Alexander v. The City of New York, 1:25-cv-00284

1:25-cv-00284

S.D.N.Y.

Apr 14, 2025

ZION ALEXANDER, Plaintiff, -against- THE CITY OF NEW YORK, et al., Defendants.

1:25-CV-284 (RA)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK

April 14, 2025

RONNIE ABRAMS, United States District Judge

RONNIE ABRAMS, United States District Judge:

Plaintiff Zion Alexander, who is currently held in the Otis Bantum Correctional Center on Rikers Island, filed this action pro se, asserting claims of federal constitutional violations under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, and seeking damages and injunctive relief. By letter dated April 4, 2025, Plaintiff requested that he be provided with his original Complaint, requested an extension of time to file an amended complaint, and moved for appointment of pro bono counsel.

Plaintiff‘s request to be provided with this original Complaint is granted. The Complaint is attached to this Order.

Because Plaintiff‘s amended complaint is not due until thirty days after he receives the full names and addresses of the John Doe Defendants, Plaintiff‘s request for an extension is denied without prejudice. If Plaintiff needs an extension after receiving the full names of Defendants, he may file a new request for an extension at that time.

Plaintiff‘s request for appointment of pro bono counsel is also denied without prejudice to renewal. In considering whether to appoint pro bono counsel, the Court considers the “merits of the case, the plaintiff‘s efforts to obtain a lawyer, and the plaintiff‘s ability to gather the facts and present the case if unassisted by counsel.” McBride v. C&C Apartment Mgmt., No. 21-CV-2989 (RA), 2021 WL 2077818, at *1 (S.D.N.Y. May 24, 2021). Of these, the merits is the “factor which command[s] the most attention.” Cooper v. A. Sargenti Co., 877 F.2d 170, 172 (2d Cir. 1989). “Because it is too early in the proceedings for the Court to assess the merits of this action, the Court denies Plaintiff‘s application for the Court to request pro bono counsel without prejudice to Plaintiff‘s filing another such application at a later date.” McBride, 2021 WL 2077818, at *1.

The Clerk of Court is respectfully directed to mail a copy of this Order and the attached Complaint to Plaintiff.

SO ORDERED.

Dated: April 14, 2025

New York, New York

Ronnie Abrams

United States District Judge

Image in original document— original complaint page 1

Image in original document— original complaint page 2

Image in original document— original complaint page 3

Image in original document— handwritten attachment page 1

Image in original document— handwritten attachment page 2

Image in original document— handwritten attachment page 3

Image in original document— handwritten attachment page 4

Image in original document— handwritten attachment page 5

Image in original document— handwritten attachment page 6

Image in original document— handwritten attachment page 7

Image in original document— handwritten attachment page 8

Image in original document— handwritten attachment page 9

Image in original document— handwritten attachment page 10

Image in original document— Exhibit A wristband

Image in original document— complaint page 4 administrative remedies

Image in original document— complaint page 5 relief sought

Image in original document— complaint page 6 previous lawsuits

Image in original document— complaint page 7 signatures

Image in original document— mailing envelope

Image in original document— civil cover sheet

Image in original document— arbitration certification

Read the detailed case summary