deliberate indifference “constitutes the 25 unnecessary and wanton infliction of pain proscribed by the Eighth Amendment” (citation omitted)
How later courts described this case
- deliberate indifference “constitutes the 25 unnecessary and wanton infliction of pain proscribed by the Eighth Amendment” (citation omitted)
Written by the judges who cited it.
The opinion
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8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
9 EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
10
11 THOMAS EUGENE GRAY, ) Case No.: 1:20-cv-00196-JLT-SAB (PC)
)
12 Plaintiff, )
) ORDER GRANTING MOTION TO CONTINUE
13 v. ) AND REVISED PRETRIAL ORDER
)
14 KEN CLARK, et.al., ) (Doc. 51)
)
15 Defendants. ) Deadlines:
) Motions in Limine Filing: Nov. 14, 2022
16 ) Oppositions to Motions in Limine: Dec. 9, 2022
)
17 ) Jury Trial: Feb. 13, 2023, at 8:30 a.m., 2-3 days
)
18
19 Plaintiff is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis in this civil rights action
20 brought pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against Siefken, Jennings-Sedillo, and Hurtado. Plaintiff claims
21 that despite prior warnings, Siefken and Hurtado failed to protect him from being assaulted by other
22 inmates at Corcoran State Prison and that Jennings-Sedillo used excessive force when she shot him
23 with a 40mm round while he was already on the ground.
24 On April 8, 2022, the Court conducted a pretrial conference in this action. Plaintiff Thomas
25 Eugene Gray appeared pro se. Deputy Attorney General Justin Walker appeared as counsel for
26 Defendants Siefken, Hurtado, and Jennings-Sedillo. Having considered the parties’ pretrial
27 statements, the Court issued a tentative pretrial order on April 8, 2022, with an anticipated trial date of
28 September 26, 2022. (Doc. 51.)
1 On July 15, 2022, Defendants filed a motion to continue the trial date, justified in large part by
2 the unavailability of certain defendants for the September 26, 2022 trial date. (Doc. 57.) Plaintiff has
3 not opposed a continuance. (Id. at 3.) Based upon the reasons set forth in Defendants’ motion, the
4 Court finds good cause to continue the trial to February 23, 2022 and hereby GRANTS the motion to
5 continue. This revised tentative pretrial order reflects that modified trial date and other minor
6 adjustments to trial protocol.
7 I. JURISDICTION/VENUE
8 This Court has subject matter jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331 and 1343.
9 Jurisdiction is not contested. In addition, the events that gave rise to this action occurred in Corcoran,
10 California. Accordingly, venue is proper in the Eastern District of California, Fresno Division. See 28
11 U.S.C. § 1391(b). Venue is not contested.
12 II. JURY
13 Both parties demanded a trial by jury. (Doc. 1; Doc. 20.) The jury will consist of eight jurors.
14 III. UNDISPUTED FACTS
15 1. On April 22, 2018, Plaintiff was a prisoner housed at Corcoran State Prison.
16 2. On April 22, 2018, Defendants Siefken, Hurtado, and Jennings-Sedillo were
17 correctional officers employed by the California Department of Corrections and
18 Rehabilitation (CDCR) at Corcoran State Prison.
19 3. Around 10:00 p.m. on April 22, 2018, Plaintiff and another inmate were involved in a
20 physical altercation in the dayroom of Plaintiff’s housing unit.
21 4. Defendants Siefken and Hurtado worked as floor officers in Plaintiff’s housing unit.
22 5. During the incident, Defendant Jennings-Sedillo worked as control booth officer in
23 Plaintiff’s housing unit.
24 6. Defendant Jennings-Sedillo fired a 40 mm round that struck Plaintiff.
25 7. Following the altercation, the medical staff evaluated Plaintiff and documented his
26 injuries on a CDCR Form 7219.
27 8. On April 22, 2018, CDCR issued Plaintiff a Rules Violation Report (RVR), Log No.
28 4910152, for fighting.
1 9. On May 24, 2018, based upon a preponderance of the evidence, a Senior Hearing
2 Officer found Plaintiff guilty on RVR, Log No. 4910152, for fighting.
3 10. As a result of the RVR conviction, CDCR assessed Plaintiff a 90-day good-time credit
4 loss.
5 IV. DISPUTED FACTUAL ISSUES
6 1. Whether Plaintiff put Siefken or Hurtado on notice of any safety or security concerns
7 before the altercation occurred on April 22, 2018.
8 2. Whether Plaintiff was engaging in mutual combat with another inmate on April 22, 2018.
9 3. Whether Siefken or Hurtado failed to intervene to protect Plaintiff (i.e., were
10 deliberately indifferent to his personal safety) before or during the altercation on April
11 22, 2018.
12 4. Whether Jennings-Sedillo used excessive force by firing a 40 mm round on April 22,
13 2018.
14 5. Whether Jennings-Sedillo acted to restore order or maliciously or sadistically with
15 intent to injure Plaintiff.
16 6. Whether Plaintiff sustained any injuries during the altercation on April 22, 2018, that
17 were proximately caused by Defendants’ violation of Plaintiff’s Eighth Amendment
18 rights.
19 V. DISPUTED EVIDENTIARY ISSUES/MOTIONS IN LIMINE
20 The purpose of a motion in limine is to establish in advance of the trial that certain evidence
21 should not be offered at trial. “Although the Federal Rules of Evidence do not explicitly authorize in
22 limine rulings, the practice has developed pursuant to the district court’s inherent authority to manage
23 the course of trials.” Luce v. United States, 469 U.S. 38, 40 n. 2 (1984); Jonasson v. Lutheran Child
24 and Family Services, 115 F. 3d 436, 440 (7th Cir. 1997). The Court will grant a motion in limine, and
25 thereby bar use of the evidence in question, only if the moving party establishes that the evidence
26 clearly is not admissible for any valid purpose. Id. The Court does not encourage the filing of
27 motions in limine unless they address issues that can realistically be resolved by the Court prior to trial
28 and without reference to the other evidence that will be introduced by the parties at trial.
1 In advance of filing any motion in limine, the parties SHALL meet and confer to
2 determine whether they can resolve any disputes and avoid filing motions in limine. Along with
3 their motions in limine, the parties SHALL file a certification demonstrating they have in good
4 faith met and conferred and attempted to resolve the dispute. Failure to provide the
5 certification may result in the Court refusing to entertain the motion.
6 Any motions in limine the parties elect to file shall be filed no later than November 14, 2022.
7 Oppositions shall be filed no later than December 9, 2022 and any replies shall be filed no later than
8 December 23, 2022. Upon receipt of any opposition briefs, the Court will notify the parties if it will
9 hear argument on any motions in limine prior to the first day of trial.
10 VI. SPECIAL FACTUAL INFORMATION
11 Plaintiff alleges that Defendants Siefken and Hurtado intentionally failed to protect him from
12 being assaulted by other inmates and that Defendant Jennings-Sedillo intentionally used excessive
13 force against him by shooting him with a non-lethal 40 mm round in violation of the Eighth
14 Amendment.
15 Plaintiff was incarcerated at California State Prison-Corcoran at the time of the alleged events
16 in his Complaint. All of the medical treatment received by Plaintiff following the alleged incident was
17 paid for by the Defendants’ employer, the CDCR. As far as is known, Plaintiff makes no claim for
18 lost wages or earning capacity.
19 VII. RELIEF SOUGHT
20 Plaintiff seeks an undetermined amount in nominal, compensatory and punitive damages.
21 (Doc. 1 at ¶ 9.)
22 Defendants pray for judgment in their favor with Plaintiff taking nothing, as well as an award
23 of costs, and such other relief as the Court deems proper.
24 VIII. POINTS OF LAW
25 A. Liability under Section 1983
26 Under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, Plaintiff is required to prove that Defendants (1) acted under color of
27 state law and (2) deprived him of rights secured by the Eighth Amendment of the United States
28 Constitution. Long v. County of Los Angeles, 442 F.3d 1178, 1185 (9th Cir. 2006). Plaintiff must
1 demonstrate that Defendants personally participated in the deprivation of his rights. Jones v. Williams,
2 297 F.3d 930, 934 (9th Cir. 2002). There is no respondeat superior liability under Section 1983, and
3 the Defendants are only liable for their own misconduct. Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 129 S.Ct.
4 1937, 1948-49 (2009); see also Monell v. Dept. of Social Services, 436 U.S. 658, 691-92 (1978).
5 B. Failure to Protect
6 The Eighth Amendment prohibits the infliction of cruel and unusual punishment. U.S. Const.
7 amend VIII. This “imposes a duty on prison officials to protect inmates from violence at the hands of
8 other inmates.” Cortez v. Skol, 776 F.3d 1046, 1050 (9th Cir. 2015). However, “not … every injury
9 suffered by one prisoner at the hands of another … translate into constitutional liability for prison
10 officials responsible for the victim’s safety.” Farmer v. Brennan, 511 U.S. 825, 834 (1994). To
11 establish liability arising under the Eighth Amendment, a prisoner must show a prison official was
12 deliberately indifferent to a substantial risk of harm to his health or safety. Id. at 847. Deliberate
13 indifference requires a showing of both objective and subjective components. Clement v. Gomez, 298
14 F.3d 898, 904 (9th Cir. 2002).
15 The objective component requires a prisoner demonstrate “he was deprived of something
16 sufficiently serious.” Foster v. Runnells, 554 F.3d 807, 812 (9th Cir. 2009) (quoting Farmer, 511 U.S.
17 at 834). The risk must be “substantial,” but it is well settled “a prisoner need not wait until he is
18 actually assaulted before obtaining relief.” Helling v. McKinney, 509 U.S. 25, 33 (1993); see also
19 Farmer, 511 U.S. at 845. For a claim based on a failure to prevent harm, the inmate must show that
20 the conditions of confinement pose a “substantial risk of serious harm.” Farmer, 511 U.S. at 834
21 (citing Helling, 509 U.S. at 35).
22 The subjective component requires a showing that the prison official acted with the culpable
23 mental state, which is “deliberate indifference” to the inmate’s health or safety. Farmer, 511 U.S. at
24 837-38; Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97, 104 (1976) (deliberate indifference “constitutes the
25 unnecessary and wanton infliction of pain proscribed by the Eighth Amendment” (citation omitted)).
26 “[A] prison official cannot be found liable under the Eighth Amendment for denying an inmate
27 humane conditions of confinement unless the official knows of and disregards an excessive risk to
28 inmate health or safety; the official must both be aware of facts from which the inference could be
1 drawn that a substantial risk of serious harm exists, and he must also draw the inference.” Farmer, 511
2 U.S. at 837-38. “A fact-finder may infer subjective awareness from circumstantial evidence.” Wilk v.
3 Neven, 956 F.3d 1143, 1147 (9th Cir. 2020) (citations omitted).
4 C. Excessive Force in Violation of the Eighth Amendment
5 To establish a claim for the use of excessive force in violation of the Eighth Amendment, a
6 plaintiff must establish that prison officials applied force maliciously and sadistically to cause harm,
7 rather than in a good-faith effort to maintain or restore discipline. Hudson v. McMillian, 503 U.S. 1, 6-
8 7 (1992). In making this determination, the court may evaluate (1) the need for application of force,
9 (2) the relationship between that need and the amount of force used, (3) the threat reasonably
10 perceived by the responsible officials, and (4) any efforts made to temper the severity of a forceful
11 response. Id. at 7; see also id. at 9-10 (“The Eighth Amendment's prohibition of cruel and unusual
12 punishment necessarily excludes from constitutional recognition de minimis uses of physical force,
13 provided that the use of force is not of a sort repugnant to the conscience of mankind.” (internal
14 quotation marks and citations omitted)). “Prison administrators . . . should be accorded wide-ranging
15 deference in the adoption and execution of policies and practices that in their judgment are needed to
16 preserve internal order and discipline and to maintain institutional security.” Bell v. Wolfish, 441 U.S.
17 520, 547 (1979); Whitley v. Albers, 475 U.S. 312, 320-322 (1986).
18 “[W]henever prison officials stand accused of using excessive physical force in violation of the
19 Cruel and Unusual Punishments Clause, the core judicial inquiry is . . . whether force was applied in a
20 good-faith effort to maintain or restore discipline, or maliciously and sadistically to cause harm.” Id.
21 at 7. “In determining whether the use of force was wanton and unnecessary, it may also be proper to
22 evaluate the need for application of force, the relationship between that need and the amount of force
23 used, the threat reasonably perceived by the responsible officials, and any efforts made to temper the
24 severity of a forceful response.” Id. (internal quotation marks and citations omitted). “The absence of
25 serious injury is . . . relevant to the Eighth Amendment inquiry, but does not end it.” Id.
26 D. Qualified Immunity
27 Qualified immunity applies when an official’s conduct does not violate clearly established
28 statutory or constitutional rights of which a reasonable person would have known. White v. Pauly, 137
1 S. Ct. 548, 551 (2017). Officers are entitled to qualified immunity under Section 1983 unless (1) the
2 officers violate a federal a federal statutory or constitutional right, and (2) the unlawfulness of their
3 conduct was “clearly established at the time.” District of Columbia v. Wesby, 138 S. Ct. 577, 589
4 2018); White, 137 S. Ct. at 551.
5 “Clearly established” means that the statutory or constitutional question was “beyond debate,”
6 such that every reasonable official would understand that what he is doing is unlawful. See Wesby,
7 138 S. Ct. at 589; Vos v. City of Newport Beach, 892 F.3d 1024, 1035 (9th Cir. 2018). This is a
8 “demanding standard” that protects “all but the plainly incompetent or those who knowingly violate
9 the law.” Wesby, 138 S. Ct. at 589 (citing Malley v. Briggs, 475 U.S. 335, 341 (1986)). Thus, to be
10 “clearly established,” a rule must be dictated by controlling authority or by a robust consensus of cases
11 of persuasive authority. Wesby, 138 S. Ct. at 589.
12 E. Punitive Damages
13 Plaintiff has the burden of proving what, if any, punitive damages should be awarded by a
14 preponderance of the evidence. NINTH CIRCUIT MODEL CIVIL JURY INSTRUCTIONS § 5.5 (2018). The
15 jury must find that Defendants’ conduct was “motivated by evil motive or intent, or . . . involves
16 reckless or callous indifference to the federally protected rights of others.” Smith v. Wade, 461 U.S.
17 30, 56 (1986); Larez v. Holcomb, 16 F.3d 1513, 1518 (9th Cir. 1994).
18 F. Impeachment by Evidence of Prior Felony Convictions
19 Federal Rule of Evidence 609(a)(1)(A) provides that evidence of a conviction for a crime
20 punishable for more than one year is admissible, subject to Rule 403, in a civil case to attack a
21 witness’s character for truthfulness. Fed. R. Evid. 609(a)(1)(A). Additionally, any incarcerated
22 witness who testifies is also subject to impeachment under Rule 609. Evidence of a conviction under
23 this rule is not admissible if a period of more than ten years has elapsed since the date of the
24 conviction or release from confinement from it, which is later. Fed. R. Evid. 609(b).
25 ANY CAUSES OF ACTION OR AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES NOT EXPLICITLY LISTED
26 IN THE PRETRIAL ORDER UNDER POINTS OF LAW AT THE TIME IT BECOMES FINAL
27 ARE DISMISSED AND DEEMED WAIVED.
28
1 IX. ABANDONED ISSUES
2 None.
3 X. WITNESSES
4 1. The following is a list of witnesses that the parties expect to call at trial, including
5 rebuttal and impeachment witnesses. NO WITNESS, OTHER THAN THOSE LISTED IN THIS
6 SECTION, MAY BE CALLED AT TRIAL UNLESS THE PARTIES STIPULATE OR UPON A
7 SHOWING THAT THIS ORDER SHOULD BE MODIFIED TO PREVENT “MANIFEST
8 INJUSTICE.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 16(e); Local Rule 281(b)(10).
9 Plaintiff
10 1. Thomas Eugene Gray
11 Defendants
12 1. Defendant Siefken
13 2. Defendant Hurtado
14 3. Defendant Jennings-Sedillo
15 4. B. Taylor
16 5. C. Molina
17 6. Lt. Hurlbut
18 7. A. Duran
19 8. R. Covarrubias
20 9. D. Kaundart
21 10. S. Brown
22 11. S. Surrao
23 12. Dr. K Aye (CDCR Physician and Surgeon)
24 13. Dr. J Ziomek
25 14. RN N. Balaba-Gallagher (medical)
26 15. NP P. Rouch (medical)
27 16. Custodian(s) of Plaintiff’s central file
28 17. Custodian(s) of Plaintiff’s medical records
1 18. Defendant Jennings (expert – use of force)
2 19. Sgt. S. Brown (expert – use of force)
3 20. PT R. Covarrubias (expert – medical)
4 21. RN S. Surrao (expert – medical)
5 22. Dr. K Aye (expert – medical)
6 23. Dr. J. Ziomek (expert – medical)
7 24. LVN D. Kaundart (expert – medical)
8 25. RN N. Balaba-Gallagher (expert – medical)
9 26. NP P. Rouch (expert – medical)
10 2. The court does not allow undisclosed witnesses to be called for any purpose,
11 including impeachment or rebuttal, unless they meet the following criteria:
12 a. The party offering the witness demonstrates that the witness is for the purpose
13 of rebutting evidence that could not be reasonably anticipated at the pretrial
14 conference, or
15 b. The witness was discovered after the pretrial conference and the proffering
16 party makes the showing required in paragraph B, below.
17 3. Upon the post pretrial discovery of any witness a party wishes to present at trial, the
18 party shall promptly inform the court and opposing parties of the existence of the unlisted witnesses so
19 the court may consider whether the witnesses shall be permitted to testify at trial. The witnesses will
20 not be permitted unless:
21 a. The witness could not reasonably have been discovered prior to the discovery
22 cutoff;
23 b. The court and opposing parties were promptly notified upon discovery of the
24 witness;
25 c. If time permitted, the party proffered the witness for deposition; and
26 d. If time did not permit, a reasonable summary of the witness’s testimony was
27 provided to opposing parties.
28 4. Each party may call any witnesses designated by the other.
1 XI. EXHIBITS, SCHEDULES, AND SUMMARIES
2 The following is a list of documents or other exhibits that the parties expect to offer at trial.
3 NO EXHIBIT, OTHER THAN THOSE LISTED BELOW, MAY BE ADMITTED UNLESS THE
4 PARTIES STIPULATE OR UPON A SHOWING THAT THIS ORDER SHOULD BE MODIFIED
5 TO PREVENT “MANIFEST INJUSTICE.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 16(e); Local Rule 281(b)(11).
6 1. The Court does not allow the use of undisclosed exhibits for any purpose,
7 including impeachment or rebuttal, unless they meet the following criteria:
8 a. The party proffering the exhibit demonstrates that the exhibit is for the purpose
9 of rebutting evidence that could not have been reasonably anticipated, or
10 b. The exhibit was discovered after the issuance of this order and the proffering
11 party makes the showing required in paragraph 2, below.
12 2. Upon the discovery of exhibits after the discovery cutoff, a party shall promptly inform
13 the court and opposing parties of the existence of such exhibits so that the court may consider their
14 admissibility at trial. The exhibits will not be received unless the proffering party demonstrates:
15 a. The exhibits could not reasonably have been discovered earlier;
16 b. The court and the opposing parties were promptly informed of their existence;
17 and
18 c. The proffering party forwarded a copy of the exhibits (if physically possible) to
19 the opposing party. If the exhibits may not be copied the proffering party must
20 show that it has made the exhibits reasonably available for inspection by the
21 opposing parties.
22 Plaintiff
23 1. None
24 Defendants
25 1. Staff report Defendant Siefken for the incident on April 22, 2018 (Log No.
26 COR-03A-18-04-0416A1.)
27 2. Staff report Defendant Hurtado for the incident on April 22, 2018 (Log No.
28 COR-03A-18-04-0416A1.)
1 3. Staff report Defendant Jennings-Sedillo for the incident on April 22, 2018 (Log
2 No. COR-03A-18-04-0416A1.)
3 4. Staff report B. Taylor for the incident on April 22, 2018 (Log No. COR-03A-
4 18-04-0416A1.)
5 5. Staff report C. Molina for the incident on April 22, 2018 (Log No. COR-03A-
6 18-04-0416A1.)
7 6. Staff report for Sgt. S. Brown for the incident on April 22, 2018 (Log No. COR-
8 03A-18-04-0416A1)
9 7. Staff report for PT R. Covarrubias for the incident on April 22, 2018 (Log No.
10 COR-03A-18-04-0416A1)
11 8. Staff report for LVN D. Kaundart for the incident on April 22, 2018 (Log No.
12 COR-03A-18-04-0416A1)
13 9. Abstract of Judgment representing Plaintiff’s felony conviction(s) and
14 sentence(s).
15 10. Abstract(s) of Judgment representing felony conviction(s) and sentence(s) of
16 Plaintiff’s inmate witnesses.
17 11. CDCR 7219 Medical Report of Injury or Unusual Occurrence for Plaintiff,
18 dated April 22, 2018.
19 12. Relevant portions of Plaintiff’s medical records, including, but not limited to,
20 the following:
21 a. RN Surrao’s April 22, 2018, Progress Notes
22 b. R. Covarrubias’ April 22, 2018, Assessment Forms
23 c. Dr. Ziomek’s April 23, 2018, Progress Notes
24 d. RN Surrao’s April 23, 2018, Assessment Forms
25 e. RN Balaba-Gallagher’s April 23, 2018, Clinic Notes
26 f. RN Balaba-Gallagher’s April 23, 2018, Assessment Forms
27 g. NP Rouch’s April 26, 2018, Progress Notes
28 13. Relevant portions of Plaintiff’s ERMS and SOMS files.
1 14. Rules Violation Report, Log No. 4910152.
2 15. Use of Force Video Interview of Plaintiff, dated June 21, 2018.
3 16. For demonstrative purposes, photographs and/or diagrams of Corcoran State
4 Prison
5 The parties must exchange exhibits, not previously produced/obtained in discovery, no later
6 than November 14, 2022. No later than November 28, 2022, the parties SHALL meet and confer to
7 discuss any disputes related to the above listed exhibits and to pre-mark and examine each other’s
8 exhibits to the extent that has not already taken place. Any exhibits not previously disclosed in
9 discovery SHALL be proved promptly so that it is received by the above exhibit exchange deadline.
10 1. At the exhibit conference, the parties will determine whether there are objections to the
11 admission of each of the exhibits and shall cooperate in the preparation of separate indexes; one listing
12 joint exhibits, one listing Plaintiff’s exhibits and one listing Defendants’ exhibits. In advance of the
13 conference, the parties must have a complete set of their proposed exhibits in order to be able to fully
14 discuss whether evidentiary objections exist. Thus, any exhibit not previously provided in discovery
15 SHALL be provided at least five court days in advance of the exhibit conference.
16 2. At the conference, the parties shall identify any duplicate exhibits, i.e., any document
17 which both sides desire to introduce into evidence. These exhibits SHALL be marked as a joint
18 exhibit and numbered as directed above. Joint exhibits SHALL be admitted into without further
19 foundation.
20 All joint exhibits will be pre-marked with numbers preceded by the designation “JT” (e.g.
21 JT/1, JT/2, etc.). Plaintiff’s exhibits will be pre-marked with numbers beginning with 1 by the
22 designation PX (e.g. PX1, PX2, etc.). Defendants’ exhibits will be pre-marked with numbers
23 beginning with 501 preceded by the designation DX (e.g. DX501, DX502, etc.). The parties SHALL
24 number each page of any exhibit exceeding one page in length (e.g. PX1-1, PX1-2, PX1-3, etc.).
25 If originals of exhibits are unavailable, the parties may substitute legible copies. If any
26 document is offered that is not fully legible, the Court may exclude it from evidence.
27 Each joint exhibit binder shall contain an index which is placed in the binder before the exhibits.
28 The index shall consist of a column for the exhibit number, one for a description of the exhibit and one
1 column entitled “Admitted in Evidence” (as shown in the example below).
2 INDEX OF JOINT EXHIBITS
3 EXHIBIT# DESCRIPTION ADMITTED
IN EVIDENCE
4
5
6 3. As to any exhibit which is not a joint exhibit but to which there is no objection to its
7 introduction, the exhibit will likewise be appropriately marked, i.e., as PX1, or as DX501 and will be
8 indexed as such on the index of the offering party. Such exhibits will be admitted upon introduction
9 and motion of the party, without further foundation.
10 4. Each exhibit binder shall contain an index which is placed in the binder before the
11 exhibits. Each index shall consist of the exhibit number, the description of the exhibit and the three
12 columns as shown in the example below.
13 INDEX OF EXHIBITS
14 EXHIBIT# DESCRIPTION ADMITTED OBJECTION OBJECTION
IN FOUNDATION OTHER
15 EVIDENCE
16
17
18 5. On the index, as to exhibits to which the only objection is a lack of foundation, the
19 parties will place a mark under the column heading entitled “Objection Foundation.”
20 6. On the index, as to exhibits to which there are objections to admissibility that are not
21 based solely on a lack of foundation, the parties will place a mark under the column heading entitled
22 “Other Objections.”
23 7. As to each exhibit which is not objected to in the index, it shall be marked and
24 received into evidence and will require no further foundation.
25 After the exhibit conference, the parties Defendants SHALL develop four complete, legible sets
26 of exhibits. The parties SHALL deliver three sets of their exhibit binders to the Courtroom Clerk and
27 provide one set to their opponent, no later than 4:00 p.m. February 6, 2023. The parties SHALL
28 determine which of them will also provide three sets of the joint exhibits to the Courtroom Clerk.
1 8. The Parties SHALL number each page of any exhibit exceeding one page in length.
2 XII. POST-TRIAL EXHIBIT RETENTION
3 Pursuant to the Court’s policy, the Court will return all exhibits to their proffers to be retained
4 during the pendency of any appeals. Accordingly, Defendants’ request that the court retain all exhibits
5 pending any decision on appeal (Doc. 49 at 13) is DENIED.
6 XIII. DISCOVERY DOCUMENTS
7 The parties must lodge the sealed original copy of any deposition transcript to be used at trial
8 with the Clerk of Court no later than January 30, 2023.
9 Defendants reserve the right to introduce Plaintiff’s deposition transcript, or portions thereof.
10 XIV. FURTHER DISCOVERY OR MOTIONS
11 The time for discovery has expired and Defendants do not contemplate any further discovery.
12 Excluding motions in limine, Defendants do not anticipate making any other pre-trial motions.
13 XV. STIPULATIONS
14 None.
15 XVI. AMENDMENTS/DISMISSAL
16 None.
17 XVII. SETTLEMENT
18 The parties participated in a settlement conference on October 1, 2020, before Magistrate
19 Judge Barbara A. McAuliffe but were unable to reach a settlement.
20 Defendants believe that a pre-trial settlement conference may be beneficial. If the parties
21 jointly agree that a settlement conference may be productive, within 21 days, counsel for the
22 defendants SHALL contact the chambers of Judge Boone, to have a settlement conference set as soon
23 as possible.
24 XVIII. JOINT STATEMENT OF THE CASE
25 The Court has drafted the following neutral statement of the case to be read to the prospective
26 jurors:
27 Plaintiff claims that, despite prior warnings, Defendants Siefken and
Hurtado failed to protect him from being assaulted by other inmates at
28 Corcoran State Prison and that Defendant Jennings-Sedillo used excessive
1 ground. Defendants deny all of Plaintiff’s allegations.
2
The parties are directed to raise any objection to this neutral statement of the case in any
3
objections they file to this tentative Pretrial Order.
4
XIX. SEPARATE TRIAL OF ISSUES
5
There will be no separate trial of issues in this action. However, the Court will bifurcate the
6
trial with respect to the amount of punitive damages, if necessary. Should a jury find punitive liability
7
in the first phase of the trial, the trial will proceed to a second phase which will consist of any
8
evidence and argument with respect to the appropriate amount, if any, of punitive damages. The
9
parties may not present evidence regarding the amount of punitive damages until the second phase of
10
the trial.
11
XX. IMPARTIAL EXPERTS/LIMITATION OF EXPERTS
12
None.
13
XXI. ATTORNEYS’ FEES
14
Plaintiff, who is proceeding pro se, is not entitled to attorney’s fees. Kay v. Ehrler, 499 U.S.
15
432, 435 (1991).
16
Defendants did not indicate that they seek attorneys’ fees. (Doc. 47 at 13.)
17
XXII. TRIAL PROTECTIVE ORDER
18
If Defendants are required to disclose information concerning his financial status, they will
19
request that the Court issue a protective order concerning this information, under Local Rule
20
141.1(b)(2).
21
XXIII. ESTIMATED TIME OF TRIAL/TRIAL DATE
22
Jury trial is set for February 13, 2023, at 8:30 a.m. before the Honorable Jennifer L. Thurston
23
at Robert E. Coyle United States Courthouse, 2500 Tulare Street, Fresno, California.
24
Defendants anticipate the trial to last 2-3 days.
25
The Court directs the parties to Judge Thurston’s standing order for the undersigned available
26
on the Eastern District of California’s website. This standing order may change before trial, and the
27
parties should review the website prior to trial.
28
1 INSTRUCTIONS
2 A. Trial Briefs
3 The parties are relieved of their obligation under Local Rule 285 to file trial briefs. If any
4 party wishes to file a trial brief, they much do so in accordance with Local Rule 285 and be filed no
5 later than February 6, 2023.
6 B. Jury Voir Dire
7 The parties are required to file their proposed voir dire questions, in accordance with Local
8 Rule 162.1, no later than January 30, 2023.
9 C. Jury Instructions and Verdict Form
10 Defendants SHALL file proposed jury instructions as provided in Local Rule 163 no later than
11 January 9, 2023.1 At the same time, the Defendants SHALL lodge via e-mail a copy of the proposed
12 jury instructions and verdict form, in Word format, to JLTOrders@caed.uscourts.gov. If Plaintiff
13 wishes to file proposed jury instructions or object to those proposed by Defendants, he must do so no
14 later than January 23, 2023.
15 In selecting proposed instructions, the parties shall use Ninth Circuit Model Civil Jury
16 Instructions or California’s CACI instructions to the extent possible. All jury instructions and verdict
17 forms shall indicate the party submitting the instruction or verdict form (i.e., joint, plaintiff’s,
18 defendant’s, etc.), the number of the proposed instruction in sequence, a brief title for the instruction
19 describing the subject matter, the complete text of the instruction, and the legal authority supporting
20 the instruction. Each instruction SHALL be numbered.
21 XXV. OBJECTIONS TO PRETRIAL ORDER
22 Within 14 days after the date of service of this order, the parties may file written objections to
23 any of the provisions set forth in this order. The parties may file replies to the objections within seven
24 days. The objections shall clearly specify the requested modifications, corrections, additions or
25 deletions. If no objections are filed, the order will become final without further order of this Court.
26 The parties are reminded that pursuant to Rule 16(e) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
27 and Local Rule 283 of this court, this order shall control the subsequent course of this action and shall
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1 || be modified only to prevent manifest injustice.
2 || XXVI. MISCELLANEOUS
3 As the parties are aware, the courthouses of the Eastern District of California were closed to
4 || the general public for over a year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Though the pandemic is
5 || currently receding, no one knows whether it will remain in this posture, and due to increasing □□□□□□
6 || of cases caused by the BA.2 variant, it appears unlikely it will. Consequently, though public health
7 || precautions are constantly evolving, unless otherwise ordered by the Court, everyone in the courtroor
8 || SHALL be fully vaccinated and wear a N95 or equivalent mask, which covers the nose and mouth.
9 || The Court will provide witnesses a face shield to use while testifying.
10 || XXVII. COMPLIANCE
11 Strict compliance with this order and its requirements is mandatory. All parties and their
12 || counsel are subject to sanctions, including dismissal or entry of default, for failure to fully comply
13 || with this order and its requirements.
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15 |/IT IS SO ORDERED.
16 || Dated: _ August 9, 2022 Charis [Tourn
17 TED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
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