Burgess v. Baltimore Police Department et al

Filing 408

MEMORANDUM ORDER denying 371 Plaintiffs Motion to Re- Open Discovery into Plaintiffs Monell Claim. Signed by Judge Richard D. Bennett on 2/8/2018. (jnls, Deputy Clerk) Modified on 2/8/2018 (jnls, Deputy Clerk).

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF MARYLAND SABEIN BURGESS, Plaintiff, * * v. BALTIMORE POLICE DEPARTMENT, et al., Defendants. * * * * Civil Case No. RDB-15-00834 * * * * * * * MEMORANDUM ORDER * * * * Plaintiff’s Amended Complaint (ECF No. 141) alleges that his constitutional rights were violated by individual officers of the Baltimore Police Department (“BPD”) and pursuant to the BPD’s policies and practices. On March 23, 2016, this Court bifurcated and stayed discovery into the claim against the BPD (the “Monell claim”). (ECF No. 68.) On November 21, 2017, a jury found that individual Defendant Goldstein violated Plaintiff’s constitutional rights. (ECF No. 364.) Plaintiff now moves to re-open discovery into his Monell claim. (ECF No. 371.) This Court has reviewed the parties’ submissions and no hearing is required. See Local Rule 105.6. Stays of discovery are within the discretion of the Court. Chaudhry v. Mobil Oil Corp., 186 F.3d 502, 504 (4th Cir. 1999). This Court finds that discovery into Plaintiff’s Monell claim at this time would be premature. A Monell claim cannot proceed unless an officer is first found individually liable. Marryshow v. Town of Bladensburg, 139 F.R.D. 318, 319 (D. Md. 1991). Defendant Goldstein has filed two post-trial motions challenging the judgment against him (ECF Nos. 374, 376), and he may note an appeal depending on this Court’s rulings. Because the judgment against Defendant Goldstein is still the subject of litigation, discovery into the Monell claim would be potentially wasteful of party and court resources. For the reasons stated above, the Plaintiff’s Motion to ReOpen Discovery into Plaintiff’s Monell Claim (ECF No. 371) is DENIED. Dated: February 8, 2018 _________/s/___________ Richard D. Bennett United States District Judge

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