Scruggs v. Vance et al

Filing 122

ORDER signed by Magistrate Judge Kendall J. Newman on 3/11/2011 ORDERING that pltf has 30 days to submit the completed subpoena duces tecum form for the Dpt of Mental Health at ASH; the clerk to send pltf on subpoena duces tecum form, two subpoena fo rms (for witnesses Jarman and Brewster), and a copy of pltf's affidavit (dkt. no. 94 at 3); pltf's 119 motion for subpoena duces tecum is DENIED w/out prejudice; and pltf's 120 motion for subpoena of additional witness is DENIED w/out prejudice. (Yin, K)

-KJN (PC) Scruggs v. Vance et al

Doc. 122

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. S. VANCE, et al., Defendants. / By order filed October 28, 2010, plaintiff's motion was granted for a subpoena duces tecum to be issued to the Department of Mental Health at Atascadero State Hospital to obtain medical records related to injuries sustained on May 19, 2004, his diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ("PTSD"), and any records by Psychiatric Technician Chase Brewster, for plaintiff's use at trial to refresh witness Brewster's recollection. (Dkt. No. 112.) Plaintiff was cautioned to specifically limit the subpoena duces tecum as set forth in plaintiff's affidavit in support of this motion (dkt. No. 94 at 3). Plaintiff was directed to return the subpoena duces tecum within 21 days. Also, plaintiff was provided two subpoena forms for the attendance of witnesses Jarman and Brewster at trial. However, on March 4, 2011, plaintiff filed a notice that he was committed to Atascadero State Hospital following an October 26, 2010 order by the San Luis County Superior 1
Dockets.Justia.com

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA ARTAY SCRUGGS, Plaintiff, No. 2:06-cv-0633 KJM KJN P

ORDER

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Court finding plaintiff mentally incompetent to stand trial. (Dkt. No. 117 at 3.) Due to plaintiff's commitment and mental health status, plaintiff was unable to comply with the court's October 28, 2010 order. Trial in the instant action has been continued. In light of the circumstances, plaintiff will be granted an extension of time in which to submit the subpoena duces tecum form, and the Clerk of the Court will be directed to re-send the subpoena forms to plaintiff. Plaintiff has also filed a motion for subpoena duces tecum for central file records, from July 1, 2003, through September 27, 2007, and medical and mental health records, from July 1, 2007, through September 27, 2007. Plaintiff states these records are related to the May 19, 2004 incident, and then references an "Exhibit B." (Dkt. No. 119 at 2.) However, plaintiff failed to provide an "Exhibit B" with this motion, and, if plaintiff's reference is to a different filing in the court record, he failed to identify the record in such a way that the court, or defendants, could identify "Exhibit B." In addition, plaintiff has not identified the type of document he seeks from his central file. Because plaintiff seeks documents for a four year and two month period, it is likely his request will contain irrelevant material. Plaintiff's motion will be denied without prejudice to its renewal. If plaintiff chooses to renew this request for documents from his central file, he must specifically identify the documents in a way that makes clear their relevance to the instant action. Finally, plaintiff has filed a motion for subpoena for the appearance of witness Dr. Paladino, plaintiff's current treating psychiatrist, who plaintiff claims will testify concerning plaintiff's PTSD. (Dkt. No. 120.) Jury trial is set for September 26, 2011; thus, plaintiff has provided sufficient notice to defendants concerning this witness. Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(a)(2)(D). However, plaintiff has not indicated whether he intends to call Dr. Paladino solely as a fact witness, or whether he intends to call Dr. Paladino as an expert witness, or both. Plaintiff is cautioned that if he calls Dr. Paladino as an expert witness, he may be required to pay the doctor an expert witness fee. Moreover, depending on the nature of Dr. Paladino's testimony, plaintiff 2

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may be required to call him as an expert witness. In light of the referral of this case for appointment of counsel, plaintiff's motion will be denied without prejudice. Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that: 1. Plaintiff is granted thirty days from the date of this order to submit the completed subpoena duces tecum form for the Department of Mental Health at Atascadero State Hospital. Plaintiff shall complete the subpoena duces tecum form to limit the documents requested as set forth in plaintiff's affidavit signed July 15, 2010. 2. The Clerk of the Court is directed to send plaintiff one subpoena duces tecum form, two subpoena forms (for witnesses Jarman and Brewster), and a copy of plaintiff's affidavit, located at page 3 of plaintiff's July 19, 2010 motion (dkt. no. 94 at 3). 3. Plaintiff's March 4, 2011motion for subpoena duces tecum (dkt. no. 119) is denied without prejudice. 4. Plaintiff's motion for subpoena of additional witness (dkt. no. 120) is denied without prejudice. DATED: March 11, 2011

_____________________________________ KENDALL J. NEWMAN UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
scru0633.sdt

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