Mitchell v. Beard et al
Filing
44
ORDER for this case to proceed against Defendant, Hunter on Plaintiff's conditions of confinement claim; dismissing all remaining claims and Defendants and finding 42 Second Amended Complaint appropriate for service and sending service documents to Plaintiff signed by Magistrate Judge Gary S. Austin on 8/31/2017. (Case Management Deadline: 10/5/2017). (Attachments: # 1 USM Instructions). (Lundstrom, T)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
9
EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
10
11
JOHN EDWARD MITCHELL,
12
Plaintiff,
13
14
vs.
J. BEARD, et al.,
15
Defendants.
16
17
ORDER FOR THIS CASE TO
PROCEED AGAINST DEFENDANT
HUNTER ON PLAINTIFF’S
CONDITIONS OF CONFINEMENT
CLAIM
ORDER DISMISSING ALL
REMAINING CLAIMS AND
DEFENDANTS FOR FAILURE TO
STATE A CLAIM
ORDER FINDING SECOND AMENDED
COMPLAINT APPROPRIATE FOR
SERVICE AND SENDING SERVICE
DOCUMENTS TO PLAINTIFF FOR
COMPLETION AND RETURN WITHIN
THIRTY DAYS
(ECF No. 42.)
18
19
20
21
22
1:15-cv-01512-GSA-PC
I.
BACKGROUND
23
John Edward Mitchell (“Plaintiff”) is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma
24
pauperis with this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. On October 5, 2015,
25
Plaintiff filed the Complaint commencing this action. (ECF No. 1.)
26
On October 16, 2015, Plaintiff consented to Magistrate Judge jurisdiction in this action
27
pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(c), and no other parties have made an appearance. (ECF No. 6.)
28
Therefore, pursuant to Appendix A(k)(4) of the Local Rules of the Eastern District of
1
1
California, the undersigned shall conduct any and all proceedings in the case until such time as
2
reassignment to a District Judge is required. Local Rule Appendix A(k)(3).
3
On December 24, 2015, Plaintiff filed a motion for leave to amend the Complaint,
4
together with a proposed amended complaint. (ECF Nos. 12, 15.) On January 7, 2016, the
5
Court issued an order granting Plaintiff leave to amend. (ECF No. 13.) On January 22, 2016,
6
Plaintiff filed the First Amended Complaint. (ECF No. 17.)
7
On November 14, 2016, the court screened the First Amended Complaint and issued an
8
order requiring Plaintiff to either file a Second Amended Complaint or notify the court that he
9
is willing to proceed only with the cognizable claim found by the court. (ECF No. 35.) On
10
March 13, 2017, Plaintiff filed the Second Amended Complaint, which is now before the court
11
for screening. (ECF No. 42.)
12
II.
SCREENING REQUIREMENT
13
The court is required to screen complaints brought by prisoners seeking relief against a
14
governmental entity or officer or employee of a governmental entity. 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(a).
15
The court must dismiss a complaint or portion thereof if the prisoner has raised claims that are
16
legally “frivolous or malicious,” that fail to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, or
17
that seek monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief. 28 U.S.C.
18
§ 1915A(b)(1),(2). “Notwithstanding any filing fee, or any portion thereof, that may have been
19
paid, the court shall dismiss the case at any time if the court determines that the action or
20
appeal fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted.” 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(ii).
21
A complaint is required to contain “a short and plain statement of the claim showing
22
that the pleader is entitled to relief.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2). Detailed factual allegations are
23
not required, but “[t]hreadbare recitals of the elements of a cause of action, supported by mere
24
conclusory statements, do not suffice.” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678, 129 S.Ct. 1937,
25
1949 (2009) (citing Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 555, 127 S.Ct. 1955
26
(2007)). While a plaintiff’s allegations are taken as true, courts “are not required to indulge
27
unwarranted inferences.” Doe I v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 572 F.3d 677, 681 (9th Cir. 2009)
28
(internal quotation marks and citation omitted). Plaintiff must set forth “sufficient factual
2
1
matter, accepted as true, to ‘state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.’” Iqbal, 556 U.S.
2
at 678. While factual allegations are accepted as true, legal conclusions are not. Id.
3
To state a viable claim for relief, Plaintiff must set forth sufficient factual allegations to
4
state a plausible claim for relief. Id. at 678-79; Moss v. U.S. Secret Service, 572 F.3d 962, 969
5
(9th Cir. 2009). The mere possibility of misconduct falls short of meeting this plausibility
6
standard. Id.
7
III.
THE COURT’S PRIOR SCREENING ORDER
8
In the court’s prior screening order issued on November 14, 2016, the court found that
9
Plaintiff stated a claim in the First Amended Complaint only against defendant Sgt. Sanchez for
10
subjecting Plaintiff to adverse conditions of confinement, leaving Plaintiff naked in an
11
unsanitary cell for two hours. (ECF No. 35.) Upon further review of Plaintiff’s allegations in
12
both the First and Second Amended Complaints, the court finds that Plaintiff names defendant
13
C/O Hunter as the individual who confined Plaintiff in the cell, not Sgt. Sanchez. Plaintiff’s
14
alleges in the Second Amended Complaint that Sgt. Munoz ordered C/O Hunter to confine
15
Plaintiff in the bare cell. (ECF No. 42 at 12 ¶19.)
16
IV.
SUMMARY OF SECOND AMENDED COMPLAINT
17
Plaintiff is presently incarcerated at the R. J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San
18
Diego, California, in the custody of the California Department of Corrections and
19
Rehabilitation (CDCR). The events at issue in the Second Amended Complaint allegedly
20
occurred at North Kern State Prison (NKSP) in Delano, California when Plaintiff was housed
21
there while on his way to attend a settlement conference in a prior case. Plaintiff names as
22
defendants Sergeant E. Sanchez, Sergeant L. Munoz, Correctional Officer (C/O) M. Ornelas,
23
C/O M. Hunter, C/O Barella, C/O Thytie, C/O A. Fernandez, Dr. Roska, Nurse E. Laguatan,
24
Nurse G. Rodriguez, and three Doe Defendants (nurses).
25
Plaintiff’s allegations follow. On March 13, 2014, Plaintiff was temporarily housed at
26
NKSP, wearing orthopedic boots, a back brace, and waistchains, which were “medical
27
necessities” issued by a physician. (ECF No. 42 at 7 ¶2.) The wearing of handcuffs behind his
28
///
3
1
back causes Plaintiff immediate pain. Plaintiff suffers from bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder,
2
anti-social disorder, and other major depressive disorders.
3
While still in R&R, Plaintiff told C/O Thytie that he had a waist chain chrono and
4
needed to see a doctor or mental health clinician. C/O Thytie handcuffed Plaintiff behind his
5
back and did not remove the handcuffs despite Plaintiff’s complaints of pain.
6
Sgt. Munoz and two nurses arrived and determined that Plaintiff needed to see medical.
7
While Plaintiff was being escorted to medical, he complained about Sgt. Munoz’ lack of
8
respect towards him and after a verbal exchange, Sgt. Munoz turned the escort around and took
9
Plaintiff back to R&R.
Sgts. Munoz and Sanchez conferred, and then Sgt. Sanchez
10
aggressively stripped Plaintiff of his shoes, socks, and back brace, took him to a dark hallway,
11
and placed him in a standing-room-only cage. Inside the cage, Plaintiff felt helpless and
12
depressed. More than once, Plaintiff told Sgt. Sanchez that he needed to talk to someone from
13
the mental health department. Plaintiff took off his tee shirt, tied it to the top of the cage and
14
began to hang himself, but realized it was impossible because his feet touched the ground. Sgt.
15
Sanchez looked at him through a window and laughed at him. After about thirty minutes, C/Os
16
Thytie, Sisk [not a defendant], and Barella opened the cage door and cut down the tee shirt.
17
C/Os Barella and Fernandez handcuffed Plaintiff again behind his back, applied ankle
18
restraints, and took Plaintiff outside. Plaintiff asked Sgt. Sanchez for his shoes, socks, and back
19
brace but was told they “could not be found.” (ECF No. 42 at 8 ¶7.) C/Os Barella and
20
Fernandez positioned themselves under each of Plaintiff’s shoulders to keep him upright and
21
prevent his feet from dragging on the concrete blacktop, but they were unsuccessful because
22
Plaintiff’s feet were scraped during part of the escort, causing abrasions and extreme pain.
23
At medical, Plaintiff was slammed face-down onto a padded gurney and asked by John
24
Doe #2 what medications he took and if he was suicidal. Plaintiff told him, “I need my
25
medication, I take 10 mg. Methadone at this time, I want to talk to someone from mental
26
health.” (ECF No. 42 at 8 ¶9.) John Doe #2 said, “There are no doctors right now, I’m busy
27
right now, I give him medication later!” and all the C/Os laughed at his response, prompting
28
Plaintiff to say, “What’s your names, all I want is names.” (ECF No. 42 at 9:2-4.) Plaintiff
4
1
was told to “shut up” and face “down,” and the ankle restraint chain was connected to his
2
handcuff. (ECF No. 42 at 9:5-6.) Plaintiff was rolled face down “crunching my vertebrates”
3
by defendants Munoz, Sanchez, Fernandez, Rodriguez and John Doe to administrative
4
segregation.
5
underwear, leaving him naked.
6
Plaintiff’s handcuffs. (ECF No. 42 at 9:11.) Plaintiff walked into the cell, the restraints were
7
removed, and Plaintiff was left there. Plaintiff was laughed at, felt humiliated, and felt like a
8
“slave on the market.” (ECF No. 42 at 9:15-16.) C/O Hunter and Sgt. Munoz had no
9
authorization to attach a chain to Plaintiff. Plaintiff is forever scarred psychologically by the
10
(ECF No. 42 at 9:7.)
C/O Hunter cut off Plaintiff’s paper jumpsuit and
A “Lanyard/Martin retention chain” was connected to
memory that he was chained like a slave and walked to a cage.
11
At about 9:30 p.m., Sgt. Munoz ordered C/O Hunter to confine Plaintiff in a stripped
12
cell that had no mattress, no desk, no seat, no toilet paper, and no other hygiene
13
accommodations that are provided to new arrivals. This cell was unsanitary with feces and
14
urine on the walls and floor. While in the cell, Plaintiff had open untreated abrasions on his
15
feet and knees that burned as a result of the unsanitary conditions. The vent blew out cold air
16
and the floor and walls were caked with dust. Plaintiff was completely naked and had nothing
17
to cover his skin abrasions. Plaintiff believed the walls were closing in and found it hard to
18
breathe. He banged on the cell door yelling for help and Nurse Tisdale responded. She asked
19
if she could treat Plaintiff but was told “no” by C/Os Hunter and Ornelas. At about 11 p.m.,
20
Sgt. Villegas and C/O Albany gave Plaintiff a safety mat, blanket, and vest, and Nurse
21
Laguatan gave him medication.
22
Jane Doe #1 (nurse) denied Plaintiff a doctor to treat his “chronic pain syndrome” due
23
to the right hand fractures that are causing deformity. (ECF No. 42 at 13 ¶27.) Sgt. Sanchez
24
interfered with Plaintiff’s medical treatment when he removed Plaintiff’s orthopedic shoes and
25
did not return them, instead allowing Plaintiff to receive abrasions from the concrete to his feet
26
as the officers carried him to medical. John Doe #2 (nurse) denied Plaintiff the Methadone
27
medication prescribed for his “chronic pain syndrome” and did not provide Plaintiff with a
28
mental health clinician despite Plaintiff’s request and CCCMS level of care he was labeled.
5
1
(ECF No. 42 at 13 ¶29.) C/Os Hunter and Ornelas refused to allow Nurse Tisdale access to
2
Plaintiff by not opening the door so she [Tisdale] could treat his abrasions, ignored Plaintiff’s
3
requests for medication, and refused or failed to contact someone from the mental health
4
department.
5
treatment and refused to sign the form. Dr. Roska conducted a telephonic interview with Nurse
6
Laguatan about Plaintiff, but did not conduct a mental health assessment on Plaintiff. Dr.
7
Roska’s actions were deliberately indifferent to Plaintiff’s health needs.
8
properly evaluated for his risk of suicide.
9
Nurses G. Rodriguez and J. Doe #1 falsely reported that Plaintiff refused
Plaintiff was not
Plaintiff requests monetary damages, declaratory relief, costs of suit, injunctive relief,
10
and attorney fees.
11
V.
12
PLAINTIFF’S CLAIMS
The Civil Rights Act under which this action was filed provides:
13
Every person who, under color of [state law] . . . subjects, or
causes to be subjected, any citizen of the United States . . . to the
deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured by
the Constitution . . . shall be liable to the party injured in an
action at law, suit in equity, or other proper proceeding for
redress.
14
15
16
17
42 U.S.C. § 1983. “Section 1983 . . . creates a cause of action for violations of the federal
18
Constitution and laws.” Sweaney v. Ada County, Idaho, 119 F.3d 1385, 1391 (9th Cir. 1997)
19
(internal quotations omitted). “To the extent that the violation of a state law amounts to the
20
deprivation of a state-created interest that reaches beyond that guaranteed by the federal
21
Constitution, Section 1983 offers no redress.” Id.
Excessive Force – Eighth Amendment
22
A.
23
“The objective component of an Eighth Amendment claim is . . . contextual and
24
responsive to contemporary standards of decency.” Hudson v. McMillian, 503 U.S 1, 8 (1992).
25
(internal quotation marks and citations omitted). The malicious and sadistic use of force to
26
cause harm always violates contemporary standards of decency, regardless of whether or not
27
significant injury is evident. Id. at 9; see also Oliver v. Keller, 289 F.3d 623, 628 (9th Cir.
28
2002) (Eighth Amendment excessive force standard examines de minimis uses of force, not de
6
1
minimis injuries)). However, not “every malevolent touch by a prison guard gives rise to a
2
federal cause of action.” Id. at 9. “The Eighth Amendment’s prohibition of cruel and unusual
3
punishments necessarily excludes from constitutional recognition de minimis uses of physical
4
force, provided that the use of force is not of a sort ‘repugnant to the conscience of mankind.”
5
Id. at 9-10 (internal quotations marks and citations omitted).
6
“[W]henever prison officials stand accused of using excessive physical force in
7
violation of the Cruel and Unusual Punishments Clause, the core judicial inquiry is . . . whether
8
force was applied in a good-faith effort to maintain or restore discipline, or maliciously and
9
sadistically to cause harm.” Id. at 7. “In determining whether the use of force was wanton and
10
unnecessary, it may also be proper to evaluate the need for application of force, the relationship
11
between that need and the amount of force used, the threat reasonably perceived by the
12
responsible officials, and any efforts made to temper the severity of a forceful response.” Id.
13
(internal quotation marks and citations omitted). “The absence of serious injury is . . . relevant
14
to the Eighth Amendment inquiry, but does not end it.” Id.
15
Discussion
16
Plaintiff fails to state a claim against any of the Defendants for use of excessive force.
17
Plaintiff has not established that he was subject to force of a sort ‘repugnant to the conscience
18
of mankind,” or that Defendants were not justified in restraining him, knowing that he had tried
19
to hang himself and wanted to meet with mental health staff. There are no allegations that
20
Defendants knew Plaintiff had an existing injury or that he was in considerable pain while in
21
restraints. Plaintiff’s allegations that he was slammed onto a padded gurney face down do not
22
describe “malicious and sadistic” use of force to cause harm. Therefore, Plaintiff fails to state a
23
cognizable claim for excessive force in violation of the Eighth Amendment.
Adverse Conditions of Confinement – Eighth Amendment
24
B.
25
The Eighth Amendment protects prisoners from inhumane methods of punishment and
26
from inhumane conditions of confinement. Morgan v. Morgensen, 465 F.3d 1041, 1045 (9th
27
Cir. 2006). Extreme deprivations are required to make out a conditions of confinement claim,
28
and only those deprivations denying the minimal civilized measure of life’s necessities are
7
1
sufficiently grave to form the basis of an Eighth Amendment violation. Hudson, 503 U.S. at 9
2
(citations and quotations omitted).
3
Amendment, the plaintiff must allege facts sufficient to support a claim that prison officials
4
knew of and disregarded a substantial risk of serious harm to the plaintiff. E.g., Farmer v.
5
Brennan, 511 U.S. 825, 847 (1994); Frost v. Agnos, 152 F.3d 1124, 1128 (9th Cir. 1998). The
6
circumstances, nature, and duration of the deprivations are critical in determining whether the
7
conditions complained of are grave enough to form the basis of a viable Eighth Amendment
8
claim. Johnson v. Lewis, 217 F.3d 726, 731 (9th Cir. 2000). “[R]outine discomfort inherent in
9
the prison setting” does not rise to the level of a constitutional violation. Id.
In order to state a claim for violation of the Eighth
10
Discussion
11
Plaintiff’s claim for being carried across a concrete walk, causing him abrasions, does
12
not rise to the level of an Eighth Amendment claim. Plaintiff has not described more than de
13
minimus injuries. Further, Plaintiff has not alleged that any of the officers were aware that he
14
was being injured on the concrete, or shown that any of the officers deliberately disregarded a
15
substantial risk that Plaintiff would suffer serious injuries.
16
However, the court finds that Plaintiff’s claim that he was left naked in a cold and
17
unsanitary cell for more than an hour without clothing, a blanket, or toilet paper states a
18
cognizable claim under the Eighth Amendment against Defendant Hunter. “[S]ubjection of a
19
prisoner to lack of sanitation that is severe or prolonged can constitute an infliction of pain
20
within the meaning of the Eighth Amendment.” Anderson v. Cnty. of Kern, 45 F.3d 1310, 1314
21
(9th Cir. 1995); see also Johnson, 217 F.3d at 731-32; Hoptowit v. Spellman, 753 F.2d 779,
22
783 (9th Cir. 1985). Here, Plaintiff alleges that he was a mental health patient who had tried to
23
hang himself, and he was left naked in cold and unsanitary conditions, without a blanket, toilet
24
paper, or his medication. Such conditions are sufficiently grave to form the basis of an Eighth
25
Amendment violation. Therefore, Plaintiff states a claim for adverse conditions of confinement
26
against Defendant Hunter, in violation of the Eighth Amendment.
27
///
28
///
8
Medical Claim – Eighth Amendment
1
C.
2
“[T]o maintain an Eighth Amendment claim based on prison medical treatment, an
3
inmate must show ‘deliberate indifference to serious medical needs.’” Jett v. Penner, 439 F.3d
4
1091, 1096 (9th Cir. 2006) (quoting Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97, 104, 97 S.Ct. 285 (1976)).
5
The two-part test for deliberate indifference requires the plaintiff to show (1) “‘a serious
6
medical need’ by demonstrating that ‘failure to treat a prisoner’s condition could result in
7
further significant injury or the unnecessary and wanton infliction of pain,’” and (2) “the
8
defendant’s response to the need was deliberately indifferent.” Jett, 439 F.3d at 1096 (quoting
9
McGuckin v. Smith, 974 F.2d 1050, 1059 (9th Cir. 1992), overruled on other grounds by WMX
10
Techs., Inc. v. Miller, 104 F.3d 1133, 1136 (9th Cir. 1997) (en banc) (internal quotations
11
omitted)). Deliberate indifference is shown by “a purposeful act or failure to respond to a
12
prisoner’s pain or possible medical need, and harm caused by the indifference.” Id. (citing
13
McGuckin, 974 F.2d at 1060).
14
officials deny, delay or intentionally interfere with medical treatment, or it may be shown by
15
the way in which prison physicians provide medical care.” Id. Where a prisoner is alleging a
16
delay in receiving medical treatment, the delay must have led to further harm in order for the
17
prisoner to make a claim of deliberate indifference to serious medical needs. McGuckin at
18
1060 (citing Shapely v. Nevada Bd. of State Prison Comm’rs, 766 F.2d 404, 407 (9th Cir.
19
1985)).
Deliberate indifference may be manifested “when prison
20
“Deliberate indifference is a high legal standard.” Toguchi v. Chung, 391 F.3d 1051,
21
1060 (9th Cir. 2004). “Under this standard, the prison official must not only ‘be aware of the
22
facts from which the inference could be drawn that a substantial risk of serious harm exists,’
23
but that person ‘must also draw the inference.’” Id. at 1057 (quoting Farmer, 511 U.S. at 837).
24
“‘If a prison official should have been aware of the risk, but was not, then the official has not
25
violated the Eighth Amendment, no matter how severe the risk.’” Id. (quoting Gibson v.
26
County of Washoe, Nevada, 290 F.3d 1175, 1188 (9th Cir. 2002)). “A showing of medical
27
malpractice or negligence is insufficient to establish a constitutional deprivation under the
28
Eighth Amendment.” Id. at 1060. “[E]ven gross negligence is insufficient to establish a
9
1
constitutional violation.” Id. (citing Wood v. Housewright, 900 F.2d 1332, 1334 (9th Cir.
2
1990)).
3
“Under [the deliberate indifference] standard, the prison official must not only ‘be
4
aware of the facts from which the inference could be drawn that a substantial risk of serious
5
harm exists,’ but that person ‘must also draw the inference.’” Id. at 1057 (quoting Farmer, 511
6
U.S. at 837). “‘If a prison official should have been aware of the risk, but was not, then the
7
official has not violated the Eighth Amendment, no matter how severe the risk.’” Id. (quoting
8
Gibson, 290 F.3d at 1188.
9
Discussion
10
Plaintiff fails to state an Eighth Amendment claim for inadequate medical care, because
11
he has not alleged facts showing that any of the Defendants knew he had a serious medical
12
need and were deliberately indifferent to a substantial risk of serious harm to Plaintiff. It is not
13
enough to make conclusory allegations that Defendants were despicable, knowing, willful,
14
sadistic, malicious, and acted with deliberate indifference. Plaintiff has not alleged sufficient
15
facts to state a claim for deliberate indifference. Further, Plaintiff has not shown that he
16
suffered more than de minimus physical injuries as a result of Defendants’ actions.
17
D.
18
Plaintiff claims that his rights to due process were violated when he was confined “in a
19
Due Process
‘management cell’ with the adjudication of a [Rules Violation Report].” (ECF No. 42 at 25:2.)
20
The Due Process Clause itself does not confer on inmates a liberty interest in being
21
confined in the general prison population instead of administrative segregation. See Hewitt v.
22
Helms, 459 U.S. 460, 466-68 (1983); see also May v. Baldwin, 109 F.3d 557, 565 (9th Cir.
23
1997) (convicted inmate’s due process claim fails because he has no liberty interest in freedom
24
from state action taken within sentence imposed and Ad-Seg falls within the terms of
25
confinement ordinarily contemplated by a sentence) (quotations omitted); Resnick v. Hayes,
26
213 F.3d 443, 447 (9th Cir. 2000) (plaintiff’s placement and retention in the SHU was within
27
range of confinement normally expected by inmates in relation to ordinary incidents of prison
28
///
10
1
life and, therefore, plaintiff had no protected liberty interest in being free from confinement in
2
the SHU) (quotations omitted).
3
Discussion
4
Plaintiff alleges that he spent an hour and a half in a cold and unsanitary management
5
cell, without clothing, toilet paper, or a blanket. These allegations do not rise to the level of an
6
atypical and significant hardship to establish the existence of a protected liberty interest in
7
remaining free from a management cell. A plaintiff must assert a “dramatic departure” from
8
the standard conditions of confinement before due process concerns are implicated. Sandin v.
9
Conner, 515 U.S. 472, 485–86 (1995); see also Keenan v. Hall, 83 F.3d 1083, 1088–89 (9th
10
Cir. 1996). Here, Plaintiff was detained in uncomfortable and unsanitary conditions, but the
11
duration of his detention in those circumstances was only an hour and a half, after which time
12
he was provided with a safety mat, vest, blanket, and his medication. These allegations are not
13
sufficient to show a “dramatic departure” from standard conditions at the prison outside of the
14
management cell.
15
Moreover, Plaintiff does not allege any specific injury caused by conditions in the
16
management cell. The fact that conditions in detention do not mimic those afforded the general
17
population or in administrative segregation does not trigger due process concerns. Therefore,
18
Plaintiff fails to state a cognizable claim for violation of his rights to due process based on
19
detention in the management cell.
20
E.
21
In addition to money damages, Plaintiff seeks injunctive relief, declaratory relief,
22
attorney’s fees, and costs of suit. Any award of equitable relief is governed by the Prison
23
Litigation Reform Act, which provides in relevant part, “Prospective relief in any civil action
24
with respect to prison conditions shall extend no further than necessary to correct the violation
25
of the Federal right of a particular plaintiff or plaintiffs. The court shall not grant or approve
26
any prospective relief unless the court finds that such relief is narrowly drawn, extends no
27
further than necessary to correct the violation of the Federal right, and is the least intrusive
28
means necessary to correct the violation of the Federal right.” 18 U.S.C. § 3626(a)(1)(A).
Relief Requested
11
1
With regard to declaratory relief, “[a] declaratory judgment, like other forms of
2
equitable relief, should be granted only as a matter of judicial discretion, exercised in the public
3
interest.”
4
“Declaratory relief should be denied when it will neither serve a useful purpose in clarifying
5
and settling the legal relations in issue nor terminate the proceedings and afford relief from the
6
uncertainty and controversy faced by the parties.” United States v. Washington, 759 F.2d
7
1353, 1357 (9th Cir. 1985). In the event that this action reaches trial and the jury returns a
8
verdict in favor of Plaintiff, that verdict will be a finding that Plaintiff=s constitutional rights
9
were violated. A declaration that defendant violated Plaintiff’s rights is unnecessary.
Eccles v. Peoples Bank of Lakewood Village, 333 U.S. 426, 431 (1948).
10
With regard to attorney’s fees, “In any action or proceeding to enforce a provision of
11
section[] 1983 . . . , the court, in its discretion, may allow the prevailing party . . . reasonable
12
attorney’s fees . . . . “ 42 U.S.C. ' 1988(b). Plaintiff’s contention that he is entitled to
13
attorney’s fees if he prevails is without merit. Plaintiff is representing himself in this action.
14
Because Plaintiff is not represented by an attorney, he is not entitled to recover attorney’s fees
15
if he prevails. Gonzales v. Kangas, 814 F.2d 1411, 1412 (9th Cir. 1987).
16
VI.
CONCLUSION AND ORDER
17
The Court finds that Plaintiff’s Second Amended Complaint states a cognizable claim
18
for adverse conditions of confinement, in violation of the Eighth Amendment, against
19
Defendant C/O M. Hunter, for leaving Plaintiff alone and naked, without a blanket or toilet
20
paper in a cold and unsanitary room for more than an hour. However, Plaintiff fails to state any
21
other claims upon which relief may be granted under § 1983. It does not appear that additional
22
facts would cure the deficiencies in Plaintiff’s claims and therefore, Plaintiff shall not be
23
granted further leave to amend. The court provided Plaintiff with ample guidance for curing
24
the deficiencies in his complaint, and Plaintiff has now filed three complaints.
25
Therefore, this case shall now proceed against defendant C/O M. Hunter for subjecting
26
Plaintiff to adverse conditions of confinement.
27
defendants shall be dismissed from this action based on Plaintiff’s failure to state a claim, and
28
the court shall initiate service of process.
12
By this order, all remaining claims and
1
Based on the foregoing, it is HEREBY ORDERED that:
2
1.
This case now proceeds with Plaintiff’s Second Amended Complaint, filed on
3
March 13, 2017, against defendant C/O M. Hunter, for subjecting Plaintiff to
4
adverse conditions of confinement in violation of the Eighth Amendment, for
5
housing Plaintiff in a bare, cold, and unsanitary cell without clothing;
6
2.
All other claims and defendants are DISMISSED from this action based on
Plaintiff’s failure to state a claim;
7
8
3.
9
Plaintiff’s claims for excessive force, medical care, and due process are
DISMISSED from this action for failure to state a claim, without leave to
10
amend;
11
4.
Defendants Munoz, Ornelas, Sanchez, Barella, Thytie, Fernandez, Roska,
12
Laguatan, Rodriguez, and 3 Doe Defendants (nurses) are DISMISSED from this
13
action based on Plaintiff’s failure to state any claims against them;
14
5.
The Second Amended Complaint is appropriate for service of process;
15
6.
Service is appropriate for defendant CORRECTIONAL OFFICER M.
16
HUNTER;
17
7.
The Clerk of the Court shall send Plaintiff one (1) USM-285 form, one (1)
18
summons, a Notice of Submission of Documents form, an instruction sheet, and
19
a copy of the Second Amended Complaint filed on March 13, 2017 (ECF No.
20
42);
21
8.
Within thirty (30) days from the date of service of this order, Plaintiff shall
22
complete the attached Notice of Submission of Documents and submit the
23
completed Notice to the court with the following documents:
24
a.
Completed summons;
25
b.
One completed USM-285 form for defendant Hunter; and
26
c.
Two (2) copies of the endorsed Second Amended Complaint filed on
27
28
March 13, 2017;
///
13
1
9.
Plaintiff need not attempt service on defendant and need not request waiver of
2
service. Upon receipt of the above-described documents, the court will direct
3
the United States Marshal to serve the above-named defendant pursuant to
4
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4 without payment of costs; and
5
10.
6
Plaintiff’s failure to comply with this order may result in the dismissal of this
action.
7
8
9
10
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Dated:
August 31, 2017
/s/ Gary S. Austin
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
14
Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia.
Why Is My Information Online?