Justin Holman, Sr. v. Ron Neal, et al.

Summary

The court struck a pro se prisoner’s complaint because it presented unrelated claims against multiple defendants, including allegations concerning PREA violations, retaliation, confinement conditions, cell painting, and administrative segregation. The court granted Justin Holman, Sr. until April 30, 2026, to file an amended complaint containing related claims.

Holdings

1. Unrelated claims against different defendants do not belong in the same action; a prisoner must pursue properly joined and related claims in the current case and bring separate groups of unrelated claims in separate lawsuits.
2. When a complaint contains unrelated or misjoined claims, the court may strike the complaint and allow the plaintiff to select related claims to pursue in the action, while requiring separate lawsuits for other unrelated groups of claims.

Questions Presented

1. Whether a prisoner complaint asserting unrelated claims against multiple defendants may proceed as a single action.
2. What procedural remedy is appropriate when a complaint contains unrelated or misjoined claims.

Disposition

other