(PC) Gray v. Clark

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8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

9 EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

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11 THOMAS EUGENE GRAY, ) Case No.: 1:20-cv-00196-JLT-SAB (PC)

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12 Plaintiff, )

) ORDER GRANTING IN PART AND DENYING IN

13 v. ) PART PLAINTIFF’S REQUEST TO AMEND

) AMENDED PRETRIAL ORDER

14 KEN CLARK, et.al., )

) (Doc. 90)

15 Defendants. )

) Deadlines:

16 ) Motions in Limine Filing: Nov. 14, 2022

) Oppositions to Motions in Limine: Dec. 9, 2022

17 )

) Jury Trial: Feb. 13, 2023, at 8:30 a.m., 2-3 days

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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.) On July 15, 2022, Defendants filed a motion to continue the trial

1 date, justified in large part by the unavailability of certain defendants for the September 26, 2022 trial

2 date. (Doc. 57.) Plaintiff did not oppose a continuance. (Id. at 3.) Based upon the reasons set forth in

3 Defendants’ motion, the Court granted the motion to continue, reset the trial to February 23, 2022, and

4 issued a revised pretrial order on August 10, 2022. (Doc. 61). On October 24, 2022, the Court issued

5 an amended pretrial order (Doc. 88), granting the parties’ request to remove the vaccination

6 requirement during trial. On November 2, 2022, Plaintiff filed objections to the Court’s amended

7 pretrial order. (Doc. 90.) The Court GRANTS in part and DENIES in part Plaintiff’s requests.

8 First, Plaintiff objects to his exhibit list because it does not include the exhibits in his “Request

9 to Submit Discovery Packet.” (Doc. 90 at 2.) On August 12, 2022, Plaintiff filed a “Request to

10 Submit Discovery Packet” requesting that he be able to present certain documents at trial, “for

11 example: CDCR 115 Rule Violation Report, Medical Report & Ad-Seg Placement Report.” (Doc. 62

12 at 1.) The Court construed Plaintiff’s request as permission to late file the list of exhibits (Local Rule

13 281(11)) and discovery documents (Local Rule 281(12)) that he intends to offer at trial. (Doc. 64 at

14 1.) On August 23, 2022, Defendants filed a response stating they did not oppose the request to late file

15 the documents but reserved their right to file motions in limine to exclude the exhibits or to

16 supplement their exhibit list as needed. (Doc. 65.) On September 2, 2022, Plaintiff submitted a full

17 list of the documents he intends to introduce at trial. (Doc. 70.) Defendants did not file an objection

18 to this list. The Court construes Defendants’ response as non-opposition to those exhibits being added

19 to the Plaintiff’s exhibit list. Therefore, the Court GRANTS Plaintiff’s request to amend his exhibit

20 list. The Court has revised Plaintiff’s exhibit list accordingly. To the extent not already addressed in

21 their recently filed motions in limine, Defendants may file an additional motion in limine regarding the

22 newly added exhibits by December 29, 2022. Plaintiff may file an opposition to such motion by

23 January 12, 2023. Any reply is due by January 23, 2023.1

24 Second, Plaintiff objects to the amended pretrial order because his witness list does not include

25 his “request for the attendance of witnesses.” (Doc. 90 at 2.) Plaintiff does not identify which

26 witnesses he believes should be included on the list. To the extent that Plaintiff is referring to his two

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28 1 For the sake of clarity, the Court’s current order allowing Plaintiff to amend his exhibit list does not guarantee that he will

1 previous motions for the request of attendance of witnesses (Doc. 68; Doc. 69), the Court already

2 denied those motions. (Doc. 79.) The Court found Plaintiff’s request to call additional witnesses at

3 trial untimely given the deadline to identify witnesses had passed and because Plaintiff failed to

4 present sufficient justification for his untimeliness. (Id. at 2.) Plaintiff’s current request again lacks

5 any explanation for his delay or justification to warrant amending the pretrial order to include the

6 additional witnesses. Accordingly, Plaintiff’s request to amend his witness list is DENIED.2

7 Finally, Plaintiff requests that the Court confirm that it received his jury instructions filed in

8 September 2022. (Doc. 90 at 2.) The Court has received Plaintiff’s proposed jury instructions (Doc.

9 77) and proposed voir dire (Docs. 76, 93). The Court will review and issue a proposed set of jury

10 instructions for the parties to consider during trial. At that time, the Court will address any concerns

11 or objections to the proposed set of instructions.

12 I. JURISDICTION/VENUE

13 This Court has subject matter jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331 and 1343.

14 Jurisdiction is not contested. In addition, the events that gave rise to this action occurred in Corcoran,

15 California. Accordingly, venue is proper in the Eastern District of California, Fresno Division. See 28

16 U.S.C. § 1391(b). Venue is not contested.

17 II. JURY

18 Both parties demanded a trial by jury. (Doc. 1; Doc. 20.) The jury will consist of eight jurors.

19 III. UNDISPUTED FACTS

20 1. On April 22, 2018, Plaintiff was a prisoner housed at Corcoran State Prison.

21 2. On April 22, 2018, Defendants Siefken, Hurtado, and Jennings-Sedillo were

22 correctional officers employed by the California Department of Corrections and

23 Rehabilitation (CDCR) at Corcoran State Prison.

24 3. Around 10:00 p.m. on April 22, 2018, Plaintiff and another inmate were involved in a

25 physical altercation in the dayroom of Plaintiff’s housing unit.

26 4. Defendants Siefken and Hurtado worked as floor officers in Plaintiff’s housing unit.

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1 5. During the incident, Defendant Jennings-Sedillo worked as control booth officer in

2 Plaintiff’s housing unit.

3 6. Defendant Jennings-Sedillo fired a 40 mm round that struck Plaintiff.

4 7. Following the altercation, the medical staff evaluated Plaintiff and documented his

5 injuries on a CDCR Form 7219.

6 8. On April 22, 2018, CDCR issued Plaintiff a Rules Violation Report (RVR), Log No.

7 4910152, for fighting.

8 9. On May 24, 2018, based upon a preponderance of the evidence, a Senior Hearing

9 Officer found Plaintiff guilty on RVR, Log No. 4910152, for fighting.

10 10. As a result of the RVR conviction, CDCR assessed Plaintiff a 90-day good-time credit

11 loss.

12 IV. DISPUTED FACTUAL ISSUES

13 1. Whether Plaintiff put Siefken or Hurtado on notice of any safety or security concerns

14 before the altercation occurred on April 22, 2018.

15 2. Whether Plaintiff was engaging in mutual combat with another inmate on April 22, 2018.

16 3. Whether Siefken or Hurtado failed to intervene to protect Plaintiff (i.e., were

17 deliberately indifferent to his personal safety) before or during the altercation on April

18 22, 2018.

19 4. Whether Jennings-Sedillo used excessive force by firing a 40 mm round on April 22,

20 2018.

21 5. Whether Jennings-Sedillo acted to restore order or maliciously or sadistically with

22 intent to injure Plaintiff.

23 6. Whether Plaintiff sustained any injuries during the altercation on April 22, 2018, that

24 were proximately caused by Defendants’ violation of Plaintiff’s Eighth Amendment

25 rights.

26 V. DISPUTED EVIDENTIARY ISSUES/MOTIONS IN LIMINE

27 The purpose of a motion in limine is to establish in advance of the trial that certain evidence

28 should not be offered at trial. “Although the Federal Rules of Evidence do not explicitly authorize in

1 limine rulings, the practice has developed pursuant to the district court’s inherent authority to manage

2 the course of trials.” Luce v. United States, 469 U.S. 38, 40 n. 2 (1984); Jonasson v. Lutheran Child

3 and Family Services, 115 F. 3d 436, 440 (7th Cir. 1997). The Court will grant a motion in limine, and

4 thereby bar use of the evidence in question, only if the moving party establishes that the evidence

5 clearly is not admissible for any valid purpose. Id. The Court does not encourage the filing of

6 motions in limine unless they address issues that can realistically be resolved by the Court prior to trial

7 and without reference to the other evidence that will be introduced by the parties at trial.

8 In advance of filing any motion in limine, the parties SHALL meet and confer to

9 determine whether they can resolve any disputes and avoid filing motions in limine. Along with

10 their motions in limine, the parties SHALL file a certification demonstrating they have in good

11 faith met and conferred and attempted to resolve the dispute. Failure to provide the

12 certification may result in the Court refusing to entertain the motion.

13 Any motions in limine the parties elect to file shall be filed no later than November 14, 2022.

14 Oppositions shall be filed no later than December 9, 2022 and any replies shall be filed no later than

15 December 23, 2022. Upon receipt of any opposition briefs, the Court will notify the parties if it will

16 hear argument on any motions in limine prior to the first day of trial.

17 VI. SPECIAL FACTUAL INFORMATION

18 Plaintiff alleges that Defendants Siefken and Hurtado intentionally failed to protect him from

19 being assaulted by other inmates and that Defendant Jennings-Sedillo intentionally used excessive

20 force against him by shooting him with a non-lethal 40 mm round in violation of the Eighth

21 Amendment.

22 Plaintiff was incarcerated at California State Prison-Corcoran at the time of the alleged events

23 in his Complaint. All of the medical treatment received by Plaintiff following the alleged incident was

24 paid for by the Defendants’ employer, the CDCR. As far as is known, Plaintiff makes no claim for

25 lost wages or earning capacity.

26 VII. RELIEF SOUGHT

27 Plaintiff seeks an undetermined amount in nominal, compensatory and punitive damages.

28 (Doc. 1 at ¶ 9.)

1 Defendants pray for judgment in their favor with Plaintiff taking nothing, as well as an award

2 of costs, and such other relief as the Court deems proper.

3 VIII. POINTS OF LAW

4 A. Liability under Section 1983

5 Under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, Plaintiff is required to prove that Defendants (1) acted under color of

6 state law and (2) deprived him of rights secured by the Eighth Amendment of the United States

7 Constitution. Long v. County of Los Angeles, 442 F.3d 1178, 1185 (9th Cir. 2006). Plaintiff must

8 demonstrate that Defendants personally participated in the deprivation of his rights. Jones v. Williams,

9 297 F.3d 930, 934 (9th Cir. 2002). There is no respondeat superior liability under Section 1983, and

10 the Defendants are only liable for their own misconduct. Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 129 S.Ct.

11 1937, 1948-49 (2009); see also Monell v. Dept. of Social Services, 436 U.S. 658, 691-92 (1978).

12 B. Failure to Protect

13 The Eighth Amendment prohibits the infliction of cruel and unusual punishment. U.S. Const.

14 amend VIII. This “imposes a duty on prison officials to protect inmates from violence at the hands of

15 other inmates.” Cortez v. Skol, 776 F.3d 1046, 1050 (9th Cir. 2015). However, “not … every injury

16 suffered by one prisoner at the hands of another … translate into constitutional liability for prison

17 officials responsible for the victim’s safety.” Farmer v. Brennan, 511 U.S. 825, 834 (1994). To

18 establish liability arising under the Eighth Amendment, a prisoner must show a prison official was

19 deliberately indifferent to a substantial risk of harm to his health or safety. Id. at 847. Deliberate

20 indifference requires a showing of both objective and subjective components. Clement v. Gomez, 298

21 F.3d 898, 904 (9th Cir. 2002).

22 The objective component requires a prisoner demonstrate “he was deprived of something

23 sufficiently serious.” Foster v. Runnells, 554 F.3d 807, 812 (9th Cir. 2009) (quoting Farmer, 511 U.S.

24 at 834). The risk must be “substantial,” but it is well settled “a prisoner need not wait until he is

25 actually assaulted before obtaining relief.” Helling v. McKinney, 509 U.S. 25, 33 (1993); see also

26 Farmer, 511 U.S. at 845. For a claim based on a failure to prevent harm, the inmate must show that

27 the conditions of confinement pose a “substantial risk of serious harm.” Farmer, 511 U.S. at 834

28 (citing Helling, 509 U.S. at 35).

1 The subjective component requires a showing that the prison official acted with the culpable

2 mental state, which is “deliberate indifference” to the inmate’s health or safety. Farmer, 511 U.S. at

3 837-38; Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97, 104 (1976) (deliberate indifference “constitutes the

4 unnecessary and wanton infliction of pain proscribed by the Eighth Amendment” (citation omitted)).

5 “[A] prison official cannot be found liable under the Eighth Amendment for denying an inmate

6 humane conditions of confinement unless the official knows of and disregards an excessive risk to

7 inmate health or safety; the official must both be aware of facts from which the inference could be

8 drawn that a substantial risk of serious harm exists, and he must also draw the inference.” Farmer, 511

9 U.S. at 837-38. “A fact-finder may infer subjective awareness from circumstantial evidence.” Wilk v.

10 Neven, 956 F.3d 1143, 1147 (9th Cir. 2020) (citations omitted).

11 C. Excessive Force in Violation of the Eighth Amendment

12 To establish a claim for the use of excessive force in violation of the Eighth Amendment, a

13 plaintiff must establish that prison officials applied force maliciously and sadistically to cause harm,

14 rather than in a good-faith effort to maintain or restore discipline. Hudson v. McMillian, 503 U.S. 1, 6-

15 7 (1992). In making this determination, the court may evaluate (1) the need for application of force,

16 (2) the relationship between that need and the amount of force used, (3) the threat reasonably

17 perceived by the responsible officials, and (4) any efforts made to temper the severity of a forceful

18 response. Id. at 7; see also id. at 9-10 (“The Eighth Amendment's prohibition of cruel and unusual

19 punishment necessarily excludes from constitutional recognition de minimis uses of physical force,

20 provided that the use of force is not of a sort repugnant to the conscience of mankind.” (internal

21 quotation marks and citations omitted)). “Prison administrators . . . should be accorded wide-ranging

22 deference in the adoption and execution of policies and practices that in their judgment are needed to

23 preserve internal order and discipline and to maintain institutional security.” Bell v. Wolfish, 441 U.S.

24 520, 547 (1979); Whitley v. Albers, 475 U.S. 312, 320-322 (1986).

25 “[W]henever prison officials stand accused of using excessive physical force in violation of the

26 Cruel and Unusual Punishments Clause, the core judicial inquiry is . . . whether force was applied in a

27 good-faith effort to maintain or restore discipline, or maliciously and sadistically to cause harm.” Id.

28 at 7. “In determining whether the use of force was wanton and unnecessary, it may also be proper to

1 evaluate the need for application of force, the relationship between that need and the amount of force

2 used, the threat reasonably perceived by the responsible officials, and any efforts made to temper the

3 severity of a forceful response.” Id. (internal quotation marks and citations omitted). “The absence of

4 serious injury is . . . relevant to the Eighth Amendment inquiry, but does not end it.” Id.

5 D. Qualified Immunity

6 Qualified immunity applies when an official’s conduct does not violate clearly established

7 statutory or constitutional rights of which a reasonable person would have known. White v. Pauly, 137

8 S. Ct. 548, 551 (2017). Officers are entitled to qualified immunity under Section 1983 unless (1) the

9 officers violate a federal a federal statutory or constitutional right, and (2) the unlawfulness of their

10 conduct was “clearly established at the time.” District of Columbia v. Wesby, 138 S. Ct. 577, 589

11 2018); White, 137 S. Ct. at 551.

12 “Clearly established” means that the statutory or constitutional question was “beyond debate,”

13 such that every reasonable official would understand that what he is doing is unlawful. See Wesby,

14 138 S. Ct. at 589; Vos v. City of Newport Beach, 892 F.3d 1024, 1035 (9th Cir. 2018). This is a

15 “demanding standard” that protects “all but the plainly incompetent or those who knowingly violate

16 the law.” Wesby, 138 S. Ct. at 589 (citing Malley v. Briggs, 475 U.S. 335, 341 (1986)). Thus, to be

17 “clearly established,” a rule must be dictated by controlling authority or by a robust consensus of cases

18 of persuasive authority. Wesby, 138 S. Ct. at 589.

19 E. Punitive Damages

20 Plaintiff has the burden of proving what, if any, punitive damages should be awarded by a

21 preponderance of the evidence. NINTH CIRCUIT MODEL CIVIL JURY INSTRUCTIONS § 5.5 (2018). The

22 jury must find that Defendants’ conduct was “motivated by evil motive or intent, or . . . involves

23 reckless or callous indifference to the federally protected rights of others.” Smith v. Wade, 461 U.S.

24 30, 56 (1986); Larez v. Holcomb, 16 F.3d 1513, 1518 (9th Cir. 1994).

25 F. Impeachment by Evidence of Prior Felony Convictions

26 Federal Rule of Evidence 609(a)(1)(A) provides that evidence of a conviction for a crime

27 punishable for more than one year is admissible, subject to Rule 403, in a civil case to attack a

28 witness’s character for truthfulness. Fed. R. Evid. 609(a)(1)(A). Additionally, any incarcerated

1 witness who testifies is also subject to impeachment under Rule 609. Evidence of a conviction under

2 this rule is not admissible if a period of more than ten years has elapsed since the date of the

3 conviction or release from confinement from it, which is later. Fed. R. Evid. 609(b).

4 ANY CAUSES OF ACTION OR AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES NOT EXPLICITLY LISTED

5 IN THE PRETRIAL ORDER UNDER POINTS OF LAW AT THE TIME IT BECOMES FINAL

6 ARE DISMISSED AND DEEMED WAIVED.

7 IX. ABANDONED ISSUES

8 None.

9 X. WITNESSES

10 1. The following is a list of witnesses that the parties expect to call at trial, including

11 rebuttal and impeachment witnesses. NO WITNESS, OTHER THAN THOSE LISTED IN THIS

12 SECTION, MAY BE CALLED AT TRIAL UNLESS THE PARTIES STIPULATE OR UPON A

13 SHOWING THAT THIS ORDER SHOULD BE MODIFIED TO PREVENT “MANIFEST

14 INJUSTICE.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 16(e); Local Rule 281(b)(10).

15 Plaintiff

16 1. Thomas Eugene Gray

17 Defendants

18 1. Defendant Siefken

19 2. Defendant Hurtado

20 3. Defendant Jennings-Sedillo

21 4. B. Taylor

22 5. C. Molina

23 6. Lt. Hurlbut

24 7. A. Duran

25 8. R. Covarrubias

26 9. D. Kaundart

27 10. S. Brown

28 11. S. Surrao

1 12. Dr. K Aye (CDCR Physician and Surgeon)

2 13. Dr. J Ziomek

3 14. RN N. Balaba-Gallagher (medical)

4 15. NP P. Rouch (medical)

5 16. Custodian(s) of Plaintiff’s central file

6 17. Custodian(s) of Plaintiff’s medical records

7 18. Defendant Jennings (expert – use of force)

8 19. Sgt. S. Brown (expert – use of force)

9 20. PT R. Covarrubias (expert – medical)

10 21. RN S. Surrao (expert – medical)

11 22. Dr. K Aye (expert – medical)

12 23. Dr. J. Ziomek (expert – medical)

13 24. LVN D. Kaundart (expert – medical)

14 25. RN N. Balaba-Gallagher (expert – medical)

15 26. NP P. Rouch (expert – medical)

16 2. The court does not allow undisclosed witnesses to be called for any purpose,

17 including impeachment or rebuttal, unless they meet the following criteria:

18 a. The party offering the witness demonstrates that the witness is for the purpose

19 of rebutting evidence that could not be reasonably anticipated at the pretrial

20 conference, or

21 b. The witness was discovered after the pretrial conference and the proffering

22 party makes the showing required in paragraph B, below.

23 3. Upon the post pretrial discovery of any witness a party wishes to present at trial, the

24 party shall promptly inform the court and opposing parties of the existence of the unlisted witnesses so

25 the court may consider whether the witnesses shall be permitted to testify at trial. The witnesses will

26 not be permitted unless:

27 a. The witness could not reasonably have been discovered prior to the discovery

28 cutoff;

1 b. The court and opposing parties were promptly notified upon discovery of the

2 witness;

3 c. If time permitted, the party proffered the witness for deposition; and

4 d. If time did not permit, a reasonable summary of the witness’s testimony was

5 provided to opposing parties.

6 4. Each party may call any witnesses designated by the other.

7 XI. EXHIBITS, SCHEDULES, AND SUMMARIES

8 The following is a list of documents or other exhibits that the parties expect to offer at trial.

9 NO EXHIBIT, OTHER THAN THOSE LISTED BELOW, MAY BE ADMITTED UNLESS THE

10 PARTIES STIPULATE OR UPON A SHOWING THAT THIS ORDER SHOULD BE MODIFIED

11 TO PREVENT “MANIFEST INJUSTICE.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 16(e); Local Rule 281(b)(11).

12 1. The Court does not allow the use of undisclosed exhibits for any purpose,

13 including impeachment or rebuttal, unless they meet the following criteria:

14 a. The party proffering the exhibit demonstrates that the exhibit is for the purpose

15 of rebutting evidence that could not have been reasonably anticipated, or

16 b. The exhibit was discovered after the issuance of this order and the proffering

17 party makes the showing required in paragraph 2, below.

18 2. Upon the discovery of exhibits after the discovery cutoff, a party shall promptly inform

19 the court and opposing parties of the existence of such exhibits so that the court may consider their

20 admissibility at trial. The exhibits will not be received unless the proffering party demonstrates:

21 a. The exhibits could not reasonably have been discovered earlier;

22 b. The court and the opposing parties were promptly informed of their existence;

23 and

24 c. The proffering party forwarded a copy of the exhibits (if physically possible) to

25 the opposing party. If the exhibits may not be copied the proffering party must

26 show that it has made the exhibits reasonably available for inspection by the

27 opposing parties.

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1 Plaintiff

2 1. Crime/Incident Reports and Staff Supplemental Reports for Log #CDR-03A-18-

3 04-0416 A1

4 2. Medical Reports

5 3. Grievance History

6 4. Confidential Disclosure Info. Form

7 5. ASU Placement Form

8 6. Vocational Progress Reports

9 7. Plaintiff’s Letters to Internal Affairs

10 Defendants

11 1. Staff report Defendant Siefken for the incident on April 22, 2018 (Log No.

12 COR-03A-18-04-0416A1.)

13 2. Staff report Defendant Hurtado for the incident on April 22, 2018 (Log No.

14 COR-03A-18-04-0416A1.)

15 3. Staff report Defendant Jennings-Sedillo for the incident on April 22, 2018 (Log

16 No. COR-03A-18-04-0416A1.)

17 4. Staff report B. Taylor for the incident on April 22, 2018 (Log No. COR-03A-

18 18-04-0416A1.)

19 5. Staff report C. Molina for the incident on April 22, 2018 (Log No. COR-03A-

20 18-04-0416A1.)

21 6. Staff report for Sgt. S. Brown for the incident on April 22, 2018 (Log No. COR-

22 03A-18-04-0416A1)

23 7. Staff report for PT R. Covarrubias for the incident on April 22, 2018 (Log No.

24 COR-03A-18-04-0416A1)

25 8. Staff report for LVN D. Kaundart for the incident on April 22, 2018 (Log No.

26 COR-03A-18-04-0416A1)

27 9. Abstract of Judgment representing Plaintiff’s felony conviction(s) and

28 sentence(s).

1 10. Abstract(s) of Judgment representing felony conviction(s) and sentence(s) of

2 Plaintiff’s inmate witnesses.

3 11. CDCR 7219 Medical Report of Injury or Unusual Occurrence for Plaintiff,

4 dated April 22, 2018.

5 12. Relevant portions of Plaintiff’s medical records, including, but not limited to,

6 the following:

7 a. RN Surrao’s April 22, 2018, Progress Notes

8 b. R. Covarrubias’ April 22, 2018, Assessment Forms

9 c. Dr. Ziomek’s April 23, 2018, Progress Notes

10 d. RN Surrao’s April 23, 2018, Assessment Forms

11 e. RN Balaba-Gallagher’s April 23, 2018, Clinic Notes

12 f. RN Balaba-Gallagher’s April 23, 2018, Assessment Forms

13 g. NP Rouch’s April 26, 2018, Progress Notes

14 13. Relevant portions of Plaintiff’s ERMS and SOMS files.

15 14. Rules Violation Report, Log No. 4910152.

16 15. Use of Force Video Interview of Plaintiff, dated June 21, 2018.

17 16. For demonstrative purposes, photographs and/or diagrams of Corcoran State

18 Prison

19 The parties must exchange exhibits, not previously produced/obtained in discovery, no later

20 than November 14, 2022. No later than November 28, 2022, the parties SHALL meet and confer to

21 discuss any disputes related to the above listed exhibits and to pre-mark and examine each other’s

22 exhibits to the extent that has not already taken place. Any exhibits not previously disclosed in

23 discovery SHALL be proved promptly so that it is received by the above exhibit exchange deadline.

24 1. At the exhibit conference, the parties will determine whether there are objections to the

25 admission of each of the exhibits and shall cooperate in the preparation of separate indexes; one listing

26 joint exhibits, one listing Plaintiff’s exhibits and one listing Defendants’ exhibits. In advance of the

27 conference, the parties must have a complete set of their proposed exhibits in order to be able to fully

28 discuss whether evidentiary objections exist. Thus, any exhibit not previously provided in discovery

1 SHALL be provided at least five court days in advance of the exhibit conference.

2 2. At the conference, the parties shall identify any duplicate exhibits, i.e., any document

3 which both sides desire to introduce into evidence. These exhibits SHALL be marked as a joint

4 exhibit and numbered as directed above. Joint exhibits SHALL be admitted into without further

5 foundation.

6 All joint exhibits will be pre-marked with numbers preceded by the designation “JT” (e.g.

7 JT/1, JT/2, etc.). Plaintiff’s exhibits will be pre-marked with numbers beginning with 1 by the

8 designation PX (e.g. PX1, PX2, etc.). Defendants’ exhibits will be pre-marked with numbers

9 beginning with 501 preceded by the designation DX (e.g. DX501, DX502, etc.). The parties SHALL

10 number each page of any exhibit exceeding one page in length (e.g. PX1-1, PX1-2, PX1-3, etc.).

11 If originals of exhibits are unavailable, the parties may substitute legible copies. If any

12 document is offered that is not fully legible, the Court may exclude it from evidence.

13 Each joint exhibit binder shall contain an index which is placed in the binder before the exhibits.

14 The index shall consist of a column for the exhibit number, one for a description of the exhibit and one

15 column entitled “Admitted in Evidence” (as shown in the example below).

16 INDEX OF JOINT EXHIBITS

17 EXHIBIT# DESCRIPTION ADMITTED

IN EVIDENCE

18

19

20 3. As to any exhibit which is not a joint exhibit but to which there is no objection to its

21 introduction, the exhibit will likewise be appropriately marked, i.e., as PX1, or as DX501 and will be

22 indexed as such on the index of the offering party. Such exhibits will be admitted upon introduction

23 and motion of the party, without further foundation.

24 4. Each exhibit binder shall contain an index which is placed in the binder before the

25 exhibits. Each index shall consist of the exhibit number, the description of the exhibit and the three

26 columns as shown in the example below.

27 INDEX OF EXHIBITS

28 EXHIBIT# DESCRIPTION ADMITTED OBJECTION OBJECTION

1 EVIDENCE

2

3

4 5. On the index, as to exhibits to which the only objection is a lack of foundation, the

5 parties will place a mark under the column heading entitled “Objection Foundation.”

6 6. On the index, as to exhibits to which there are objections to admissibility that are not

7 based solely on a lack of foundation, the parties will place a mark under the column heading entitled

8 “Other Objections.”

9 7. As to each exhibit which is not objected to in the index, it shall be marked and

10 received into evidence and will require no further foundation.

11 After the exhibit conference, the parties Defendants SHALL develop four complete, legible sets

12 of exhibits. The parties SHALL deliver three sets of their exhibit binders to the Courtroom Clerk and

13 provide one set to their opponent, no later than 4:00 p.m. February 6, 2023. The parties SHALL

14 determine which of them will also provide three sets of the joint exhibits to the Courtroom Clerk.

15 8. The Parties SHALL number each page of any exhibit exceeding one page in length.

16 XII. POST-TRIAL EXHIBIT RETENTION

17 Pursuant to the Court’s policy, the Court will return all exhibits to their proffers to be retained

18 during the pendency of any appeals. Accordingly, Defendants’ request that the court retain all exhibits

19 pending any decision on appeal (Doc. 49 at 13) is DENIED.

20 XIII. DISCOVERY DOCUMENTS

21 The parties must lodge the sealed original copy of any deposition transcript to be used at trial

22 with the Clerk of Court no later than January 30, 2023.

23 Defendants reserve the right to introduce Plaintiff’s deposition transcript, or portions thereof.

24 XIV. FURTHER DISCOVERY OR MOTIONS

25 The time for discovery has expired and Defendants do not contemplate any further discovery.

26 Excluding motions in limine, Defendants do not anticipate making any other pre-trial motions.

27 XV. STIPULATIONS

28 None.

1 XVI. AMENDMENTS/DISMISSAL

2 None.

3 XVII. SETTLEMENT

4 The parties participated in a settlement conference on October 1, 2020, before Magistrate

5 Judge Barbara A. McAuliffe but were unable to reach a settlement.

6 Defendants believe that a pre-trial settlement conference may be beneficial. If the parties

7 jointly agree that a settlement conference may be productive, within 21 days, counsel for the

8 defendants SHALL contact the chambers of Judge Boone, to have a settlement conference set as soon

9 as possible.

10 XVIII. JOINT STATEMENT OF THE CASE

11 The Court has drafted the following neutral statement of the case to be read to the prospective

12 jurors:

13 Plaintiff claims that, despite prior warnings, Defendants Siefken and

Hurtado failed to protect him from being assaulted by other inmates at

14 Corcoran State Prison and that Defendant Jennings-Sedillo used excessive

force when she shot him with a 40mm round while he was already on the

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ground. Defendants deny all of Plaintiff’s allegations.

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17 The parties are directed to raise any objection to this neutral statement of the case in any

18 objections they file to this tentative Pretrial Order.

19 XIX. SEPARATE TRIAL OF ISSUES

20 There will be no separate trial of issues in this action. However, the Court will bifurcate the

21 trial with respect to the amount of punitive damages, if necessary. Should a jury find punitive liability

22 in the first phase of the trial, the trial will proceed to a second phase which will consist of any

23 evidence and argument with respect to the appropriate amount, if any, of punitive damages. The

24 parties may not present evidence regarding the amount of punitive damages until the second phase of

25 the trial.

26 XX. IMPARTIAL EXPERTS/LIMITATION OF EXPERTS

27 None.

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1 XXI. ATTORNEYS’ FEES

2 Plaintiff, who is proceeding pro se, is not entitled to attorney’s fees. Kay v. Ehrler, 499 U.S.

3 432, 435 (1991).

4 Defendants did not indicate that they seek attorneys’ fees. (Doc. 47 at 13.)

5 XXII. TRIAL PROTECTIVE ORDER

6 If Defendants are required to disclose information concerning his financial status, they will

7 request that the Court issue a protective order concerning this information, under Local Rule

8 141.1(b)(2).

9 XXIII. ESTIMATED TIME OF TRIAL/TRIAL DATE

10 Jury trial is set for February 13, 2023, at 8:30 a.m. before the Honorable Jennifer L. Thurston

11 at Robert E. Coyle United States Courthouse, 2500 Tulare Street, Fresno, California.

12 Defendants anticipate the trial to last 2-3 days.

13 The Court directs the parties to Judge Thurston’s standing order for the undersigned available

14 on the Eastern District of California’s website. This standing order may change before trial, and the

15 parties should review the website prior to trial.

16 XXIV. TRIAL PREPARATION AND PROPOSED JURY VOIR DIRE AND PROPOSED JURY

17 INSTRUCTIONS

18 A. Trial Briefs

19 The parties are relieved of their obligation under Local Rule 285 to file trial briefs. If any

20 party wishes to file a trial brief, they much do so in accordance with Local Rule 285 and be filed no

21 later than February 6, 2023.

22 B. Jury Voir Dire

23 The parties are required to file their proposed voir dire questions, in accordance with Local

24 Rule 162.1, no later than January 30, 2023.

25 C. Jury Instructions and Verdict Form

26 Defendants SHALL file proposed jury instructions as provided in Local Rule 163 no later than

27 January 9, 2023.3 At the same time, the Defendants SHALL lodge via e-mail a copy of the proposed

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1 jury instructions and verdict form, in Word format, to JLTOrders@caed.uscourts.gov. If Plaintiff

2 wishes to file proposed jury instructions or object to those proposed by Defendants, he must do so no

3 later than January 23, 2023.

4 In selecting proposed instructions, the parties shall use Ninth Circuit Model Civil Jury

5 Instructions or California’s CACI instructions to the extent possible. All jury instructions and verdict

6 forms shall indicate the party submitting the instruction or verdict form (i.e., joint, plaintiff’s,

7 defendant’s, etc.), the number of the proposed instruction in sequence, a brief title for the instruction

8 describing the subject matter, the complete text of the instruction, and the legal authority supporting

9 the instruction. Each instruction SHALL be numbered.

10 XXV. OBJECTIONS TO PRETRIAL ORDER

11 Within 14 days after the date of service of this order, the parties may file written objections to

12 any of the provisions set forth in this order. The parties may file replies to the objections within seven

13 days. The objections shall clearly specify the requested modifications, corrections, additions or

14 deletions. If no objections are filed, the order will become final without further order of this Court.

15 The parties are reminded that pursuant to Rule 16(e) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure

16 and Local Rule 283 of this court, this order shall control the subsequent course of this action and shall

17 be modified only to prevent manifest injustice.

18 XXVI. MISCELLANEOUS

19 As the parties are aware, the courthouses of the Eastern District of California were closed to

20 the general public for over a year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Though the pandemic is

21 currently receding, no one knows whether it will remain in this posture, and due to increasing numbers

22 of cases involving new variants and the rise of cases in Europe, it appears unlikely it will.

23 Consequently, unless otherwise ordered by the Court, everyone in the courtroom SHALL wear a N95

24 or equivalent mask, which covers the nose and mouth. The Court will provide witnesses a face shield

25 to use while testifying. The Court will reconsider this masking requirement when the trail date

26 approaches.

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1 || XXVII. COMPLIANCE

2 Strict compliance with this order and its requirements is mandatory. All parties and their

3 || counsel are subject to sanctions, including dismissal or entry of default, for failure to fully comply

4 || with this order and its requirements.

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6 || IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: _ December 16, 2022 ( LAW pA L. wan

8 TED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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