Valiavacharska v. Celaya et al

Filing 138

Amended Proposed Jury Instructions. Court will hear argument at 8 am on 2/10/12.. Signed by Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley on 2/9/12. (jsclc1, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 2/9/2012)

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

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FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

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Northern District of California

United States District Court

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ZHIVKA VALIAVICHARSKA,
Plaintiff,

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Case No.: CV 10-4847 JSC
[AMENDED PROPOSED]
JURY INSTRUCTIONS

v.

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BRENDAN TINNEY,
Defendant.

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Dated: January 9, 2012

_________________________________
JACQUELINE SCOTT CORLEY
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

DUTIES OF JURY TO FIND FACTS AND FOLLOW LAW

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Members of the jury, now that you have heard all the evidence, it is my duty to instruct

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you on the law which applies to this case. A copy of these instructions will be available in the

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jury room for you to consult if you find it necessary.

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It is your duty to find the facts from all the evidence in the case. To those facts you will

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apply the law as I give it to you. You must follow the law as I give it to you whether you

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agree with it or not. You must not be influenced by any personal likes or dislikes, opinions,

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prejudices, or sympathy. That means that you must decide the case solely on the evidence

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before you. You will recall that you took an oath promising to do so at the beginning of the

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case.

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In following my instructions, you must follow all of them and not single out some and

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ignore others; they are all equally important. You must not read into these instructions or into

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anything the court may have said or done any suggestion as to what verdict you should return-

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-that is a matter entirely up to you.

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WHAT IS EVIDENCE

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The evidence from which you are to decide what the facts are consists of:

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(1) the sworn testimony of any witness;

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(2) the exhibits which have been received into evidence; and

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(3) any facts to which the lawyers have agreed or stipulated.

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STIPULATIONS OF FACT

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The parties have agreed to certain facts that have been stated to you. You should
therefore treat these facts as having been proved.

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WHAT IS NOT EVIDENCE

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In reaching your verdict, you may consider only the testimony and exhibits received

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into evidence. Certain things are not evidence, and you may not consider them in deciding

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what the facts are. I will list them for you:

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What they have said in their opening statements, will say in closing arguments, or have said at

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other times is intended to help you interpret the evidence, but it is not evidence. If the facts as

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you remember them differ from the way the lawyers have stated them, your memory of them

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(1) Arguments and statements by lawyers are not evidence. The lawyers are not witnesses.

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controls.

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(2) Questions and objections by lawyers are not evidence. Attorneys have a duty to their

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clients to object when they believe a question is improper under the rules of evidence. You

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should not be influenced by the objection or by the court's ruling on it.

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(3) Testimony that has been excluded or stricken, or that you have been instructed to

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disregard, is not evidence and must not be considered. In addition sometimes testimony and

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exhibits are received only for a limited purpose; when I have given a limiting instruction, you

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must follow it.

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(4) Anything you may have seen or heard when the court was not in session is not evidence.

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You are to decide the case solely on the evidence received at the trial.

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DIRECT AND CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE

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Evidence may be direct or circumstantial. Direct evidence is direct proof of a fact, such

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as testimony by a witness about what the witness personally saw or heard or did.

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Circumstantial evidence is proof of one or more facts from which you could find another fact.

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You should consider both kinds of evidence. The law makes no distinction between the

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weight to be given to either direct or circumstantial evidence. It is for you to decide how

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much weight to give to any evidence.

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CREDIBILITY OF WITNESSES

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In deciding the facts in this case, you may have to decide which testimony to believe

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and which testimony not to believe. You may believe everything a witness says, or part of it,

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or none of it.

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In considering the testimony of any witness, you may take into account:

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(1) the opportunity and ability of the witness to see or hear or know the things testified to;

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(2) the witness’ memory;

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(3) the witness’ manner while testifying;

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(4) the witness’ interest in the outcome of the case and any bias or prejudice;

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(5) whether other evidence contradicted the witness’ testimony;

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(6) the reasonableness of the witness’ testimony in light of all the evidence; and

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(7) any other factors that bear on believability.

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The weight of the evidence as to a fact does not necessarily depend on the number of
witnesses who testify.

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IMPEACHMENT EVIDENCE—WITNESS

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The evidence that a witness has lied under oath on a prior occasion may be considered,

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along with all other evidence, in deciding whether or not to believe the witness and how much

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weight to give to the testimony of the witness and for no other purpose.

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EXPERT EVIDENCE

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Some witnesses, because of education or experience, are permitted to state opinions

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and the reasons for those opinions.

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Opinion testimony should be judged just like any other testimony. You may accept it or

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reject it, and give it as much weight as you think it deserves, considering the witness’

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education and experience, the reasons given for the opinion, and all the other evidence in the

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case.

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CLAIMS AND DEFENSES

Ms. Valiavacharska claims that Officer Tinney used excessive force against her. As
the plaintiff, she has the burden of proving this claim.

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Officer Tinney denies that claim and contends that the force he used was objectively
reasonable under the circumstances.

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BURDEN OF PROOF - PREPONDERANCE OF THE EVIDENCE

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When a party has the burden of proof on any claim by a preponderance of the evidence,

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it means you must be persuaded by the evidence that the claim is more probably true than not

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true.

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You should base your decision on all of the evidence, regardless of which party
presented it.

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SECTION 1983 CLAIM - INTRODUCTORY INSTRUCTION

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The plaintiff brings her claim for excessive force under the federal statute, 42 U.S.C. §

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1983, which provides that any person or persons who, under color of law, deprives another of

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any rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution or laws of the United States

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shall be liable to the injured party.

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SECTION 1983 CLAIM AGAINST DEFENDANT IN INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY -

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ELEMENTS AND BURDEN OF PROOF

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In order to prevail on his § 1983 claim against the defendant Officer Brendon Tinney,
the plaintiff must prove each of the following elements by a preponderance of the evidence:

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1. the defendant acted under color of law; and

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2. the acts of the defendant deprived the plaintiff of her particular rights under the

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United States Constitution as explained in later instructions.

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A person acts “under color of law” when the person acts or purports to act in the

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performance of official duties under any state, county, or municipal law, ordinance, or

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regulation. The parties have stipulated that the defendant acted under color of law.

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If you find the plaintiff has proved each of these elements, and if you find that the

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plaintiff has proved all the elements he is required to prove under the other instructions, your

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verdict should be for the plaintiff. If, on the other hand, the plaintiff has failed to prove any

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one or more of these elements, your verdict should be for the defendant.

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CAUSATION

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In order to establish that the acts of the defendant Brendan Tinney deprived the
plaintiff of her particular rights under the United States Constitution, the plaintiff must prove
by a preponderance of the evidence that the acts were so closely related to the deprivation of
the plaintiff’s rights as to be the moving force that caused the ultimate injury.

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PARTICULAR RIGHTS - FOURTH AMENDMENT - UNREASONABLE SEIZURE
OF PERSON - EXCESSIVE FORCE

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In general, a seizure of a person is unreasonable under the Fourth Amendment if a

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police officer uses excessive force in defending himself or others. Thus, in order to prove an

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unreasonable seizure in this case, the plaintiff must prove by a preponderance of the evidence

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that Officer Tinney used excessive force when he hit Ms. Valiavacharska with his police

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baton.

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Under the Fourth Amendment, a police officer may only use such force as is

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“objectively reasonable” under all of the circumstances. In other words, you must judge the

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reasonableness of a particular use of force from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the

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scene and not with the 20/20 vision of hindsight.

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In determining whether the officer used excessive force in this case, consider all of the
circumstances known to the officer on the scene, including:

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1. The severity of the crime or other circumstances to which the officer was responding;

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2. Whether the plaintiff posed an immediate threat to the safety of the officer or to others;

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3. Whether the plaintiff was actively resisting arrest or attempting to evade arrest by

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flight;
4. The amount of time and any changing circumstances during which the officer had to
determine the type and amount of force that appeared to be necessary;

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5. The type and amount of force used;

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6. The availability of alternative methods to subdue the plaintiff.

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ORDERS BY A POLICE OFFICER
It is unlawful in California to willfully resist, delay, or obstruct any peace officer in the
discharge or attempt to discharge any duty of his or her office or employment.

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DAMAGES - PROOF

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It is the duty of the Court to instruct you about the measure of damages. By instructing

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you on damages, the Court does not mean to suggest for which party your verdict should be

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rendered.

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If you find for the plaintiff, you must determine the plaintiff’s damages. The plaintiff

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has the burden of proving damages by a preponderance of the evidence. Damages means the

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amount of money that will reasonably and fairly compensate the plaintiff for any injury you

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find was caused by the defendant.

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In determining the measure of damages, you should consider the following:

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1. The nature and extent of the injuries;

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2. The disability, disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life experienced and which with

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reasonable probability will be experienced in the future;

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3. The mental, physical, and emotional pain and suffering experienced; and

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4. The reasonable value of necessary medical care, treatment, and services received to

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the present time.

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It is for you to determine what damages, if any, have been proved. Your award must
be based upon evidence and not upon speculation, guesswork or conjecture.

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DAMAGES - MITIGATION

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The plaintiff has a duty to use reasonable efforts to mitigate damages. To mitigate
means to avoid or reduce damages.

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The defendant has the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence:

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1. that the plaintiff failed to use reasonable efforts to mitigate damages; and

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2. the amount by which damages would have been mitigated.

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PUNITIVE DAMAGES
If you find for the plaintiff, you may, but are not required to, award punitive damages.

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The purposes of punitive damages are to punish a defendant and to deter similar acts in the

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future. Punitive damages may not be awarded to compensate a plaintiff.

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The plaintiff has the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that
punitive damages should be awarded, and, if so, the amount of any such damages.
You may award punitive damages only if you find that the defendant’s conduct that

Conduct is malicious if it is accompanied by ill will, or spite, or if it is for the purpose of

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injuring the plaintiff. Conduct is in reckless disregard of the plaintiff’s rights if, under the

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harmed the plaintiff was malicious, oppressive or in reckless disregard of the plaintiff’s rights.

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circumstances, it reflects complete indifference to the plaintiff’s safety or rights, or if the

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defendant acts in the face of a perceived risk that his actions will violate the plaintiff’s rights

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under federal law. An act or omission is oppressive if the defendant injures or damages or

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otherwise violates the rights of the plaintiff with unnecessary harshness or severity, such as by

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the misuse or abuse of authority or power or by the taking advantage of some weakness or

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disability or misfortune of the plaintiff.

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NOMINAL DAMAGES
The law which applies to this case authorizes an award of nominal damages. If you find

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for the plaintiff but you find that the plaintiff has failed to prove damages as defined in these

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instructions, you must award nominal damages. Nominal damages may not exceed one dollar.

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USE OF NOTES

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Some of you have taken notes during the trial. Whether or not you took notes, you

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should rely on your own memory of what was said. Notes are only to assist your memory.

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You should not be overly influenced by the notes.

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DUTY TO DELIBERATE

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When you begin your deliberations, you should elect one member of the jury as your

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presiding juror. That person will preside over the deliberations and speak for you here in

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court.

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You will then discuss the case with your fellow jurors to reach agreement if you can do
so. Your verdict must be unanimous.

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Each of you must decide the case for yourself, but you should do so only after you have

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considered all of the evidence, discussed it fully with the other jurors, and listened to the

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views of your fellow jurors.

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Do not be afraid to change your opinion if the discussion persuades you that you
should. Do not come to a decision simply because other jurors think it is right.

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It is important that you attempt to reach a unanimous verdict but, of course, only if

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each of you can do so after having made your own conscientious decision. Do not change an

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honest belief about the weight and effect of the evidence simply to reach a verdict.

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COMMUNICATION WITH COURT

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If it becomes necessary during your deliberations to communicate with me, you may

of the jury. No member of the jury should ever attempt to communicate with me except by a

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signed writing; and I will communicate with any member of the jury on anything concerning

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the case only in writing, or here in open court. If you send out a question, I will consult with

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the parties before answering it, which may take some time. You may continue your

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deliberations while waiting for the answer to any question. Remember that you are not to tell

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anyone—including me—how the jury stands, numerically or otherwise, until after you have

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send a note through the Court clerk signed by your presiding juror or by one or more members

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reached a unanimous verdict or have been discharged. Do not disclose any vote count in any

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note to the court.

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RETURN OF VERDICT

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A verdict form has been prepared for you. After you have reached unanimous

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agreement on a verdict, your presiding juror will fill in the form that has been given to you,

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sign and date it, and advise the court that you are ready to return to the courtroom.

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