Federal Court Remands Silica Plaintiff’s Garnishment Action Against Mississippi Valley

HATTIESBURG, Miss. — A federal judge has declined to exercise jurisdiction in a garnishment action filed by a prevailing silica plaintiff against Mississippi Valley Silica Company Inc., saying the removal was untimely.

Judge Keith Starrett of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi declined to award sanctions and costs sought by Gwendolyn Reeves, however. The judge said in his June 19 order that he would not penalize the defendant for refusing to agree to remand pursuant to a stipulation in a prior bankruptcy proceeding when that stipulation would not be binding on the court.

The Jones County …