Hickman v. Jackson
Hickman v. Jackson
Opinion
Ronald Hickman appeals from the district court’s order adopting the report and recommendation of the magistrate judge and entering judgment in favor of Defendants in Hickman’s 42 U.S.C. § 1983 (2000) action. Because neither party moved for a jury trial, the magistrate judge held a hearing on Hickman’s claim that his right to privacy was violated when he was seen naked by female correctional officers. The magistrate judge made detailed findings of fact that were adopted by the district court.
On appeal, Hickman challenges the district court’s credibility findings, asserting that Defendants’ witnesses’ testimony was “replete with contradictions and provable falsity.” Our review of the record does not support Hickman’s characterization. Instead, we find that Hickman’s allegations involve either non-material facts or are not supported by the record. In addition, we give great deference to the magis *242 trate judge’s credibility determinations, because the magistrate judge heard the actual testimony. See United States v. D’Anjou, 16 F.3d 604, 614 (4th Cir. 1994). Thus, we affirm. We dispense with oral argument, because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before the court and argument would not aid the decisional process.
AFFIRMED.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.