specific objections shift a court’s review from one which scrutinizes for plain error to one in which the issues are reviewed de novo
How later courts described this case
- specific objections shift a court’s review from one which scrutinizes for plain error to one in which the issues are reviewed de novo
Written by the judges who cited it.
The opinion
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
HOT SPRINGS DIVISION
PENNY JUANITA WHITSON
As next of kin of Rory Allen Gregory,
deceased PLAINTIFF
v. Case No. 6:23-cv-06079
JOHN FELTS, Director,
Arkansas Parole Board, et al. DEFENDANTS
ORDER
Before the Court is a Report and Recommendation issued by the Honorable Mark E. Ford, United
States Magistrate Judge for the Western District of Arkansas. ECF No. 20. Judge Ford recommends that
Plaintiff’s Complaint (ECF No. 1) be dismissed without prejudice because Plaintiff, an unpardoned felon,
cannot be appointed as the administrator of her brother’s estate and she has failed to address any issues
barring this case from moving forward following two extensions of time granted by the Court (ECF Nos.
10, 17). Plaintiff filed objections. ECF No. 21. However, Plaintiff’s objections do not effectively address
any aspect of Judge Ford’s analysis or provide an argument as to why she should be able to continue to
pursue this case. Accordingly, the Court reviews the instant Report and Recommendation for clear error
instead of conducting de novo review. See Griffini v. Mitchell, 31 F.3d 690, 692 (8th Cir. 1994) (specific
objections shift a court’s review from one which scrutinizes for plain error to one in which the issues are
reviewed de novo); and see 28 U.S.C § 636(b)(1).
Upon review, finding that there is no clear error on the face of the record and that Judge Ford’s
reasoning is sound, the Court adopts the Report and Recommendation (ECF No. 20) in toto. Plaintiff’s
Complaint (ECF No. 1) is hereby DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE. Accordingly, Plaintiff’s
Motion for Leave to Amend Complaint (ECF No. 22) is hereby DENIED as MOOT.
IT IS SO ORDERED, this 19th day of December, 2023.
/s/ Susan O. Hickey
Susan O. Hickey
Chief United States District Judge