Johnson, et al v. Runnel, et al

Filing 187

ORDER signed by Magistrate Judge Edmund F. Brennan on 10/18/2010 ORDERING that pltf's 10/13/10 filing 186 , to the extent it seeks disqualification or recusal of the Magistrate Judge, is construed as a motion for recusal, and as such, is DENIED. (Yin, K)

(PC) Johnson, et al v. Runnel, et al

Doc. 187

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 vs. D.L. RUNNELS, et al., Defendants. / Plaintiff is a state prisoner proceeding without counsel in an action brought under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Plaintiff has repeatedly complained about the orders and recommendations issued by the undersigned, most recently in 43 pages of objections to the Order and Findings and Recommendations issued on August 30, 2010. Dckt. No. 186. The undersigned will construe these recent complaints as a request for disqualification or recusal pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 455. For the reasons explained below, the court finds that there is no basis for disqualification. A judge is required to disqualify himself if his impartiality might reasonably be questioned, 28 U.S.C. § 455(a), or if he has a personal bias or prejudice concerning a party, 28 U.S.C. § 455(b)(1). Remarks made during the course of a judicial proceeding that are critical or hostile to a party or his case ordinarily will not support a bias or partiality claim unless they reveal an extrajudicial source for the opinion, or "such a high degree of favoritism or antagonism 1
Dockets.Justia.com

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA VANCE EDWARD JOHNSON, Plaintiff, No. CIV S-04-0776 LKK EFB P

ORDER

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

as to make fair judgment impossible." Liteky v. United States, 510 U.S. 540, 555 (1994). Where the source of alleged bias or prejudice is a judicial proceeding, plaintiff must show a disposition on the part of the judge that "is so extreme as to display clear inability to render fair judgment." Liteky, 510 U.S. at 551. "[O]pinions formed by the judge on the basis of facts introduced or events occurring in the course of the current proceedings, or of prior proceedings, do not constitute a basis for a bias or partiality motion unless they display a deepseated favoritism or antagonism that would make fair judgment impossible." Id. at 555. Bias is not found where the judge has expressed anger or dissatisfaction or annoyance that are within the bounds of reasonable behavior. Id. at 555-56. The decision regarding disqualification is made by the judge whose impartiality is at issue. Bernard v. Coyne, 31 F.3d 842, 843 (9th Cir. 1994). The test for disqualification under § 455 is whether a reasonable person with knowledge of all the facts would conclude that the judge's impartiality might reasonably be questioned. United States v. Winston, 613 F.2d 221, 222 (9th Cir. 1980). Evaluations of impartiality, bias or prejudice under § 455 are made using an objective standard. Id. Evaluated under this objective standard, plaintiff's motions fail to demonstrate personal bias or lack of impartiality. Plaintiff accuses the undersigned of bias and repeated abuses of discretion and continually calls the undersigned's integrity into question. Plaintiff's allegations, however, are not supported by objective evidence showing that the undersigned's impartiality might reasonably be questioned, or that he has a personal bias or prejudice against plaintiff. Rather, plaintiff is simply dissatisfied with the rulings in this action. Adverse rulings do not establish bias nor warrant recusal. Furthermore, nothing in these rulings suggests that the undersigned harbors any favoritism or antagonism that interferes with the ability to remain impartial. Thus, plaintiff's motions must be denied. //// //// 2

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

Accordingly, it is hereby ORDERED that plaintiff's October 13, 2010 filing, to the extent it seeks disqualification or recusal of the undersigned, is construed as a motion for recusal, and as such, is DENIED. DATED: October 18, 2010.

3