Reece v. Golden

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT No. 96-50600 Conference Calendar LEE ALLEN REECE, Plaintiff-Appellant, versus MARY GOLDEN, Defendant-Appellee. - - - - - - - - - - Appeal from the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas USDC No. W-96-CV-110 - - - - - - - - - - April 17, 1997 Before REAVLEY, DAVIS, and BARKSDALE, Circuit Judges. PER CURIAM:* Lee Allen Reece, Texas prisoner #636526, appeals from the dismissal of his civil rights action as frivolous. Reece is GRANTED leave to proceed in forma pauperis (IFP) on appeal. We assess an initial partial filing fee of $4.16 on Reece. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(1). After collection of the initial partial filing fee, Reece is required to make monthly payments of twenty * Pursuant to Local Rule 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in Local Rule 47.5.4. No. 96-50600 - 2 - percent of the preceding month’s income credited to his account, No. 96-50600 - 3 - until he has paid the entire $105 appellate filing fee. § 1915(b)(2). IT IS ORDERED that Reece pay the appropriate initial partial filing fee to the clerk of the District Court for the Western District of Texas. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the agency having custody of Reece’s inmate account shall collect the remainder of the $105 filing fee and forward for payment, in accordance with § 1915(b)(2), to the Clerk of the District Court for the Western District of Texas each time the amount in Reece’s account exceeds $10, until the appellate filing fee is paid. Reece contends that the district court erred by dismissing his complaint as frivolous. He argues that he was retaliated against and that Heck v. Humphrey, 512 U.S. 477 (1994), does not bar his case because his conviction has been overturned. The dismissal of Reece’s complaint as frivolous was not an abuse of discretion. Denton v. Hernandez, 504 U.S. 25, 31-33 (1992). Reece argued retaliation in the district court but provided no specific allegations indicating a retaliatory motivation. See Whittington v. Lynaugh, 842 F.2d 818, 819-20 (5th Cir. 1988). None of Reece’s contentions would have undermined the validity of his conviction; Heck is inapplicable to Reece’s case. See Heck, 512 U.S. at 487. Reece’s appeal is without arguable merit and is frivolous. Howard v. King, 707 F.2d 215, 219-20 (5th Cir. 1983). His appeal therefore is dismissed. Finally, Reece’s motion for appointment of counsel is No. 96-50600 - 4 - DENIED. APPEAL DISMISSED. 5TH CIR. R. 42.2.