Byrd v. Karpinsky
Byrd v. Karpinsky
Opinion
OPINION
John Byrd, a Pennsylvania state prisoner proceeding pro se, appeals a judgment entered in favor of Sergeant Karpinsky and three correctional officers in his civil rights action. We will dismiss this appeal pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B).
Byrd’s complaint was based on a fight that broke out in the prison exercise yard. Byrd alleged that the correctional officers were deliberately indifferent to his personal safety by handcuffing and abandoning him, and allowing another inmate to stab him. According to the correctional officers, however, Byrd also had a weapon, and an inmate stabbed Byrd while the officers struggled to restrain him.
The District Court appointed counsel to represent Byrd, and the parties agreed to proceed before a Magistrate Judge. After a two-day trial, the jury returned a verdict in favor of Karpinsky and the correctional officers. The jury found that there was a substantial risk that another inmate could attack Byrd in the exercise yard on the date of the incident, but the jury did not find that Karpinsky and the correctional officers were aware of that risk and disregarded it. This appeal followed.
In his brief, Byrd complains that he was not present when the jury was chosen. Byrd does not contend, however, that there was a problem with the jury selection process or with the jurors who were selected. Absent an argument that Byrd was prejudiced in some way, further briefing on this issue is not warranted.
Byrd also notes in his brief that the District Court denied his motion for transcripts. Byrd requested transcripts of proceedings not held in his case, including preliminary hearing, suppression hearing, and sentencing hearing transcripts. In addition to the trial transcript, he requested copies of all other documents and transcripts maintained in the court’s file. The District Court denied Byrd’s motion because it was too vague, broad, and overly burdensome. To the extent Byrd appeals this ruling, we conclude that the District Court did not abuse its discretion. We note that Byrd has not identified any issues suggesting that his appeal is not frivolous (but presents a substantial question). See 28 U.S.C. § 753(f).
Accordingly, we shall dismiss this appeal pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B). 1
. The Clerk is directed to file Byrd’s brief, which was received for the Court’s information on November 15, 2006.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.