Estate of Charles Chivrell v. City of Arcata

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2

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4 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

5 NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

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7 ESTATE OF CHARLES CHIVRELL, et al., Case No. 22-cv-00019-HSG

8 Plaintiffs,

ORDER GRANTING IN PART AND

9 v. DENYING IN PART THE CITY

DEFENDANTS’ MOTIONS TO

10 CITY OF ARCATA, et al., DISMISS AND GRANTING IN PART

AND DENYING IN PART

11 Defendants. PLAINTIFFS’ MOTION TO STRIKE

12 A. C., et al., Re: Dkt. Nos. 61, 68

13 Plaintiffs,

v. Case No. 22-cv-04804-HSG

14

15 CITY OF ARCATA, et al.,

16 Defendants. Re: Dkt. No. 26

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19 Before the Court are two motions to dismiss and a motion to strike in these related cases

20 that arise from the same underlying fatal law enforcement encounter. The first motion is filed by

21 Defendants City of Arcata, Arcata Police Department, APD Police Chief Brian Ahearn, APD

22 Sergeant Brian Hoffman, APD officer Joseph Rodes, and APD officer Evan Beechel (collectively,

23 the “City Defendants”). Dkt. No. 61. They move to dismiss the First Amended Complaint

24 (“FAC”) filed by Plaintiffs Estate of Charles Chivrell, Arielle Chivrell, K.C., and D.C.

25 (collectively, the “Estate Plaintiffs”) in Estate of Chivrell v. City of Arcata, Case No. 22-cv-

26 00019-HSG (“Estate of Chivrell”). In that same case, Defendants State of California, California

27 Highway Patrol (“CHP”), CHP Officer Michael Griffin, and CHP Officer Moises Cornejo-

1 Plaintiffs move to strike the affirmative defenses asserted in State Defendants’ answer. Dkt. No.

2 68. Finally, the second motion to dismiss was filed by City Defendants in the related case, A.C., v.

3 City of Arcata, Case No. 22-cv-04804-HSG (“City of Arcata”). City Defendants move to dismiss

4 the FAC filed by A.C., C.C., D.C., and T.C. (“Arcata Plaintiffs”). For the reasons below, the

5 Court GRANTS IN PART and DENIES IN PART the City Defendants’ motions to dismiss and

6 GRANTS IN PART AND DENIES IN PART the Plaintiffs’ motion to strike.

7 I. BACKGROUND

8 For the purpose of deciding the motions, the Court accepts as true the following facts

9 alleged in the FAC:

10 In the late morning of September 9, 2021, Charles Chivrell, a 35-year-old mentally-ill man,

11 was walking down a rural road in Humboldt County, California. He carried a briefcase and had a

12 firearm holstered. In response to reports of a suspicious person with a gun, officers from both the

13 APD and CHP were dispatched to Mr. Chivrell’s location. Upon arriving, the officers followed

14 Mr. Chivrell in their patrol cars. They yelled at Mr. Chivrell to stop walking but he continued to

15 walk along the road. Eventually, APD Sergeant Hoffman got out of his patrol car and fired

16 several pepperball rounds at Mr. Chivrell’s back, injuring him. When he was hit, Mr. Chivrell

17 dropped his briefcase and started to run. CHP Officer Griffin then shot Mr. Chivrell in the back of

18 his head, killing him.

19 Plaintiffs brought suit, alleging violations under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, the Rehabilitation Act,

20 the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), and California law. City and State Defendants

21 moved to dismiss the complaint. The Court granted in part and denied in part those motions, and

22 also granted Plaintiffs leave to amend their complaint. Estate of Chivrell v. City of Arcata, 623 F.

23 Supp. 3d 1032, 1046 (N.D. Cal. 2022).

24 Following these proceedings, Estate Plaintiffs1 brought an eleven claim FAC for relief: (1)

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1 Mr. Chivrell’s Estate appears by and through Arielle Chivrell, Mr. Chivrell’s surviving spouse.

26

Estate of Chivrell, Dkt. No. 54 at 2. K.C. and D. C. are minors. Previously, the Court granted

their ex parte motion appointing Arielle Chivrell, their mother and legal custodian, as their

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guardian ad litem. Id. at Dkt. No. 53.

1 excessive force (42 U.S.C. § 1983); (2) the Rehabilitation Act; (3) the Americans with Disabilities

2 Act (“ADA”); (4) unwarranted interference with familial association under the Fourteenth

3 Amendment (42 U.S.C. § 1983); (5) unwarranted interference with familial association under the

4 First Amendment (42 U.S.C. § 1983); (6) excessive force under California law; (7) the Tom Bane

5 Civil Rights Act; (8) battery; (9) intentional infliction of emotional distress; (10) negligence; and

6 (11) wrongful death. City Defendants move to dismiss. Estate of Chivrell, Dkt. No. 61. State

7 Defendants do not move to dismiss Plaintiffs’ FAC. Instead, State Defendants filed an answer

8 admitting or denying various claims in the FAC, and asserting various affirmative defenses. Dkt.

9 No. 66. Plaintiffs move to strike a number of State Defendants’ affirmative defenses. Dkt. No.

10 68.

11 Arcata Plaintiffs2 – all of whom are biological children of Charles Chivrell – appearing by

12 and through guardians ad litem, bring three claims for relief: (1) unwarranted interference with

13 familial association under the First Amendment (42 U.S.C. § 1983); (2) unwarranted interference

14 with familial association under the Fourteenth Amendment (42 U.S.C. § 1983); and (3) wrongful

15 death. City Defendants move to dismiss. City of Arcata, Dkt. No. 26.

16 II. LEGAL STANDARD

17 A. Rule 12(b)(6)

18 Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 8(a) requires that a complaint contain “a short and plain

19 statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2). A

20 defendant may move to dismiss a complaint for failing to state a claim upon which relief can be

21 granted under Rule 12(b)(6). “Dismissal under Rule 12(b)(6) is appropriate only where the

22 complaint lacks a cognizable legal theory or sufficient facts to support a cognizable legal theory.”

23 Mendiondo v. Centinela Hosp. Med. Ctr., 521 F.3d 1097, 1104 (9th Cir. 2008). To survive a Rule

24 12(b)(6) motion, a plaintiff must plead “enough facts to state a claim to relief that is plausible on

25 its face.” Bell Atl. Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 570 (2007). A claim is facially plausible

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2 A.C., a minor, is represented by Jacquelynn Snyder, guardian ad litem, City of Arcata, Dkt. No.

1 when a plaintiff pleads “factual content that allows the court to draw the reasonable inference that

2 the defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged.” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009).

3 In reviewing the plausibility of a complaint, courts “accept factual allegations in the

4 complaint as true and construe the pleadings in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party.”

5 Manzarek v. St. Paul Fire & Marine Ins. Co., 519 F.3d 1025, 1031 (9th Cir. 2008). Nonetheless,

6 courts do not “accept as true allegations that are merely conclusory, unwarranted deductions of

7 fact, or unreasonable inferences.” In re Gilead Scis. Secs. Litig., 536 F.3d 1049, 1055 (9th Cir.

8 2008) (quoting Sprewell v. Golden State Warriors, 266 F.3d 979, 988 (9th Cir. 2001)). The Court

9 also need not accept as true allegations that contradict matter properly subject to judicial notice or

10 allegations contradicting the exhibits attached to the complaint. Sprewell, 266 F.3d at 988.

11 B. Rule 12(f)

12 Rule 12(f) authorizes a court to “strike from a pleading an insufficient defense or any

13 redundant, immaterial, impertinent, or scandalous matter.” An affirmative defense is

14 insufficiently pleaded if it fails to give the opposing party “fair notice” of the nature of the

15 defense. Wyshak v. City Nat. Bank, 607 F.2d 824, 827 (9th Cir. 1979). In moving to strike, a

16 party seeks “to avoid the expenditure of time and money that must arise from litigating spurious

17 issues by dispensing with those issues prior to trial.” Sidney–Vinstein v. A.H. Robins Co., 697

18 F.2d 880, 885 (9th Cir. 1983). “Because motions to strike a defense as insufficient are disfavored,

19 they will not be granted if the insufficiency of the defense is not clearly apparent.” G & G Closed

20 Circuit Events, LLC v. Nguyen, No. 10-cv-00168-LHK, 2010 WL 3749284, at *1 (N.D. Cal. Sept.

21 23, 2010) (internal quotation marks omitted). In ruling on a motion to strike, a “court[ ] may not

22 resolve disputed and substantial factual or legal issues . . . .” Whittlestone, Inc. v. Handi-Craft

23 Co., 618 F.3d 970, 973 (9th Cir. 2010); cf. Colaprico v. Sun Microsystems, Inc., 758 F. Supp.

24 1335, 1339 (N.D. Cal. 1991) (“[M]otions to strike should not be granted unless it is clear that the

25 matter to be stricken could have no possible bearing on the subject matter of the litigation.”).

26 Further, “the key to determining the sufficiency of pleading an affirmative defense is whether it

27 gives plaintiff fair notice of the defense.” Garcia v. Salvation Army, 918 F.3d 997, 1008 (9th Cir.

1 III. DISCUSSION

2 A. The City Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss in Estate of Chivrell (Dkt. No. 61)

3 1. Monell Claims

4 In the FAC, Plaintiffs3 allege Monell claims against the City Defendants in their first,

5 fourth, and fifth claims. The City Defendants move to dismiss.

6 “A government entity may not be held liable under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, unless a policy,

7 practice, or custom of the entity can be shown to be a moving force behind a violation of

8 constitutional rights.” Dougherty v. City of Covina, 654 F.3d 892, 900 (9th Cir. 2011) (citing

9 Monell v. Dep’t of Soc. Servs. of the City of New York, 436 U.S. 658, 694 (1978)). “In order to

10 establish liability for governmental entities under Monell, a plaintiff must prove ‘(1) that [the

11 plaintiff] possessed a constitutional right of which [s]he was deprived; (2) that the municipality

12 had a policy; (3) that this policy amounts to deliberate indifference to the plaintiff’s constitutional

13 right; and, (4) that the policy is the moving force behind the constitutional violation.’” Id.

14 (citation omitted).

15 A plaintiff may establish Monell municipal liability under § 1983 even where the

16 municipality does not expressly adopt the alleged policy. See Webb v. Sloan, 330 F.3d 1158, 1164

17 (9th Cir. 2003). There are three alternative ways such liability can attach: (1) “if an employee

18 commits a constitutional violation pursuant to a longstanding practice or custom;” (2) “when the

19 person causing the violation has final policymaking authority;” id., or (3) “where the failure to

20 train amounts to deliberate indifference to the rights of persons with whom the police come into

21 contact.” City of Canton, Ohio v. Harris, 489 U.S. 378, 388 (1989). “[I]t is not enough for a §

22 1983 plaintiff merely to identify conduct properly attributable to the municipality.” Bd. of Cnty.

23 Comm’rs v. Brown, 520 U.S. 397, 404 (1997). Rather, the plaintiff must “demonstrate that,

24 through its deliberate conduct, the municipality was the ‘moving force’ behind the injury alleged.”

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3 This section of the order deals entirely with the claims alleged in Estate of Charles Chivrell v.

City of Arcata, Case No. 22-cv-00019-HSG. Given that the Estate Plaintiffs are the only Plaintiffs

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involved in this case, this section will solely reference “Plaintiffs” to refer to the Estate Plaintiffs.

1 Id. At the pleading stage, a plaintiff’s Monell claim “may not simply recite the elements of a

2 cause of action, but must contain sufficient allegations of underlying facts” to provide the

3 opposing party with fair notice so it can defend itself. AE ex rel. Hernandez v. Cnty. of Tulare,

4 666 F.3d 631, 637 (9th Cir. 2012) (quoting Starr v. Baca, 652 F.3d 1202, 1216 (9th Cir. 2011)).

5 In its prior order, the Court granted City Defendants’ motion to dismiss Plaintiffs’ Monell

6 claims under theories of custom, policy, or practice and ratification, but denied the motion as to

7 Plaintiffs’ Monell claims under a theory of failure to train. Now, City Defendants argue that

8 Plaintiffs’ FAC realleges Monell claims under the dismissed theories, and again move to dismiss

9 the custom, policy, or practice, and ratification theories. Plaintiffs contend that City Defendants

10 have misunderstood their claim, and argue that the FAC only alleges a Monell claim under a

11 theory of failure to train, and does not allege any theory of custom, policy, and practice, or

12 ratification. Dkt. No. 64 at 7.

13 The Court is not entirely sure what the parties’ actual dispute is: City Defendants do not

14 seek to dismiss Plaintiffs’ failure to train Monell theory, see Dkt. No. 61 at 5, and Plaintiffs allege

15 that their “only allegations supporting Monell liability are limited to the failure-to-train theory,”

16 Dkt. No. 64 at 8. Plaintiffs’ already-greenlighted Monell claim based on a failure to train theory is

17 not disputed, and Plaintiffs concede that every other theory of Monell liability has not been pled.

18 The Court will hold Plaintiffs to their concession, and confirms that the sole Monell theory in this

19 case is based on a failure to train. The failure to train theory obviously implicates a municipality’s

20 training program, and whether that program is in any way inadequate. See City of Canton, 489

21 U.S. 378 at 390 (discussing that the relevant consideration in a failure to train case is whether a

22 city’s “training program is adequate; and if it is not, the question becomes whether such

23 inadequate training can justifiably be said to represent ‘city policy’”).

24 Because Plaintiffs concede that their only alleged Monell theory is a failure to train, and

25 the Court already found that they otherwise failed to plead a viable Monell claim, there is nothing

26 to dismiss and the motion is denied.4

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2. Bane Act Claim

1

Plaintiffs assert a violation of the Bane Act, Cal. Civ. Code §52.1, in their seventh claim.

2

Dkt. No. 54 at 23. “The Bane Act civilly protects individuals from conduct aimed at interfering

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with rights that are secured by federal or state law, where the interference is carried out ‘by

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threats, intimidation or coercion.’” Reese v. Cnty. of Sacramento, 888 F.3d 1030, 1040 (9th Cir.

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2018).

6

Invoking the same argument as State Defendants in the prior motion to dismiss, City

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Defendants argue that (1) Plaintiffs do not have standing to bring a claim under this act because

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they were not present and did not witness the violence against Mr. Chivrell; and (2) Plaintiffs’

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FAC contains “zero allegations to support the notion that any City [D]efendant used ‘threats,

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intimidation, or coercion’ to infringe on anyone’s federal or state rights.” Dkt. No. 61 at 7.

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City Defendants’ standing argument is misplaced. This Court previously granted State

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Defendants’ motion to dismiss Plaintiffs’ Bane Act claim on standing grounds because Plaintiffs

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Ms. Chivrell, K.C., and D.C. alleged a Bane Act violation despite not being present or witnessing

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Mr. Chivrell’s death, and the Bane Act “provides no derivative liability for persons who were not

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present and did not witness” the underlying violence or threat. Estate of Chivrell, 623 F.Supp.3d

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at 1045 (quoting Dela Torre v. City of Salinas, No. 09-CV-00626 RMW, 2010 WL 3743762, at *6

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(N.D. Cal. Sept. 17, 2010)). However, after the Court granted State Defendants’ motion, Plaintiffs

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amended their complaint to remove Ms. Chivrell, K.C., and D.C.’s Bane Act claim, leaving only

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the Estate’s Bane Act claim. FAC ¶ 155. And courts in this Circuit have found that even though

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the Bane Act is not a wrongful death provision, a decedent’s successor-in-interest has standing to

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assert a Bane Act claim on the decedent’s behalf. Banks v. Mortimer, 620 F. Supp. 3d 902, 929

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on the basis that newly-obtained discovery revealed that City policymakers ratified the officers’

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unconstitutional actions. See Dkt. No. 64 at 8. As to City Defendants’ motion, the Court denies it

because, again, Plaintiffs concede that this theory is not even pled. As to Plaintiffs’ request to

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amend, that request is not appropriately made in an opposition brief. To the extent Plaintiffs seek

leave to amend, they need to submit a motion. See Steinle v. Standard Ins. Co., No. C 92–2753

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BAC, 1994 WL 124818, *at 1 (N.D. Cal. March 21, 1994) (“The court will not grant leave to

amend the complaint based merely on plaintiff's statement in its opposition to Standard's motion

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for summary judgment. A proposal to amend pleadings must satisfy the requirements of Federal

1 (N.D. Cal. 2022). The Court thus rejects City Defendants’ standing argument.

2 Moving to the merits argument, City Defendants contend that the FAC contains no

3 allegations that any City Defendant used threats or intimidation to infringe on Mr. Chivrell’s

4 rights. But the Bane Act does not require the “threat, intimidation or coercion” element of the

5 claim to be “transactionally independent” from the constitutional violation alleged. Reese, 888

6 F.3d at 1043. Therefore, Plaintiffs need not allege coercion beyond the coercion inherent in the

7 underlying excessive force allegation. Further, the FAC alleges facts supporting an inference that

8 City Defendant officers had the specific intent to violate Mr. Chivrell’s constitutional rights. See,

9 e.g., Banks, 620 F. Supp. 3d at 934-35 (denying summary judgment on Bane Act claim and

10 holding that “when an officer violates ‘clearly delineated and plainly applicable’ constitutional

11 rights, specific intent may be shown by reckless disregard of the right at issue”). The FAC alleges

12 that officers stated they were “just going to start firing” at Mr. Chivrell without warning, FAC ¶¶

13 84, 92, and ultimately shot Mr. Chivrell with multiple rounds of pepper ball projectiles – in

14 violation of department policy – just prior to actually shooting and killing him, id. at ¶¶ 90-103.

15 At this stage, making all reasonable inferences in Plaintiffs’ favor, the Bane Act claim is

16 sufficiently pled.

17 Accordingly, the Court denies the City Defendants’ motion to dismiss Plaintiffs’ Bane Act

18 claim (seventh claim).

19 3. Claims Against APD Police Chief Brian Ahearn

20 The City Defendants move to dismiss Chief Ahearn from this case. Dkt. No. 61 at 7.

21 a. First Cause of Action

22 Plaintiffs plead an excessive force claim against Chief Ahearn in their First Cause of

23 Action. In seeking to dismiss Chief Ahearn from this claim, City Defendants argue that Plaintiffs’

24 complaint does not allege that “Chief Ahearn was present for any part of the incident [and that his]

25 only involvement . . . is that he was the Chief of Police at APD when the incident occurred.”5 Id.

26

5 City Defendants move to dismiss Chief Ahearn from Plaintiffs’ Monell claims. Plaintiffs

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respond that they are not bringing Monell claims against Chief Ahearn. See Dkt. No. 64 at 10

1 But a supervisor may be liable under §1983 in his individual capacity for his own culpable action

2 or inaction in the training, supervision, or control of his subordinates. Rodriguez v. Cnty. of Los

3 Angeles, 891 F.3d 776, 798 (9th Cir. 2018). Here, Plaintiffs allege that Chief Ahearn was a “final

4 policymaking-authority who was responsible for the creation, implementation, and maintenance of

5 policies, customs, and procedures governing APD officers,” and was a “moving force behind the

6 unreasonable and excessive force against Mr. Chivrell.” FAC ¶ 108. Plaintiffs further allege that

7 under Chief Ahearn’s supervision, the APD maintained an inadequate training program that failed

8 to equip officers with the skills they needed to appropriately handle confrontations with people

9 experiencing a mental health crisis. Id. at ¶ 110. Thus, Plaintiffs adequately plead that Chief

10 Ahearn’s action or inaction in the “training, supervision, or control of his subordinates” provides a

11 basis for supervisory liability as to the excessive force claim. Accordingly, the Court denies the

12 City Defendants’ motion to dismiss Chief Ahearn from the First Cause of Action.

13 b. Fourth and Fifth Causes of Action

14 In the Fourth and Fifth Causes of Action, Plaintiffs plead claims for unwarranted

15 interference with familial association under the Fourteenth and First Amendments, respectively.

16 City Defendants move to dismiss Chief Ahearn from both claims arguing that “there are no factual

17 allegations to support that Chief Ahearn knowingly terminated or interfered with [P]laintiffs’

18 familial relationship with the decedent.” Dkt. No. 61 at 8. Plaintiffs respond that “for the same

19 reasons that the [excessive force] claim is sufficient, so too, are the First and Fourteenth

20 Amendment claims.” Dkt. No. 64 at 11.

21 To state a claim for loss of familial association, a plaintiff must show that official conduct

22 “‘shocks the conscience’ in depriving family members of a liberty interest in the companionship

23 and society of a family member.” Wilkinson v. Torres, 610 F.3d 546, 554 (9th Cir. 2010).

24 Plaintiffs’ FAC alleges that Chief Ahearn “caused the termination of and interference with each

25 Plaintiff’s familial relationship with Charles Chivrell, in the violation of constitutional liberty

26

Orange Cnty., 731 F.2d 1379, 1382 (9th Cir. 1984) (“Monell does not concern liability of

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individuals acting under color of state law.”); Smith v. Cnty. of Santa Cruz, No. 13–CV–00595

1 rights protected by the Fourteenth Amendment.” FAC ¶ 138. Plaintiffs plead that Chief Ahearn’s

2 “actions or inactions were motivated by evil motive or intent, involved reckless or callous

3 indifference to constitutional rights, or were wantonly or oppressively done.” Id. at ¶ 139. For

4 their First Amendment claim, Plaintiffs make similar allegations, alleging that Chief Ahearn

5 “caused the termination of and interference with [Plaintiffs’] familial relationship with Charles

6 Chivrell, in violation of constitutional rights protected by the First Amendment.” Id. at ¶ 144.

7 These allegations do little more than recite the elements of a claim for unwarranted

8 interference. See Starr, 652 F.3d at 1216 (explaining that at the pleading stage, a Plaintiff “may

9 not simply recite the elements of a cause of action, but must [detail] sufficient allegations of

10 underlying facts” to provide the opposing party with fair notice so it can defend itself). Plaintiffs

11 do not substantiate their claim with factual allegations that support their claim that Chief Ahearn’s

12 action or inaction was so egregious as to “shock the conscience.” Accordingly, the Court grants

13 City Defendants’ motion to dismiss Plaintiffs’ unwarranted interference with familial association

14 claims under the Fourteenth and First Amendments against Chief Ahearn.

15 c. Seventh Cause of Action (Bane Act)

16 City Defendants move to dismiss Chief Ahearn and the City with prejudice from the Bane

17 Act claim. They argue that there are “no facts alleged showing any violence or threat of violence

18 by the City or Chief Ahearn and the allegations are inadequate to support a Section 52.1 claim

19 against them.” Dkt. No. 67 at 9. Plaintiffs claim that Chief Ahearn, in his role as a supervisor, is

20 liable under the Bane Act. See Dkt. No. 64 (“A Bane Act claim can be asserted against a

21 supervisor in the same way as for a § 1983 claim. Accordingly, [b]ased on the allegations in the

22 complaint related to [Chief Ahearn’s] actions and the allegations that [Chief Ahearn] failed to train

23 his employees and had implemented policies, practices, and customs that led to [Charles

24 Chivrell]’s death, … Plaintiff[s] ha[ve] sufficiently pled a claim against [Chief Ahearn] in his

25 individual capacity under the Bane Act.”).

26 Courts are divided as to whether a supervisor may be held liable under the Bane Act.

27 Compare San Diego Branch of Nat’l Assoc. for Advancement of Colored People v. Cnty. of San

1 courts have held that supervisor liability does not apply to Bane Act claims. . . The Court agrees,

2 and Plaintiffs have not cited to any contradictory authority or reason why the Court should depart

3 from this precedent.”) with Shirazi v. Oweis, No. 5:21-cv-00136-EJD, 2022 WL 445763, at *7

4 (N.D. Cal. February 14, 2022) (“A Bane Act claim can be asserted against a supervisor in the

5 same way as for a § 1983 claim”). The significant weight of authority that this Court has found

6 has held that there is no supervisory liability for Bane Act claims. See, e.g., Estate of Hennefer v.

7 Yuba Cnty., California, No. 2:22-cv-00389-TLN-KJN, 2023 WL 4108077, *at 7 (E.D. Cal. June

8 21, 2023) (“[F]ederal district courts have declined to apply supervisor liability to Bane Act

9 claims.”); Peltz v. City of L.A., No. CV 22-3106-MWF2022 WL 18278417 *at 5 (C.D. Cal.

10 December 5, 2022) (“[I]n the absence of either California state decisions, binding authority

11 approving of the imposition of supervisorial liability under the Bane Act, or another state law

12 basis providing a foundation for so doing, the Court declines to read supervisory liability into the

13 Bane Act.”); Redmond v. San Jose Police Dep’t, No. 14-cv-02345-BLF, 2017 WL 5495977, *at

14 30 (N.D. Cal. November 16, 2017) (“The Court is unable to find any cases supporting such

15 liability, and agrees with those federal district courts that have declined to extend supervisory

16 liability to the Bane Act despite its common reference as the ‘state equivalent’ to § 1983.”).

17 Johnson v. Baca, 2014 No. CV 13–04496 MMM, WL 12588641, *at 16 (C.D. Cal. March 3,

18 2014) – Plaintiffs’ leading case for the proposition that a Bane Act claim can be asserted against a

19 supervisor – does not identify any authority specifically holding that supervisory liability is

20 proper under the Bane Act. The Johnson court acknowledged that “it does not appear that the

21 California courts have explicitly addressed this question,” and reasoned that the California

22 Supreme Court has “implicitly” held that a Bane Act claim may be asserted against a supervisor.

23 Id. However, in the roughly nine years since Johnson, it appears that the majority of federal

24 district courts have reached the opposite conclusion. Further, beyond their citations to Johnson

25 and other cases that ultimately cite to Johnson, Plaintiffs provide no independent analysis as to

26 why supervisory liability is a viable theory under the Bane Act.

27 The Court agrees with the weight of authority finding that there is no supervisory liability

1 Ahearn from the Bane Act claim.

2 With respect to municipal liability under the Bane Act, it is clear that a city can be held

3 vicariously liable under the Bane Act. See Cameron v. Craig, 713 F.3d 1012, 1023-24 (9th Cir.

4 2013) (“California, however, has rejected the Monell rule and imposes liability on [municipalities]

5 under the doctrine of respondeat superior for acts of [municipal] employees.”); see also Cal. Gov't

6 Code § 815.2(a). Because the FAC sufficiently alleges that City officers committed a Bane Act

7 violation, the City is a proper defendant and dismissal is unwarranted.

8 d. Sixth and Ninth Causes of Action (California law claims)

9 City Defendants move to dismiss Chief Ahearn from two California state law claims:

10 Excessive Force (Sixth Cause of Action) and Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (Ninth

11 Cause of Action).

12 Beginning with the excessive force claim, City Defendants argue that Plaintiffs’ California

13 excessive force claim should be dismissed because Article 1, Section 13 of the California

14 constitution does not create a private cause of action for damages. Dkt. No. 67 at 8. Plaintiffs

15 respond that though “courts are divided on this question,” the California Supreme Court has

16 suggested there should be a damages remedy for violations of Section 13 where “it recognized the

17 history of a damages action” in Katzberg v. Regents of Univ. of California, 29 Cal. 4th 300, 323-

18 24 (Cal. 2002). Dkt. No. 95 at 1 (quoting Ordonez v. Stanley, 495 F. Supp. 3d 855, 866-67 (C.D.

19 Cal. 2020).

20 Whether a plaintiff can recover money damages under a provision of the California

21 Constitution is governed by the two-step analysis set forth in Katzberg v. Regents of Univ. of

22 California, 29 Cal. 4th 300. Federal courts have acknowledged both the district court split as to

23 whether Section 13 creates such a private right of action and the “quite complex” Katzberg

24 analysis needed to answer the question. Estate of Osuna v. Cnty. of Stanislaus, 392 F. Supp. 1162,

25 1178 (E.D. Cal. 2019). Here, however, City Defendants have not fully briefed the issue. City

26 Defendants raised this argument for the first time in their reply brief. And in the reply, City

27 Defendants just cite other nonbinding decisions finding the absence of a private right of action,

1 LLC v. Harris, No. CV 14–03741 DDP, 2014 WL 4988070, at * 7 (N.D. Cal. October 7, 2014)

2 (“The California Constitution . . . appears to have been drafted against a background expectation

3 that common law remedies would continue to be available. . . Thus it seems quite likely that the

4 framers of the California Constitution expected and intended that violations of § 13 would have

5 had a common law tort remedy . . . Therefore, the Court, following the analytic pattern set forth by

6 Katzberg, finds that Plaintiff can claim damages for a violation of § 13); John v. Lake County, No.

7 C 18-06935 WHA, 2019 WL 859227, at *7-8 (N.D. Cal. February 22, 2019). Given City

8 Defendants’ failure to provide any substantive analysis and the persuasive authority cited by

9 Plaintiffs, the Court declines to dismiss Plaintiffs’ claim at this stage. See Estate of Osuna, 392 F.

10 Supp. 3d at 1179 (“Defendants bear the burden of proof on their motion to dismiss, and here, they

11 have failed to carry it.”); Shen v. Albany Unified Sch. Dist., No. 3:17-CV-02478-JD, 2018 WL

12 4053482, at *4 (N.D. Cal. Aug. 24, 2018) (“Defendants have not done [Katzberg] justice by

13 making what is effectively a passing reference to it in their briefs, and the Court declines to take it

14 up in that underdeveloped form.”). Accordingly, the Court denies the City Defendants’ motion to

15 dismiss Plaintiffs’ sixth claim.6

16 City Defendants argue that Chief Ahearn, Officer Rodes, and Officer Beechel should be

17 dismissed from Plaintiffs’ Ninth Cause of Action because the FAC does not allege any facts

18 demonstrating that those officers exhibited outrageous conduct. See Dkt. No. 67 at 9. In response,

19 Plaintiffs argue that a custom, practice, or policy may constitute “outrageous conduct” giving rise

20 to supervisory liability. Dkt. No. 64 at 14. To state a cause of action for intentional infliction of

21 emotional distress, “the plaintiff must allege: (1) extreme and outrageous conduct by the defendant

22 with the intention of causing, or reckless disregard of the probability of causing, emotional

23 distress; (2) the plaintiff’s suffering severe or extreme emotional distress; (3) and actual and

24 proximate causation of the emotional distress by the defendant's outrageous conduct.” Hailey v.

25 California Physician’s Servs., 158 Cal. App. 4th 452, 473-74 (Cal. Ct. App. 2007) (quotation

26

27

6 The denial of the motion to dismiss does not foreclose Defendants from raising and fully briefing

1 omitted). The conduct alleged must be “so extreme and outrageous as to go beyond all possible

2 bo[u]nds of decency, and to be regarded as atrocious, and utterly intolerable in a civilized

3 community.” Id. at 474 (quotation omitted).

4 With regard to Chief Ahearn, Plaintiffs’ claim must be dismissed because, again, the

5 factual allegations in the FAC fail to plausibly plead that Chief Ahearn was individually

6 responsible for the alleged intentional infliction of emotional distress or that anything he

7 personally did rose to the “extreme and outrageous” level required. For example, no facts suggest

8 that Chief Ahearn knew about the plan that led to the shooting before it happened. The Plaintiffs

9 do not allege any facts suggesting that Chief Ahearn sought to cause Mr. Chivrell harm, nor do

10 they allege facts detailing how his action or inaction was outrageous. See Ochoa v. City of San

11 Jose, No. 21-cv-02456-BLF, 2021 WL 7627630, *at 17 (N.D. Cal. November 17, 2021) (granting

12 defendants’ motion to dismiss plaintiff’s intentional infliction of emotional distress claim against

13 police chief where plaintiff had not “alleged [] any direct participation by [the] [c]hief in the

14 incident” and failed to “allege [the chief] was present at the scene of the incident,” and there were

15 no “allegations that [the chief] was aware of the incident until after it had occurred”).

16 Plaintiffs’ complaint does, however, sufficiently allege that Officer Rodes and Beechel’s

17 actions were outrageous. The complaint alleges that both Officer Rodes and Officer Beechel

18 heard another officer comment, “Guys, we’re going to roll up. Get close enough. Make sure we

19 got lethal coverage. I’m just going to unload on him.” FAC ¶ 77. The complaint alleges that each

20 officer had an opportunity to stop their fellow officers from shooting Mr. Chivrell but failed to do

21 so. At this stage, these allegations satisfy Plaintiffs’ burden to adequately plead an intentional

22 infliction of emotional distress claim against Officers Rodes and Beechel.

23 * * *

24 The Court grants City Defendants’ motion to dismiss Chief Ahearn from the Fourth, Fifth,

25 Seventh, and Ninth Causes of Action.

26 The Court denies City Defendants’ motion to dismiss Chief Ahearn from the First and

27 Sixth Causes of Action.

1 Cause of Action.

2 The Court denies City Defendants’ motion to dismiss Officers Rodes and Beechel from the

3 Ninth Cause of Action.

4 B. The Estate Plaintiffs’ Motion to Strike in Estate of Chivrell (Dkt. No. 68)

5 In response to Estate Plaintiffs’ eleven count FAC, State Defendants filed an answer

6 asserting eighteen affirmative defenses. Dkt. No. 66. Following, Estate Plaintiffs move to strike

7 ten of State Defendants’ affirmative defenses. Dkt. No. 68.

8 1. Affirmative Defenses

9 a. Third Affirmative Defense: Cal. Gov’t Code §§ 815.2, 820.2, and

820.8

10

State Defendants’ Third Affirmative Defense alleges immunity under various California

11

state statutes. Plaintiffs move to strike these defenses on the basis that: (1) state immunities do not

12

apply to federal civil rights actions; (2) Defendants fail to identify which defendants assert these

13

defenses; (3) the defense is unsupported by any facts. Dkt. No. 68 at 2-3.

14

First, Plaintiffs are correct that state immunities, such as those identified in the Defendants’

15

answer, “cannot provide immunity from suit for federal civil rights violations.” Wallis v. Spencer,

16

202 F.3d 1126, 144 (9th Cir. 2000). However, Plaintiffs assert six state-law claims to which the

17

California immunity statutes could be applicable. State Defendants confirm that they are not

18

asserting state immunity against any federal law claims. See Dkt. 68 at 3. Given Defendants’

19

confirmation and the well-established rule that state immunity does not apply to federal law

20

claims, the Court will read the Third Affirmative Defense as applying only to the state law claims.

21

Plaintiffs’ second contention is that they are left to guess which Defendants this immunity might

22

apply to. But, as State Defendants point out, Plaintiffs dismissed all State Defendants from all

23

state causes of action, except Officers Griffin and Cornejo-Mercado. Therefore, Plaintiffs do not

24

have to guess who is asserting the defense. Finally, as to Plaintiffs’ factual sufficiency claim,

25

Defendants clearly claim that all the discretionary acts fall within the immunities and defenses

26

provided under California state law. Whether the acts or omissions actually fall within the

27

parameters of those statutes is, of course, another question. But the true nature of the defense is

1 apparent. Accordingly, the Court denies the Plaintiffs’ motion to strike State Defendants’ Third

2 Affirmative Defense.

3 b. Fifth Affirmative Defense: Cal. Gov’t Code §§ 815.2 and 820.4

4 State Defendants’ Fifth Affirmative Defense alleges state-based immunity for the acts of

5 public employees “exercising due care.” Plaintiffs make the same arguments they did regarding

6 the previous affirmative defense, and they fail for the same reasons. The Court denies Plaintiffs’

7 motion to strike State Defendants’ Fifth Affirmative Defense.

8 c. Sixth Affirmative Defense: Cal. Gov’t Code § 818

9 State Defendants’ Sixth Affirmative Defense alleges that the State is immune from any

10 claim for punitive damages. But as Plaintiffs contend, and State Defendants concede, Plaintiffs do

11 not plead entitlement to punitive damages against the State. Dkt. No. 68 at 4. Accordingly, the

12 Court grants the Plaintiffs’ motion to strike State Defendants’ Sixth Affirmative Defense.

13 d. Seventh Affirmative Defense: Punitive Damages: State Officers

14 State Defendants’ Seventh Affirmative Defense asserts that State Officers (Griffin and

15 Cornejo-Mercado) should be exempt from any punitive damages award. Plaintiffs’ contest the

16 assertion of this defense on the same grounds as the Third Affirmative Defense, and for similar

17 reasons, the Court finds Plaintiffs’ argument unavailing. Accordingly, the Court denies the

18 Plaintiffs’ motion to strike State Defendants’ Seventh Affirmative Defense.

19 e. Eighth Affirmative Defense: Cal. Gov’t Code § 820.8

20 State Defendants’ Eighth Affirmative Defense asserts that the conduct alleged as to State

21 Defendants’ alleged actions were proximately caused by the negligence of wrongful conduct of

22 other persons or entities. In addition to the same pro forma objections as detailed previously,

23 Plaintiffs argue that they plead intentional torts, and concepts of comparative fault are not

24 applicable to state law intentional torts. See Dkt. No. 68 at 6 (citing B.B. v. County of Los

25 Angeles, 10 Cal. 5th 1, 29 (Cal. 2020)). State Defendants, however, highlight that Cal. Civ. Code

26 § 820.8 does extend to intentional torts. Dkt. No. 69 at 5 (discussing that B.B. v. County of Los

27 Angeles does not concern immunity under § 820.8); cf. Clarke v. Upton, No. CV-F-07-888 OWW,

1 employees even if discretion is abused by them, and even if their act is malicious and without

2 probable cause, or is an intentional tort. (See Gov. Code §§ 820.2, 821., 822.2, 820.4, 820.6 and

3 820.8.”)). In their reply, Plaintiffs abandon their initial argument. Accordingly, the Court denies

4 the Plaintiffs’ motion to strike State Defendants’ Eight Affirmative Defense.

5 f. Twelfth Affirmative Defense: Statutory Proscriptions Against

Interference with Peace Officers

6

State Defendants’ Twelfth Affirmative Defense asserts that Mr. Chivrell had a duty to

7

refrain from obstructing or evading peace officers, and by not doing so, Mr. Chivrell was in

8

violation of several California statutes. Plaintiffs’ main argument is that State Defendants merely

9

cite to a series of statutory provisions but allege inadequate factual support to give Plaintiffs fair

10

notice of the bases for the defense. Dkt. No. 68 at 8. But State Defendants do not merely cite the

11

relevant statutes: instead, they allege that Mr. Chivrell resisted a police officer; assaulted an

12

officer; assaulted an officer with a deadly weapon; and resisted arrest. Dkt. No. 66 at 12. In

13

addition to the statutes listed, these factual allegations give Plaintiffs fair notice of the bases for

14

State Defendants’ defense. Accordingly, the Court denies the Plaintiffs’ motion to strike State

15

Defendants’ Twelfth Affirmative Defense.

16

g. Thirteenth Affirmative Defense: Use of Reasonable Force

17

State Defendants’ Thirteenth Affirmative Defense alleges state-based immunity for

18

officer’s use of reasonable force. Plaintiffs repeat the same arguments they made regarding other

19

affirmative defenses, see, e.g., Third Affirmative Defense, and on the same basis, the Court denies

20

Plaintiffs’ motion to strike State Defendants’ Thirteenth Affirmative Defense.

21

22 h. Fourteenth Affirmative Defense: Reasonable Detention

23 State Defendants’ Fourteenth Affirmative Defense alleges that officers reasonably detained

24 Mr. Chivrell. Plaintiffs argue that they did not plead a false detention or false arrest claim, and

25 therefore, State Defendants’ affirmative defense is immaterial. State Defendants argue that a

26 reasonable belief in probable cause for an arrest is grounds for summary judgment based on

27 qualified immunity for illegal search and seizure. Dkt. No. 69 at 7 (citing Collins v. City of

1 has no essential or important relationship to the claim for relief pleaded. Barnes v. At & T Pension

2 Ben. Plan-Nonbargained Program, 718 F.Supp.2d 1167, 1170 (N.D. Cal. 2010). State Defendants

3 sufficiently contend that this issue is critical to their qualified immunity defense and explain why.

4 Accordingly, the Court grants the Plaintiffs’ motion to strike State Defendants’ Fourteenth

5 Affirmative Defense.

6 i. Sixteenth Affirmative Defense: Self Defense

7 State Defendants’ Sixteenth Affirmative Defense alleges self-defense or defense of others.

8 Plaintiffs again make the same pro forma arguments they made with other affirmative defenses,

9 see, e.g., Third Affirmative Defense, and on the same basis, the Court denies Plaintiffs’ motion to

10 strike State Defendants’ Sixteenth Affirmative Defense.

11 j. Eighteenth Affirmative Defense: Self Defense

12 State Defendants’ Sixteenth Affirmative Defense alleges self-defense or defense of others.

13 Plaintiffs again make the same pro forma arguments they made with other affirmative defenses,

14 see, e.g., Third Affirmative Defense, and on the same basis, the Court denies Plaintiffs’ motion to

15 strike State Defendants’ Eighteenth Affirmative Defense.

16 C. The City Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss in City of Arcata (Dkt. No. 26)

17 In this related case, Plaintiffs7 – biological children of Mr. Chivrell – through guardians ad

18 litem bring a three-claim amended complaint (“FAC”) against City Defendants. City Defendants

19 move to dismiss Plaintiffs’ Monell claims and move to dismiss Chief Ahearn from the two claims

20 alleged against him.

21 1. Monell Claims

22 Arcata Plaintiffs allege Monell claims against the City Defendants in their first and second

23 claims. The City Defendants move to dismiss.

24 A plaintiff may establish municipal liability by demonstrating “the constitutional tort was

25

26

7 This section of the order deals entirely with the claims alleged in A.C., et al., v. City of Arcata,

Case No. 22-cv-4804-HSG. Given that the Arcata Plaintiffs are the only Plaintiffs involved in this

27

case, this section will solely reference “Plaintiffs” to refer to the Arcata Plaintiffs who include

1 the result of a ‘longstanding practice or custom which constitutes the standard operating procedure

2 of the local government entity.’” Price v. Sery, 513 F.3d 962, 966 (9th Cir. 2008) (quoting Ulrich

3 v. City & Cnty. of San Francisco, 308 F.3d 968, 984-85 (9th Cir. 2002)). To establish liability on

4 the part of governmental entities under this theory, a plaintiff must show:

5 (1) that [the plaintiff] possessed a constitutional right of which [they]

w[ere] deprived; (2) that the municipality had a policy; (3) that this

6 policy “amounts to deliberate indifference” to the plaintiff’s

constitutional right; and, (4) that the policy is the “moving force

7 behind the constitutional violation.”

8 Plumeau v. Sch. Dist. No. 40 County of Yamhill, 130 F.3d 432, 438 (9th Cir. 1997) (internal

9 quotation marks omitted).

10 Plaintiffs plead that City Defendants “failed to promulgate specific policies and customs

11 and to train officers under their command in the application of necessary policies, including those

12 prescribed by the California POST, Learning Domain 37 (‘People with Disabilities’).” FAC. ¶

13 128. The FAC alleges that City Defendants did not adhere to this policy, and had a longstanding

14 custom of disregarding Learning Domain 37. Plaintiffs further allege that City Defendants

15 violated the policies and procedures required by California Post and the APD policy manual,

16 including Policy 370, which specifies the protocol for communicating with persons with

17 disabilities, and Policy 466, which details how to properly engage in crisis intervention. FAC. ¶

18 64. Plaintiffs’ FAC enumerates several specific policies that were implemented or not adhered to

19 which amounted to deliberate indifference of Mr. Chivrell’s constitutional rights, and were the

20 moving force behind the constitutional violation he suffered. By identifying specific policies and

21 the alleged custom, policy, or practice violations, Plaintiffs’ FAC alleges enough facts “to state a

22 claim to relief that is plausible on its face.” Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 570

23 (2007).

24 Accordingly, the Court denies the City Defendants’ motion to dismiss Plaintiff’s Monell

25 claims under a theory of custom, policy, or practice.

26 In addition to the custom, policy, or practice theory, Plaintiffs also allege a “failure to

27 train” Monell theory. “Failure to train may amount to a policy of ‘deliberate indifference’ if the

1 Dougherty, 654 F.3d at 900 (citing City of Canton, 489 U.S. at 390). To state a claim for failure to

2 train, a plaintiff must show (1) “the existing training program” is inadequate “in relation to the

3 tasks the particular officers must perform”; (2) the officials have been deliberately indifferent “to

4 the rights of persons with whom the police come into contact”; and (3) the inadequacy of the

5 training “actually caused the deprivation of the alleged constitutional right.” Merritt v. Cnty. of

6 Los Angeles, 875 F.2d 765, 770 (9th Cir. 1989) (internal citations and quotation marks omitted).

7 Plaintiffs assert that Defendants “failed to promulgate specific policies and customs and to

8 train officers under their command in the application of necessary policies, including those

9 prescribed by the California POST, Learning Domain 37.” FAC. ¶ 128. Like the FAC in Estate

10 of Chivrell, Arcata Plaintiffs allege that:

11 [Defendants] failed adequately to train officers under their command

in critical areas, including, for example:

12

a. how and when to call for the assistance of officers or

13 professionals with specialized training in dealing with mental

illness, when possible;

14

b. how to approach persons suffering from mental disability

15 or substance impairment;

16 c. how to speak to persons suffering from a from [sic] mental

disability or substance impairment;

17

d. how to interact with persons suffering from mental

18 disability or substance impairment (including using

appropriate body language and tone of voice);

19

e. how to respect the personal space of persons suffering from

20 mental disability or substance impairment;

21 f. how reasonably to accommodate the disabilities of persons

suffering from mental disability or substance impairment; and

22

g. how to de-escalate, without use of force, incidents involving

23 persons suffering from mental disability or substance

impairment.

24

Id. Plaintiffs further allege that this failure to train caused the use of excessive force against Mr.

25

Chivrell and loss of familial association.

26

As decided in this Court’s first order in Estate of Chivrell, the Court concludes that

27

Plaintiffs adequately plead a Monell claim based on a failure to train. See, e.g., City of Canton,

1 489 U.S. at 390 (“[F]ailure to provide proper training may fairly be said to represent a policy for

2 which the city is responsible, and for which the city may be held liable if it actually causes

3 injury.”). Plaintiffs plausibly allege that the City Defendants failed to train their officers on the

4 use of deadly force in situations involving mentally-disabled people, and that this failure to train

5 resulted in the shooting of Mr. Chivrell. They plausibly allege that this failure to train was “‘so

6 obvious[]’ that failure to do so could properly be characterized as ‘deliberate indifference’ to

7 constitutional rights.” Id. at 390 n.10.

8 The City Defendants reiterate an argument the Court already rejected: Plaintiffs’ claim

9 fails because it rests on a single incident – the shooting of Mr. Chivrell. Dkt. No. 26 at 6. But as

10 explained in Estate of Chivrell, the Supreme Court has “left open the possibility” that “municipal

11 liability could be triggered by evidence of a single violation of federal rights, accompanied by a

12 showing that the municipality has failed to train its employees to handle recurring situations

13 presenting an obvious potential for such a violation[.]” Bd. of Cnty. Comm’rs, 520 U.S. at 398.

14 “[I]n this narrow range of circumstances, the violation may be a highly predictable consequence of

15 the failure to train and thereby justify a finding of ‘deliberate indifference’ by policymakers.” Id.

16 For example, in Benavidez v. Cnty. of San Diego, the Ninth Circuit held that the single incident

17 exception was inapplicable where the municipality’s “employees [we]re not making life-

18 threatening decisions.” 993 F.3d 1134, 1140 (9th Cir. 2021) (Monell claim alleged that

19 municipality employees engaged in judicial deception of a juvenile court in seeking an order

20 authorizing medical examinations of minors without notice to or consent of the parents).

21 However, unlike in Benavidez, Plaintiffs here allege that the officers were making plainly “life-

22 threatening decisions,” as evidenced by the shooting of Mr. Chivrell. Thus, because municipal

23 liability may be “triggered by evidence of a single violation of federal rights” when accompanied

24 by a showing of the municipality’s failure to train “its employees to handle recurring situations

25 presenting an obvious potential for such a violation,” the Court concludes that Plaintiffs plausibly

26 allege at this stage that the shooting of Mr. Chivrell falls under the “narrow range of

27 circumstances” covered by the single incident exception. Bd. of Cnty. Comm’rs, 520 U.S. at 398.

1 Police Chief Brian Ahearn based on his alleged ratification of actions taken by members of his

2 police department. Plaintiffs allege that Chief Ahearn “implicitly ratified the conduct of his

3 subordinates in relation to the conduct alleged by refusing to investigate the officer-involved death

4 of Charles Chivrell.” FAC ¶ 125. Further, Plaintiffs allege that “in response to APD’s receipt of

5 citizens’ complaints [Chief] Ahearn indefinitely suspended the investigation” in violation of

6 California law. Id. at ¶ 126

7 A plaintiff may establish Monell liability where an “official with final policy-making

8 authority ‘delegated that authority to, or ratified the decision of, a subordinate.’” Price, 513 F.3d

9 at 966 (quoting Ulrich, 308 F.3d at 984-85); see also Bagley v. City of Sunnyvale, No. 16-CV-

10 02250-LHK, 2017 WL 344998, at *17 (N.D. Cal. Jan. 24, 2017) (“Monell liability can be

11 established if the tortfeasor was an official who ‘fairly represent[s] official policy’ for the

12 municipality or if such an official ratified the tortfeasor’s actions.” (quoting Price, 513 F.3d at

13 966)). Defendants argue that “the mere failure to discipline an officer does not rise to the level of

14 ratification.” Dkt. No. 34 at. 5.

15 Plaintiffs adequately plead a Monell ratification theory. Acceptance of a “policy or custom

16 may be inferred if, after [constitutional violations occurred], ... officials took no steps to reprimand

17 or discharge the[ir subordinates], or if they otherwise failed to admit the [subordinates’] conduct

18 was in error.” McRorie, 795 F.3d at 784. By alleging that Chief Ahearn refused to investigate the

19 officer involved shooting, Plaintiffs allege that Ahearn approved of his subordinate officers’

20 actions. See Carl, 382 F.3d at 987. The Court therefore denies City Defendants’ motion to

21 dismiss Plaintiffs’ ratification theory of Monell liability.

22 * * *

23 The Court denies City Defendants’ motion to dismiss Plaintiffs’ Monell claims.

24 2. Claims Against APD Police Chief Brian Ahearn

25 The City Defendants move to dismiss Chief Ahearn from the Second Cause of Action

26 (Unwarranted Interference with Familial Association) and the Third Cause of Action (Wrongful

27 Death). Dkt. No. 26 at 8.

a. Unwarranted Interference with Familial Association Under

1 Fourteenth Amendment

2 The Fourteenth Amendment protects familial relationships from unwarranted state

3 interference. Thurston v. Santa Rosa Police Dep’t, No. C 08–1115 CRB (PR), 2009 WL 981330,

4 at *1 (N.D. Cal. April 13, 2009). This substantive due process claim may be asserted by both the

5 parents and children of a person killed by law enforcement officers. Moreland v. Las Vegas

6 Metro. Police Dep't, 159 F. 3d 365, 371 (9th Cir. 1998). Under the Fourteenth Amendment, “only

7 official conduct that ‘shocks the conscience’ is cognizable as a due process violation.” Alford v.

8 Humbolt Cnty, 785 F. Supp. 2d 867, 880 (N.D. Cal. 2011).

9 In seeking to dismiss Plaintiffs’ claim, Defendants argue that “[t]here are no factual

10 allegations to support that Chief Ahearn knowingly terminated or interfered with the [p]laintiffs’

11 familial relationship with the decedent. Aside from his position within the APD, the FAC offers

12 no facts that Chief Ahearn was involved in this incident.” Dkt. No. 26 at 8.

13 The Court agrees. Plaintiffs’ FAC alleges that Chief Ahearn “caused the termination of

14 and interference with each Plaintiff’s familial relationship with Charles Chivrell, in the violation

15 of constitutional liberty rights protected by the Fourteenth Amendment.” FAC ¶ 148. Plaintiffs

16 plead that Chief Ahearn’s “actions or inactions were motivated by evil motive or intent, involved

17 reckless or callous indifference to constitutional rights, or were wantonly or oppressively done.”

18 Id. at ¶ 149. For the same reasons discussed in section III.A.3.b. earlier, the Court finds that these

19 allegations include no supporting facts, and do little more than recite the elements of a claim for

20 unwarranted interference under the Fourteenth Amendment. See Starr, 652 F.3d at 1216

21 (explaining that at the pleading stage, a plaintiff “may not simply recite the elements of a cause of

22 action, but must [detail] sufficient allegations of underlying facts” to provide the opposing party

23 with fair notice so it can defend itself). Accordingly, the Court grants City Defendants’ motion to

24 dismiss Plaintiffs’ unwarranted interference with familial association claim against Chief Ahearn.

25 b. Wrongful Death Under Cal. Civ. Code §377.60

26 To successfully state a claim for wrongful death in California, a plaintiff must allege “(1) a

27 wrongful act or neglect on the part of one or more persons that (2) causes (3) the death of another

1 19, 2014) (citing Norgart v. Upjohn Co., 21 Cal.4th 383, 390 (1999)). A wrongful death claim

2 fails if it does not allege the “manner in which [the defendant] was negligent, or how any such

3 negligence caused or contributed in any manner to any specified injury.” Bem v. Stryker Corp.,

4 No. C 15-2485 MMC, 2015 WL 4573204, at *1 (N.D. Cal. July 29, 2015).

5 California Government Code section 820.8 provides that “a public employee is not liable

6 for an injury caused by the act or omission of another person.” No facts show that Chief Ahearn

7 was present or participated in the officers’ response to Mr. Chivrell or the use of force that

8 ultimately led to his death. Plaintiffs make no argument explaining why this general rule should

9 be inapplicable. Accordingly, the Court grants the motions to dismiss Arcata Plaintiffs’ wrongful

10 death claim against Chief Ahearn.

11 IV. CONCLUSION

12 For the reasons set forth above, the Court rules as follows:

13 1. The Court GRANTS IN PART and DENIES IN PART the City Defendants’

14 motion to dismiss (Dkt. No. 61) in Estate of Chivrell, Case No. 22-cv-00019-HSG.

15 a. The City Defendants’ motion is GRANTED as to Plaintiffs’ fourth, fifth,

16 seventh, and ninth claims against APD Chief Ahearn with leave to amend.

17 b. The City Defendants’ motion is DENIED as to Plaintiffs’ Monell claims

18 (first, fourth, and fifth claims).

19 c. The City Defendants’ motion is DENIED as to Plaintiffs’ first and sixth

20 claims against APD Chief Ahearn.

21 d. The City Defendants’ motion is DENIED as to Plaintiffs’ seventh claim

22 against the City.

23 e. The City Defendants’ motion is DENIED as to Plaintiffs’ ninth claim

24 against APD Officers Beechel and Rodes

25 2. The Court GRANTS IN PART and DENIES IN PART the Plaintiffs’ motion to

26 strike (Dkt. No. 68) in Estate of Chivrell, Case No. 22-cv-00019-HSG.

27 a. The Estate Plaintiffs’ motion is GRANTED as to State Defendants’ sixth

1 that no punitive damages claim is pled against those Defendants.

2 b. The Estate Plaintiffs’ motion is DENIED as to State Defendants’ third,

3 fifth, seventh, eighth, twelfth, thirteenth, fourteenth, sixteenth, and

4 eighteenth affirmative defenses.

5 3. The Court GRANTS IN PART and DENIES IN PART the City Defendants’

6 motion to dismiss (Dkt. No. 26) in City of Arcata, Case No. 22-cv-04804-HSG.

7 a. The City Defendants’ motion is GRANTED as to Plaintiffs’ second and

8 third claims against APD Chief Ahearn.

9 b. The City Defendants’ motion is DENIED as to Plaintiffs’ Monell claims

10 (first and second claims).

11 If Plaintiffs can cure the pleading deficiencies described above, they must file any

12 amended complaint or answer within 21 days from the date this order is filed.

5 13 The Court SETS a telephonic case management conference on October, 24 2023, at 2:00

14 || p.m., and DIRECTS the parties to submit a joint case management statement by October 17, 2023.

3 15 All counsel shall use the following dial-in information to access the call:

a 16 Dial-In: 888-808-6929,

3 17 Passcode: 6064255

18 For call clarity, parties shall NOT use speaker phone or earpieces for these calls, and where

19 at all possible, parties shall use landlines. Parties should be prepared to discuss how to move this

20 || case forward efficiently.

21 IT IS SO ORDERED.

22

23 || Dated: 9/6/2023

24

25 Aapweel § Mbt}

HAYWOOD S. GILLIAM, JR.

26 United States District Judge

27

28