Williams v. Pelzer et al

Donderrious Williams, an inmate in the custody of the Alabama Department of Corrections since 2007, filed this civil rights action on June 30, 2023, in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama. The case was later transferred to the Northern District of Alabama. Williams's Third Amended Complaint, filed February 16, 2024, asserts eleven federal statutory and constitutional causes of action against fourteen defendants—corrections officers, wardens, and the ADOC Commissioner—arising from events between December 2018 and early 2022 at Limestone Correctional Facility. Allegations include two disciplinary segregations, interference with attorney communication, and an assault by officers because Williams refused to cut his hair and beard for religious reasons. On August 30, 2024, the court permitted Defendant John Ketteman to join the other defendants' motion to dismiss.

On December 13, 2024, Magistrate Judge Herman N. Johnson, Jr. issued a Memorandum Opinion and Order partially granting and partially denying Defendants' motion to dismiss. The court denied Williams's motion for entry of default against Ketteman, finding Ketteman demonstrated good cause and excusable neglect for his delayed response.

Whether Williams's Third Amended Complaint states plausible claims for relief under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and federal law against fourteen correctional officials, and whether Defendant Ketteman demonstrated good cause for his failure to timely respond to the complaint.

The case highlights ongoing challenges in Alabama's prison system regarding inmate treatment, religious accommodations, and access to counsel. It underscores the procedural complexities prisoners face when litigating civil rights claims and the courts' balancing of default judgments against excusable neglect by defendants. The case also contributes to the broader body of § 1983 jurisprudence concerning prison conditions and the accountability of correctional officials.