(PC) Green v. Diaz et al

Filing 40

FINDINGS and RECOMMENDATIONS signed by Magistrate Judge Dennis M. Cota on 06/05/2024 RECOMMENDING that the 39 Motion for Judgment be granted, the 36 Motion for Summary Judgment be denied as moot, and this action be dismissed in its entirety and with prejudice as moot. Referred to Judge Kimberly J. Mueller. Objections due within 14 days after being served with these Findings and Recommendations. (Lopez, K)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

9

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

10
11

FRANK C. GREEN,

12
13
14
15

No. 2:21-CV-1582-KJM-DMC-P

Plaintiff,
v.

FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

S. SPAIN,
Defendant.

16
17

Plaintiff, a prisoner proceeding pro se, brings this civil rights action pursuant to

18

42 U.S.C. § 1983. Pending before the Court is Defendant’s motion for judgment on the pleadings

19

based on Plaintiff’s recent death. See ECF No. 39.

20

Motions for judgment on the pleadings under Rule 12(c) are similar to motions

21

under Rule 12(b) in that judgment on the pleadings is appropriate if “. . .it is clear that no relief

22

could be granted under any set of facts that could be proven consistent with the allegations.”

23

McGlinchy v. Shell Chemical Co., 845 F.2d 802, 810 (9th Cir. 1988). Rather than testing

24

whether the factual allegations state a claim, motions under Rule 12(c) test whether, even if all

25

the facts alleged in the complaint can be proved, defendants are nonetheless entitled to judgment

26

as a matter of law. See Hal Roach Studios, Inc. v. Richard Feiner & Co., Inc., 896 F.2d 1542,

27

1550 (9th Cir. 1989). All non-conclusory factual allegations in the complaint must be assumed to

28

be true. See Austad v. United States, 386 F.2d 147, 149 (9th Cir. 1967); see also McGlinchy, 845
1

1

F.2d at 810.

2
I. BACKGROUND

3
4

Plaintiff initiated this action with a pro se complaint for declaratory and injunctive

5

relief filed on September 2, 2021. Thereafter, following issuance of a screening order advising

6

Plaintiff of defects in his pleading with respect to Defendants Diaz and Puricelli, Plaintiff filed a

7

notice of his intention to dismiss those defendants from the action. See ECF No. 10. On

8

December 10, 2021, the Court determined that service of the complaint was appropriate for the

9

sole remaining defendant – S. Spain. See ECF No. 12. Defendant Spain waived service and filed

10

an answer to the complaint on April 18, 2022. See ECF No. 20.
On May 20, 2022, the Court issued a discovery and scheduling order for the case.

11
12

See ECF No. 24. On September 15, 2023, following the close of discovery, the Court extended

13

the dispositive motion filing deadline to September 21, 2023. See ECF No. 35. Defendant timely

14

filed a motion for summary judgment on September 21, 2023. See ECF No. 36. Plaintiff did not

15

file an opposition. Defendant filed the currently pending motion for judgment on the pleadings

16

on November 28, 2023. See ECF No. 39. Attached to Defendant’s motion is the declaration of

17

E. Takahara, the Litigation Coordinator at the California Health Care Facility, indicating that

18

Plaintiff died on October 31, 2023. See ECF No. 39-1.

19
II. DISCUSSION

20
21

Defendant argues that judgment on the pleadings is appropriate and that this action

22

must be dismissed because Plaintiff’s death renders Plaintiff’s requests for declaratory and

23

injunctive relief, the only relief sought in this action, moot. See ECF No. 39, pgs. 5-6. The Court

24

agrees.

25

plaintiff’s death mooted claims for injunctive relief); see also Kalani v. Starbucks Coffee Co., 698

26

F. App’x 883, 885-6 (9th Cir. 2017); Muniz v. Pfeiffer, 2019 WL 4596649, at *13 (E.D. Cal.

27

2019) (Americans with Disabilities Act claim for injunctive relief mooted by inmate plaintiff’s

28

death); Corona v. Knowles, 2010 WL 318555, at *15 (E.D. Cal. 2010) (equal protection claim for

See Kennerly v. United States, 721 F.2d 1252, 1260 (9th Cir. 1983) (holding that the

2

1

injunctive relief mooted by inmate plaintiff’s death).

2
III. CONCLUSION

3
4

Based on the foregoing, the undersigned recommends as follows:

5

1.

Defendant’s motion for judgment on the pleadings, ECF No. 39, be

2.

Defendant’s motion for summary judgment, ECF No. 36, be DENIED as

3.

This action be DISMISSED in its entirety and with prejudice as moot.

6

GRANTED.

7
8
9

moot.

10

These findings and recommendations are submitted to the United States District

11

Judge assigned to the case, pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(l). Within 14 days

12

after being served with these findings and recommendations, any party may file written objections

13

with the Court. Responses to objections shall be filed within 14 days after service of objections.

14

Failure to file objections within the specified time may waive the right to appeal. See Martinez v.

15

Ylst, 951 F.2d 1153 (9th Cir. 1991).

16
17

Dated: June 5, 2024

____________________________________
DENNIS M. COTA
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
3