No Pseudonymity in Lawsuit by Inmate Who Claims Detectives Endangered Him by …
The Seventh Circuit ruled against pseudonymity in a lawsuit filed by inmate David Watts, who claimed that detectives endangered him by revealing his cooperation with law enforcement. The court emphasized that adult litigants should use their real names, especially in cases involving public officials. Watts's claims of fear did not warrant anonymity, as he had not suffered actual harm from other inmates.
- ▪David Watts filed a lawsuit claiming detectives endangered him by exposing his cooperation with law enforcement.
- ▪The Seventh Circuit ruled that anonymity for litigants is inappropriate, emphasizing the need for adult litigants to use their real names.
- ▪Watts's fear of harm from other inmates was deemed insufficient to justify pseudonymity, as he had not experienced actual harm.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Free Speech No Pseudonymity in Lawsuit by Inmate Who Claims Detectives Endangered Him by … actions signaling that he might have sent law enforcement information about another inmate. Eugene Volokh | 6.1.2026 9:03 AM From Friday's decision in Watts v. Jones, by Seventh Circuit Judge Frank Easterbrook, joined by Chief Judge Michael Brennan and Judge Diane Sykes: Two detectives investigating an inmate at the Wisconsin Secure Program Facility tried to speak with David Watts, another inmate, who had sent letters suggesting that he had valuable information about a murder and an attempted murder. One detective appeared at Watts's cell. He feared that the inmate under investigation would get wind of anything he said, so he refused to talk.
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