Draper Frank Woodyard v. Billy Weathington

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA MIDDLE DIVISION DRAPER FRANK WOODYARD, ) ) Plaintiff, ) ) v. ) Case No. 4:25-cv-01242-RDP-HNJ ) BILLY WEATHINGTON, ) ) Defendant. ) MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER The Magistrate Judge entered a Report and Recommendation on March 31, 2026, recommending the dismissal of this action without prejudice under 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(b) as frivolous and for seeking monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief. (Doc. # 16). The Magistrate Judge further recommended the court deny as moot Plaintiff Draper Frank Woodyard’s Motion to Submit Exhibits for Judgment or Permission to Proceed (Doc. # 14). (Doc. # 16). Plaintiff filed a Motion to Reconsider and objections to the Report and Recommendation. (Docs. # 17, 18).

In his pending motion and objections, Plaintiff does not dispute that he seeks monetary damages from Defendant St. Clair County Circuit Court Judge Billy Weathington. (See # Docs.

17, 18). Nor does Plaintiff dispute that he bases his claims on actions Defendant took in his judicial capacity and in adjudicated matters. (Id.). Furthermore, Plaintiff admits Defendant maintained jurisdictional authority over Plaintiff’s filings in state court from which his claims arise. (See Docs. # 17 at 1-2, 18 at 2-3). Thus, as the Magistrate Judge correctly explained, Plaintiff seeks monetary damages from a defendant immune from such relief. (See Doc. # 16 at 5-7). Plaintiff’s claims warrant dismissal on that basis. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(b)(2). Furthermore, because Plaintiff sued a defendant immune from suit, this action also warrants dismissal as frivolous. See Neitzke v. Williams, 490 U.S. 319, 327 (1989) (stating a claim seeking relief from defendants who are immune from suit stands frivolous as a matter of law).

After careful consideration of the record in this case, the Magistrate Judge’s Report and Recommendation, and Plaintiff's objections, the court ADOPTS the Report and ACCEPTS the recommendation. Consistent with that recommendation and 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(b), this action is due to be dismissed without prejudice as frivolous and for seeking monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from suit. A final judgment will be entered.

The court DENIES Plaintiff's Motion for Reconsideration (Doc. # 17) and DENIES as MOOT Plaintiff's Motion to Submit Exhibits for Judgment or Permission to Proceed (Doc. # 14).

DONE and ORDERED this May 4, 2026.

SENIOR U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE