MacMurray v. Wells

Filing 29

ORDER denying 24 Motion for Reconsideration. Signed by Judge Ralph R. Beistline on 3/11/14. (JLH, COURT STAFF)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF ALASKA
BENJAMIN D. MACMURRAY,

Case No. 4:13-CV-0020-RRB

Plaintiff,
Order Denying Motion For
Reconsideration

v.
FREDDIE WELLS, in his personal capacity,
and STATE OF ALASKA,
Defendants.
I.

INTRODUCTION
Before the Court is a motion for reconsideration of the order entered on January 10, 2014, at Docket

Number 21 wherein the Court found there to be no error in the Alaska Attorney General’s certification
decision in this case. Plaintiff Benjamin MacMurray argues that according to State Dep’t of Corr. v. Heisey,
271 P.3d 1082, 1090-91 (Alaska 2012), the Court should have allowed him to “conduct discovery and submit
evidence to the court to support his position before the court rule[d] on the [Attorney General’s certification]
issue . . . .”1 Specifically, MacMurray claims that because the Court did not hold an evidentiary hearing and
generally allow for the discovery and presentation of evidence regarding the certification issue, MacMurray
was dispossessed of the possibility of prevailing on his state law claims in violation of his due process
rights.2
Defendants Freddie Wells and State of Alaska oppose the motion for reconsideration and explain
that the certification was appropriate in this case and that because there were no disputed issues of material
fact concerning the certification, the Court was not required to hold an evidentiary hearing or permit

1

Docket No. 24 at 1-2.

2

Id. at 2.

1

discovery.3
Inasmuch as the Court concludes that MacMurray has not shown highly unusual circumstances,
presented newly discovered evidence, proven clear error, nor cited an intervening change in controlling law,
MacMurray’s Motion is DENIED.
II.

STANDARD OF REVIEW
Motions for reconsideration should not be granted unless highly unusual circumstances are shown

to warrant such a reconsideration.4 A motion for reconsideration is appropriate only when: (1) the district
court is presented with newly discovered evidence; (2) the district court committed clear error; or (3) there
is an intervening change in the controlling law.5
III.

DISCUSSION
MacMurray contends that before ruling on the certification issue, the Court was required to permit

him to “obtain discovery, submit evidence and otherwise have a hearing appropriate to the case . . . .”6
MacMurray’s arguments are unpersuasive.
Under Heisey, a reviewing court follows a specific process when reviewing an Attorney General’s
certification:
(1) the standard of review for the certification decision should be de novo; (2) the burden
of proof lies upon the plaintiff challenging certification to prove that the defendants were
not acting within the scope of their employment; (3) the court should apply the factors in AS
09.50.253(h)(1) for the scope-of-employment determination; (4) the outcome should be
decided by the court, not a jury; and (5) the determination should be made prior to trial.7
Additionally, “[i]f there are disputed issues of fact, we direct the court to hold an evidentiary hearing and
3

Docket No. 28 at 2.

4

389 Orange St. Partners v. Arnold, 179 F.3d 656, 665 (9th Cir. 1999). See D.Ak. LR 59.1

5

Id.

6

Docket No. 24 at 2.

7

Heisey, 271 P.3d at 1090-91 (emphasis added).

(2010).

2

make factual findings, then decide the certification question prior to trial. If no disputed issues of material
fact exist, the court may resolve the issue on summary judgment.”8
First, because there were no disputed issues of material fact with regard to the certification, the Court
concluded that an evidentiary hearing was unnecessary and instead chose to resolve the certification issue
on summary judgment. Second, after a de novo review, the Court concluded that MacMurray had failed to
carry his burden of showing that Wells was not acting within the scope of his employment at the time of the
stop and subsequent arrest. This entire dispute arose from a legitimate traffic stop, much of which was
recorded, and it was clear that Wells was acting within the scope of his employment. Thus, based on its
review, the Court found that certification was proper. The Court’s conclusion was not clear error nor did
it present highly unusual circumstances.
IV.

CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, the Motion For Reconsideration at Docket Number 24 is DENIED.
It is so ordered.

Dated this 11th day of March, 2014.
S/RALPH R. BEISTLINE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

8

Id. at 1091 (emphasis added).

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