Kinney v. Brazelton, et al.
Filing
97
ORDER REGARDING DISCOVERY signed by Magistrate Judge Michael J. Seng on 1/16/2017. Twenty (20) day deadline for defendant's production of documents. (Jessen, A)
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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
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EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
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DIJON KINNEY,
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Plaintiff,
ORDER REGARDING DISCOVERY
Defendant.
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CASE NO. 1:14-cv-00503-AWI-MJS (PC)
TWENTY (20) DAY DEADLINE FOR
DEFENDANT’S PRODUCTION OF
DOCUMENTS
v.
S. FLORES,
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Plaintiff is a state prisoner proceeding in forma pauperis in this civil rights action
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brought pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. The action proceeds against Defendant Flores
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on Plaintiff’s Eighth Amendment claims.
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I.
Procedural History
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On June 23, 2014, Plaintiff filed a first amended complaint. (ECF No. 9.) He
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alleged that, on August 14, 2012 a riot broke out in his recreation yard. Plaintiff was not
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involved. However, Plaintiff was one of several African-American inmates on a nearby
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basketball court who refused to prone out on the asphalt due to the heat. As a result,
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Plaintiff was forced by Defendant Flores to lie down/kneel down on the ground. The
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temperature was over 100 degrees and the ground was burning hot. Plaintiff was
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required to kneel on the ground for over ninety minutes. He thereafter requested medical
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attention and Flores refused.
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On July 1, 2014, the Court screened the complaint and found that it stated
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cognizable Eighth Amendment claims. (ECF No. 10.) Flores was served and answered
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on November 5, 2014. (ECF No. 18.) The Court issued a discovery and scheduling
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order, setting July 7, 2015 as the discovery cut-off and September 17, 2015 as the
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dispositive motion deadline. (ECF No. 20.) The discovery deadline later was extended to
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July 21, 2015 for the sole purpose of taking Plaintiff’s deposition in Arizona. (ECF No.
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30.)
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On July 10, 2015, Plaintiff filed a “Pitchess” motion seeking materials from
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Defendant’s personnel file. (ECF No. 31.) The motion was denied on the ground that
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Pitchess is inapplicable in this civil proceeding and, in any event, the discovery cut-off
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had expired. (ECF No. 32.)
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On August 3, 2015, Plaintiff filed a motion for a ninety day extension of the
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discovery deadline. (ECF No. 33.) He claimed that he did not know how to file motions or
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discovery requests, he was without legal assistance from an attorney or “jail house
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lawyer” during the discovery period, and he is pro se and thus unfamiliar with the laws
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and rules of the federal courts. The motion was denied for failure to show good cause or
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that he had pursued discovery with the requisite diligence during the discovery period.
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(ECF No. 35.)
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On September 16, 2016, Defendant moved to modify the dispositive motion
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deadline. (ECF No. 36.) The motion was granted and the deadline was extended to
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October 2, 2015.
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On October 2, 2015, Defendant filed a motion for summary judgment. (ECF No.
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37.) On January 15, 2016, after Plaintiff already had opposed the motion for summary
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judgment and filed his unauthorized surreply, Plaintiff moved “for a transcript of prior
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proceedings and all discovery of evidence.” (ECF No. 46.) He sought a transcript of his
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deposition, “material evidence,” video footage, and photographs. He did not seek to stay
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proceedings on the motion for summary judgment pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil
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Procedure 56(d). The Court denied the motion on the ground that good cause was not
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presented. (ECF No. 49.)
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On February 29, 2016, Plaintiff filed another discovery motion. (ECF No. 51.) This
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time, Plaintiff did seek additional time under Rule 56(d). He sought the following
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discovery: his own deposition transcript, the final dispositions of investigations performed
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by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Office of the
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Inspector General, video footage of the incident, and photographs taken by medical
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staff. Defendant filed no opposition. On May 27, 2016, the Court denied the motion, once
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again because Plaintiff failed to show he diligently pursued discovery. (ECF No. 56.)
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Nevertheless, to facilitate the efficient resolution of discovery issues and allow
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summary judgment and/or trial to proceed upon the consideration of all relevant
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evidence, the Court ordered as follows:
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1. A telephonic discovery dispute conference was set for June 21, 2016.
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2. The parties were ordered to meet and confer prior to the conference to attempt
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to resolve disputes regarding Plaintiff’s deposition transcript, photo evidence,
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and video evidence.
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3. Defendant was ordered to provide the following documents to the Court for in
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camera review: any and all documents in Defendant's possession, custody, or
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subject to his control relating to the investigation of the August 14, 2012
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incident by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and/or
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the Office of the Inspector General.
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4. Defendant also was invited to submit a statement of objections to the release
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of such documents to Plaintiff and a draft protective order, if deemed
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necessary.
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On June 23, 2016 Defendant filed objections to the order. (ECF No. 62.) On
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September 23, 2016, Defendant’s motion for summary judgment was denied. (ECF No.
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68.) On October 19, 2016, the District Judge ruled on Defendant’s objections to the
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discovery order. (ECF No. 71.) The District Judge found good cause for reopening
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discovery for the limited purposes described above. He overruled Defendant’s objections
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on procedural grounds.1
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On November 29, 2016, the undersigned set the matter for a telephonic discovery
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dispute conference, ordered the parties to meet and confer regarding Plaintiff’s access
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to photographs of his injuries, and ordered Defendant to submit the above-described
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documents for in camera review.
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Defendant submitted the documents, videos, and audio recordings between
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January 3, 2017 and January 5, 2017. He also submitted objections to the release of
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said document to Plaintiff, a privilege log, and a proposed protective order (ECF Nos.92-
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93).
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On January 11, 2017, counsel was appointed to represent Plaintiff. (ECF No. 96.)
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The Court conducted it’s in camera review of the documents and discussed the
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conclusions it drew therefrom with all parties on the record on January 13, 2017.
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II.
Legal Standard
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The Supreme Court has long noted that privileges are disfavored. Jaffee v.
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Redmond, 518 U.S. 1, 9 (1996). “The party asserting an evidentiary privilege has the
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burden to demonstrate that the privilege applies to the information in question.” Tornay
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v. United States, 840 F.2d 1424, 1426 (9th Cir. 1988). Privileges are to be “strictly
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construed” because they “impede full and free discovery of the truth.” Eureka Fin. Corp.
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v. Hartford Acc. and Indem. Co., 136 F.R.D. 179, 183 (E.D. Cal. 1991). “If the privilege is
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Defendant objected that the disputed evidence was not relevant to the motion for summary judgment; the
District Judge concluded it may be relevant for trial. Defendant objected that the evidence was confidential
and privileged; the District Judge noted that Defendant had been ordered to present these arguments to
the undersigned and did not do so. Accordingly, the District Judge declined to address them.
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worth protecting, a litigant must be prepared to expend some time to justify the assertion
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of the privilege.” Id.
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In civil rights cases brought under section 1983, questions of privilege are
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resolved by federal law. Kerr v. U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California,
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511 F.2d 192, 197 (9th Cir. 1975). “State privilege doctrine, whether derived from
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statutes or court decisions, is not binding on federal courts in these kinds of cases.” Kelly
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v. City of San Jose, 114 F.R.D. 653, 655-56 (N.D. Cal. 1987).
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Nevertheless, “[f]ederal common law recognizes a qualified privilege for official
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information.” Sanchez v. City of Santa Ana, 936 F.2d 1027, 1033 (9th Cir. 1990) (citing
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Kerr, 511 F.2d at 198). The official information privilege ensures disclosure of
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discoverable information without compromising the state’s interest in protecting the
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privacy of law enforcement officials and in ensuring the efficacy of its law enforcement
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system. Kelly, 114 F.R.D. at 662-63.
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“To determine whether the information sought is privileged, courts must weigh the
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potential benefits of disclosure against the potential disadvantages. If the latter is
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greater, the privilege bars discovery.” Sanchez, 936 F.2d at 1033-34. “In the context of
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civil rights suits against [corrections officials], this balancing approach should be
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‘moderately pre-weighted in favor of disclosure.’” Soto, 162 F.R.D. at 613 (quoting Kelly,
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114 F.R.D. at 661).
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The party invoking the privilege must at the outset make a “substantial threshold
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showing” by way of a declaration or affidavit from a responsible official with personal
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knowledge of the matters attested. Soto, 162 F.R.D. at 613. “The claiming official must
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‘have seen and considered the contents of the documents and himself have formed the
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view that on grounds of public interest they ought not to be produced’ and state with
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specificity the rationale of the claimed privilege.” Kerr, 511 F.2d at 198 (citation omitted).
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The affidavit must include: (1) an affirmation that the agency generated or collected the
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material in issue and has maintained its confidentiality; (2) a statement that the official
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has personally reviewed the material in question; (3) a specific identification of the
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governmental or privacy interests that would be threatened by disclosure of the material
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to plaintiff and/or his lawyer; (4) a description of how disclosure subject to a carefully
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crafted protective order would create a substantial risk of harm to significant
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governmental or privacy interests, and (5) a projection of how much harm would be done
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to the threatened interests if disclosure were made. Soto, 162 F.R.D. at 613. In addition,
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“[t]he asserting party, as in any case where a privilege is claimed, must sufficiently
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identify the documents so as to afford the requesting party an opportunity to challenge
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the assertion of privilege.” Miller v. Panucci, 141 F.R.D.292, 300 (C.D. Cal. 1992).
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III.
Discussion
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Defendants’ privilege log contains eight Office of Internal Affairs Investigation
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Reports and Exhibits thereto. The Exhibits include video footage and audio recordings.
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The Court has conducted an in camera review of these materials and has considered
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the materials under the legal standard set forth above. The Court has weighed the
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potential benefits of disclosure against the potential disadvantages, Sanchez, 936 F.2d
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at 1033–34, and concludes that, in the specific instances described below, the balance
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tips rather clearly in favor of disclosure. The Court is sensitive to Defendant’s need to
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maintain institutional safety and security. Similarly, the Court appreciates the benefit to
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society and institutions within it of promoting thorough and accurate investigations.
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However, these records contain highly relevant information bearing directly on the
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incident at issue and potential liability therefore. Justice requires that the contents be
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made available to Plaintiff for use in identifying witnesses, and in questioning, and
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possibly impeaching, lay and expert witnesses at the trial of this case.
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Given the foregoing, judicial preference for admitting competent, relevant
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evidence, and recognition that the balance is “moderately pre-weighted in favor of
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disclosure” in these cases, Soto, 162 F.R.D. at 613 (quoting Kelly, 114 F.R.D. at 661),
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the Court cannot justify withholding these records from Plaintiff on any basis proffered
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by Defendants. Accordingly, Defendants will be ordered to produce to Plaintiff’s
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counsel the documents and materials as identified below subject to the restrictions and
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protections described herein.
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A.
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Defendants have submitted eight Office of Internal Affairs (“OIA”) Investigation
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Reports concerning the incident at issue. Each report is 125 pages long and has as its
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subject a different officer involved in the incident. Aside from brief identifying
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information at the beginning of each report and a one sentence description of the
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nature of the inquiry as it relates to each officer, the reports appear to be nearly
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Office of Internal Affairs Investigation Reports
identical.
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The Court concludes that the report pertaining to Defendant is clearly relevant to
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Plaintiff’s claims and must be disclosed pursuant to a protective order. The seven
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remaining reports are cumulative and need not be disclosed.
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The Court understands Defendant’s argument that portions of Defendant’s
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report pertaining to other officers or inmates should be redacted. Nonetheless, the
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Court concludes that these portions of the report identify potential witnesses and
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contain relevant information regarding the incident. Accordingly, only the following
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redactions are permitted:
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Redaction of introductory paragraph containing Defendant’s personal
information (full name, title, then-current location, date of birth, and hire date).
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Redaction of all first names, other than first initial.
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Redaction of review of inmate Butler’s medical records (pages 13-14).
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Redaction of review of interview of Dr. Chokatos concerning inmate
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Butler (pages 73-76).
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Redaction of a paragraph of the interview of L. Quezada (page 83, final
paragraph) regarding confidential informants.
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Redaction of review of inmate Fields’ medical records (page 101).
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Redaction of review of inmate Venable’s medical records (page 102).
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B.
Exhibits
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1.
Exhibit 1: Inmate Orientation Handbook
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This Exhibit does not contain confidential material. To the extent Plaintiff’s
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counsel wishes to obtain it, it must be disclosed. Because it does not contain
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confidential material, it is not subject to any protective order.
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2.
Exhibit 2: Title 15 Regulations
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This Exhibit does not contain confidential material. To the extent Plaintiff’s
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counsel wishes to obtain it, it must be disclosed. Because it does not contain
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confidential material, it is not subject to any protective order.
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Exhibit 3: Crime/Incident Report
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This Exhibit constitutes confidential, privileged material containing sensitive
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safety and security information. Additionally, it has no apparent relevance to the instant
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litigation. Defendant need not disclose this Exhibit to Plaintiff or his counsel.
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4.
Exhibit 4: Medical Reports of Injury
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This Exhibit contains medical reports relating to Plaintiff and other inmates who
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were allegedly injured in the incident. Information relating to participants in the riot is
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not relevant to Plaintiff’s case and need not be disclosed. Information relating to
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inmates allegedly burned on the pavement is relevant and must be disclosed to
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Plaintiff’s counsel. With the exception of Plaintiff’s own records, the records will be
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subject to the protective order.
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5.
Exhibit 5: Health Care Services Request Forms
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This Exhibit contains health care services request forms written by Plaintiff and
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other inmates. Information relating to inmates allegedly burned on the pavement is
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relevant and must be disclosed to Plaintiff’s counsel. With the exception of Plaintiff’s
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own records, the records will be subject to the protective order.
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6.
Exhibits 6-11: Internal Memoranda
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These Exhibits are comprised of internal memoranda written by officers (other
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than Defendant) who participated in the incident. They contain the officers’ first-hand
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observations and therefore are relevant to Plaintiff’s claims. They must be disclosed to
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Plaintiff’s counsel pursuant to the protective order. Defendant may redact first names
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(except first initials) and other personal identifying information.
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7.
Exhibit 12: Internal Memorandum from Warden
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This Exhibit contains an internal memorandum from the Warden describing the
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incident, action and training taken as a result, and interactions with the Office of the
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Inspector General. It is relevant to Plaintiff’s claims and must be disclosed pursuant to
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the protective order. Defendant may redact first names (with the exception of first
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initials) and other personal identifying information.
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These
Exhibit 13: Emails between OIG and CDCR
email
communications
between
representatives
of
OIG
and
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representatives of CDCR pertain to the incident and the response thereto. They are
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relevant to Plaintiff’s claims and, while potentially prejudicial to Defendant, simply do
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not threaten privacy or security interests to a degree that would warrant their
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withholding. They must be released to Plaintiff’s counsel pursuant to the protective
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order. First names (with the exception of first initials), email addresses, and other
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personal identifying information may be redacted.
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9.
This Exhibit contains correspondence between inmate Butler and the Prison
Law Office. It has little to no relevance to Plaintiff’s claims and need not be disclosed.
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Exhibit 14: Inmate Correspondence
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Exhibit 15: Photographs
This Exhibit contains photographs that relate primarily to the riot. They need not
be disclosed.
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Exhibit 16: Inmate Appeals and Staff Complaints
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This Exhibit contains inmate appeals and staff complaints filed by the involved
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inmates, as well as the internal investigation of their complaints. These materials are
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relevant and must be released to Plaintiff’s counsel pursuant to the protective order. First
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names (with the exception of first initials) and other personal identifying information may
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be redacted.
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12.
Exhibit 17: Surveillance Video Footage
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Defendant submitted two discs with surveillance video footage to the Court for in
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camera review. The first is approximately fifteen seconds long and shows the riot itself. It
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was taken prior to the prone out order at issue in this case and does not contain relevant
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material. It need not be disclosed.
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The second video is approximately two minutes long. It pans the yard prior to,
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during, and immediately after the riot. It appears to briefly pan the basketball court area
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as the inmates began to prone out. It is relevant and must be released to Plaintiff’s
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counsel subject to the protective order.
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13.
Exhibit 18: Temperature Logs
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This Exhibit contains records of the temperature in various prison locations on the
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day of the incident. It is relevant and must be released. It does not appear to contain
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confidential material and therefore is not subject to the protective order.
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14.
Exhibits 19, 54-56, and 68-69: Inmate Butler’s Medical Records
These Exhibits contain inmate Butler’s confidential health information. The privacy
interests outweigh their relevancy, and they need not be released.
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Exhibit 20: Photographs of Inmate Injuries
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If Defendant has not already done so, he must release to Plaintiff photographs of
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Plaintiff’s own injuries. These photographs are not subject to the protective order.
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Photographs of other inmates contained in this Exhibit must be released to Plaintiff’s
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counsel, subject to the protective order. Defendant may redact first names, with the
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exception of first initials.
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16.
Exhibits 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 85: Inmate Interviews
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These Exhibits are audio recorded interviews with the involved inmates. Plaintiff’s
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own interview (Exhibit 31) must be released to his counsel and is not subject to the
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protective order. The remaining interviews are summarized in Defendant’s OIA
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Investigation Report. To the extent Plaintiff’s counsel wishes to seek release of audio
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recorded interviews of other inmates, he must set forth a specific basis why disclosure is
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warranted.
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17.
Exhibits 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 86: Inmate Schematics
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These Exhibits are comprised of yard schematics that were presented to inmates
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during the investigation, and on which inmates were asked to mark their location at the
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time of the incident. The schematic marked by Plaintiff (Exhibit 32) must be released to
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Plaintiff’s counsel pursuant to the protective order. To the extent counsel wishes to seek
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release of schematics marked by other inmates, he must set forth a specific basis why
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disclosure is warranted.
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Exhibits 33, 35, 36, 37, 41, 43, 45, 47, 51, 53, 57, 61, 63, 67, 70,
74, 76, 78, 81, 83, 87, 89, 95, 98: Interviews of Correctional Personnel
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These Exhibits are audio recorded interviews with various correctional personnel
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involved in the incident or the response thereto. Defendant’s interview (Exhibit 63) must
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be released to Plaintiff’s counsel pursuant to the protective order. The remaining
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interviews are summarized in Defendant’s OIA Investigation Report. To the extent
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Plaintiff wishes to seek release of audio recorded interviews of other personnel, he must
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set forth a specific basis why disclosure is warranted.
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19.
Exhibits 34, 40, 42, 46, 50, 52, 60, 62, 66, 73, 75, 77, 82, 84, 88,
90: Correctional Personnel’s Schematics
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These Exhibits are comprised of yard schematics that were presented to
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personnel during the investigation, and on which personnel were asked to mark their
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location at the time of the incident. The schematic marked by Defendant (Exhibit 66)
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must be released to Plaintiff’s counsel pursuant to the protective order. To the extent
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Plaintiff wishes to seek release of schematics marked by other personnel, he must set
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forth a specific basis why disclosure is warranted.
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20.
100: Administrative Documents
These exhibits contain administrative documents not relevant to this action. They
need not be disclosed.
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Exhibits 38, 39, 48, 49, 58, 59, 64, 65, 71, 72, 79, 80, 96, 97, 99,
21.
Exhibit 91: Fields Medical Records
This Exhibit contains inmate Fields’ confidential health information. The privacy
interests inherent in the records outweigh their relevancy. They need not be released.
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22.
Exhibit 92: In Service Training Alarm Response Lesson Plan
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This Exhibit contains two non-consecutive pages of training materials that appear
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to largely relate to chain-of-command concerns during an emergency. It does not
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address the issue of requiring inmates to prone out during an emergency. It is not
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relevant to this action and need not be released.
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23.
Exhibit 93: Venable Medical Records
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This Exhibit contains inmate Venable’s confidential health information. The
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privacy interests inherent in the records outweigh their relevancy. They need not be
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released.
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24.
Exhibit 94: Post Orders
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This Exhibit contains Post Orders for the Facility C Lieutenant, the Facility C
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Yard/Dining Sergeant, and the Facility C Program Sergeant. As Defendant was not a
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lieutenant or sergeant, they are not relevant to this action and need not be released.
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C.
Other: Report of Interview with Chief Warden Raythel Fischer
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This report is not listed as an Exhibit to the Investigation Report and it is unclear
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whether it was considered during the investigation. In any event, it concerns discussions
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between Raythel and Warden Brazelton regarding when the Warden became aware of
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the affected inmates’ alleged injuries. It has little relevance to Plaintiff’s claims and need
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not be disclosed.
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IV.
Protective Order
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Defendants have requested a protective order prohibiting the dissemination of
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confidential materials to Plaintiff and others. A protective order is indeed warranted
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given the institutional concerns articulated by Defendants. Accordingly, the following
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protective order applies to the privileged materials described above. Defendants shall
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produce said materials and Plaintiff’s counsel may review them and use them in
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litigating this matter subject to and in strictly in accordance with following terms and
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conditions:
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1. The confidential documents may be submitted to the possession of the
following persons:
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a. Counsel for Plaintiff in this action;
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b. Paralegal, stenographic, clerical, and secretarial personnel regularly
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employed by counsel for Plaintiff;
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c. Court personnel and stenographic reporters engaged in such
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proceedings as are incidental to the preparation for trial or trial of this
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action;
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d. Any outside expert or consultant retained by Plaintiff’s counsel for
purposes of this action; and
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e. Non-inmate witnesses to whom the materials need be disclosed as
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necessary for preparation for trial and trial of this case, provided that
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each witness shall be informed of and agree in writing to be bound by
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the terms of this order, and shall not, in any event, be permitted to
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take or retain copies of the material .
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2. Plaintiff’s counsel may share the confidential materials and their contents
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with Plaintiff. However, Plaintiff may not copy them or retain them or retain
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copies of them in his possession. Plaintiff may not discuss the content of the
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materials with any other inmate, nor may any other inmate review or have
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possession of the materials.
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3. Upon final judgment or resolution of any appeal, Plaintiff’s counsel shall
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return or destroy all such materials still in or subject to their possession or
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control, and shall provide Defendant’s counsel with sworn declarations
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stating they have done so.
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4. No confidential material obtained by Plaintiff or his counsel shall be disclosed
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except as is necessary to the litigation of this case, including if applicable its
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appeal, and for no other purpose,
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5. Any violation of this Protective Order may be punishable as Contempt of
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Court and also may subject the violating party to litigation sanctions,
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including dispositive sanctions, in the Court’s discretion;
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6. Nothing in this Protective Order is intended to prevent officials or employees
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of the State of California, or other authorized government officials, from
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having access to confidential material to which they would have access in
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the normal course of their official duties.
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7. The provisions of this Protective Order are without prejudice to the right of
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any party:
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a. To apply to the Court for a further protective order relating to this or
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any confidential material or relating to discovery in this litigation;
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b. To apply to the Court for an order removing the confidential material
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designation from any documents;
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c. To apply to the Court for an order modifying this Protective Order for
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good cause shown; or
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d. To object to a discovery request.
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8. The provisions of this order shall remain in full force and effect until further
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order of this Court.
V.
Further Discovery Disputes
No further discovery motion may be filed without prior approval obtained in
accordance with the following Telephonic Discovery Dispute Conference procedures.
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A.
Requesting a Conference
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A party with a discovery dispute shall confer with the opposing party in a good
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faith effort to resolve the dispute without court action. If such effort fails, the moving
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party shall, prior to filing a notice of motion, contact Courtroom Deputy, Megan Lafata
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at mlafata@caed.uscourts.gov to request a pre-motion telephone conference with
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Magistrate Judge Seng. The request shall be deemed to include a professional
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representation by the requesting lawyer that a good faith effort to resolve the dispute
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took place but failed, and it shall advise the Court of dates and times in the next ten
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day period when all concerned parties can be available to confer regarding the dispute.
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B.
Scheduling.
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The Court will issue a Minute Order advising counsel of the time and date of the
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telephone conference. The Court will provide the parties with the conference call
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number and access code for joining the scheduled telephonic conference.
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C.
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Not later than four business hours before the scheduled conference, each party
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may submit a two page brief objectively and factually outlining the dispute, the party's
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position on it, and the reasons therefore to mjsorders@caed.uscourts.gov. The two
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pages shall be in at least twelve point type and include the name of the party and the
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date of submission. It shall contain nothing more. There shall be no attachments. There
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shall be no editorializing. Inclusion therein of adjectives or adverbs or any
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characterization of an opponent's motives, methods, character, past practices, or the
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like shall subject the author to sanctions.
Briefing
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D.
The Conference
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At the conference, the Court will discuss the issue raised and announce its
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anticipated ruling on the dispute. If a party is dissatisfied with that ruling, it may seek
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permission to file a formal motion.
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E.
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If it is determined that motion papers and supporting memoranda are needed to
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satisfactorily resolve the dispute, the undersigned shall approve the filing of a written
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motion.
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VI.
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Further Proceedings
Order
Based on the foregoing, it is HEREBY ORDERED that:
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1. Within twenty days of this order, the following items must be produced to
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Plaintiff’s counsel and are not subject to the protective order: Exhibits 1, 2,
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4 (in relevant part as described above), 5 (in relevant part, as described
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above), 18, and 20 (in relevant part as described above). These items may
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be shared directly with Plaintiff without limitation.
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2. Within twenty days of this order, the following items must be produced to
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Plaintiff’s counsel, subject to the protective order: Defendant’s OIA
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Investigation Report, and Exhibits 4 and 5 (in relevant part, as described
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above), 6-13, 16 (in relevant part, as described above), 17 (in relevant part,
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as described above), 20 (in relevant part as discussed above) 31, 32, 63,
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and 66. These items may be shared with Plaintiff subject to the protective
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order.
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3. Defendant may redact the following information from his Investigation
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Report:
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•
Redaction of introductory paragraph containing Defendant’s
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personal information (full name, title, then-current location, date of birth, and
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hire date).
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•
Redaction of all first names, other than first initial.
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•
Redaction of review of inmate Butler’s medical records (pages 13-
•
Redaction of review of interview of Dr. Chokatos concerning
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14).
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inmate Butler (pages 73-76).
•
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Redaction of a paragraph of the interview of L. Quezada (page 83,
final paragraph) regarding confidential informants.
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•
Redaction of review of inmate Fields’ medical records (page 101).
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•
Redaction of review of inmate Venable’s medical records (page
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102).
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4. Defendant may redact the following information from other materials
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subject to the protective order:
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•
Redaction of all first names, other than first initial.
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•
Redaction of all email addresses.
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•
Redaction of other personal identifying information.
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5. If Defendant believes additional redactions are necessary to ensure
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privacy and security, he may request same within ten days of the date of
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this order.
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6. The remaining documents submitted for in camera review need not be
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disclosed to Plaintiff or his counsel.
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IT IS SO ORDERED.
Dated:
January 16, 2017
/s/
Michael J. Seng
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
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