Paulette Smith v. City of Los Angeles

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

CIVIL MINUTES —- GENERAL ‘O’

Case No. 2:19-CV-05370-CAS-JCx Date June 24, 2024

Title PAULETTE SMITH v. CITY OF LOS ANGELES, ET AL.

Present: The Honorable CHRISTINA A. SNYDER

Catherine Jeang Deborah Parker N/A

Deputy Clerk Court Reporter / Recorder Tape No.

Attorneys Present for Plaintiffs: Attorneys Present for Defendants:

Bran Dunn Kevin Gilbert

Proceedings: ZOOM HEARING RE: DEFENDANT OFFICER EDWARD

AGDEPPA’S MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION OF

SUMMARY JUDGMENT OR, IN THE ALTERNATIVE, PARTIAL

SUMMARY JUDGMENT (Dkt. 85, filed on April 26, 2024)

I. INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND

Presently before the Court is defendant Edward Agdeppa’s motion for

reconsideration of summary judgment or, in the alternative, partial summary judgment.

Dkt. 85. The facts of this case are well known to the parties and laid out in detail in the

Court’s November 6, 2020 Order. Dkt. 59.

On June 16, 2019, plaintiff Paulette Smith, individually and as successor in interest

to decedent Albert Dorsey, filed a complaint against defendants Officer Edward Agdeppa

and the City of Los Angeles (“City”). Dkt. 1 (‘Compl.”). In her complaint, Smith alleged

four claims for relief: (1) violations of 42 U.S.C. § 1983 (“Section 1983”) against Officer

Agdeppa based on an unreasonable use of deadly force; (2) violations of Section 1983

based on an unconstitutional policy, practice or custom against the City; (3) wrongful death

against Agdeppa and the City based on battery, pursuant to Cal. Gov’t Code §§ 815.2(a),

820(a) and Cal. Civ. Code § 43; and (4) wrongful death against Agdeppa and the City based

on negligence, pursuant to Cal. Gov’t Code §§ 815.2(a), 820(a). See Compl.

On May 6, 2020, the parties stipulated to dismiss the City from the case, leaving

claims one, three and four as alleged against Agdeppa. See Dkts. 30, 31.

On June 30, 2020, Agdeppa, now the sole defendant, filed a motion for summary

judgment, or, in the alternative, partial summary judgment on each of plaintiff's claims.

Dkt. 37. On November 6, 2020, the Court denied the motion. Dkt. 59 (“MSJ Order’).

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

CIVIL MINUTES — GENERAL ‘Oo’

Case No. 2:19-CV-05370-CAS-JCx Date June 24, 2024

Title PAULETTE SMITH v. CITY OF LOS ANGELES, ET AL.

Specifically, the Court denied summary judgment on plaintiff's Section 1983 claim

because (1) “there is a genuine dispute over whether plaintiff posed an immediate threat to

the officers sufficient to warrant the use of deadly force”; and (2) “Agdeppa is not entitled

to qualified immunity as a matter of law” because a jury could find that Agdeppa’s use of

deadly force violated clearly established law. Id. 16, 18. The Court also denied summary

judgment as to plaintiffs claims for wrongful death based on battery and negligence,

respectively, because the Court had “already concluded that there is an issue of disputed

fact regarding [defendant’s] use of deadly force.” Id. at 19.

On November 25, 2020, Agdeppa appealed the Court’s denial of his motion for

summary judgment on the basis of qualified immunity to the Ninth Circuit. Dkt. 62.

On December 30, 2022, the Ninth Circuit panel, consisting of Judge Morgan

Christen, Judge Daniel A. Bress, and District Judge Gary Feinerman (sitting by

designation), issued an opinion affirming the Court’s denial of Agdeppa’s motion, with

Judge Bress dissenting. Dkt. 75.

On May 4, 2023, the Ninth Circuit issued an order notifying the parties that Judge

Feinerman had resigned from judicial service and Judge Consuelo M. Callahan had been

drawn as a replacement judge. Dkt. 78. The new panel then voted sua sponte to grant

panel rehearing, with “Judge Callahan and Judge Bress vot|ing] in favor of rehearing, and

Judge Christen vot[ing] against rehearing.” Id. The original opinion and dissent were

accordingly withdrawn. Id.

On August 30, 2023, the new Ninth Circuit panel issued an opinion “revers[ing] the

district court’s decision denying Agdeppa qualified immunity and remand|[ing] for

proceedings consistent with [its] opinion.” Dkt. 80 (“Opinion”). On March 11, 2024, the

Ninth Circuit issued its mandate. Dkt. 82. Defendant is thus entitled to summary judgment

as to plaintiff's Section 1983 claim based on qualified immunity. Plaintiff's remaining

claims against Agdeppa are state law claims for (1) wrongful death based on battery; and

(2) wrongful death based on negligence. See Johnson v. Bay Area Rapid Transit Dist., 724

F.3d 1159, 1171 (9th Cir. 2013) (“[T]he doctrine of qualified immunity does not shield

defendants from state law claims.”).

On April 26, 2024, defendant filed the present motion for reconsideration regarding

the Court’s order on his motion for summary judgment. Dkt. 85 (“Mot.”). On June 3,

2024, plaintiff filed an opposition. Dkt. 86 (“Opp.”). On June 10, 2024, defendant filed a

reply. Dkt. 87 (“Reply”).

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

CIVIL MINUTES — GENERAL ‘OQ’

Case No. 2:19-CV-05370-CAS-JCx Date June 24, 2024

Title PAULETTE SMITH v. CITY OF LOS ANGELES, ET AL.

On June 24, 2024, the Court held a hearing. Having carefully considered the parties’

arguments and submissions, the Court finds and concludes as follows.

Il. LEGAL STANDARD

Local Rule 7-18 sets forth the bases upon which the Court may reconsider the

decision on any motion:

A motion for reconsideration of the decision on any motion may be made

only on the grounds of: (a) a material difference in fact or law from that

presented to the Court before such decision that in the exercise of reasonable

diligence could not have been known to the party moving for reconsideration

at the time of such decision, or (b) the emergence of new material facts or a

change of law occurring after the time of such decision, or (c) a manifest

showing of a failure to consider material facts presented to the Court before

such decision. No motion for reconsideration shall in any manner repeat any

oral or written argument made in support of or in opposition to the original

motion.

L_R. 7-18.

Il. DISCUSSION

Defendant asks this Court to “reconsider whether [p]laintiff's evidence — as

evaluated and summarized by the Appellate Court’s Opinion — was sufficient to have

created a genuine issue of material fact with respect to whether Dorsey was an imminent

threat, as necessary to defeat [defendant’s| [motion for summary judgment on plaintiff's

state law claims].” Mot. at 7-8. Specifically, defendant contends that reconsideration 1s

warranted because “the Appellate Court’s Opinion call[ed] into question this Court’s

findings on certain factual issues, including specifically whether there were genuine

issues of material fact.” Id. at 3. Defendant focuses on four disputed areas of fact that

the Court allegedly identified in its prior order: (1) the extent of the Officers’ injuries; (2)

the trajectory of the bullets; (3) whether Agdeppa issued a warning; and (4) whether

witnesses to the fight contradicted the Officers’ recollection. Id. at 8.

Defendant also argues that reconsideration 1s warranted in light of the Ninth

Circuit’s recent decision in Hart v. City of Redwood City, 99 F.4th 543 (9th Cir. 2024).

There, the Ninth Circuit “overruled a district court’s denial of summary judgment,

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

CIVIL MINUTES —- GENERAL ‘O’

Case No. 2:19-CV-05370-CAS-JCx Date June 24, 2024

Title PAULETTE SMITH v. CITY OF LOS ANGELES, ET AL.

finding that the district court’s conclusion that material factual disputes existed, was]

not, in fact, material to the inquiry of whether the subject posed an immediate threat to

the officers.” Mot. at 9.

In opposition, plaintiff argues that the Ninth Circuit’s opinion was “limited to the

purely legal contention that [defendant] . . . did not violate clearly established law.” Opp.

at 7 (internal quotations omitted). She notes that “portions of the district court’s order

determining questions of ‘evidence sufficiency,’ 1.e., which facts a party may, or may not,

be able to prove at trial .. . [are] not appealable.” Id. (citing Johnson v. Jones, 515 U.S.

304, 313 (1995)). She emphasizes that the Ninth Circuit itself recognized this rule and

explicitly wrote: “We do not resolve any factual disputes, nor are any of the factual

disputes that the district court identified dispositive.” Id. at 8 (quoting Smith v. Agdeppa,

81 F.4th 994, 1003-04 (9th Cir. 2023)). Instead, the Ninth Circuit’s opinion was limited

to the sole question of whether defendant violated clearly established law. Smith, 81 F.

Ath at 997 (“The officer’s use of deadly force did not violate clearly established law. For

this sole reason, we reverse the district court’s decision.”). Plaintiff characterizes the

language from the Ninth Circuit’s opinion cited by defendant as mere dicta. Id. at 10.

She also argues that Hart does not represent an intervening change of controlling law

sufficient to warrant reconsideration. Id. at 9.

In reply, defendant argues that the Ninth Circuit’s opinion 1s “a binding, published

decision, which this Court must follow” and represents the “law-of-the-case.” Reply at 1.

He asserts that the Ninth Circuit “made /egal conclusions, including finding that

[plaintiffs perceived issues of fact were nor genuine or material.” Reply at 1 (emphasis

in original). He further claims that the Ninth Circuit “concluded that [plaintiff's

evidence was speculative and insufficient.” Id. at 2. Defendant also argues that Hart’s

holding that “mere allegation and speculation do not create a factual dispute for purposes

of summary judgment” supports reconsideration. Id. at 3 (quoting Hart, 99 F 4th at 554).

In its initial order, the Court denied summary judgment as to plaintiffs state law

claims after finding that it “ha|d] already concluded that there is an issue of disputed fact

regarding |defendant’s]| use of deadly force,” in reference to its earlier analysis regarding

plaintiff's Section 1983 excessive force claim. MSJ Order at 19. As the Court noted,

|laims of excessive force under California law are analyzed under the same standard

of objective reasonableness used in Fourth Amendment claims.” Id. at 18 (quoting Hayes

v. Cty. of San Diego, 736 F.3d 1223, 1232 (9th Cir. 2013). In finding that there was “a

genuine dispute over whether plaintiff posed an immediate threat to the officers sufficient

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

CIVIL MINUTES —- GENERAL ‘O’

Case No. 2:19-CV-05370-CAS-JCx Date June 24, 2024

Title PAULETTE SMITH v. CITY OF LOS ANGELES, ET AL.

to warrant the use of deadly force,” the Court identified several relevant facts/disputes

including (1) contradicting testimony between Agdeppa and other witnesses on the scene;

(2) evidence of the extent of the officers’ injuries, which speaks to the degree of threat

posed by Dorsey; (3) a dispute over whether Agdeppa issued a warning of his intent to

use deadly force: and (4) evidence of the officers’ pre-shooting tactical decisions, which

the Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners (BOPC) concluded were a substantial

deviation from department policy.

As an initial matter, the Court finds that the Ninth Circuit’s opinion explicitly

not resolve any factual disputes” identified by the Court in its initial order.

Opinion at 18. It is well established that:

An order denying a motion for summary judgment is usually not an immediately

appealable final decision. But that general rule does not apply when the summary

judgment motion is based on a claim of qualified immunity, because pretrial orders

denying qualified immunity generally fall within the collateral order doctrine.

Thus, in the qualified immunity context, [the Appellate Court] typically ha[s]

jurisdiction over interlocutory appeals from the denial of summary judgment.

The scope of [] review in this context, however, is circumscribed. . . . A public

official may not immediately appeal a fact-related dispute about the pretrial record,

namely, whether or not the evidence in the pretrial record was sufficient to show a

genuine issue of fact for trial. [I|nterlocutory review jurisdiction is limited to

resolving a defendant’s purely legal contention that his or her conduct did not

violate the Constitution and, in any event, did not violate clearly established law.

Est. of Anderson v. Marsh, No. 19-15068, 2021 WL 139733 (9th Cir. Jan. 15, 2021)

(internal citations and quotations omitted).

Thus, to the extent the Ninth Circuit opined on the legitimacy of factual disputes

identified by the Court, such discussions do not constitute legal conclusions and do not

represent the law-of-the-case. Accordingly, the Ninth Circuit’s opinion does not reverse

or overrule the Court’s prior determinations regarding the existence of genuine factual

disputes.

The Court also finds that Hart does not provide an independent basis for

reconsideration. To the extent that defendant cites Hart for the principle that “mere

allegation and speculation do not create a factual dispute for purposes of summary

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

CIVIL MINUTES —- GENERAL ‘O’

Case No. 2:19-CV-05370-CAS-JCx Date June 24, 2024

Title PAULETTE SMITH v. CITY OF LOS ANGELES, ET AL.

judgment,” Reply at 3, this principle is not new and was already applied in the Court’s

prior analysis. See Hart, 99 F. 4th at 554 (quoting verbatim from Nelson v. Pima Cmty.

Coll, 83 F.3d 1075, 1081-82 (9th Cir. 1996)). Hart also reiterated the principle that the

Appellate Court “ha[s] jurisdiction to review an issue of law determining entitlement to

qualified immunity—even if the district court’s summary judgment ruling also contains

an evidence-sufficiency determination—but not to accede to a defendant’s request that

we review that evidence-sufficiency determination on appeal.” Id. at 548 (emphasis

added). Accordingly, Hart reinforces the conclusion that the Ninth Circuit’s opinion did

not address the Court’s evidence-sufficiency determinations.

In the instant motion, defendant attempts to relitigate whether there was a genuine

dispute over whether plaintiff posed an immediate threat sufficient to warrant the use of

deadly force. Mot. at 10-21. His arguments are unavailing. Although the Court has

already determined that defendant has failed to show a material difference in fact or law

that warrants reconsideration pursuant to L.R. 7-18, it nevertheless briefly addresses

defendant’s arguments below.

Defendant first argues that the Court improperly relied on “[p]laintiff’s pure

speculation on bullet trajectory” to conclude that there was a genuine dispute over

whether Dorsey remained standing over Rodriguez until the final shot. Mot. at 10-11.

He is mistaken. In the Court’s prior order, the Court noted that “plaintiff advanced an

argument [at the hearing] that the trajectory of one of the bullets as it entered Dorsey

calls into question Agdeppa’s account that Dorsey remained standing over Rodriguez

until the final shot.” MSJ Order at 13 (emphasis added). In doing so, the Court was

merely recounting an argument that plaintiff had advanced at the hearing. The Court

specified in its order that it “cannot draw any inference as to how Dorsey was positioned

relative to each gunshot, such as, for instance, whether he was standing or hunched over

when the first bullet struck him.” Id. at 8. Thus, the Court’s prior order did not rely on a

finding that there was a genuine dispute of material fact regarding the trajectory of the

bullets and Dorsey’s positioning.

Next, defendant argues that any contradiction between Agdeppa’s testimony and

witness testimony in the BOPC report “does not diminish the existence of a brutal fight

between the officers and Dorsey.” Mot. at 11 (capitalization omitted). He references

excerpts from the Ninth Circuit’s opinion which questioned whether Witness F’s

testimony, as presented in the BOPC report, was credible given his positioning at the time

of the shooting. Id, at 11-12. Notwithstanding the Ninth Circuit’s explicit admonition

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

CIVIL MINUTES —- GENERAL ‘O’

Case No. 2:19-CV-05370-CAS-JCx Date June 24, 2024

Title PAULETTE SMITH v. CITY OF LOS ANGELES, ET AL.

that its opinion “dlid]| not resolve any factual disputes,” Opinion at 18, this inconsistency

goes to the weight of the evidence, which is not for the Court to consider on summary

judgment. It does not change the Court’s determination that a genuine dispute exists

which may call into question Agdeppa’s credibility at trial.

Defendant also argues that the Ninth Circuit reversed this Court’s conclusion that

“a rational fact finder could view plaintiffs evidence [of the extent of the officers’

injuries] and conclude that the threat here did not warrant such extreme force.” Mot. at

13. As discussed above, the Ninth Circuit “d[id] not resolve any factual disputes”

identified by the Court.’ Here, plaintiff has presented evidence of post-incident

photographs of the officers’ injuries which speak to the level of threat Dorsey presented.

Defendant’s arguments that “the [o]|fficers’ injuries were not insubstantial” and the

officers’ subsequent testimony as to how they were affected by their injuries only further

demonstrate that there is a genuine dispute of material fact as to this issue.

Finally, defendant argues that the Court should not have “taken an alleged lack of

warning as another factor to conclude Agdeppa’s action was unreasonable.” Mot. at 16.

In support, he cites the Ninth Circuit’s opinion which found that a lack of warning, by

itself, 1s not sufficient to constitute a violation of Dorsey’s rights. Id. at 17. Again, the

Ninth Circuit’s holding was limited to the question of whether Agdeppa violated a clearly

established right for the purposes of overcoming qualified immunity. It did not preclude

a jury from considering whether Agdeppa failed to issue a warning prior to shooting and

whether such a failure would render Agdeppa’s conduct unreasonable.

IV. CONCLUSION

For the foregoing reasons, the Court DENIES Agdeppa’s motion for reconsideration

of summary judgment or, in the alternative, partial summary judgment.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

00 25

Initials of Preparer CMI

While the Ninth Circuit held that defendant is entitled to qualified immunity in this

case, “the doctrine of qualified immunity does not shield defendants from state law

claims.” Johnson, 724 F.3d at 1171.