Camden, NJ – A federal judge signaled that a four-year legal battle against the Lindenwold Police Department may soon come to an end after the plaintiff repeatedly failed to follow court orders and properly serve the remaining defendants.
Case dates back to 2021
René Dallas Edwards first filed the lawsuit in June 2021, alleging excessive force, battery, reckless indifference, and gross negligence stemming from an encounter with Lindenwold officers. Edwards was granted permission to proceed in forma pauperis, but his original complaint was dismissed with leave to amend.
Over the following years, the case saw multiple amended complaints, motions for judicial recusal, and requests for pro bono counsel. Several claims were dismissed outright, including those tied to medical indifference and broad constitutional allegations. The court allowed limited battery claims against certain officers to proceed, directing Edwards to complete U.S. Marshals Service forms so that defendants could be served.
Missed deadlines and improper filings
Court filings show Edwards repeatedly missed deadlines, filed procedurally improper motions, and failed to comply with service requirements. In August 2023, more than six months after being instructed to return his service paperwork, Edwards submitted outdated forms and attempted to serve officers at the Lindenwold Police Administration Building, a method federal courts have previously rejected.
Judge Noel L. Hillman, who initially oversaw the case before retiring, warned that failure to follow procedures could lead to dismissal under Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 4(m) and 41(b), which govern service deadlines and failure to prosecute.
Judge signals likely dismissal
In a September order, the court noted that Edwards had still not properly served the defendants and continued to reference a “special master” report that does not exist. The court suggested dismissal of the remaining claims may be warranted, citing years of noncompliance and procedural missteps.
If dismissed, the ruling would effectively close the case after more than four years of litigation without reaching trial.
Key Points
- Plaintiff René Dallas Edwards sued Lindenwold police in 2021 over excessive force and battery claims.
- Several claims were dismissed, and only limited allegations against individual officers were allowed to proceed.
- The court is now weighing dismissal after Edwards repeatedly failed to properly serve defendants.
