Rivers v. McConnell
Opinion
OPINION
Marc X. Rivers appeals the District Court’s order granting appellees’ motions to dismiss his complaint. The procedural history of this case and the details of Rivers’s claims are well known to the parties, set forth in the District Court’s thorough opinion, and need not be discussed at length. Briefly, in a pleading in a child custody case, Rivers made a death threat against officials of the county agency supervising that case. He alleged that this resulted in, inter alia, a false prison misconduct being issued against him, denial of parole, and denials of his rights to free speech, free exercise of religion, and self-representation. Appellees filed motions to dismiss which the Magistrate Judge recommended granting. The District Court adopted the Report and Recommendation and granted appellees’ motions to dismiss. Rivers filed a timely notice of appeal.
Because Rivers is proceeding in forma pauperis on this appeal, we must analyze his appeal for possible dismissal pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B). Under § 1915(e)(2)(B), we must dismiss an appeal if the action (i) is frivolous or malicious, (ii) fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, or (iii) seeks monetary damages from a defendant with immunity. An action or appeal can be frivolous for either legal or factual reasons. Neitzke v. Williams, 490 U.S. 319, 325, 109 S.Ct. 1827,104 L.Ed.2d 338 (1989).
For essentially the reasons given by the Magistrate Judge in her Report and Recommendation, which was adopted by the District Court, we will dismiss the appeal as frivolous. Rivers has no constitutional right to make or carry out death threats.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Mr. Marc X. RIVERS (Muhammad) v. Lieutenant Mr. William MCCONNELL; Luzerne County Children and Youth Services; Mr. William Cole; Chief Hearing Examiner Robert S. Bitner; Superintendant Marilyn Brooks; CCPM Michael Clark; Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole; Deputy Superintendant Nancy Giroux; Major of the Guard Michael Mahlmeister Marc X. Rivers, Appellant
- Status
- Unpublished