Lee Marre Johnson v. J. Fortman ( 2002 )


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  •                      United States Court of Appeals
    FOR THE EIGHTH CIRCUIT
    ___________
    No. 02-1188
    ___________
    Lee Marre Johnson,                      *
    *
    Appellant,                  * Appeal from the United States
    * District Court for the Eastern
    v.                                * District of Arkansas.
    *
    J. Fortman; Chris McElroy;              *      [UNPUBLISHED]
    Milton Weaver,                          *
    *
    Appellees,                  *
    ___________
    Submitted: October 7, 2002
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    ___________
    Before LOKEN, BYE, and RILEY, Circuit Judges.
    ___________
    PER CURIAM.
    Lee Marre Johnson brought this 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action against West
    Memphis, Arkansas police officers J. Fortman, Chris McElroy, and Milton Weaver,
    alleging that they had used excessive force in arresting him. The district court1
    dismissed Fortman before trial because Johnson had failed to serve him and granted
    Weaver judgment as a matter of law at the close of Johnson’s case. The jury returned
    a verdict for McElroy. On appeal, Johnson argues that the district court erred in
    1
    The HONORABLE STEPHEN M. REASONER, United States District Judge
    for the Eastern District of Arkansas.
    dismissing Fortman, defendants made inconsistent statements at trial, he received
    ineffective assistance from his court-appointed attorney, and he was prejudiced by an
    all-white jury comprised of eight jurors instead of twelve.
    The district court did not abuse its discretion in dismissing Fortman for lack of
    service. See Bullock v. United States, 
    160 F.3d 441
    , 442 (8th Cir. 1998) (standard
    of review). Johnson’s claims regarding witness credibility and the importance of
    documentary evidence were for the jury to consider. See Billingsley v. City of
    Omaha, 
    277 F.3d 990
    , 993 (8th Cir. 2002); United States v. Hill, 
    249 F.3d 707
    , 714
    (8th Cir. 2001). Eight-member juries are permissible in civil cases. See Fed. R. Civ.
    P. 48. Johnson’s complaint about the racial composition of the jury fails to state a
    claim, see Batson v. Kentucky, 
    476 U.S. 79
    , 85, 96-97 (1986), and he has no
    constitutional or statutory right to effective assistance of counsel in this civil case, see
    Taylor v. Dickel, 
    293 F.3d 427
    , 431 (8th Cir. 2002). Finally, we decline to consider
    the arguments raised for the first time in his reply brief. See Neb. State Legislative
    Bd., United Transp. Union v. Slater, 
    245 F.3d 656
    , 658 n.3 (8th Cir. 2001).
    The judgment of the district court is affirmed.
    A true copy.
    Attest:
    CLERK, U. S. COURT OF APPEALS, EIGHTH CIRCUIT.
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