United States Court of Appeals FOR THE EIGHTH CIRCUIT _____________ No. 96-3636NI _____________ Mark Emerson Willey, * * Appellant, * Appeal from the United States * District Court for the Northern v. * District of Iowa. * Douglas G. Schermer; City of * [UNPUBLISHED] Maquoketa; Cindy Fier, * * Appellees. * _____________ Submitted: August 18, 1997 Filed: August 22, 1997 _____________ Before FAGG, BOWMAN, and MURPHY, Circuit Judges. _____________ PER CURIAM.

Mark Emerson Willey appeals the district court's order denying Willey's motion for new trial in this 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action. Following a bench trial, the district court awarded Willey nominal damages against two defendants (Schermer and the City of Maquoketa) who conceded liability for violation of Willey's First Amendment rights and absolved a third defendant (Fier) of any liability. A review of the record and the parties' briefs show the ruling of the district court was correct. Because the appeal involves the straightforward application of settled principles of law, an extended discussion is not warranted. We affirm the district court. See 8th Cir. R. 47B.

A true copy.

Attest: CLERK, U.S. COURT OF APPEALS, EIGHTH CIRCUIT.

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