Scott v. Mask, No. 3:2005cv00121 - Document 10 (N.D. Miss. 2005)

Court Description: MEMORANDUM OPINION re 9 Order Dismissing Case. Signed by Judge Neal B. Biggers on 10/19/05. (tab, USDC)

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Scott v. Mask Doc. 10 Case 3:05-cv-00121-NBB-EMB Document 10 Filed 10/19/2005 Page 1 of 2 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF MISSISSIPPI WESTERN DIVISION JOHN SCOTT PLAINTIFF v. No. 3:05CV121-B-B SHERIFF LEO MASK DEFENDANT MEMORANDUM OPINION This matter comes before the court on the September 26, 2005, pro se prisoner complaint of John Scott, challenging the conditions of his confinement under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. The plaintiff, who was convicted on two counts of homicide, alleges that the defendant, Pontotoc County Sheriff Leo Mask, impounded the plaintiff s 1991 Mitsubishi Eclipse to search it for evidence. The Sheriff then returned a 1999 Chevrolet Z71 truck in the plaintiff s possession to the family of one of the plaintiff s victims. The plaintiff claims that he had bought the truck from one of the murder victims and that the plaintiff held an open title in his possession at the time of his arrest. State Law Claim At most plaintiff has asserted a state law tort claim of conversion against the defendant. The acts giving rise to a claim for conversion do not constitute a cognizable claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, as the plaintiff has an adequate remedy under state law a common-law suit for conversion in state court. Myers v. Klevenhagen, 97 F.3d 91, 94 (5th Cir. 1996) (quoting Brooks v. George Co., 84 F.3d 157, 165 (5th Cir. 1996) (emphasis added)); Davis v. Bayless, 70 F.3d 367, 375 (5th Cir. 1995). As such, the instant case shall be dismissed for failure to state a claim Dockets.Justia.com Case 3:05-cv-00121-NBB-EMB Document 10 Filed 10/19/2005 Page 2 of 2 upon which relief could be granted, counting as a strike under 28 U.S.C. §§ 1915 (e)(2)(B)(i) and 1915(g). A final judgment consistent with this memorandum opinion shall issue today. SO ORDERED, this the 19th day of October, 2005. /s/ Neal Biggers NEAL B. BIGGERS SENIOR U. S. DISTRICT JUDGE -2-

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