UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
Filed 4/25/96
TENTH CIRCUIT
FALASHA MANSA MUSA AMEN-RA,
Petitioner-Appellant,
vs. No. 95-3360
(D.C. No. 95-CV-3157)
HERBERT R. TILLERY, Colonel; (D. Kan.)
STEVEN SPATARO, Lt. Col., Assistant
Commandant; JEFFERY L. NEWTON,
Major; WILLIAM PALMER, Major and
JOHN E. MILLER, Lt. General, Post
Commander,
Respondents-Appellees.
ORDER AND JUDGMENT*
Before PORFILIO, McKAY, and KELLY, Circuit Judges.**
Mr. Amen-Ra appeals from the denial of his petition for a writ of mandamus
seeking to compel the Commandant of the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks at Fort
Leavenworth, Kansas, to remove an unfavorable Observation Report from his records.
*
This order and judgment is not binding precedent, except under the doctrines of
law of the case, res judicata, and collateral estoppel. This court generally disfavors the
citation of orders and judgments; nevertheless, an order and judgment may be cited under
the terms and conditions of 10th Cir. R. 36.3.
**
After examining the briefs and the appellate record, this three-judge panel has
determined unanimously that oral argument would not be of material assistance in the
determination of this appeal. See Fed. R. App. P. 34(a); 10th Cir. R. 34.1.9. The cause is
therefore ordered submitted without oral argument.
Mr. Amen-Ra disputed the substance of the report, and was told by prison authorities that
his administrative due process was limited to notice of the report and an opportunity to
submit matters in rebuttal. I R. doc. 2, attach. C. So that he could exonerate himself, he
contends that the matter should have been handled through a trial by court-martial or an
appearance before a Discipline or Adjustment Board, rather than as an Incident
Observation Report for minor infractions. We disagree and note that Mr. Amen-Ra has
been accorded all process due under the circumstances and whether to prefer more severe
charges lies in the discretion of the military prison authorities, not the district court. See
Schulke v. United States, 544 F.2d 453, 455 (10th Cir. 1976) (per curiam).
AFFIRMED. We GRANT Mr. Amen-Ra’s Motion for Leave to Proced on Appeal
Without Prepayment of Costs or Fees. The mandate shall issue forthwith.
Entered for the Court
Paul J. Kelly, Jr.
Circuit Judge
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