Coleman v. California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation et al
Filing
16
ORDER Denying 14 Motion for Reconsideration, signed by Chief Judge Ralph R. Beistline on 12/9/14. (Verduzco, M)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
ROBERT COLEMAN,
Case No. 1:11-cv-01587-RRB
Plaintiff,
vs.
ORDER DENYING RECONSIDERATION
[MOTION AT DOCKET 14]
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF
CORRECTIONS and
REHABILITATION, et al.,
Defendants.
At Docket 14 Robert Coleman, a state prisoner appearing pro se and in forma
pauperis, has moved for reconsideration of the Court’s Order dismissing his complaint
without leave to amend.1 Concurrently with his motion Coleman filed a request for judicial
notice.2 The fact that it does not qualify as “newly discovered” evidence notwithstanding,
the Court grants Coleman’s request and takes judicial notice of the additional documents
submitted.3
The thrust of Coleman’s argument is two-fold. First, Coleman argues that, because
he is a member of a class action brought against officials of the State, he is a member of
a “protected class” within the scope of the Fourteenth Amendment. Second, Coleman
1
Docket 12.
2
Docket 14.
3
(1) 2006 Interdisciplinary Progress Note; (2) 2009 Interdisciplinary Progress Note; (3)
2010 Interdisciplinary Progress Note; and (4) 2011 Interdisciplinary Progress Note.
argues that the Court erred in not permitting him to amend to correct the deficiencies in his
Complaint.
Because Coleman’s motion was brought within 28 days after entry of judgment, it
is treated as a motion brought under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 59(e).4 This Court
may grant relief under Rule 59(e) under limited circumstances: (1) an intervening change
of controlling authority; (2) new evidence has surfaced; or (3) the previous disposition was
clearly erroneous and, if uncorrected, would work a manifest injustice.5 Plaintiff’s pending
motion raises solely the third ground.
For the following reasons the Court rejects
Coleman’s arguments.
First, the mere fact that a plaintiff may properly be a member of the class bringing
a class action lawsuit does not also make that person a member of a “protected class”
within the scope of the Fourteenth Amendment. To be a member of a class for the
purpose of a class action lawsuit, the person need only hold a claim that involves questions
of law and fact common to the class and is typical of the class as a whole.6 In rejecting
Coleman’s equal protection claim this Court determined that Coleman was neither a
member of a “protected class” for the purpose of the Fourteenth Amendment nor, under
the facts pleaded, was he being treated differently than other similarly situated prisoners.
4
American Ironworks & Erectors, Inc. v. North Am. Const. Corp., 248 F.3d 892, 898–99
(9th Cir. 2001).
5
See Circuit City Stores v. Mantor, 417 F.3d 1060, 1064 (9th Cir. 2005); 389 Orange Street
Partners v. Arnold, 179 F.3d 656, 665 (9th Cir.1999); see generally 11 Charles Alan Wright, Arthur
R. Miller & Mary Kay Kane, Fed. Prac. & Proc. Civ. § 2810.1 (2d ed.).
6
Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(a); see Jimenez v. Allstate Ins. Co., 765 F.3d 1161, 1165–66 (9th Cir.
2014) (explaining the applicability of Rule 23).
ORDER DENYING RECONSIDERATION [MOTION AT DOCKET 14]
Coleman v. CDCR, 1:11-cv-01587-RRB – 2
Nothing in Coleman’s motion addresses this determination, let alone meets the
requirement for reconsideration, i.e., that it is clearly erroneous.
The additional documentation submitted by Coleman does support his contention
that he has been clinically diagnosed as having suicidal tendencies and has more likely
than not at least threatened suicide on more than one occasion. On the other hand, other
than the May 2006 Interdisciplinary Progress Note, which states “V. Ad Seg placement
contributes to impulsive/compulsive bx,”7 nothing in the clinical documentation provided
suggests that his confinement in a SHU at Corcoran State Prison somehow either created
or intensified this suicidal ideation sufficiently to constitute a viable deliberate indifference
claim cognizable under the Eighth Amendment.
In short, nothing in the clinical
documentation provided, whether originally or in conjunction with the pending motion,
comes close to establishing that the Court’s prior disposition was clearly erroneous and,
if uncorrected, would work a manifest injustice.
Accordingly, Plaintiff’s Motion for Reconsideration at Docket 14 is DENIED.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Dated this 9th day of December, 2014
S/ RALPH R. BEISTLINE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
7
Docket 15, p. 15.
ORDER DENYING RECONSIDERATION [MOTION AT DOCKET 14]
Coleman v. CDCR, 1:11-cv-01587-RRB – 3
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