Thompson v. Mannix

OPINION

THOMAS, Chief Justice.

Lawrence Thompson, a prison inmate, filed a pauper’s affidavit and a pro se petition alleging that James Mannix, Marie Faubin, R. Avants, Jane Doe, and James Collins, all employees of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, wrongfully confiscated and converted his personal property. Relying on section 13.001 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code, the court dismissed the suit before service of process on the ground that "the action’s realistic chance of ultimate success is slight.” See Tex.Civ.Prac. & Rem.Code Ann. § 13.-001(b)(1) (Vernon Supp.1991). Thompson…