Marshall Jackson, Jr. v. Denny Morrison, Janice Robinson, Gateway Foundation, Inc., Jesus Sanchez, Robert Auert, Patrick Lowe, and Anita Bjornaas
Marshall Jackson, Jr., an inmate, appealed the trial court's grant of summary judgment in favor of Denny Morrison, Janice Robinson, Gateway Foundation, Inc., Jesus Sanchez, Robert Auert, Patrick Lowe, and Anita Bjornaas. Jackson, previously at the Kyle Correctional Center, was disciplined and discharged from a drug treatment program operated by Gateway Foundation, Inc., for refusing to participate in activities. He filed a pro se petition alleging negligence and gross negligence against the defendants, claiming improper treatment and denial of legal counsel during a disciplinary hearing. The defendants filed a motion for summary judgment, arguing that Jackson's unanswered requests for admissions were deemed admitted, thereby negating essential elements of his claims. The appellate court affirmed the trial court's summary judgment, concluding Jackson waived issues by not addressing the traditional motion for summary judgment in his brief, and that the deemed admissions conclusively negated his claims.