JOSEPH H.L. PEREZ-MONTES, Magistrate Judge.
Before the Court is a complaint filed by plaintiff Kenneth Roshaun Reid ("Reid") pursuant to
Defendants answered the complaints (Doc. 34). Reid then filed a motion for summary judgment (Doc. 49), which Defendants have not opposed. Reid's motion is now before the Court for disposition.
Rule 56 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure mandates that the Court shall grant a summary judgment "if the movant shows that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law." Paragraph (e) of Rule 56 also provides the following:
Local Rule 56.2 also provides that all material facts set forth in a statement of undisputed facts submitted by the moving party will be deemed admitted for purposes of a motion for summary judgment unless the opposing party controverts those facts by filing a short and concise statement of material facts as to which that party contends there exists a genuine issue to be tried.
Substantive law determines what facts are "material." A material fact issue exists if the evidence is such that a reasonable jury could return a verdict for the nonmoving party. However, the mere existence of a scintilla of evidence in support of the plaintiff's position will be insufficient to preclude summary judgment; there must be evidence on which the jury could reasonably find for the plaintiff.
If the movant produces evidence tending to show that there is no genuine issue of material fact, the nonmovant must then offer evidence sufficient to establish a genuine issue of material fact. In this analysis, the Court reviews the facts and draws all inferences most favorable to the nonmovant.
Reid alleges in his complaints that, on May 7, 2014, Lt. Ventura screamed at him to get out of the shower. When Reid did not immediately comply because he was naked, Lt. Ventura grabbed him "aggressively," pulled him out of the shower "violently," and told the staff that Reid had hit him. Reid contends the "staff" then became hostile and roughed him up, scraped his body against the wall and floor, and ridiculed and humiliated him (Doc. 1). Reid contends he suffered several bruises, shoulder injuries, and back injuries
Reid has not supported his motion with any affidavits, a statement of undisputed facts, or other evidence as required by law. Unsupported allegations are insufficient to either support or defeat a motion for summary judgment.
Since Reid has not carried his initial burden of identifying those portions of the record that he believes demonstrate the absence of a genuine issue of material fact, Reid is not entitled to a summary judgment in his favor and Reid's motion for summary judgment should be denied.
For the foregoing reasons, IT IS RECOMMENDED that Reid's motion for summary judgment (Doc. 49) be DENIED.
Under the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(c) and Fed.R.Civ.P. 72(b), parties aggrieved by this Report and Recommendation have fourteen (14) calendar days from service of this Report and Recommendation to file specific, written objections with the Clerk of Court. A party may respond to another party's objections within fourteen (14) days after being served with a copy thereof. No other briefs (such as supplemental objections, reply briefs, etc.) may be filed. Providing a courtesy copy of the objection to the undersigned is neither required nor encouraged. Timely objections will be considered by the District Judge before a final ruling.
Failure to file written objections to the proposed findings, conclusions, and recommendations contained in this Report and Recommendation within fourteen (14) days from the date of its service, or within the time frame authorized by Fed.R.Civ.P. 6(b), shall bar an aggrieved party from attacking either the factual findings or the legal conclusions accepted by the District Judge, except upon grounds of plain error.