Bobby J. Smith v. Unknown Goostrey

Summary

The United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan adopted a magistrate judge’s report and recommendation in a prisoner civil rights action. The court granted defendants’ motion for summary judgment, dismissed the federal retaliation claim with prejudice, and declined supplemental jurisdiction over the state-law claim, dismissing it without prejudice.

Holdings

1. A district court reviews de novo the portions of a magistrate judge's report and recommendation to which specific objections are filed; nonspecific objections do not require de novo review under the statute.
2. Defendants were entitled to summary judgment because Smith could not establish causation for his retaliation claim; the evidence showed that his continued temporary custody was unrelated to his grievance.
3. The court declined to exercise jurisdiction over the remaining state-law claim after dismissing the federal claim and dismissed the state-law claim without prejudice.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the magistrate judge's report and recommendation should be reviewed de novo based on the plaintiff's objections.
2. Whether defendants were entitled to summary judgment on the plaintiff's federal retaliation claim because the plaintiff could not establish causation.
3. Whether the court should exercise supplemental jurisdiction over the remaining state-law claim.

Disposition

other