Henderson v. Turner et al
Filing
168
ORDER granting in part, denying in part and dismissing in part 138 Motion in Limine. Signed by Judge Helen Ginger Berrigan on 02/04/2013. (kac)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
MIDDLE DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA
LATESHA HENDERSON AND
CALVIN HENDERSON
VERSUS
MAJOR JOE TURNER AND
SERGEANT BRIAN COVINGTON
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
CIVIL ACTION
NO. 11-39
SECTION “C” (4)
ORDER AND REASONS1
IT IS ORDERED THAT:
1.
Plaintiff’s Motion in Limine to Limit Dr. Anthony Tarver’s Testimony to that of a fact
witness is GRANTED. Rec. Doc. 138. (See defendant’s Opposition to Motion in Limine,
Rec. Doc 145, p.4: “[D]efendants have made it clear that they do not intend to qualify or
call Doctor Anthony Tarver as an expert witness in this matter . . . Doctor Tarver is only
going to be called to testify as a treating physician and will not be qualified as an
expert.”). Under Federal Rule of Evidence 701, Dr. Tarver’s testimony as a fact witness
is limited to opinions rationally based on his perceptions, which are helpful to clearly
understanding the witness’s testimony or to determine a fact in issue, and which are not
based on scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge within the scope of Rule
702. Fed.R.Evid. 701.
1
Katharine Williams, a third-year student at Tulane University Law School, assisted in
the preparation of this Order and Reasons.
2.
Plaintiff’s Motion in Limine Regarding Exhibit #13-Interoffice Memoranda, Medical
Department is DENIED. Rec. Doc. 138, 4-9, Exh. A. Plaintiff argues that this document
is inadmissable hearsay because it was not prepared for the purpose of medical treatment.
Rec. Doc. 138 at 2. This memorandum is a review and summary of the decedent’s
medical records. Rec. Doc. 138, Exh. B. It also includes Dr. Tarver’s description of his
treatment of the decedent on the day of the incident at issue in this case. Id. Dr. Tarver
has stated that he furnishes such a report for every death that occurs in the facility. Id., p.
13. Federal Rule of Evidence 803(6) provides that records of a regularly conducted
activity are not excluded by the rule against hearsay if:
(A) the record was made at or near the time by--or from
information transmitted by--someone with knowledge; (B) the
record was kept in the course of a regularly conducted activity of a
business, organization, occupation, or calling, whether or not for
profit; (C) making the record was a regular practice of that
activity; (D) all these conditions are shown by the testimony of the
custodian or another qualified witness . . . and (E) neither the
source of information nor the method or circumstances of
preparation indicate a lack of trustworthiness.
Dr. Tarver produced this memorandum on October 7, 2010, the day after the decedent’s
death and eight days after the incident at issue. Rec. Doc. 138, Exh. A. Dr. Tarver kept
such records in the course of his regularly conducted activity as the Medical Director at
the Dixon Correctional Institute. Rec. Doc. 138, Exh. B. The plaintiffs have not made any
suggestion that Dr. Tarver or his methods in drafting this memorandum lack
trustworthiness.
Alternatively, Federal Rule of Evidence 805 provides that hearsay within hearsay is not
excluded by the rule against hearsay if each part of the combined statements conforms
2
with an exception to the rule. Fed.R.Evid. 805. Dr. Tarver used medical records compiled
during the course of Mr. Dawkins’s medical treatment while at Dixon Correctional
Facility. The information contained in those medical records are excepted from the
general rule against the admission of hearsay under Federal Rule of Evidence 803(4),
which allows hearsay statements that are made for the purpose of medical treatment.
Fed.R.Evid. 803(4). The initial collection of information in the medical records that Dr.
Tarver used to compile his report is excepted from exclusion, as is the report itself, which
is a record of a regularly conducted activity, i.e. Dr. Tarver’s production of an interoffice
memorandum each time a prisoner dies.
The Court does reiterate, however, that even though the defendant’s cover letter identifies
the document as the Defendants’ “Expert Report,” Dr. Tarver will only be allowed to
testify as a fact witness.
3.
Plaintiff’s Motion to Strike Defense Exhibits is PARTIALLY DENIED and
PARTIALLY DISMISSED as premature.
a.
The Motion to Strike Exhibit #2 Unusual Occurrence Report authored by Major
Turner is DENIED. The report was filed as exhibit 6 to Rec. Doc. 160. This is a
record of regularly conducted activity and should be admitted under Federal Rule
of Evidence 803(6).
b.
The Motion to Strike Exhibit #3 Unusual Occurrence Report authored by
Sergeant Covington is DENIED. This report was filed as exhibit 5 to Rec. Doc.
3
160. This is a record of regularly conducted activity and should be admitted
under Federal Rule of Evidence 803(6).
c.
The Motion to Strike Exhibit #4 Unusual Occurrence Report authored by Master
Sergeant Darrell Aucoin, Jr. is DENIED. This report was filed as exhibit 10 to
Rec. Doc. 160. This is a record of regularly conducted activity and should be
admitted under Federal Rule of Evidence 803(6).
d.
The Motion to Strike Exhibit #5 Unusual Occurrence Report authored by Lt.
Colonel John Smith is DENIED. This report was filed as exhibit 9 to Rec. Doc.
160. This is a record of regularly conducted activity and should be admitted
under Federal Rule of Evidence 803(6).
e.
The Motion to Strike Exhibit #10 Disciplinary Reports of Major Joseph Turner
from September 29, 2010 is DENIED. Plaintiffs have not attached this exhibit.
They state in Rec. Doc. 160 that it was not produced during discovery, but since
they did not state that in their initial motion (Rec. Doc. 138), so defendants could
not comment on that in their response, the Court will not rule on whether the
report is hearsay.
f.
The Motion to Strike Exhibit #11 Disciplinary Reports of Dana Bennett from
September 29, 2010 is DENIED. This was filed as exhibit 1 in Rec. Doc. 160.
While disciplinary reports prepared by security officers constitute hearsay
evidence, this report is admissible under Federal Rule of Evidence 803(8), as
factual findings resulting from an investigation made pursuant to authority
4
granted by law. Alternatively, this is a record of regularly conducted activity and
should be admitted under Federal Rule of Evidence 803(6).
g.
The Motion to Strike Exhibit #12 Disciplinary Reports of Master Sergeant Brian
Covington from September 29, 2010 is DENIED. Plaintiffs have not attached this
exhibit. They state in Rec. Doc. 160 that it was not produced during discovery,
but since they did not state that in their initial motion (Rec. Doc. 138), so
defendants could not comment on that in their opposition, the Court will not rule
on whether the report is hearsay.
h.
The Motion to Strike Exhibit #13 Interoffice Memorandum of A. Anthony Tarver,
M.D. is DENIED, for the reasons set forth in Part 2 of this Order and Reasons.
i.
The Motion to Strike Exhibit #16 Plaintiff’s Master Prison Record is DENIED.
This exhibit was partially produced in Rec. Doc. 165. This document is a record
of a regularly conducted activity and not subject to exclusion. FRE 803(6).
j.
The Motions to Strike Exhibit #6 Approved Visitation List of Inmate Dawkins;
Exhibit #8 Department Regulation Procedures C-02-006; Exhibit #17 Master
Prison Record for Matthew Paul Tyson; Exhibit #18 Master Prison Record for
Michael Johnson; Exhibit #19 Master Prison Record for James Dawkins, Jr.;
Exhibit # 20 Master Prison Record for James Ray Tanner; Exhibit #21 Master
Prison Record for Brian Keith Chisholm; Exhibit #22 Master Prison Record for
Telly Savalas Ambrose; Exhibit #23 Master Prison Record for Michael Lewis;
Exhibit #24 Master Prison Record for Larry Williams; and Exhibit #25 are
DISMISSED as premature. Plaintiff’s basis for requesting the exclusion of these
5
materials is that they were never produced during discovery. However, discovery
in this case did not conclude until January 7, 2013. (Rec. Doc. 127). Plaintiff filed
this motion on December 10, 2012. (Rec. Doc. 138). These motions have been
filed prematurely.
Plaintiffs are reminded that in order for the Court to rule on future motions they must
attach any exhibits they move to exclude. Exhibits shall be in order and clearly tabbed. The
Court notes that exhibits submitted in Rec. Doc. 160 were neither in order, nor clearly tabbed.
New Orleans, Louisiana this 4th day of February, 2013.
______________________________
HELEN G. BERRIGAN
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
6
Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia.
Why Is My Information Online?