Belcher et al v. United States of America et al

Filing 46

ORDER signed by Judge Garland E. Burrell, Jr. on 5/27/2015 ORDERING that 33 Motion in Limine No. 1 lacks the preciseness and sufficient factual context required for a pretrial in limine ruling. 34 Motion in Limine No. 2 is GRANTED. (Zignago, K.)

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 8 EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 9 10 11 CALEB E. BELCHER; and CLB, by and through his guardian ad litem CALEB E. BELCHER, 12 2:13-cv-01699-GEB-KJN ORDER ON MOTIONS IN LIMINE* Plaintiffs, 13 14 No. v. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 15 Defendant. 16 Plaintiffs 17 the move 18 precluding admission 19 in of limine certain for a evidence pretrial at trial. order Each motion is addressed below. Motion in Limine No. 1 20 Plaintiffs 21 move to exclude Defendant’s accident 22 reconstruction expert Dr. Rajeev Kelkar’s “[Expert] Report with 23 appendices 24 evidence),” arguing it is “inadmissible hearsay,” and “there has 25 been 26 (Pls.’ Mot. in Limine (“MIL”) No. 1 1:23-27, 2:7-8, 2:16-26, ECF (totaling insufficient over foundation 200 laid pages for of [its] unauthenticated introduction.” 27 * 28 These motions are suitable for decision without oral argument. 1 1 No. 2 Kelkar be limited, and specifically that he not be allowed to 3 comment 4 subject surveillance video.” (Id. at 4:7-9.) Plaintiffs argue: 33.) 5 upon or also interpret request the “that facts as the testimony contained of within Dr. the [I]n his prior declaration[,] Dr. Kelkar purports to offer “opinions” as to what the surveillance video (an overhead view of the accident location at the time of the subject incident) shows. . . . [T]o the extent his “opinions” are a description of what is occurring in the video, the matter is improper for expert comment, and further lacks sufficient foundation for his conclusions and opinions as it forces his reliance on a distant bird’s eye view of the subject incident, without other personal knowledge. . . . 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 The matter should further be precluded as that of improper opinion evidence. . . . Here, Dr. Kelkar’s anticipated testimony stands to serve as a narrative of his perception of the . . . surveillance video, and what is occurring therein. Any “opinion” or “conclusion” derived theref[rom] is simply inappropriate for expert comment as the trier of fact is certainly capable . . . of interpreting such evidence as it is not beyond the common experience or ordinary skill of the trier of fact. Furthermore, . . . Dr. Kelkar . . . has no personal knowledge on the subject . . . , and simply seeks to interpret “facts” veiled as an expert opinion. 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Plaintiffs (Id. at 3:3-4:6.) 22 Defendant counters: “Plaintiffs’ request to exclude Dr. 23 Kelkar’s expert report and appendices is baseless. Dr. Kelkar is 24 entitled 25 testify . . . as to the bases for those opinions.” (Def.’s Opp’n 26 MIL No. 2 5:21-23, ECF No. 40.) Defendant argues: 27 28 to offer the opinions in his report Dr. Kelkar [is] entitled to rely on all the data referenced and attached to his report. . . . 2 and to 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 . . . [A]nalysis of video footage is a routine part of accident reconstruction analysis when available. Dr. Kelkar is also entitled to talk about the other bases for his opinions, including the vehicle specifications, Anthropometric Reference Data, and camera information. . . . This is the type of data that an expert routinely relies upon and is thus admissible under Rule 703 to show the bases for the expert’s opinions. (Id. at 6:17-7:3.) 8 Defendant also rejoins that “[t]here is no basis to 9 limit or exclude the testimony of . . . Dr. Kelkar.” (Id. at 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1:18-19.) Defendant argues: Plaintiff[] . . . [contends] that Dr. Kelkar offers improper opinions by doing nothing more than reciting what the video shows. This is false. To the contrary, Dr. Kelkar uses the information in the video as one data point for his expert assessment and opinions regarding the speed Officer Linn was driving, the amount of time between when minor CLB was standing still until the time he unexpectedly darted into the street and collided with Officer Linn’s vehicle, the distance that minor CLB traveled, and whether Officer Linn could have stopped in time to avoid the accident. As noted in the report, Dr. Kelkar used measurements at the scene, analyzed the geometry of the accident location, and compared them with the video, which included a clock showing what occurred to the thousandth of a second. Dr. Kelkar thus takes the qualitative video footage and converts it to quantitative information that is used as a basis for his accident reconstruction conclusions. Accordingly, when Dr. Kelkar discusses the video at trial, he will not merely recite what is shown, he will describe how he used what is shown to conduct his expert assessment and form his ultimate expert opinions. Dr. Kelkar’s analysis and opinions go well beyond merely narrating what the video shows. . . . . 28 3 1 . . . Dr. Kelkar’s opinions require specialized skill and provide the trier of fact significantly more information than is otherwise available. 2 3 4 (Id. at 8:1-14, 9:25-27 (citations omitted).) Plaintiffs 5 state in their reply that they “seek to 6 clarify the intent of their motion.” (Pls.’ Reply MIL No. 1 1:22, 7 ECF No. 44.) Plaintiffs state: 8 12 Specifically, the motion seeks to preclude the admission of Dr. Kelkar’s written report / analysis . . . and to limit his testimony to the extent it purports to narrate the subject surveillance video. Plaintiffs have no objection to the [expert report’s] appendices, at this time, assuming an appropriate foundation will be laid at trial. 13 (Id. at 1:22-27.) These statements will not be considered in 14 ruling on this motion since they were made for the first time in 15 reply and change the scope of the original motion. Cf. Zamani v. 16 Carnes, 491 F.3d 990, 997 (9th Cir. 2007) (“The district court 17 need not consider arguments raised for the first time in a reply 18 brief.”). 9 10 11 19 20 21 This motion lacks the preciseness and sufficient factual context required for a pretrial in limine ruling. Motion in Limine No. 2 22 Plaintiffs “move to preclude any testimony of” a trial 23 witness Defendant identified in the Joint Pretrial Statement as 24 “an agency witness,” under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 37(c). 25 (Pls.’ MIL No. 2 1:22-24, 2:6, ECF No. 34.) Plaintiffs argue: 26 “Defendants have identified a ‘witness’ without providing the 27 actual identity or contact information in either its initial, 28 supplemental or pre-trial disclosures. Plaintiffs have had no 4 1 opportunity 2 understanding as to who this witness is or what the substance of 3 his/her testimony may be.” (Id. at 2:2-6.) to discover, depose or otherwise obtain any 4 Defendant states “it is true that Capt. Aguilar was not 5 named in the United States’ Rule 26(a) disclosures, and that the 6 United 7 Pretrial Statement.” (Def.’s Opp’n Pls.’ MIL No. 2 1:28-2:2, ECF 8 No. 41.) However, Defendant rejoins that it “should be permitted 9 to have its agency representative . . . offer brief background States listed ‘agency 11 duties 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 law the enforcement unique the related matters.” (Id. at 1:16-18.) Defendant argues: Service operations, in testimony Forest agency representative’ 10 of regarding an or officers, Capt. Aguilar is not offered for his knowledge of the accident involved in this case; instead, he is offered . . . to explain how the agency operates. In other words, he will not be offering percipient testimony about the accident. . . . . . . . Moreover, Rule 37(c)(1) rule does not permit exclusion of testimony if the alleged non-disclosure is “substantially justified or is harmless.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 37(c)(1). Here, it is both. First, it is harmless in that there is no prejudice to Plaintiffs. Capt. Aguilar will merely testify regarding Officer Linn’s patrol duties on the day of the accident, including why she needed to patrol the area in question and why she could not simply avoid an area with people recreating in it. As the chief law enforcement officer on this portion of the National Forest, Capt. Aguilar will further provide the Court a broader picture and an understanding of how the Forest functions and the important role law enforcement officers play in the Forest. His testimony is expected to be very brief, and Plaintiffs also have the opportunity to depose him before trial if they wish. 28 5 Joint unusual and other 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 In addition, any failure to disclose Capt. Aguilar in discovery is justified because . . . he is not offered as a percipient witness and was not chosen as a trial representative until after discovery closed. Shortly after the United States chose him as its trial representative, he unexpectedly was away from work for an openended period of time for personal reasons and could not confirm that he could testify until early-May 2015. Plaintiffs were immediately notified of his identity once he confirmed that he would be back to work in time for trial, and he was made available for deposition at Plaintiffs’ convenience. There is simply no harm or prejudice to Plaintiffs in permitting this witness to testify briefly. (Id. at 2:2-5, 3:24-4:12.) 12 Plaintiffs reply: 13 Despite the late information provided in [Defendant’s] Opposition, prior to the filing of motions in limine, Defendant never identified the subject “witness” in any of its pre-trial disclosures. Plaintiffs have had no opportunity to discover, depose or otherwise obtain any understanding as to who this witness is or what the substance of his/her testimony may be. Thus, the element of surprise is clearly established herein. Defendant seeks to counter this argument by providing a late opportunity for deposition. Even if a deposition could reasonably be set before trial, as trial is just weeks away and discovery has been closed for some time, this does little to cure the element of surprise, or allow Plaintiffs a reasonable opportunity to respond to or address anything that might be learned from this deposition. Defendant’s accusation that Plaintiffs have known of this since the pre-trial statement and therefore shows no surprise again fails, as Plaintiffs stated their objection at that time and made an inquiry as to the [agency witness’s] identity. At that time, [Defendant’s] counsel still could not identify the witness, and agreed to consider withdrawal or otherwise allow the issue to be raised by way of a motion in limine. No offer of deposition or production of evidence[] . . . was made at 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 6 1 2 that time. (Pls.’ Reply MIL No. 2 2:7-21, ECF No. 45.) “Parties 3 are required to [disclose] the name and 4 contact information of any individual likely to have discoverable 5 information ‘that the disclosing party may use to support its 6 claims 7 impeachment.’” Matson v. UPS, Inc., No. C10-1528 RAJ, 2013 WL 8 5966131, at *1 (W.D. Wash. Nov. 8, 2013) (quoting Fed. R. Civ. 9 Proc. or defenses, unless 26(a)(1)(A)(i)). the use “Parties for required witnesses, . . . ‘the party expects to present [at trial] and 12 those it may call if the need arises.’” Id. (quoting Fed. R. Civ. 13 Proc. 26(a)(3)(A)(i)). Further, “[a] party . . . who has made a 14 disclosure 15 response . . . if the party learns that in some material respect 16 the 17 26(e)(1). disclosure “If 18 a or must supplement response party fails or information to 11 . contact also solely [disclose] . . . the . and be 10 . name are would correct is incomplete.” to . . . its Fed. identify R. a of . any . . Civ. P. witness as 19 required by Rule 26(a) or (e), the party is not allowed to use 20 that . . . witness to supply evidence . . . at trial, unless the 21 failure was substantially justified or is harmless.” Fed. R. Civ. 22 P. 37(c)(1). “The burden is on the party facing sanctions to 23 prove 24 Molly, Ltd. v. Deckers Outdoor Corp., 259 F.3d 1101, 1107 (9th 25 Cir. 2001). harmlessness [or substantial justification].” Yeti by Defendant has not shown that its failure to identify 26 27 Captain Aguilar as a witness 28 or . . . harmless.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 37(c)(1). Therefore, this 7 was “substantially justified 1 motion is granted. 2 Dated: May 27, 2015 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 8

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