Reported / Citable
Background
Krista Timika Walker brought this action against the State of Texas and other defendants in the Eastern District of Texas. The matter had been referred to a United States magistrate judge under 28 U.S.C. § 636.
On September 3, 2026, the magistrate judge issued proposed findings and a recommendation that Walker’s claims be dismissed. Walker filed objections to that report.
The Court’s Holding
District Judge Sean D. Jordan conducted de novo review of Walker’s objections and the portions of the report to which she specifically objected. The court found the magistrate judge’s findings and conclusions correct and concluded that Walker’s objections lacked merit as to the magistrate judge’s ultimate findings.
The court adopted the report and recommendation. It dismissed with prejudice Walker’s claims against the State of Texas, Andrea Thompson, and Greg Willis, and dismissed her remaining claims without prejudice.
Key Takeaways
- The district court adopted the magistrate judge’s report after de novo review of the objections.
- Claims against the State of Texas, Andrea Thompson, and Greg Willis were dismissed with prejudice.
- The remaining claims were dismissed without prejudice, with leave to amend within 14 days; absent amendment, the case will be dismissed with prejudice.
Why It Matters
The order illustrates that specific objections to a magistrate judge’s recommendation receive de novo review, but do not prevent adoption where the district court finds the objections meritless.
Walker retained a limited opportunity to amend the claims dismissed without prejudice, subject to the court’s 14-day deadline.