Oster v. City of Capitola et al

Filing 28

ORDER GRANTING IN PART AND DENYING IN PART DEFENDANTS' MOTION TO DISMISS granting in part and denying in part 20 Motion to Dismiss. (Illston, Susan) (Filed on 1/11/2022)

Case 3:21-cv-03562-SI Document 28 Filed 01/11/22 Page 1 of 12

1
2
3
4
5
6

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

7

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

8
9

ANTHONY HARRISON OSTER,
Plaintiff,

10

United States District Court
Northern District of California

11
12
13

Case No. 21-cv-03562-SI
ORDER GRANTING IN PART AND
DENYING IN PART DEFENDANTS’
MOTION TO DISMISS

v.
CITY OF CAPITOLA, et al.,

Re: Dkt. No. 20

Defendants.

14
15
16

Defendants City of Capitola (the City), Police Chief Terry McManus, and officers Samuel

17

Estrada, Alberto Gonzalez, and Steven Anderson (collectively “defendants”) move to dismiss

18

Anthony Oster’s first amended complaint (“FAC,” Dkt. No. 18). Dkt. No. 20 (MTD). Pursuant to

19

Civil Local Rule 7-1(b), the Court found the matter appropriate for resolution without oral argument

20

and VACATED the December 3, 2021 hearing. For the reasons discussed -below, defendants’

21

motion is GRANTED in part and DENIED in part.

22
23

BACKGROUND

24

On September 17, 2020, plaintiff filed the FAC alleging nine causes of action, namely: (1)

25

42 U.S.C. § 1983 (Excessive Force); (2) 42 U.S.C. § 1983 (Unlawful Search & Seizure); (3) 4th

26

Amendment, malicious prosecution; (4) Assault; (5) Battery; (6) False Arrest & False

27

Imprisonment; (7) Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (“IIED”); (8) Negligent Infliction of

28

Emotional Distress (“NIED”); and (9) Violation of the California Civil Code § 52.1 (California’s

Case 3:21-cv-03562-SI Document 28 Filed 01/11/22 Page 2 of 12

1

Bane Act). FAC at ¶¶ 45-120. Defendants now move to dismiss plaintiff’s amended complaint

2

arguing claims 1-3 and 6-8 fail as to all defendants and claims 4-5 and 9 fail as to Officer Anderson,

3

Chief McManus, and the City. See generally Dkt. No. 20 (MTD)

4
A.

6

Mr. Oster’s complaint arises from a May 9, 2020 encounter with the Capitola police (“the

7

Incident”). FAC at ¶ 15. Mr. Oster alleges he was riding his bicycle in the bike lane eastbound on

8

Capitola Road shortly after midnight. Id. The FAC alleges Officer Estrada noticed Mr. Oster’s

9

bicycle did not have a rear red light or reflector and initiated a traffic stop. Id. Mr. Oster did not

10

have any weapons on his person nor any outstanding warrants. Id. at ¶ 18. Mr. Oster admits he was

11

United States District Court
Northern District of California

5

Allegations re the May 9, 2020 Incident

annoyed and rude to the officers, but alleges he never threatened them. Id. at ¶ 19. Mr. Oster admits

12

he summarily decided to leave and moved towards his bicycle. Id. The FAC alleges, when Mr. Oster

13

turned to leave, Officer Estrada put his hand on Mr. Oster’s shoulder while Officer Gonzalez

14

“violently and without warning” took Mr. Oster to the ground and broke his left leg. Id. The FAC

15

alleges Officer Estrada assisted Officer Gonzalez in subduing and handcuffing Mr. Oster, while

16

Officer Anderson failed to intervene to prevent violation of Mr. Oster’s Constitutional rights. Id.

17

The FAC alleges the officers initiated force without any verbal warning and during the use of force,

18

repeatedly yelled “stop resisting” even though Mr. Oster never resisted. Id. at ¶ 22.

19

Mr. Oster was transported to a hospital where doctors imaged his left leg and determined he

20

had multiple severe fractures requiring immediate surgery. Id. at ¶ 20. Mr. Oster alleges he suffered

21

extreme physical pain and mental suffering due to the Incident and surgery. Id. The FAC alleges

22

after the Incident, the officers wrote inaccurate and misleading police reports and omitted

23

exculpatory evidence. Id. at ¶ 26. The FAC alleges Capitola Chief of Police, defendant Chief

24

McManus, allegedly conducted an internal investigation into the officers’ use of force against Mr.

25

Oster and exonerated them, ratifying the officers’ conduct. Id. at ¶ 21. The FAC alleges Mr. Oster

26

was arrested and criminally cited for resisting/delaying peace officers during the scope of their

27

duties. Id. at ¶ 21. The FAC alleges the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office is currently

28

prosecuting Mr. Oster based on the officers’ inaccurate police reports. Id. at ¶¶ 28-29.
2

Case 3:21-cv-03562-SI Document 28 Filed 01/11/22 Page 3 of 12

1

B.

2

The FAC alleges the City and defendant Chief McManus embrace customs, practices, and

3

Allegations re Custom, Practice & Policy

policies that encourage and/or condone unconstitutional practices, including:

4

a. To use, tolerate, or instruct the use of excessive and/or unjustified force;

5

b. To engage in or tolerate unreasonable seizures and restraints;

6

c. To fail to institute, require, and enforce proper and adequate training, supervision,
policies, and procedures concerning stops, arrests, and the use of force;

7
8
9
10

United States District Court
Northern District of California

11
12
13
14
15

e. To hide or cover up violations of constitutional rights by any of the following:
i. By ignoring and/or failing to properly investigate and/or discipline unconstitutional
or unlawful law enforcement activity; and
iii. By allowing, tolerating, and/or encouraging law enforcement officers to fail to
file complete and accurate reports; file false reports; make false statements; collude
in report writing; and/or obstruct or interfere with investigations of unconstitutional
or unlawful law enforcement conduct by withholding and/or concealing material
information.
g. To allow, tolerate, and/or encourage a ‘code of silence’ among law enforcement
officers and police department personnel, whereby an officer or member of the police
department does not provide adverse information against a fellow officer or member
of the department; and

17

h. Defendants CITY OF CAPITOLA and chief TERRY MCMANUS failed to
properly hire, train, instruct, monitor, supervise, evaluate, investigate, and discipline
the individual officers involved herein, with deliberate indifference to Mr. OSTER’S
constitutional rights.

18

Id. at ¶ 35. The FAC further alleges the City and defendant Chief McManus inadequately and

19

improperly investigate claims of excessive force and do not monitor or track the number of times

20

officers are accused of doing so. Id. at 36-38.

16

21
22

LEGAL STANDARD

23

A complaint must contain “a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader

24

is entitled to relief,” – failure to do so requires dismissal pursuant to Rule 12(b)(6). Fed. R. Civ. P.

25

8(a)(2). To survive a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss, the plaintiff must allege “enough facts to

26

state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.” Bell Atl. Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 570

27

(2007). This “facial plausibility” standard requires the plaintiff to allege facts that add up to “more

28

than a sheer possibility that a defendant has acted unlawfully.” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678
3

Case 3:21-cv-03562-SI Document 28 Filed 01/11/22 Page 4 of 12

(2009). While courts do not require “heightened fact pleading of specifics,” a plaintiff must allege

2

facts sufficient to “raise a right to relief above the speculative level.” Twombly, 550 U.S. at 555,

3

570. “A pleading that offers ‘labels and conclusions’ or ‘a formulaic recitation of the elements of a

4

cause of action will not do.’ ” Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678 (quoting Twombly, 550 U.S. at 555). “Nor

5

does a complaint suffice if it tenders ‘naked assertion[s]’ devoid of ‘further factual enhancement.’

6

” Id. (quoting Twombly, 550 U.S. at 557). “While legal conclusions can provide the framework of

7

a complaint, they must be supported by factual allegations.” Id. at 679. In reviewing a Rule 12(b)(6)

8

motion, courts must accept as true all facts alleged in the complaint and draw all reasonable

9

inferences in favor of the non-moving party. See Usher v. Cty of Los Angeles, 828 F.2d 556, 561

10

(9th Cir. 1987). However, courts are not required to accept as true “allegations that are merely

11

United States District Court
Northern District of California

1

conclusory, unwarranted deductions of fact, or unreasonable inferences.” In re Gilead Scis. Sec.

12

Litig., 536 F.3d 1049, 1055 (9th Cir. 2008) (citation omitted).

13
DISCUSSION

14
15

I.

Federal Causes of Action

16

A.

17

Mr. Oster’s excessive force claim is properly plead against Officers Estrada and Gonzalez

18

but fails with respect to Officer Anderson. Mr. Oster does not allege Officer Anderson ever touched

19

him, rather, he alleges excessive force for Officer Anderson failing to intervene in the alleged

20

assault. FAC at ¶¶ 18-19; Dkt. No. 24 at 13. (Opp.). Defendants allege the duty to intervene does

21

not attach unless the officer had a “realistic opportunity” to intervene which the FAC does not allege,

22

especially since the FAC alleges Officers Estrada and Gonzalez acted “without warning.” Dkt. No.

23

20 at 14-15 (MTD); FAC at ¶ 18. The Court agrees with defendants and therefore GRANTS the

24

motion to dismiss the excessive force claim with respect to Officer Anderson.

25
26
27
28

Excessive Force Claims (First Cause of Action)

The Court also finds Mr. Oster has adequately plead a Monell claim for excessive force
having alleged the facts detailed above, including the allegation that
despite numerous complaints that CITY OF CAPITOLA Police Officers were using
excessive force upon citizens, CHIEF TERRY MCMANUS has not properly
investigated or disciplined officers based upon a citizen’s complaint of excessive
4

Case 3:21-cv-03562-SI Document 28 Filed 01/11/22 Page 5 of 12

2

force. This custom, practice, and/or policy condones, ratifies, supports and
encourages the improper, unnecessary, and/or excessive use of force by officers
employed by the CITY OF CAPITOLA and under CHIEF TERRY MCMANUS’
command, as evidenced by the injuries inflicted upon Mr. OSTER.

3

Dkt. No. 18 ¶ 37. The motion to dismiss is therefore DENIED as to the first cause of action’s

4

Monell allegations.

1

5

With respect to Chief McManus, Section 1983 claims “against government officials in their

6

official capacities are really suits against the governmental employer because the employer must

7

pay any damages awarded.” Butler v. Elle, 281 F.3d 1014, 1031 (9th Cir. 2002), citing Kentucky v.

8

Graham, 473 U.S. 159, 165-66 (1985). Thus, plaintiff’s claim against Chief McManus in his official

9

capacity, is subsumed by Plaintiff’s cause of action under Section 1983 against the City of Capitola,

10

the governmental employer.

United States District Court
Northern District of California

11

Further, neither the Supreme Court nor the Ninth Circuit has held “an official's post-incident

12

ratification of or acquiescence to a claimed constitutional violation is alone sufficient for individual

13

liability under § 1983.” Hunt v. Davis, 749 F. App'x 522, 525-26 (9th Cir. 2018) (reversing the

14

district court, finding the district court erred when it held that a plaintiff stated a claim against a

15

sheriff on the basis of post-incident ratification).

16
17

Accordingly, the Motion to Dismiss the first cause of action is also GRANTED as to Chief
McManus as an individual and in his official capacity.

18
19

B.

20

Defendants allege Mr. Oster’s arrest was supported by probable cause and lawful, therefore,

21

the unlawful search and seizure claim should be dismissed as to all defendants. Dkt. No. 20 at 25

22

(MTD). With respect to Officer Anderson specifically, defendants argue his mere presence during

23

the Incident is insufficient to state a claim. Dkt. No. 25 at 17. (Reply).

Unlawful Search & Seizure (Second Cause of Action)

24

Mr. Oster argues the defendant officers “acted in concert with one another” in violating

25

plaintiff’s rights. Dkt. No. 24 at 19. (Opp.) The FAC further alleges defendants’ actions were the

26

result of policies and/or customs embraced by defendant Chief McManus and/or Does 1 to 20 who

27

inadequately trained the defendant officers. FAC at ¶¶ 56-65.

28

The Fourth Amendment permits brief investigative stops when a law enforcement officer
5

Case 3:21-cv-03562-SI Document 28 Filed 01/11/22 Page 6 of 12

has “a particularized and objective basis for suspecting the particular person stopped of criminal

2

activity.” Navarette v. California, 572 U.S. 393, 396–97 (2014) (quoting United States v.

3

Cortez, 449 U.S. 411, 417–418 (1981)) (emphasis added); see also Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. 1, 21–

4

22 (1968). Here, Mr. Oster was stopped for a traffic infraction, not a crime of violence. People v.

5

Miranda, 17 Cal.App.4th 917, 927 (1993); see In re H.H., 174 Cal. App. 4th 653, 660 (2009). When

6

making a traffic stop, an officer’s conduct must be objectively reasonable and justified by the

7

specific facts and circumstances confronting the officer. People v. Miranda, 17 Cal. App. 4th 917,

8

928 (1993); see In re H.H., 174 Cal. App. 4th 653, 660 (1st Dist. 2009) (finding although an officer

9

had a reasonable suspicion sufficient to justify the stop of a bicyclist late at night without a light in

10

violation of Cal. Veh. Code § 21201, the officer did not have a reasonable suspicion to justify a pat-

11

United States District Court
Northern District of California

1

down search.).

12

The FAC alleges the officers’ conduct was patently unreasonable and the Court finds, at this

13

early stage of litigation, the issue of whether probable cause existed when Mr. Oster was detained,

14

searched, and seized involves issues of fact better resolved on summary judgment or at trial.

15

Therefore, the Court DENIES the motion to dismiss the unlawful search and seizure claim as to all

16

defendants except Chief McManus, for which the motion is GRANTED, for the same reasons

17

discussed in section I above.

18
19
20
21
22
23

The Court also finds Mr. Oster has adequately plead a Monell claim for unlawful search and
seizure based on the listed alleged facts above, including the allegation that:
The actions of the Defendants, and each of them, were the result of policies and/or
customs by CHIEF TERRY MCMANUS, and/or Does 1 to 20, whose inadequacy in
training the defendant officers with respect to the performance of their duties,
including, but not limited to, searches, seizures, use of force, arrests, and detentions,
constituted a deliberate indifference to citizens’ Constitutional rights leading to
excessive force assaults such as the one Mr. OSTER endured.
Dkt. No. 18 at ¶ 60. The motion to dismiss is thus also DENIED as to the second cause of action’s

24
Monell allegations.
25
26
C.

Malicious Prosecution (Third Cause of Action)

27
Defendants argue the malicious prosecution claim fails as ongoing proceedings are not
28
6

Case 3:21-cv-03562-SI Document 28 Filed 01/11/22 Page 7 of 12

1

cognizable as a matter of law. Dkt. No. 20 at 25-26 (MTD); Dkt. No. 25 at 17 (Reply). The FAC

2

admits Mr. Oster’s prosecution is ongoing and not yet resolved. FAC at ¶ 29. In California, the first

3

element of a malicious prosecution claim is: the prosecution was initiated by or at the direction of

4

the defendant and was pursued to a legal termination in plaintiff’s favor. Conrad v. United

5

States, 447 F.3d 760, 767 (9th Cir. 2006) (citing Sheldon Appel Co. v. Albert & Oliker, 765 P.2d

6

498, 501 (Cal. 1989)) (emphasis added). The Court determines, as the underlying case has not yet

7

terminated in plaintiff’s favor, the malicious prosecution claim is premature. Therefore, the Court

8

GRANTS the motion to dismiss the malicious prosecution claim as to all defendants WITHOUT

9

prejudice to the claim being filed should the prosecution end in Mr. Oster’s favor.

10

United States District Court
Northern District of California

11

II.

State Law Claims

12

Plaintiff brings the fourth through eighth causes of action (for assault, battery, false arrest,

13

IIED, and NIED, respectively) against “All Defendants.” Defendants assert immunity as to Chief

14

McManus and the City – which fail1 – and argue the other claims are unsupported by facts.

15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28

Defendants argue, pursuant to the Government Claims Act (Cal. Gov’t Code § 810 et seq.),
specifically § 820.8, that Chief McManus is not liable for the misconduct of others as a matter of
law. Dkt. No. 20 at 20, 30 (MTD). Cal. Gov’t Code § 820.8, states: “Except as otherwise provided
by statute, a public employee is not liable for an injury caused by the act or omission of another
person. Nothing in this section exonerates a public employee from liability for injury proximately
caused by his own negligent or wrongful act or omission.” Cal. Gov’t Code § 820.8. The Court
finds Chief McManus, in his individual capacity, is not entitled to § 820.8 immunity for injury
proximately caused by his own negligent or wrongful act or omission.
Defendants also argue under the Government Claims Act, there is no common law tort
liability for public entities in California; instead, such liability must be based on statute. Guzman v.
Cty. of Monterey, 46 Cal. 4th 887, 897 (2009). However, Cal. Gov’t Code § 820.8 does not apply
to the City because it is a public entity, not a public employee. See Luttrell v. Hart, No. 5:19-CV07300-EJD, 2020 WL 5642613, at *6 (N.D. Cal. Sept. 22, 2020) (quoting M.S. ex rel. Sisco v. Weed
Union Elementary Sch. Dist., No. 2:13-cv-01211 JAM, 2013 WL 6199194, at *4 (E.D. Cal. Nov.
27, 2013)).
Defendants further argue, pursuant to Cal. Gov’t Code § 815, there is no statutory basis for
assault, battery, intentional or negligent infliction of emotional distress against the City; thus the
claims against the City must fail. Dkt. No. 25 at 20, 21. However, Cal. Gov’t Code § 815.2
explicitly provides for vicarious liability and § 815.2(a) states “[a] public entity is liable for injury
proximately caused by an act or omission of an employee of the public entity within the scope of
his employment.” Id.; see Luttrell v. Hart, No. 5:19-CV-07300-EJD, 2020 WL 5642613, at *6 (N.D.
Cal. Sept. 22, 2020). Indeed, “under California law municipalities enjoy no special immunity for
negligence actions [and that a municipality] is liable for the negligence of [its employees] to the
same extent that [the employees] would be liable individually.” Hernandez v. City of San Jose, No.
16-CV-03957-LHK, 2016 WL 5944095, at *45–46 (N.D. Cal. Oct. 13, 2016). Therefore, the City
may be held liable for causes of action pursued under the doctrine of vicarious liability whenever a
7
1

Case 3:21-cv-03562-SI Document 28 Filed 01/11/22 Page 8 of 12

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

United States District Court
Northern District of California

11
12
13
14
15
16

A.

Assault and Battery (Fourth and Fifth Cause of Action)

Defendants move to dismiss the fourth count for assault and fifth count for battery only as
they are asserted against Officer Anderson and Chief McManus because the FAC does not allege
either defendant personally assaulted or battered plaintiff. Dkt. No. 20 at 28-29 (MTD). Under
California law, the definition of assault is “[a]n unlawful attempt, coupled with a present ability, to
commit a violent injury on the person of another.” Cal. Penal Code § 240. An assault does not
require either an intent to physically injure or an actual physical injury, but only the reasonable
apprehension of imminent harmful touching. Kiseskey v. Carpenters’ Trust for So. California, 144
Cal.App.3d 222, 232 (1983); see Keum v. Virgin Am. Inc., 781 F. Supp. 2d 944, 953–54 (N.D. Cal.
2011). The FAC alleged defendants acted with intent to cause a harmful or offensive contact with
Mr. Oster and did cause harmful and/or offensive contact as he was “grabbed, struck, choked,
wrenched, manhandled, handcuffed,” resulting in a “severe leg fracture.” FAC at ¶¶ 77, 85.
The Court finds the claims for assault and battery as to Officer Anderson and Chief
McManus fail because Mr. Oster does not allege Officer Anderson or Chief McManus personally
assaulted or battered him and therefore GRANTS the motion to dismiss claims four and five as to
Officer Anderson and Chief McManus.

17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28

B.

False Arrest & False Imprisonment (Sixth Cause of Action)

Defendants argue the sixth count for false arrest and false imprisonment fail as to Officer
Anderson and Chief McManus because they had little if any involvement in Mr. Oster’s arrest. Dkt.
No. 20 at 29-30 (MTD). Defendants argue Mr. Oster’s arrest for resisting or obstructing the officers
in the performance of their duties was supported by probable cause and lawful. Dkt. No. 20 at 23
(MTD); See Section I.C. above.
Mr. Oster’s false arrest and false imprisonment claims hinge on his allegation that
defendants lacked probable cause to arrest him. See Fayer v. Vaughn, 649 F.3d 1061, 1064 (9th
Cir. 2011). Given the limited record before the Court, the Court finds whether or not probable cause
existed at the time of Mr. Oster’s arrest involves issues of fact better resolved on summary judgment.

claim survives against a defendant officer.
8

Case 3:21-cv-03562-SI Document 28 Filed 01/11/22 Page 9 of 12

1
2

However, the Court finds the claims for false arrest and false imprisonment as to Chief
McManus fail because Mr. Oster does not allege Chief McManus personally arrested him.

3

Therefore, the Court finds plaintiff’s allegations are sufficient to sustain his claim and

4

therefore DENIES the motion to dismiss the false arrest and false imprisonment claims as to

5

defendant Officers Estrada, Gonzalez, Anderson, and the City, and GRANTS the motion to dismiss

6

plaintiff’s claim as to Chief McManus.

7
C.

9

Defendants argue the FAC fails to show outrageous conduct by Officer Anderson or Chief

10

McManus, and fails to identify a statutory basis for an IIED claim against the City. Dkt. No. 20 at

11

United States District Court
Northern District of California

8

Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (Seventh Cause of Action)

30 (MTD). To state a valid claim for IIED a plaintiff must show “(1) extreme and outrageous

12

conduct by the defendant with the intention of causing, or reckless disregard of the probability of

13

causing, emotional distress; (2) the plaintiff's suffering severe or extreme emotional distress; and

14

(3) actual and proximate causation of the emotional distress by the defendant’s outrageous

15

conduct.”

16

(quoting Cervantez v. J.C. Penney Co., 24 Cal.3d 579 (Cal. 1979)); Slider v. Cty of Oakland, No. C

17

08-4847 SI, 2010 WL 2867807, at *9 (N.D. Cal. July 19, 2010). Conduct is found extreme or

18

outrageous if it is “so extreme in degree, as to go beyond all possible bounds of decency, and to be

19

regarded as atrocious, and utterly intolerable in a civilized community.” Id. (quoting Cochran v.

20

Cochran, 65 Cal.App.4th 488, 545).

Pardi v. Kaiser Permanente Hosp., Inc., 389 F.3d 840, 852 (9th Cir.2004)

21

The FAC alleges “the conduct of the Defendants, and each of them, was intentional,

22

outrageous, malicious, and done with ill will and with the intent to cause [Mr. Oster] to suffer

23

humiliating mental anguish, as well as emotional and physical distress.” FAC at ¶¶ 100-105.

24

“[A]bsent an intent to injure … inaction is not the kind of ‘extreme and outrageous conduct’

25

that gives rise to liability under the ‘intentional infliction of emotional distress’ tort. Davidson v.

26

Cty of Westminster, 32 Cal. 3d 197, 210 (1982). Therefore, the Court finds plaintiff’s allegations

27

are not sufficient to sustain his claim as to Officer Anderson. The Court finds the claim for IIED

28

also fails as to Chief McManus because Mr. Oster does not allege Chief McManus personally
9

Case 3:21-cv-03562-SI Document 28 Filed 01/11/22 Page 10 of 12

1

intended to injure him or engaged in action that was the proximate causation between conduct and

2

the alleged emotional distress.

3

Accordingly, the Court finds plaintiff’s allegations are sufficient to sustain his claim as to

4

Officers Estrada, Gonzalez, and the City, and therefore DENIES the motion to dismiss the IIED

5

claim as to defendant Officers Estrada, Gonzalez, Anderson, and the City, and GRANTS the motion

6

to dismiss plaintiff’s claim as to defendants Officer Anderson and Chief McManus.

7
D.

9

Defendants argue the FAC fails to adequately allege any of the elements of NIED for Officer

10

Anderson and Chief McManus. Dkt. No. 20 at 30-31 (MTD); Dkt. No. 25 at 21. (Reply). NIED is

11

United States District Court
Northern District of California

8

not an independent tort doctrine. See Potter v. Firestone Tire & Rubber Co., 6 Cal. 4th 965, 984

12

(1993). Rather, NIED “is a form of the tort of negligence, to which the elements of duty, breach of

13

duty, causation and damages apply.” Varnado v. Midland Funding LLC, 43 F. Supp. 3d 985, 990

14

(N.D. Cal. 2014) (quotation and citation omitted).

Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress (Eighth Cause of Action)

15

The Court finds the claim for NIED as to Chief McManus and Officer Anderson

16

fails because Mr. Oster does not allege they personally engaged in any action that proximately

17

caused his emotional distress. Accordingly, the Court GRANTS the motion to dismiss plaintiff’s

18

claim as to defendants Officer Anderson and Chief McManus.

19
CONCLUSION

20
21

1) The Court DENIES the motion to dismiss the first count for excessive force under §1983

22

as to Officers Estrada, Gonzalez, and the City, and GRANTS the motion to dismiss plaintiff's claim

23

as to Chief McManus and Officer Anderson.

24
25

2) The Court DENIES the motion to dismiss the second count for illegal search and seizure

26

claim as to the defendant officers and the City of Capitola and GRANTS the motion with respect

27

to Chief McManus.

28
10

Case 3:21-cv-03562-SI Document 28 Filed 01/11/22 Page 11 of 12

1
2

3) The Court GRANTS the motion to dismiss the third count for malicious prosecution as
to all defendants.

3
4

4) The Court DENIES the motion to dismiss the fourth and fifth counts for assault and

5

battery as to Officers Estrada, Gonzalez and the City, and GRANTS the motion to dismiss plaintiff’s

6

claims as to Officer Anderson and Chief McManus without leave to amend.

7
8

5) The Court DENIES the motion to dismiss the sixth count for false arrest as to Officers

9

Estrada, Gonzalez, Anderson, and the City, and GRANTS the motion to dismiss plaintiff’s claim

10

as to Chief McManus without leave to amend.

United States District Court
Northern District of California

11
12

6) The Court DENIES the motion to dismiss the seventh count for intentional infliction of

13

emotional distress as to Officers Estrada, Gonzalez, and the City, and GRANTS the motion to

14

dismiss plaintiff’s claim as to Officer Anderson and Chief McManus without leave to amend.

15
16

7) The Court DENIES the motion to dismiss the eighth count for negligent infliction of

17

emotional distress as to Officers Estrada and Gonzalez and the City, and GRANTS the motion to

18

dismiss plaintiff’s claim as to Officer Anderson and Chief McManus without leave to amend.

19
20

8) The Court DENIES2 the motion to dismiss the ninth count for violation of the Bane Act

21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28

2

Defendants argue the City is immune from liability because the Bane Act does not provide
a basis for a direct liability claim. Dkt. No. 25 at 21-22. Plaintiff’s opposition clarifies Mr. Oster
is not seeking a direct Bane Act claim against the City, but rather to hold the City vicariously liable
for injuries proximately caused by its employees. Dkt. No. 24 at 24 (Opp.). Under California law,
public entities are liable for injuries proximately caused by their employees’ actions within the scope
of employment, but public entities are immune from liability to the extent their employees are
immune from liability. Gant v. Cty. of Los Angeles, 772 F.3d 608, 623 (9th Cir. 2014); Cal. Gov’t
Code § 815.2; see Pierce v. Cty. of Marin, 291 F. Supp. 3d 982, 998 (N.D. Cal. 2018).
Mr. Oster alleged he was deprived of his constitutional rights and City employees acted with
reckless disregard and/or deliberate indifference of his rights. FAC at ¶¶ 35, 50, 54, 118. The FAC
alleges defendant Chief McManus conducted an internal investigation into the officers’ use of force
against Mr. Oster and exonerated them, thus ratifying the officers’ conduct. Id. at ¶ 21. As discussed
above, (1) the City is not entitled to Cal. Gov’t Code § 820.8 immunity, (2) defendant Chief
McManus, in his individual capacity, is not entitled to Cal. Gov’t Code § 820.8 immunity for
11

Case 3:21-cv-03562-SI Document 28 Filed 01/11/22 Page 12 of 12

1

as to all defendants.

2
3
4
5
6

IT IS SO ORDERED.
Dated: January 11, 2022
______________________________________
SUSAN ILLSTON
United States District Judge

7
8
9
10

United States District Court
Northern District of California

11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28

liability for injury proximately caused by his own negligent or wrongful act or omission, and (3) the
Court finds Mr. Oster’s allegations are sufficient to sustain his excessive force and unlawful search
and seizure claims.
12