOWIE; MARK PITTNER; JEFF JACKSON;
EARL HAKAS; THE MISSISSIPPI HIGHWAY PATROL
DEPARTMENT; JOHN DOE, of the Booneville
Sheriff’s Department,
Defendants-Appellees.
--------------------
Appeal from the United States District Court
for the Northern District of Mississippi
USDC No. 1:90-CV-107-B-D
--------------------
March 21, 2000
Before HIGGINBOTHAM, DeMOSS, and STEWART Circuit Judges.
PER CURIAM:*
Robert Scruggs (Mississippi prisoner #79644) appeals the
district court’s denial of his “Motion for Records and Dismissing
Final Judgment Order” following the dismissal of his civil rights
suit without prejudice for want of prosecution. The district
court construed Scruggs’ postjudgment motion as a motion for
reconsideration and denied relief. The district court noted that
four different mailings to Scruggs’ address had been returned as
*
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that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent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. 99-60475
-2-
undeliverable and that Scruggs had failed to explain his
whereabouts during that time period or to make any claim that he
had notified the court of a change of address.
Scruggs’ postjudgment motion, which sought reconsideration
of the district court’s final judgment and which was filed more
than ten days after the entry of that judgment, is properly
treated as a motion for relief from judgment under Federal Rule
of Civil Procedure 60(b). See Harcon Barge Co., Inc. v. D & G
Boat Rentals, Inc.,
784 F.2d 665, 668-69 (5th Cir.
1986)(en banc). After reviewing the record and the briefs of the
parties, we hold that the district court did not abuse its
discretion in denying Rule 60(b) relief. See Seven Elves, Inc.
v. Eskenazi,
635 F.2d 396, 402 (5th Cir. 1981). Accordingly, the
district court’s denial of Rule 60(b) relief is AFFIRMED.
Moreover, because Scruggs has not shown a usurpation of judicial
power or a clear abuse of discretion on the part of the district
court, his petition for a writ of mandamus is DENIED. See
Marinechance Shipping, Ltd. v. Sebastian,
143 F.3d 216, 218 (5th
Cir.), cert. denied,
119 S. Ct. 620 (1998).
PETITION DENIED; AFFIRMED.