Crane v. X-Parker

Background

Michael Crane is the plaintiff. The caption lists X-Parker, X-Nixon, and John Doe Lt. as defendants. The court had previously given Crane 60 days to file an amended complaint.

On July 6, 2023, the court received Crane’s letter dated June 30, 2023. He requested a 30-day extension to file the amended complaint and asked for the court’s assistance in identifying the names of parties he sought to sue.

Ruling

The court granted Crane’s request for an extension. It ordered him to file his amended complaint within 30 days of the order’s date.

The court explained that, if Crane does not know a defendant’s name, he may identify that person as “John Doe” or “Jane Doe” in both the caption and the body of the amended complaint. Once the amended complaint is received, the court will screen it as required by the Prison Litigation Reform Act, 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(a). If appropriate, the court may issue a later order directing the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision to assist in identifying any John Doe defendants.

Disposition

The motion for additional time was granted. The order did not decide the merits of Crane’s claims or identify any unknown defendant. The opinion text is signed by Laura Taylor Swain, although the supplied case metadata lists Philip Halpern as the judge.