Case: Bear v. Kautzky

4:01-cv-40456 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa

Filed Date: July 27, 2001

Closed Date: Jan. 25, 2006

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

Four inmates at the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison, Iowa filed a lawsuit on July 27, 2001 under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, challenging a policy that banned prisoners' communications with other prisoners who served as jail-house lawyers. Plaintiffs alleged that this policy violated their First Amendment right to freedom of expression and their Fifth, Sixth, and Fourteenth Amendment rights to be free from retaliation. Plaintiffs sought …

Four inmates at the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison, Iowa filed a lawsuit on July 27, 2001 under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, challenging a policy that banned prisoners' communications with other prisoners who served as jail-house lawyers. Plaintiffs alleged that this policy violated their First Amendment right to freedom of expression and their Fifth, Sixth, and Fourteenth Amendment rights to be free from retaliation. Plaintiffs sought damages, injunctive relief, and fees. In September 2001, the case was consolidated with Overton v. Galloway, PC-IA-xxx, a case filed in April 2001 addressing similar concerns. The District Court (Judge Charles R. Wolle) issued a preliminary injunction enjoining enforcement of the policy.

The officials appealed the preliminary injunction. The Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit (Judge James B. Loken) affirmed the preliminary injunction. Bear v. Kautzky, 305 F.3d 802 (8th Cir. 2002).

Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment was granted in Overton on October 8, 2003, dismissing all remaining claims in Overton. Once closed, the district court severed Overton from Bear.

The Bear litigation continued at the district court. The court appointed United States Magistrate Judge Celeste F. Bremer for review of the record, evidentiary hearings, oral arguments, and recommendations regarding the disposition of the case to Judge James E. Gritzner. Defendants filed for Summary Judgment, and the court granted the motion against Plaintiff Bear on June 20, 2005. With Bear terminated from the case, plaintiff Stringer became the named plaintiff. On January 25, 2006, the court granted summary judgments against Plaintiffs Stringer and McBride, dismissing the case without prejudice for failure to exhaust administrative remedies under 42 U.S.C. § 1997e(a), since they had not filed a formalized grievance to the Iowa State Penitentiary.

Summary Authors

David Terry (2/27/2006)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/11822315/parties/stringer-v-kautzky/


Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

4:01-cv-40225

Docket (PACER)

Overton v. Galloway

Nov. 4, 2003

Nov. 4, 2003

Docket

4:01-cv-40456

Docket (PACER)

Stringer v. Kautzky

Jan. 26, 2006

Jan. 26, 2006

Docket

01-03462

Reported Opinion

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit

Oct. 4, 2002

Oct. 4, 2002

Order/Opinion

305 F.3d 802

106

4:01-cv-40225

Order Denying Plaintiffs' Motions to Amend and for Temporary Restraining Order and Granting Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment

Overton v. Galloway

Oct. 8, 2003

Oct. 8, 2003

Order/Opinion
16

4:01-cv-40456

Order Referring Case to Magistrate Judge

Bear v. Mathes

Nov. 12, 2003

Nov. 12, 2003

Order/Opinion
24

4:01-cv-40456

Defendants' Appendix (includes Complaint)

April 13, 2004

April 13, 2004

Complaint
43

4:01-cv-40456

Report and Recommendation on Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment Against Plaintiff Archie Bear

March 21, 2005

March 21, 2005

Order/Opinion
45

4:01-cv-40456

Report and Recommendation on Defendants' Motion for Partial Summary Judgment

March 31, 2005

March 31, 2005

Order/Opinion
53

4:01-cv-40456

Order Adopting Report and Recommendation Denying Motion for Partial Summary Judgment

June 17, 2005

June 17, 2005

Order/Opinion
59

4:01-cv-40456

Order Granting Motion for Summary Judgment

Stringer v. Kautzky

Jan. 25, 2006

Jan. 25, 2006

Order/Opinion

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/11822315/stringer-v-kautzky/

Last updated Aug. 18, 2026, 4:04 p.m.

Docket for: Stringer v. Kautzky
ECF Number Date Description Link
1 July 27, 2001

PRISONER COMPLAINT (cc: pltf(s)). (dr) (Entered: 07/27/2001)

RECAP
2 July 27, 2001

MOTION by plaintiffs for temporary restraining order and/or preliminary injunction before Honorable Charles R. Wolle (dr) Modified on 07/27/2001 (Entered: 07/27/2001)

RECAP
3 July 27, 2001

MEMORANDUM by plaintiffs in support [2-1] of motion for temporary restraining order and/or preliminary injunction before Honorable Charles R. Wolle (dr) (Entered: 07/27/2001)

RECAP
4 July 27, 2001

INITIAL REVIEW ORDER by Honorable Charles R. Wolle: By not later than 8/13/01, dfts shall resond to motion for preliminary injunctive relief and report to the court whether this case should be consolidated with 4-01-cv-80225; court directs clerk of court to send a copy of signature page of complaint to inmates Stringer and McBride so they may sign their names to the complaint; if they do not inform court of their intention to be pltfs in this lawsuit within 30 days of date of this order, court will dismiss then as pltfs; service of process shall issue by mail to dfts and to Attorney General of State of Iowa; re [2-1] motion for temporary restraining order and/or preliminary injunction (cc: all counsel) (dr) (Entered: 07/30/2001)

RECAP
July 27, 2001

FILING FEE PAID: on 7/27/01 in the amount of $ 150.00, receipt # 61404. (dr) (Entered: 07/27/2001)

PACER
July 27, 2001

FILING FEE PAID: on 7/27/01 in the amount of $ 150.00, receipt # 61404. (dr)

July 30, 2001

REMARK - Service of process issued by mail this date to dfts Mathes and Kautzky, and Attorney General of State of Iowa; copy of signature page of complaint mailed this date to pltfs Stringer and McBride (dr) (Entered: 07/30/2001)

PACER
July 30, 2001

REMARK - Service of process issued by mail this date to dfts Mathes and Kautzky, and Attorney General of State of Iowa; copy of signature page of complaint mailed this date to pltfs Stringer and McBride (dr)

5 Aug. 3, 2001

SUPPLEMENT by plaintiff William L Stringer [1-1] to complaint (dr) (Entered: 08/03/2001)

RECAP
6 Aug. 3, 2001

RESPONSE by plaintiff William L Stringer [4-1] re: order (dr) (Entered: 08/03/2001)

RECAP
7 Aug. 6, 2001

SUPPLEMENT by plaintiff Michael McBride [1-1] to complaint (dr) (Entered: 08/06/2001)

RECAP
8 Aug. 27, 2001

ATTORNEY APPEARANCE for defendant Walter Kautzky, defendant John Mathes by WILLIAM A HILL (don) (Entered: 08/27/2001)

RECAP
9 Aug. 27, 2001

MOTION by defendant Walter Kautzky, defendant John Mathes to extend time to respond to complaint and motion for injunctive relief before Honorable Charles R. Wolle (don) (Entered: 08/27/2001)

RECAP
10 Aug. 27, 2001

OBJECTIONS to consolidate by defendant Walter Kautzky, defendant John Mathes to [4-1] order (don) (Entered: 08/27/2001)

RECAP
11 Aug. 27, 2001

MEMORANDUM by defendant Walter Kautzky, defendant John Mathes in support [10-1] of objection (don) (Entered: 08/27/2001)

RECAP
12 Aug. 27, 2001

OBJECTIONS by defendant Walter Kautzky, defendant John Mathes to [2-1] motion for temporary restraining order and/or preliminary injunction before Honorable Charles R. Wolle (don) (Entered: 08/27/2001)

RECAP
13 Aug. 27, 2001

MEMORANDUM by defendant Walter Kautzky, defendant John Mathes in support [12-1] of objection (don) (Entered: 08/27/2001)

RECAP
14 Sept. 14, 2001

ORDER by Honorable Charles R. Wolle setting hearing on motion to extend time to respond to complaint and motion for injunctive relief [9-1] 9:00 9/19/01, setting hearing on motion for temporary restraining order and/or preliminary injunction [2-1] 9:00 9/19/01; This will be held via ICN (cc: all counsel) (dv) (Entered: 09/14/2001)

RECAP
15 Sept. 19, 2001

CLERK'S COURT MINUTES: courtroom clerk: Shirley Dooley; court reporter: Teresa Kenkel; motion to extend time to respond to complaint and motion for injunctive relief before Honorable Charles R. Wolle [9-1] ; hearing held 9:00 9/19/01, motion for temporary restraining order and/or preliminary injunction before Honorable Charles R. Wolle [2-1] ; hearing held 9:00 9/19/01 (dv) (Entered: 09/19/2001)

RECAP
Sept. 26, 2001

REMARK THIS CASE CONSOLIDATED INTO CASE NO. 4-01-CV-80225. ALL FURTHER FILINGS TO BE FILED IN THAT FILE (dv) (Entered: 09/26/2001)

PACER
Sept. 26, 2001

REMARK THIS CASE CONSOLIDATED INTO CASE NO. 4-01-CV-80225. ALL FURTHER FILINGS TO BE FILED IN THAT FILE (dv)

16 Nov. 12, 2003

ORDER by Judge James E. Gritzner Case reopened, Case referred to Magistrate Judge Celeste F. Bremer for submission of report and recommendation See order re: reopening this member case under its own caption (cc: all counsel) (dv) (Entered: 11/12/2003)

RECAP
Jan. 23, 2004

FILING FEE PAID: on 1/23/04 in the amount of $ 20.50, receipt # 68426. copy fee (dv) (Entered: 01/23/2004)

PACER
Jan. 23, 2004

FILING FEE PAID: on 1/23/04 in the amount of $ 20.50, receipt # 68426. copy fee (dv)

17 March 5, 2004

ORDER by Magistrate Judge Celeste F. Bremer Rule 16(b) Telephone Hearing set for 04/06/4 at 10:00 (cc: all counsel) (dv) (Entered: 03/05/2004)

RECAP
18 March 15, 2004

MOTION by plaintiff Archie Bear, plaintiff William L Stringer, plaintiff Michael McBride to withdraw attorney Clemens A. Erdahl before Magistrate Judge Celeste F. Bremer (dv) (Entered: 03/15/2004)

RECAP
19 March 16, 2004

ORDER by Magistrate Judge Celeste F. Bremer granting motion to withdraw attorney Clemens A. Erdahl [18-1] for Michael McBride, William L Stringer, Archie Bear (cc: all counsel) (dv) (Entered: 03/17/2004)

RECAP
20 April 6, 2004

ORDER by Magistrate Judge Celeste F. Bremer ; Final pretrial cnf (MAG) 07/12/04 10:30am ; Evidentiary hearing (MAG) 07/22/04 9:00am ; Telephone Hearing satisfied (cc: all counsel) (don) (Entered: 04/07/2004)

RECAP
21 April 13, 2004

MOTION by defendant Walter Kautzky, defendant John Mathes for partial summary judgment before Judge James E. Gritzner (dv) Modified on 3/21/2005 to add the word "partial"(ld, ). (Entered: 04/13/2004)

RECAP
22 April 13, 2004

MEMORANDUM by defendant Walter Kautzky, defendant John Mathes in support [21-1] of motion for summary judgment before Judge James E. Gritzner (dv) (Entered: 04/13/2004)

RECAP
23 April 13, 2004

STATEMENT by defendant Walter Kautzky, defendant John Mathes [21-1] in support of motion for summary judgment before Judge James E. Gritzner (dv) (Entered: 04/13/2004)

RECAP
24 April 13, 2004

APPENDIX filed by defendant Walter Kautzky, defendant John Mathes [21-1] re: motion for summary judgment before Judge James E. Gritzner (dv) (Entered: 04/13/2004)

RECAP
25 May 27, 2004

ORDER by Magistrate Judge Celeste F. Bremer; The Court extends the deadline for response to the pending motion to 6/9/04 (cc: all counsel) (dv) (Entered: 05/27/2004)

RECAP
26 June 15, 2004

ORDER by Magistrate Judge Celeste F. Bremer; Court extends the deadline for filing a response to 7/2/04 to allow Plaintiff Bear to clarify the nature of his claims, including the nature of the relief he seeks (cc: all counsel) (dv) (Entered: 06/16/2004)

RECAP
27 July 6, 2004

RESPONSE by plaintiff Archie Bear [21-1] re: motion for summary judgment before Judge James E. Gritzner (dv) (Entered: 07/06/2004)

RECAP
28 July 13, 2004

ORDER by Magistrate Judge Celeste F. Bremer ; Final pretrial cnf (MAG) set for 07/29/04 at 10:30 ; Evidentiary hearing (MAG) set for 08/17/04 at 9:00 held by ICN (cc: all counsel) (dv) (Entered: 07/13/2004)

RECAP
29 July 15, 2004

MOTION by plaintiff William L Stringer for appointment of counsel before Magistrate Judge Celeste F. Bremer (dv) (Entered: 07/15/2004)

RECAP
30 July 23, 2004

ORDER by Magistrate Judge Celeste F. Bremer denying motion for appointment of counsel [29-1] (cc: all counsel) (dv) (Entered: 07/23/2004)

RECAP
31 July 29, 2004

PROPOSED FINAL PRETRIAL ORDER submitted by defendant (dv) (Entered: 07/29/2004)

RECAP
32 July 29, 2004

ORDER by Magistrate Judge Celeste F. Bremer ; Final pretrial cnf (MAG) satisfied, ; Discovery ddl set for 10/01/04 (cc: all counsel) (dv) (Entered: 07/29/2004)

RECAP
33 Aug. 18, 2004

MOTION by defendant Walter Kautzky, defendant John Mathes to extend time to file supplemental motion for s/j from 08/17/04 to 08/18/04 and ORDER granting order motion By JRR, Clerk[33-1] (cc: all counsel) (don) (Entered: 08/18/2004)

RECAP
34 Aug. 18, 2004

SUPPLEMENTAL by defendant Walter Kautzky, defendant John Mathes [21-1] to motion for summary judgment before Judge James E. Gritzner (don) (Entered: 08/18/2004)

RECAP
35 Aug. 18, 2004

MEMORANDUM by defendant Walter Kautzky, defendant John Mathes in support [34-1] of supplemental motion for s/j (don) (Entered: 08/18/2004)

RECAP
36 Aug. 18, 2004

SUPPLEMENTAL STATEMENT of undisputed material facts by defendant Walter Kautzky, defendant John Mathes [34-1] in support of s/j (don) (Entered: 08/18/2004)

RECAP
37 Aug. 18, 2004

SUPPLEMENTAL APPENDIX filed by defendant Walter Kautzky, defendant John Mathes [34-1] re: motion s/j (don) (Entered: 08/18/2004)

RECAP
42 Aug. 18, 2004

MOTION for Partial Summary Judgment (Redocketed as motion/see document #34 for image, docketed as supplement) by Walter Kautzky, John Mathes. (ld, ) Modified on 3/23/2005 to edit filed date to 8/18/04. (ld, ). (Entered: 03/21/2005)

RECAP
38 Sept. 22, 2004

ORDER by Magistrate Judge Celeste F. Bremer; Defendants shall have to and including 10/15/04 to file a reply (cc: all counsel) (dv) (Entered: 09/22/2004)

RECAP
39 Oct. 6, 2004

RESPONSE to Supplement Statement of Undisputed Material Facts/Motion re 21 Motion for Summary Judgment filed by Archie Bear, Michael McBride, William L Stringer. Replies due by 10/19/2004. (bp, ) (Entered: 10/06/2004)

RECAP
40 Oct. 6, 2004

STATEMENT OF DISPUTED MATERIAL FACTS re 21 Motion for Summary Judgment filed by Archie Bear, Michael McBride, William L Stringer. (bp, ) (Entered: 10/06/2004)

RECAP
41 Oct. 6, 2004

MEMORANDUM in Opposition to Supplemental Motion for Sumamry Judgment re 21 Motion for Summary Judgment filed by Archie Bear, Michael McBride, William L Stringer. Replies due by 10/19/2004. (bp, ) (Entered: 10/06/2004)

RECAP
43 March 21, 2005

REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION re 21 Motion for Partial Summary Judgment against Archie Bear filed by John Mathes, Walter Kautzky. Objections to R&R due by 4/12/2005. See attached R&R for details. (Motion for Partial Summary Judgment against remaining plaintiffs 42 to be addressed in separate R&R.) Entered by Magistrate Judge Celeste F. Bremer on 3/21/2005. (npo) (Entered: 03/21/2005)

RECAP
44 March 21, 2005

Text ORDER REFERRING CASE to Magistrate Judge for Report and Recommendation -- for remaining motion for partial summary judgment; see R&R Doc. #43. . Entered by Rob Raker, Acting Clerk on 3/21/2005. (ld, ) (Entered: 03/21/2005)

RECAP
45 March 31, 2005

REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION re [42 & 21] Defendants' MOTIONS for Partial Summary Judgment. Objections to R&R due by 4/22/2005. Material facts remain in dispute. Accordingly, the Court recommends that Defendants' Motions for Summary Judgment be denied. See Order for particulars. Entered by Magistrate Judge Celeste F. Bremer on 3/31/2005. (mlr ) (Entered: 03/31/2005)

RECAP
46 April 8, 2005

OBJECTION to 45 Report and Recommendations Defendants' Objections to March 31, 2005 Report and Recommendant on Defendants' Motion for Partial Summary Judgment filed by Walter Kautzky, John Mathes. (Hill, William) (Entered: 04/08/2005)

RECAP
47 April 13, 2005

MOTION for Summary Judgment by William L Stringer, Pro Se. Responses due by 5/9/2005 (Attachments: # 1 Letter to CRW-CFB# 2 envelope) (lh, ) (Entered: 04/13/2005)

RECAP
48 April 15, 2005

RESPONSE to Motion re 47 MOTION for Summary Judgment Defendants's Resistance to Pro Se Motion for Summary Judgment filed by Walter Kautzky, John Mathes. Replies due by 4/27/2005. (Hill, William) (Entered: 04/15/2005)

RECAP
49 April 22, 2005

First MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response to Report and Recommendation by William L Stringer. Responses due by 5/9/2005 (Nestor, Bruce) (Entered: 04/22/2005)

RECAP
50 April 22, 2005

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by William L Stringer re 49 First MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response to Report and Recommendation (Nestor, Bruce) (Entered: 04/22/2005)

RECAP
51 April 26, 2005

TEXT ORDER granting 49 Plaintiffs' unresisted Motion for Extension of Time to file a response to Report and Recommendation. Plaintiffs shall have to and including 4/29/05 to respond to the Report and Recommendation. Entered by Magistrate Judge Celeste F. Bremer on 4/26/2005. (mlr ) (Entered: 04/26/2005)

RECAP
April 26, 2005

Set/Reset Deadlines: Pltf's Response to R & R due by 4/29/2005 see Text Order #51 (lh, )

April 26, 2005

Set/Reset Deadlines: Pltf's Response to R & R due by 4/29/2005 see Text Order #51 (lh, ) (Entered: 04/27/2005)

PACER
52 May 3, 2005

ORDER denying 47 Plaintiff Stringer's motion for summary judgment. Entered by Judge James E. Gritzner on 5/3/2005. (nlh) (Entered: 05/03/2005)

RECAP
53 June 17, 2005

ORDER ADOPTING REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS 45, denying 42 motion for partial summary judgment. Entered by Judge James E. Gritzner on 6/17/2005. (nlh) (Entered: 06/17/2005)

RECAP
54 June 17, 2005

ORDER ADOPTING REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS 43, granting 21 motion for summary judgment. Clerk shall enter judgment in favor of Defendants on all of Plaintiff Bear's claims. See order for particulars. Entered by Judge James E. Gritzner on 6/17/2005. (nlh) (Entered: 06/17/2005)

RECAP
55 June 20, 2005

JUDGMENT in favor of Defendants against Plaintiff Bear. Summary Judgment against Plaintiff Bear. Entered by R Johnson for Marjorie Krahn, Clerk on 6/20/2005. (rmj) Additional attachment(s) added on 6/20/2005 (rmj, ). (Entered: 06/20/2005)

RECAP
56 June 20, 2005

ORDER Additional Dispositive Motion Deadline due by 8/1/2005. See attached order for particulars. Entered by Magistrate Judge Celeste F. Bremer on 6/20/2005. (npo) (Entered: 06/20/2005)

RECAP
57 July 27, 2005

Second MOTION for Summary Judgment by Defendants by Walter Kautzky, John Mathes. Responses due by 8/22/2005 (Attachments: # 1 Defendants' Second Statement of Undisputed Material Facts# 2 Defendants' Second Appendix# 3 Memorandum in Support of Defendants' Second Motion for Summary Judgment)(Hill, William) (Entered: 07/27/2005)

RECAP
58 Sept. 9, 2005

RESPONSE to Motion re 57 Second MOTION for Summary Judgment by Defendants filed by William L Stringer, Michael McBride. Replies due by 9/21/2005. (Nestor, Bruce) (Entered: 09/09/2005)

RECAP
59 Jan. 25, 2006

ORDER granting 57 Motion for Summary Judgment. Clerk of Court to enter judgment in favor of Defendants and against Plaintiffs William Stringer and Michael McBride. Plaintiffs' case is dismissed without prejudice for failure to exhaust under 42 USC section 1997e(a). Entered by Judge James E. Gritzner on 1/25/2006. (nlh) (Entered: 01/25/2006)

RECAP
60 Jan. 26, 2006

JUDGMENT in favor of Defendants against Plaintiffs per 59 . Entered by R Johnson for Marjorie Krahn, Clerk on 1/26/2006. (rmj) (Entered: 01/26/2006)

RECAP

Case Details

State / Territory:

Iowa

Case Type(s):

Prison Conditions

Special Collection(s):

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: July 27, 2001

Closing Date: Jan. 25, 2006

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

State prisoners challenging prison policy banning prisoners’ communications with other prisoners who served as jailhouselawyers

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

Hadsell, Stormer & Renick

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: Unknown

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

State

Iowa State Penitentiary

Facility Type(s):

Government-run

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Constitutional Clause(s):

Freedom of speech/association

Other Dockets:

Southern District of Iowa 4:01-cv-40456

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit 01-03462

Southern District of Iowa 4:01-cv-40225

Available Documents:

Any published opinion

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Defendant

Relief Granted:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Litigation

Content of Injunction:

Preliminary relief granted

Order Duration: 2001 - 2006

Issues

General/Misc.:

Access to lawyers or judicial system

Mail

Recommended Citation