Turner v. Terry
Turner v. Terry
Opinion of the Court
MEMORANDUM
In this prisoner suit brought under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, Nathaniel Turner alleges
As the parties are familiar with the facts, we recite them only as necessary. We review de novo the district court’s dismissal under 28 U.S.C. § 1915A of the claims against Masterson and Terry. See Resnick v. Hayes, 213 F.3d 443, 447 (9th Cir. 2000). The retaliation claims properly were dismissed because Turner failed to allege that the retaliatory actions advanced no legitimate penological goal. See Barnett v. Centoni, 31 F.3d 813, 815-16 (9th Cir. 1994). The due process claims were properly dismissed because Turner has an adequate post-deprivation remedy under Arizona law. See id. at 816; Howland v. State, 169 Ariz. 293, 818 P.2d 1169, 1172-73 (1991).
We review the grant of summary judgment de novo. Barnett, 31 F.3d at 815. In his First Amended Complaint, Turner checked the box for “Excessive force by an officer” in describing count II. This sufficed to plead an excessive force claim under the liberal construction we afford pro se complaints. See Eldridge v. Block, 832 F.2d 1132, 1137 (9th Cir. 1987). Because Turner pled a claim for excessive force, the district court erred by declining to consider that claim. Summary judgment was inappropriate. We remand to the district court for further proceedings on that claim. Each party shall bear their own costs.
AFFIRMED IN PART, REVERSED IN PART, AND REMANDED.
This disposition is not appropriate for publication and may not be cited to or by the courts of this circuit except as provided by Ninth Circuit Rule 36-3.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Nathaniel TURNER, Jr., Plaintiff—Appellant v. D.Z. TERRY, CO. III, sued in individual & official capacity, Defendants—Appellees
- Status
- Published