Rosario v. City of New York et al

Filing 378

ORDER: It is hereby ORDERED that by May 25, 2022, the parties shall jointly file a proposed juror questionnaire, prepared with reference to the previously approved voir dire questions and a sample from a recent civil trial, which are attached hereto. The parties should indicate any disagreement through footnotes or highlighted text. (Signed by Judge Lorna G. Schofield on 5/18/2022) (mml)

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Case 1:18-cv-04023-LGS Document 378 Filed 05/18/22 Page 1 of 17 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK -------------------------------------------------------------X : RICHARD ROSARIO, : Plaintiff, : : -against: : CITY OF NEW YORK, et al., : Defendants. : : -------------------------------------------------------------X 18 Civ. 4023 (LGS) ORDER LORNA G. SCHOFIELD, District Judge: WHEREAS, the jury trial in this case is scheduled to begin on July 25, 2022, at 9:45 a.m. WHEREAS, the Court has determined that under the circumstances, including the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic, a juror questionnaire will be used in aid of voir dire. It is hereby ORDERED that by May 25, 2022, the parties shall jointly file a proposed juror questionnaire, prepared with reference to the previously approved voir dire questions and a sample from a recent civil trial, which are attached hereto. The parties should indicate any disagreement through footnotes or highlighted text. Dated: May 18, 2022 New York, New York Case 1:18-cv-04023-LGS Document 378 Filed 05/18/22 Page 2 of 17 1/3/2022 FINAL VOIR DIRE EXCERPT Richard Rosario v. The City of New York, et al., 18 Civ. 4023 V. OUTLINE OF THE CASE As I mentioned before, this is a civil case. You may hear the term “plaintiff” and “defendant.” In this case, the plaintiff is Richard Rosario, a private citizen. The defendants are Charles Cruger, Richard Martinez and Gary Whitaker, who were police officers with the New York City Police Department. The City of New York is also a defendant. The term “plaintiff” just means the party who brought the lawsuit, and “defendant” means the person who was sued. You must not attach any significance to the terms “plaintiff” and “defendant” in weighing the evidence. I’m going to refer to each party to this lawsuit by just their last name. I don’t mean them any disrespect by doing that. It will just take less time and paper. Richard Rosario was arrested on July 1, 1996, for the Bronx murder of Jorge Collazo. In 1998, a jury convicted Rosario of the murder and he was sentenced to prison. In 2016, after nearly twenty years in custody, Rosario’s conviction was vacated, and he was freed from prison. In this lawsuit, Rosario claims that the Defendants violated his constitutional rights and caused him to be wrongly prosecuted for murder. Each of the Defendants deny any wrongdoing and assert that they acted properly in arresting and prosecuting Rosario. This is just a summary of the parties’ claims and defenses. Under the law, the facts are for the jury to determine and the law is for the Court. The two areas are separate and distinct. At the beginning of the case and again at the end of the case, I will instruct you on the law, and you are required to accept the law as I explain it to you. It will 1 Case 1:18-cv-04023-LGS Document 378 Filed 05/18/22 Page 3 of 17 1/3/2022 FINAL be your job to determine the facts under my explanation of the law. VI. INTRODUCTORY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CASE Those of you who were not chosen as part of the sixteen, please make a note if you would answer yes to any of these questions so that if you are called up later, you can tell me about it. First, let me ask some very general questions. 1. Is there anyone who before today has heard or read about this lawsuit or the events leading up to it? Is there anyone who believes that he or she cannot be fair and impartial in a case involving these allegations? 2. Is there anyone who believes that he or she cannot be fair and impartial in a case involving Richard Rosario, Gary Whitaker, Irwin Silverman, Charles Cruger, Joseph Fortunato, Richard Martinez, Edward Monks and the City of New York? 3. Is there anyone who believes that he or she will not be able to apply the law as I explain it, including about how much – if any – money any party may recover, even if they disagree with it? 4. Do any of you have any physical or personal problems that would prevent you from serving in this case, which is expected to last a little less than two weeks? 5. Do any of you have any difficulty with your sight or hearing that could affect your perception of the proceedings? 6. Are you taking any medication that would prevent you from giving your full attention to all the evidence? 7. Does any juror have any difficulty in reading or understanding English? 2 Case 1:18-cv-04023-LGS Document 378 Filed 05/18/22 Page 4 of 17 1/3/2022 FINAL 8. Does anyone NOT live in Manhattan, the Bronx, or one of the following counties: Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Orange, Dutchess or Sullivan? [All in SDNY]. Does anyone live in Queens? Brooklyn? Staten Island? [Not SDNY]. VII. CASE SPECIFIC AND OTHER FOR CAUSE QUESTIONS Now I will ask some questions that are more about this case. 1. Have you or has anyone close to you ever been employed by a local, state, or federal government agency? 2. Have you or has anyone close to you ever been employed by a New York City agency or any other city agency such as the department of corrections, police department, fire department, or sanitation department? Is there anything about your employment with that agency that would affect your ability to be fair and impartial in this case? 3. Do you or does anyone close to you work in law enforcement? 4. Have you or has anyone close to you ever attended any protests or demonstrations related to police activity, whether for or against? Is there anything about that experience that would affect your ability to be fair and impartial in this case? 5. Have you or has anyone close to you ever been the victim of or eyewitness to a violent crime? [Speak to juror privately] 6. Have you or has anyone close to you ever had an interaction with a law enforcement officer that would affect your ability to be fair and impartial in this case? [Speak to juror privately] 7. Have you or has anyone close to you ever been detained in a jail, prison, or other correctional facility? [Speak to juror privately] 3 Case 1:18-cv-04023-LGS Document 378 Filed 05/18/22 Page 5 of 17 1/3/2022 FINAL 8. Have you or has anyone close to you ever been charged for a crime you or they did not commit? [Speak to juror privately] 9. Do you believe that a police officer is more likely to tell the truth simply because he or she is a police officer? 10. Would you tend to give more or less weight to the testimony of a witness who is a law enforcement officer or prosecutor than other witnesses? 11. Have you or has anyone close to you ever been a party to a lawsuit? 12. Have you ever served on a grand jury? Where? When? 13. Have you ever served on a trial jury? If so, was it civil or criminal? Did the jury reach a verdict? (Do not tell us what the verdict was.) 14. Do you or does anyone close to you have legal training? If so, would this prevent you from applying the law as I instruct you? Will each of you (the entire venire) accept my instruction that you are not to discuss the case with anyone, including attorneys you may know, until you are excused as jurors? VIII. INTRODUCTION TO THE PARTIES AND COUNSEL 1. I’m going to ask each person to stand and briefly remove your mask as you are introduced. The Plaintiff is Richard Rosario. Do you know, or have you had any dealings with him? 2. Mr. Rosario is represented by attorneys Nick Brustin, Emma Freudenberger, Anna Hoffman, and Katherine Haas from the firm Neufeld Scheck & Brustin, LLP. Do any of you know any of them or have you had any dealings with them or their firms? 4 Case 1:18-cv-04023-LGS Document 378 Filed 05/18/22 Page 6 of 17 1/3/2022 FINAL 3. The Defendants are Gary Whitaker, Richard Martinez, Charles Cruger and the City of New York. Do you know, or have you had any dealings with them? 4. The Defendants are represented by Brachah Goykadosh from the New York City Law Department. Do you know [him/her] or have you had any dealings with [him/her] or the New York City Law Department? 5. Have any of you or anyone close to you ever been employed by or applied for employment with these law firms or the New York City Law Department? 6. Have you or has anyone close to you ever had a dispute with these parties or their lawyers? 7. Do you know any of the other potential jurors? Do you know me or any of my staff? IX. WITNESS INTRODUCTION I will now read you the names of potential witnesses and other people who may be mentioned during the trial. My including a name, however, imposes no obligation on any party to call that person as a witness. Some of these individuals might not testify. My question is whether you personally know or have had any dealings with the following people (or places): 5 Case 1:18-cv-04023-LGS Document 378 Filed 05/18/22 Page 7 of 17 1/3/2022 FINAL 1. Bhushan Agharkar, M.D., D.F.A.P.A. 2. Charles Cruger 3. Robert Davis 4. Jennifer Dysart, Ph.D. 5. Steven Fayer, M.D. 6. Detective Joseph Fortunato 7. Alexis Gonzalez 8. Assistant District Attorney David Greenfield 9. Joyce Hartsfield 10. Patrick Hoffman 11. Steven Kaiser 12. Lymari Leon 13. Carl Loewenson, Jr. 14. Carlos Maldonado, Jr. 15. Richard Martinez 16. Vivene Martinez 17. Detective Edward Monks 18. DeAnsin Parker, Ph.D 19. Jeanne Petrauskas 20. Assistant District Attorney Jeanne Petrauskas 21. Richard Rosario 22. Minerva Rosario 23. Chenoa Ruiz 24. Michael Sanchez 25. Michael Serrano 26. Irwin Silverman 27. Dan Slepian 28. Fernando Torres 29. Jenine Torres 30. John Torres 31. Nicole Torres 32. Detective John Wall 33. Gary Whitaker 6 Case 1:18-cv-04023-LGS Document 378 Filed 05/18/22 Page 8 of 17 Juror ID: _______________ PRELIMINARY INSTRUCTIONS The purpose of this questionnaire is to provide information to the Court and the attorneys in this case, so that they can determine whether you can be a fair and impartial juror. Please read the following instructions carefully before completing any portion of this questionnaire. Please print your juror number in the space provided at the top of each page. YOU ARE SWORN TO GIVE TRUE AND COMPLETE ANSWERS TO ALL QUESTIONS IN THIS QUESTIONNAIRE. The questions are not intended to inquire unnecessarily into personal matters. Although some of the questions may appear to be of a personal nature, please understand that the Court and the parties must learn enough information about each juror’s background and experiences to select a fair and impartial jury. Please answer every question. If you do not understand a particular question or do not know the answer, please write either “I do not understand” or “I do not know.” If you feel a question does not apply to you write “N/A.” Please answer each question fully. Some questions have more than one part. There are no “right” or “wrong” answers, only truthful answers. Remember, you are sworn to give true and complete answers to all questions. If you need extra space for any answer, please use the blank sheets of paper included at the end of the questionnaire. Be sure to indicate on the blank page the number of the question you are answering. Do not write anything on the back of any page. If you believe that any of your answers contain private information that could embarrass you or otherwise seriously compromise your privacy and wish to request that the Court keep them confidential and not distribute them beyond the judge and the attorneys in the case, you may indicate that on one of the blank pages at the end of this form. (Please identify the specific answer or answers that you believe should remain confidential.) After a jury has been selected, all copies of your responses to the questionnaire will be destroyed, except one copy which the judge will keep. DO NOT DISCUSS YOUR QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS OR THE CASE WITH ANYONE, NOW OR UNTIL FURTHER INSTRUCTED BY THE COURT. You should not discuss the questions or answers with fellow jurors. It is very important that your answers be your own individual answers. More broadly, do not discuss the case with anyone, including the lawyers, your fellow jurors, your family, your friends, or anyone else. Do not communicate about the case in any way, including by text, telephone, e-mail, or social media (like Facebook or Twitter). You must also avoid reading or hearing about the case (or anyone participating in the case) in newspapers, in magazines, on the radio or television, or on the Internet. DO NOT READ, WATCH, OR LISTEN TO ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THIS CASE OR CONDUCT YOUR OWN RESEARCH ON THE CASE. Do not conduct any research into the case (or anyone participating in the case) at any time before your entire jury service has been completed. That includes performing Internet searches, asking other people about the case, reading news stories, books, or reports about the case, or watching films or television programs that relate to the case. 1 Case 1:18-cv-04023-LGS Document 378 Filed 05/18/22 Page 9 of 17 Juror ID: _______________ SUMMARY OF THE CASE The Court is selecting a jury for an approximately four-week trial beginning April 22, 2022. The trial should end by around Friday, May 20, but may last a few days less or more. We generally will not sit on Fridays. This is a civil antitrust case brought by Plaintiff US Airways, Inc. against three defendants (collectively “Sabre”). U.S. Airways is an airline. Sabre operates a computerized service for certain travel agents to, among other things, book airline tickets. US Airways contends that Sabre harmed competition and engaged in unlawful monopolization in violation of the federal antitrust laws through certain exclusionary actions. Sabre disputes this contention and denies that it harmed competition, engaged in unlawful monopolization, or committed exclusionary actions.] 2 Case 1:18-cv-04023-LGS Document 378 Filed 05/18/22 Page 10 of 17 Juror ID: _______________ 1. Name: ________________________________________________________________________________________ First Middle/Maiden Last 2. What borough or county do you live in? _____________________ Do you live in Queens, Brooklyn or Staten Island? Yes No 3. What is your age? 4. What is your current employment status? (Please check all that apply)  Employed Full-time  Employed Part-time  Homemaker  Student  Disabled  Retired  Looking for work (for how long? __________)  Self-employed  Unemployed (for how long?__________) 5. What is your current occupation? (If you are retired, unemployed, looking for work, or a homemaker, please describe the last job you held outside the home) Employer: Job title: How long you have you held this position: Job duties/responsibilities: 6. List other jobs you have held in the past 5 years, including self-employment, beginning with the most recent. Please also briefly describe the job duties you had, including whether you were a supervisor. Employer Approx. Dates of Employment Jobs Held Duties 7. What level of school did you reach?  Less than high school  High school graduate  Some college  Trade school  Associates Degree  Post-grad/Masters  Ph.D./M.D./Ed.D./J.D. Degrees:  College graduate Major areas of study: 3 Case 1:18-cv-04023-LGS Document 378 Filed 05/18/22 Page 11 of 17 Juror ID: _______________ 8. Who lives with you? (Please check all that apply):  Spouse or Domestic Partner  Child or Children ages: __________  Roommate(s)  Live Alone 9. What kind of work do the members of your household do; or if retired, what did they do? ___________________ 10. Have you ever owned or operated a business?  Yes  No If YES, please describe: Years of operation: If the business is not still operating, what is the reason? 11. Have you ever worked in a job that paid commission?  Yes  No 12. Do you, a family member, or anyone close to you have experience, education, or training involving any of the following? Contracts  Self  Family member  Someone close  No (drafting, negotiating, reviewing) Law  Self  Family member  Someone close  No Marketing  Self  Family member  Someone close  No Sales  Self  Family member  Someone close  No Information Technology  Self  Family member  Someone close  No Computer Programming  Self  Family member  Someone close  No Websites  Self  Family member  Someone close  No Hospitality  Self  Family member  Someone close  No Airlines/Air Travel  Self  Family member  Someone close  No Negotiations  Self  Family member  Someone close  No Accounting  Self  Family member  Someone close  No Broker  Self  Family member  Someone close  No If YES, please identify the person and explain: Please describe the training or experience in any areas checked above for you, a family member, or someone close to you: ________________________________ 13. Have you, a family member, or anyone close to you ever been employed by any of the following (check all that apply)? If YES, please explain below. Airline  Self  Family member  Someone close  No Traditional travel agent/agency (e.g., American Express)  Self  Family member  Someone close  No Online booking site (e.g., Expedia, Orbitz, Priceline)  Self  Family member  Someone close  No Other internet travel site  Self  Family member  Someone close  No American Airlines, America West  Self  Family member  Someone close  No US Airways  Self  Family member  Someone close  No 4 Case 1:18-cv-04023-LGS Document 378 Filed 05/18/22 Page 12 of 17 Juror ID: _______________ Sabre  Self  Family member  Someone close  No Travelport, Worldspan, Galileo  Self  Family member  Someone close  No Amadeus  Self  Family member  Someone close  No Travel industry  Self  Family member  Someone close  No Government agency regulating airlines  Self  Family member  Someone close  No If YES, please identify the person and explain: How many years of employment: Name of employer: If YES for a second person, please identify the person and explain: How many years of employment: Name of employer: 14. Have you, a family member, or anyone close to you ever had business dealings with America West, US Airways, or American Airlines?  Yes, I have  Yes, a family member has  Yes, someone close has  No If YES, please identify the person, which company and explain: 15. Have you ever flown on US Airways?  Yes Were your experiences generally:  Positive  No  Neutral  Negative 16. Have you heard of a company called Sabre, a technology company that provides software and services to travel agencies, airlines and other travel-related businesses?  Yes  No If YES, please explain what you heard: 17. Have you, a family member, or anyone close to you ever had business dealings with Sabre?  Yes, I have  Yes, a family member has  Yes, someone close has  No If YES, please identify the person and explain: 18. Do you directly own, or have you ever directly owned, stock in US Airways, American Airlines, or Sabre?  Yes  No If YES, which one(s): 19. How often did you fly on a commercial airplane before the 2020 pandemic?  Very often  Often  Sometimes 20. Was your flying:  Mostly business  Rarely  Mostly pleasure  Never  Both equally 21. How satisfied have you been with your experiences flying during the pandemic?  Satisfied  Neutral  Unsatisfied  Have not flown 22. Which do you use to make airline reservations when you fly (Check all that apply)?  Travel search sites (e.g., Expedia, Travelocity, Kayak). If YES, which one(s):  Airline websites  Airline telephone reservations  American Express Travel 5 Case 1:18-cv-04023-LGS Document 378 Filed 05/18/22 Page 13 of 17 Juror ID: _______________  Local travel agent/agency  Cruise or tour company  My company’s travel agent  Other (please specify: ________________________) 23. Do you have one preferred airline?  Yes  No  Not really, I fly many airlines If YES, what airline? 24. Which of the following do you think typically has the lowest ticket price?  Airline websites  Online travel websites  Other: ________________  Unsure 25. What are the most important travel options that you consider when you are booking your own reservations? (e.g., which airline, flight times, seating, prices, etc.) 26. What social, civic, professional, labor (including unions), religious, or other organizations do you participate in? 27. Are you a leader in any of these organizations?  Yes  No 28. Please name where you get your news, i.e., the name of the newspapers, magazines, websites or news apps: _______________________________________________________________________________________ 29. What topics do you enjoy reading about in newspapers, books, or magazines? _______________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ 30. What sort of things do you do in your spare time? ______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ 31. Have you or a member of your household ever been involved in a lawsuit or claim? (Check all that apply)  Yes, filed lawsuit  Yes, been sued  No  Yes, given a deposition and/or testified in court If YES: Please explain who was involved, the circumstances, and how the lawsuit or claim was resolved: ____________________ Did anything happen during the lawsuit or claim that might affect your ability to be fair and impartial in this case?  Yes  No If YES, please explain: ____________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ 32. Have you ever served on a jury?  Yes  No If YES, how many times? If YES, did anything happen during jury service that might affect your ability to be fair and impartial in this case?  Yes  No If YES, please explain: ____________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ 6 Case 1:18-cv-04023-LGS Document 378 Filed 05/18/22 Page 14 of 17 Juror ID: _______________ Please describe each case: Civil or Criminal Type of Case (e.g. personal injury, homicide, etc.) Did you reach a verdict, did the jury hang, or was the case settled? Were you the jury foreperson? (Y/N) 33. Have you ever served on a grand jury?  Yes  No If YES, did anything happen during your time as a grand juror that might affect your ability to be fair and impartial in this case?  Yes  No If YES, please explain: _____________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ Were you the grand jury foreperson?  Yes  No 34. Have you read or heard anything about this lawsuit between US Airways and Sabre?  Yes  No  Unsure Please describe what you have read or heard: 35. Putting aside this case, have you read or heard anything about any lawsuit involving US Airways, American Airlines, or Sabre?  Yes  No  Unsure Please describe what you have read or heard: 36. Is there anything about the nature of the arguments summarized on the first page or the parties involved that will make it difficult for you to consider the evidence, the arguments of the attorneys, and the Court’s instructions on the law, with an open mind?  Yes  No If YES, please explain: 37. Do you have any difficulty speaking or reading the English language?  Yes  No  Unsure If YES or UNSURE, please explain: 38. Do you have any difficulty with your sight or hearing that could affect your perception of the trial?  Yes  No  Unsure If YES or UNSURE, please explain: 39. Do you or a family member have a medical condition that may interfere with your ability to serve as a juror?  Yes  No  Unsure If YES or UNSURE, please explain: 40. Are you the primary caretaker for someone in need of daily care or assistance?  Yes  No If YES, please explain: 41. Will you be paid your regular salary while serving as a juror?  Yes 7  No  Not applicable Case 1:18-cv-04023-LGS Document 378 Filed 05/18/22 Page 15 of 17 Juror ID: _______________ 42. This trial is expected to last approximately four weeks beginning Friday April 22, 2022, and continuing Monday to Thursday thereafter. Do you have a severe hardship that would prevent you from serving as a juror in this case?  Yes  No  Unsure If YES or UNSURE, please explain: 43. Is there any reason (e.g., religious or philosophical) you would you find it difficult to serve as fair and impartial juror in this case?  Yes  No  Unsure Please explain: 44. Is there anything else that you think the Court or the parties should know about you?  Yes  No  Unsure If YES or UNSURE, please explain: 45. Have you, a family member or anyone close ever had a personal or professional connection to any of the below companies or individuals (other than what you have already described above)? If yes, please circle the name and explain the nature of the relationship in the lines provided below. Companies: US Airways American Airlines Sabre Travelport Amadeus Orbitz Trachtenberg Rodes & Friedberg LLP O’Melveny & Myers LLP Yetter Coleman, LLP Skadden Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP Individuals: Al Lenza Alex Zoghlin Andrew Frackman Andrew Menkes Andrew Nocella Andrew Winterton Anton Melitsky Beverly Goulet Bill Brindle Boris Bershteyn Brett Berman Bridget Blaise-Shamai Bryce Callahan Candi Clarke David Gross David Korn David Trachtenberg Derek Moore Dhiren Fonseca Dirk Guenther Douglas Parker Evan Chesler Evan Kreiner Evan Levicoff Gavin Malloy George Cary Glenn Wallace Graham Wareham Carl Malm Greg Webb Jeremy Wertheimer Joel Smith Joelle Cuvelier John Gustafson John Stow Joseph Stiglitz Julia York Katrina Robson Kay Dannenmaier Keith Wallis Kenneth Reinker Kevin Murphy Kevin Orsini Kim Jirrels Larry WorkDembrowski 8 Madeline Gray Madhu Pocha Mark Burgoz Mark Zmijewski Matt Beatty Matt Cummings Matthew Beatty Mia Gonzalez Michael Harbin Michael Koetting Michael Schmeltzer Mike Qualantone Patrick Fitzgerald Patrick Jones Robert Topel Rory Leraris Rosa (“Romy”) Abrantes- Metz Rose Stratford Ryan Travers Sam Gilliland Scott Kirby Sean Menke Sergei Zaslavsky Seth Perelman Shelly Terry Stephen Arena Steve Praven Steve Sunshine Peter Barbur Steven Kaiser Case 1:18-cv-04023-LGS Document 378 Filed 05/18/22 Page 16 of 17 Juror ID: _______________ Charles Sultan Chris Kroeger Chris Wilding Dan Garton Daniel Kasper David Carney Henry Thumann Hugh Jones Ian Simmons James Davidson Jason Toothman Jay Jones Lea Cahill Lev Dassin Lindsey Sieling Lissa Bloomgren Louis Dudney Madeline Gray Peter Moll R. Paul Yetter Raj Varadarjan Rich Lowry Robert Brown Robert Jensen Susanna Allen Tara Reinhart Timothy O’Neil-Dunne Todd Richmond Tom Klein Tom Trenga Tyler Young William Hopping Wyatt Dowling Explain nature of relationship: DECLARATION I, _____________________ declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing answers set forth (print name) in this Jury Questionnaire are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. I have not discussed my answers with others, or received assistance in completing the questionnaire. Signed this ____ day of April, 2022 ____________________________________ (signature) 9 Case 1:18-cv-04023-LGS Document 378 Filed 05/18/22 Page 17 of 17 Juror ID: _______________ You may use this space to finish any answers which you could not fit in the spaces provided above (include Q number): 10

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