(PC) Owens v. Matthews ( 2021 )

Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 1 of 70 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 11 THEON OWENS, No. 2: 16-cv-2750 JAM KJN P 12 Plaintiff, 13 v. FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 14 JOSEPH DEFAZIO, et al., 15 Defendants. 16 17 I. Introduction 18 Plaintiff is a state prisoner, proceeding without counsel, with a civil rights action pursuant 19 to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Pending before the court is defendants’ motion for summary judgment. 20 (ECF No. 216.) Also pending are four separate motions for partial summary judgment filed by 21 plaintiff. (ECF Nos. 181, 182, 193, 203.1) Plaintiff separately filed a packet of exhibits in 22 support of his partial summary judgment motions.2 (ECF No. 200.) Defendants filed a single 23 opposition to plaintiff’s motions for partial summary judgment. (ECF No. 217.) 24 //// 25 1 On October 26, 2020, plaintiff filed a partial motion for summary judgment (see ECF No. 210) 26 that appears to be virtually identical to the partial motion for summary judgment filed October 5, 2020 (see ECF No. 203). 27 2 Plaintiff’s exhibit package is lengthy, i.e., 535 pages long. (ECF No. 200.) However, plaintiff’s 28 exhibits are well organized and contain cover pages. 1 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 2 of 70 1 For the reasons stated herein, the undersigned recommends that defendants’ summary 2 judgment motion be granted in part and denied in part. The undersigned recommends that 3 plaintiff’s summary judgment motion as to defendant Schultz be granted in part. The undersigned 4 recommends that plaintiff’s summary judgment motions be denied in all other respects. 5 II. Legal Standards for Summary Judgment 6 Summary judgment is appropriate when it is demonstrated that the standard set forth in 7 Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56 is met. “The court shall grant summary judgment if the 8 movant shows that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to 9 judgment as a matter of law.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a). 10 Under summary judgment practice, the moving party always bears the initial responsibility of informing the district court of the basis 11 for its motion, and identifying those portions of “the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, 12 together with the affidavits, if any,” which it believes demonstrate the absence of a genuine issue of material fact. 13 14 Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 323 (1986) (quoting then-numbered Fed. R. Civ. P. 15 56(c)). “Where the nonmoving party bears the burden of proof at trial, the moving party need 16 only prove that there is an absence of evidence to support the non-moving party’s case.” Nursing 17 Home Pension Fund, Local 144 v. Oracle Corp. (In re Oracle Corp. Sec. Litig.), 627 F.3d 376, 18 387 (9th Cir. 2010) (citing Celotex Corp., 477 U.S. at 325); see also Fed. R. Civ. P. 56 advisory 19 committee’s notes to 2010 amendments (recognizing that “a party who does not have the trial 20 burden of production may rely on a showing that a party who does have the trial burden cannot 21 produce admissible evidence to carry its burden as to the fact”). Indeed, summary judgment 22 should be entered, after adequate time for discovery and upon motion, against a party who fails to 23 make a showing sufficient to establish the existence of an element essential to that party’s case, 24 and on which that party will bear the burden of proof at trial. Celotex Corp., 477 U.S. at 322. 25 “[A] complete failure of proof concerning an essential element of the nonmoving party’s case 26 necessarily renders all other facts immaterial.” Id. at 323. 27 Consequently, if the moving party meets its initial responsibility, the burden then shifts to 28 the opposing party to establish that a genuine issue as to any material fact actually exists. See 2 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 3 of 70 1 Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574, 586 (1986). In attempting to 2 establish the existence of such a factual dispute, the opposing party may not rely upon the 3 allegations or denials of its pleadings, but is required to tender evidence of specific facts in the 4 form of affidavits, and/or admissible discovery material in support of its contention that such a 5 dispute exists. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c); Matsushita, 475 U.S. at 586 n.11. The opposing party 6 must demonstrate that the fact in contention is material, i.e., a fact that might affect the outcome 7 of the suit under the governing law, see Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248 8 (1986); T.W. Elec. Serv., Inc. v. Pacific Elec. Contractors Ass’n, 809 F.2d 626, 630 (9th Cir. 9 1987), and that the dispute is genuine, i.e., the evidence is such that a reasonable jury could return 10 a verdict for the nonmoving party, see Wool v. Tandem Computers, Inc., 818 F.2d 1433, 1436 11 (9th Cir. 1987), overruled in part on other grounds, Hollinger v. Titan Capital Corp., 914 F.2d 12 1564, 1575 (9th Cir. 1990). 13 In the endeavor to establish the existence of a factual dispute, the opposing party need not 14 establish a material issue of fact conclusively in its favor. It is sufficient that “the claimed factual 15 dispute be shown to require a jury or judge to resolve the parties’ differing versions of the truth at 16 trial.” T.W. Elec. Serv., 809 F.2d at 630. Thus, the “purpose of summary judgment is to ‘pierce 17 the pleadings and to assess the proof in order to see whether there is a genuine need for trial.’” 18 Matsushita, 475 U.S. at 587 (quoting Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(e) advisory committee’s note on 1963 19 amendments). 20 In resolving a summary judgment motion, the court examines the pleadings, depositions, 21 answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any. Fed. R. 22 Civ. P. 56(c). The evidence of the opposing party is to be believed. See Anderson, 477 U.S. at 23 255. All reasonable inferences that may be drawn from the facts placed before the court must be 24 drawn in favor of the opposing party. See Matsushita, 475 U.S. at 587; Walls v. Central Costa 25 County Transit Authority, 653 F.3d 963, 966 (9th Cir. 2011). Nevertheless, inferences are not 26 drawn out of the air, and it is the opposing party’s obligation to produce a factual predicate from 27 which the inference may be drawn. See Richards v. Nielsen Freight Lines, 602 F. Supp. 1224, 28 1244-45 (E.D. Cal. 1985), aff’d, 810 F.2d 898, 902 (9th Cir. 1987). Finally, to demonstrate a 3 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 4 of 70 1 genuine issue, the opposing party “must do more than simply show that there is some 2 metaphysical doubt as to the material facts. . . . Where the record taken as a whole could 3 not lead a rational trier of fact to find for the nonmoving party, there is no ‘genuine issue for 4 trial.’” Matsushita, 475 U.S. at 586 (citation omitted). 5 “[W]hen simultaneous cross-motions for summary judgment on the same claim are before 6 the court, the court must consider the appropriate evidentiary material identified and submitted in 7 support of both motions, and in opposition to both motions, before ruling on each of them.” 8 Tulalip Tribes of Wash. v. Washington, 783 F.3d 1151, 1156 (9th Cir. 2015) (quoting Fair Hous. 9 Council of Riverside Cty., Inc. v. Riverside Two, 249 F.3d 1132, 1134 (9th Cir. 2001)). The 10 court “rule[s] on each party’s motion on an individual and separate basis, determining, for each 11 side, whether a judgment may be entered in accordance with the Rule 56 standard.” Id. (quoting 12 10A Charles Alan Wright, Arthur R. Miller & Mary Kay Kane, Federal Practice and Procedure 13 § 2720 (3d ed. 1998)); see also ACLU of Nev. v. City of Las Vegas, 466 F.3d 784, 790-91 (9th 14 Cir. 2006) (“We evaluate each motion separately, giving the nonmoving party in each instance 15 the benefit of all reasonable inferences.”) (citations and internal quotation marks omitted). 16 By contemporaneous notice provided on January 4, 2017 (ECF No. 14), plaintiff was 17 advised of the requirements for opposing a motion brought pursuant to Rule 56 of the Federal 18 Rules of Civil Procedure. See Rand v. Rowland, 154 F.3d 952, 957 (9th Cir. 1998) (en banc); 19 Klingele v. Eikenberry, 849 F.2d 409 (9th Cir. 1988). 20 III. Plaintiff’s Claims 21 Factual Allegations 22 This action proceeds on plaintiff’s original verified complaint against defendants 23 Bettencourt, Blessing, Brady, Burke, Defazio, Drake, Eldridge, Guffee, Lebeck, Martincek, 24 Martinez, Matthews, Mercado, Murillo, Okoroike, Rashev and Schultz. 25 Plaintiff alleges that on February 18, 2015, he became upset after he was allegedly denied 26 meals. (ECF No. 1 at 15.) Plaintiff threw water at his cell door throughout the morning to protest 27 his failure to receive meals. (Id. at 16.) At approximately 1225 hours, defendants Martincek, 28 Blessing, Bettencourt and Rashev approached plaintiff’s cell door. (Id.) Defendant Martincek 4 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 5 of 70 1 told plaintiff that non-defendant Potter had accused plaintiff of gassing him, i.e., throwing urine 2 or feces at him. (Id.) Defendant Martincek asked plaintiff to submit to mechanical restraints so 3 that his cell could be searched and all liquid could be removed from his cell. (Id.) 4 Plaintiff complied with defendant Martincek’s request and submitted to restraints. (Id.) 5 Defendant Martincek instructed his subordinates to take plaintiff to the upper tier shower. (Id. at 6 16-17.) Once plaintiff was in the shower, defendant Martincek instructed his subordinates to 7 search plaintiff’s cell and remove all containers. (Id. at 17.) Once the cell was searched, 8 defendant Martincek instructed his subordinates to put plaintiff back in his cell. (Id.) 9 Defendant Bettencourt then used a wet swab on non-defendant Potter’s shirt sleeve. (Id.) 10 Plaintiff was written up for a rules infraction. (Id.) Non-defendant Potter then sat in front of 11 plaintiff’s cell. (Id.) 12 At approximately 1315 hours, defendants Defazio, Brady, Lebeck and Burke came to 13 plaintiff’s cell. (Id.) These defendants instructed plaintiff to cuff up, informing him that an 14 “unidentified c/o (defendant Bettencourt)” said he had been gassed by plaintiff. (Id.) Plaintiff 15 told defendants that he had not gassed anyone and did not want to come out of his cell. (Id.) 16 Plaintiff told them that defendant Martincek had already addressed the allegation and had already 17 searched his cell. (Id. at 17-18.) 18 Defendant Defazio told plaintiff that defendants Blessing and Martincek wanted him to 19 cuff up and come down to the rotunda to talk and that if he refused, he would be extracted from 20 his cell. (Id. at 18.) Plaintiff then agreed to submit to mechanical restraints. (Id.) Defendant 21 Defazio then signaled for tower officer defendant Matthews to open plaintiff’s cell door. (Id.) 22 Defendant Defazio then grabbed plaintiff’s arm and slammed him on the concrete floor. (Id.) 23 Plaintiff alleges that the other defendants who were present then began to strike plaintiff in the 24 face with their clenched fists. (Id.) 25 Plaintiff alleges that this beating took place in the presence of defendant Matthews and 26 non-defendant Brown. (Id. at 19.) Plaintiff alleges that neither defendant Matthews nor non- 27 defendant Brown attempted to stop the attack or sound the unit alarm. (Id.) 28 //// 5 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 6 of 70 1 Plaintiff alleges that during the beating, defendant Defazio punched plaintiff in the mouth, 2 knocking out several of his teeth. (Id.) Plaintiff alleges that defendant Defazio also tore 25 to 30 3 dreadlocks out of plaintiff’s head. (Id.) 4 After plaintiff saw blood gushing from his mouth, he yelled out, “HIV,” in an attempt to 5 stop the attack. (Id. at 20.) At that time, all defendants stopped attacking plaintiff except for 6 defendant Defazio. (Id.) Defendant Defazio said to plaintiff, “No you don’t, nigger. You think 7 you run this place, you walk around here like you run this place. You’re going to learn nigger.” 8 (Id.) One of the correctional officers then told defendant Matthews to sound the unit alarm, 9 which then occurred. (Id.) 10 Defendant Martinez then ran into the section and up the stairs. (Id.) Defendant Martinez 11 pulled plaintiff’s legs up and kicked him in the testicles. (Id.) 12 Defendants Rashev and Bettencourt came up the stairs, and were later joined by defendant 13 Blessing. (Id.) After he came up the stairs, defendant Blessing kicked plaintiff in the face with 14 his steel work boot. (Id.) Then “all present defendants” began to kick and hit plaintiff in the 15 face.” (Id.) Defendant Guffee, who was at the bottom of the stairs, observed this violence. (Id. 16 at 21.) Defendant Guffee did not attempt to stop this violence, nor did he object. (Id.) Plaintiff 17 alleges that defendant Matthews saw this violence and failed to intervene. (Id.) 18 By this time, plaintiff’s left eye was completely swollen shut and bleeding, and his right 19 eye was swollen shut approximately 80%. (Id.) Defendants Drake and Murillo entered the 20 section and came up the stairs. (Id.) Defendant Blessing told defendants Drake and Murillo to 21 take plaintiff to the rotunda holding cell. (Id.) Defendants Drake and Murillo grabbed plaintiff 22 and began to drag him down the stairs. (Id.) 23 Once defendants Drake and Murillo had dragged plaintiff to the bottom of the stairs, they 24 slammed plaintiff’s head into the door frame. (Id. at 21-22.) Plaintiff alleges that once 25 defendants Drake and Murillo had dragged him into the rotunda, they held him up so that the 26 other defendants could strike plaintiff. (Id. at 22.) Defendants Defazio and Blessing then began 27 striking and kicking plaintiff in the face. (Id.) While plaintiff was being struck in the head, he 28 saw a flash of light which was a concussion. (Id.) Defendants Murillo and Drake then threw 6 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 7 of 70 1 plaintiff into the holding cage. (Id.) 2 Plaintiff alleges that defendant Blessing then called the other defendants into the office. 3 (Id. at 23.) Defendant Blessing told the other defendants, “We have to cover our asses.” (Id.) 4 Plaintiff alleges that the defendants began to conspire regarding how to cover-up what they had 5 done to plaintiff. (Id.) Plaintiff heard defendant Defazio say, “I’m going to put in my report that 6 he attempted to head butt me and spit on me.” (Id. at 24.) Plaintiff heard non-defendant Potter 7 tell the inmate worker to clean up the blood and hair on the tier. (Id.) 8 Approximately fifteen minutes later, a guard contacted defendant Nurse Okoroike, 9 requesting that she medically evaluate plaintiff. (Id.) Defendant Okoroike asked plaintiff what 10 happened to him. (Id.) Plaintiff told defendant Okoroike what happened, i.e., he was beaten and 11 kicked by defendants. (Id.) Plaintiff alleges that defendant Okoroike did not ask the Correctional 12 Officers to pull plaintiff from the holding cell so that she could perform her duty and do a full 13 body inspection. (Id.) Defendant Okoroike noted a few injuries on plaintiff’s face, then left. 14 (Id.) 15 Approximately three minutes later, defendant Martincek arrived on the unit. (Id. at 24- 16 25.) Defendant Martincek grabbed the CDCR 7219 Medical Report of Injury or Unusual 17 Occurrence from defendant Blessing. (Id. at 25.) Defendant Martincek instructed defendant 18 Blessing to follow him out on to the yard. (Id.) Plaintiff was unable to make out what they were 19 saying. (Id.) While defendant Blessing was talking, defendant Martincek became agitated and 20 began talking in a loud, aggressive manner. (Id.) 21 Defendant Martincek returned to the rotunda and began to exit the unit door. (Id.) 22 Plaintiff asked if he could speak with him. (Id.) Defendant Martincek said, “not now, I have to 23 take care of something.” (Id.) As defendant Martincek exited the unit, defendant Blessing held 24 up his middle finger toward defendant Martincek and said in a low tone, “Fuck you. You’re 25 going to take his side over me. He is an inmate.” (Id.) 26 At approximately 1335 hours, plaintiff was taken to A Facility Triage by non-defendant 27 McCarval and defendants Murillo and Drake. (Id.) Plaintiff complained that he was unable to 28 focus his vision, seeing double and feeling dizzy. (Id.) Non-defendant Dr. Wedell told plaintiff 7 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 8 of 70 1 that these symptoms would pass. (Id.) Defendant Mercado then entered the Triage area to relieve 2 McCarval, so that McCarval could prepare his report regarding his involvement in the incident. 3 (Id.) 4 Plaintiff alleges that Dr. Wedell instructed his assistant, non-defendant Nurse Nicolaou, to 5 apply an ice pack to plaintiff’s eyes to stop them from swelling shut. (Id. at 27.) Defendant 6 Mercado told Nurse Nicolaou, “No, he cannot have an ice pack.” (Id.) Nurse Nicolaou told 7 plaintiff that she would document that defendant Mercado said that he could not have an ice pack. 8 (Id.) 9 On March 3, 2015, non-defendant Demps came to plaintiff’s housing unit and provided 10 plaintiff with a copy of the Rules Violation Report that had been written against plaintiff. (Id. at 11 30.) Demps asked plaintiff to write down the names of any witnesses and documentary evidence 12 he wanted to present at the disciplinary hearing. (Id.) 13 After reviewing the documentation regarding the incident, plaintiff discovered that 14 defendant Martincek had helped to cover-up the incident. (Id. at 31.) Defendant Martincek 15 allowed staff to change their story and report things that did not happen. (Id.) Plaintiff also 16 alleges that he discovered that defendant Okoroike had attempted to conceal the injuries he 17 suffered. (Id.) 18 Plaintiff alleges that on May 28, 2018, defendant Schultz held the disciplinary hearing 19 regarding the charges made against plaintiff by defendant Defazio. (Id. at 34.) Plaintiff alleges 20 that defendant Schultz refused plaintiff’s request for witnesses and to present documentary 21 evidence. (Id. at 34-35.) Defendant Schultz found plaintiff guilty of head butting defendant 22 Defazio. (Id.) Defendant Schultz allegedly told plaintiff that he would not consider his evidence 23 and witnesses because, “I am not going to deal with all of that, the office of Internal Affairs can 24 deal with that since they are investigating the assault and battery that happen[ed] to you.” (Id. at 25 35.) Plaintiff alleges that defendant Shultz denied his request for witnesses by stating, “This 26 R.V.R. [rules violation report] is what I have to go off of.” (Id.) 27 Plaintiff alleges that on June 30, 2015, defendant Eldridge upheld defendant Schultz’s 28 findings. (Id. at 35-36.) 8 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 9 of 70 1 Legal Claims 2 This action proceeds on the following legal claims.3 3 Plaintiff alleges three separate incidents of excessive force on February 18, 2015. In the 4 first incident, defendants Defazio, Brady, Lebeck and Burke allegedly beat plaintiff after 5 removing him from his cell. Plaintiff alleges that defendants Matthews witnessed the first 6 incident of excessive force, but failed to sound the unit alarm. As part of the first incident, 7 plaintiff alleges that defendant Martinez arrived and pulled plaintiff’s legs up and kicked him in 8 the testicles. 9 In the second incident of excessive force, plaintiff alleges that defendants Blessing, 10 Bettencourt and Rashev kicked and hit him. Plaintiff alleges that defendants Guffee and 11 Matthews witnessed this incident but failed to intervene. 12 In the third incident of excessive force, plaintiff alleges that defendants Drake and Murillo 13 dragged plaintiff to the bottom of the stairs, slammed his head into a door frame and held plaintiff 14 up so that defendants Defazio and Blessing could hit and kick him. 15 Plaintiff alleges the following additional legal claims: 1) defendant Mercado denied him 16 an ice pack in violation of the Eighth Amendment; 2) defendants Okoroike and Martincek 17 conspired to cover-up the excessive force; and 3) defendants Schultz and Eldridge violated 18 plaintiff’s right to due process based on the alleged denial of plaintiff’s request to call witnesses 19 and present documentary evidence at his disciplinary hearing, and the alleged insufficient 20 evidence to support the disciplinary conviction. 21 //// 22 //// 23 //// 24 3 On March 19, 2018, the court dismissed the following claims raised in the complaint: 1) claim 25 alleging that defendants Byers and Rashev denied plaintiff food; 2) conspiracy claim against defendant Staggs-Boatright; 3) claim that defendant Okoroike denied plaintiff medical care in 26 violation of the Eighth Amendment; 4) claim alleging verbal harassment by defendant Mercado; 5) due process claim against defendant Couch; and 6) claim that defendant Eldridge violated 27 plaintiff’s right to due process by upholding alleged misconduct by defendant Couch. (ECF No. 75.) 28 9 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 10 of 70 1 IV. Defendants’ Summary Judgment Motion 2 A. Excessive Force Claims 3 1. Legal Standard 4 “In its prohibition of ‘cruel and unusual punishments,’ the Eighth Amendment places 5 restraints on prison officials, who may not … use excessive physical force against prisoners.” 6 Farmer v. Brennan, 511 U.S. 825, 832 (1994). “[W]henever prison officials stand accused of 7 using excessive physical force in violation of the [Eighth Amendment], the core judicial inquiry is 8 … whether force was applied in a good-faith effort to maintain or restore discipline, or 9 maliciously and sadistically to cause harm.” Hudson v. McMillian, 503 U.S. 1, 6-7 (1992). 10 When determining whether the force was excessive, the court looks to the “extent of 11 injury suffered by an inmate…, the need for application of force, the relationship between that 12 need and the amount of force used, the threat ‘reasonably perceived by the responsible officials,’ 13 and ‘any efforts made to temper the severity of a forceful response.’” Hudson, 503 U.S. at 7 14 (quoting Whitley v. Albers, 475 U.S. 312, 321 (1986)). While de minimis uses of physical force 15 generally do not implicate the Eighth Amendment, significant injury need not be evident in the 16 context of an excessive force claim, because “[w]hen prison officials maliciously and sadistically 17 use force to cause harm, contemporary standards of decency always are violated.” Hudson, 503 18 U.S. at 9. 19 2. Discussion re: Excessive Force Claims Against Defendants Defazio, Brady, Lebeck, 20 Burke, Martinez, Blessing, Bettencourt, Rashev, Drake and Murillo 21 Defendants’ Evidence 22 At the outset, the undersigned observes that defendants move for summary judgment as to 23 the first alleged incident of excessive force on the grounds that the force used did not violate the 24 Eighth Amendment. Defendants deny that the second and third alleged incidents of excessive 25 force occurred. The undersigned sets forth defendants’ relevant evidence herein.4 26 27 4 Because so many facts regarding plaintiff’s Eighth Amendment excessive force claims are disputed, the undersigned describes each party’s evidence as to these claims separately, rather 28 than setting forth disputed and undisputed facts. 10 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 11 of 70 1 At the time of the alleged events, plaintiff was housed in the Psychiatric Services Unit 2 (“PSU”) at California State Prison-Sacramento (“CSP-Sac”). (ECF No. 216-4 at 6.) 3 All inmate-patients housed in the PSU are required to be escorted at all times when they 4 are outside of their respective housing unit sections. (Id. at 176.) Individual escorts shall be 5 performed by a minimum of two custody officers, and the inmate-patient shall be secured by 6 mechanical wrist restraints at all times. (Id.) 7 Regarding the first incident of alleged excessive force, defendants contend that on 8 February 17, 2015, at approximately 8:30 p.m., staff informed defendant Mercado that plaintiff 9 wanted to talk to a sergeant. (Id. at 114.) When defendant Mercado arrived at plaintiff’s cell, 10 plaintiff stated, “I’m no joke! You know why I’m here? I shot three cops! That’s right. Check 11 my file!” (Id.) Defendant Mercado asked plaintiff why he was telling him that information. (Id.) 12 Plaintiff responded, “I’m gonna kill one of you white cops. As soon as I get the chance, one of 13 you is dead. Just wait!” (Id.) Defendant Mercado wrote plaintiff a rules violation report 14 charging him with threatening staff. (Id.) 15 Defendants contend that on February 18, 2015, at approximately 8:00 a.m., Licensed 16 Clinical Social Worker (“LCSW”) Riley arrived at plaintiff’s cell. Defendants contend that she 17 noted that plaintiff was on suicide watch and was agitated. Defendants contend that plaintiff told 18 LCSW Riley, “get out of my window bitch, before I gas you.” Defendants cite Exhibit C, p. 19, 19 in support of their claims regarding LCSW Riley’s interaction with plaintiff. (ECF No. 216-3 at 20 4.) However, defendants’ exhibit C does not contain a page 19. 21 Defendants contend that on February 18, 2015, at approximately 11:45 a.m., Correctional 22 Officer Potter was providing direct observation for plaintiff, who was on suicide watch. (ECF 23 No. 216-4 at 6, 30.) Officer Potter was sitting in front of the cell and saw plaintiff discharge an 24 unknown liquid out the crack of his cell door, striking Officer Potter’s jumpsuit. (Id. at 6, 30.) 25 Officer Potter notified floor staff and the supervisor about what happened. (Id. at 30.) 26 Officer Byers contacted defendant Blessing and informed him about the “gassing” of 27 Officer Potter. (Id. at 26.) Defendant Blessing told Officers Byers to activate his personal alarm 28 device to advise that there was an incident on the floor. (Id.) 11 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 12 of 70 1 Officer Vitale arrived and took photographs of the spots on Potter’s uniform and 2 photographs of plaintiff’s cell. (Id. at 14.) Officer Vitale wrote in his report that a view of the 3 toilet in plaintiff’s cell depicted a large amount of what appeared to be urine purposefully stored 4 inside the toilet. (Id. at 15.) 5 Defendant Rashev took swabs of Officer Potter’s jumpsuit and processed the evidence. 6 (Id. at 34.) 7 On February 18, 2015, at approximately 12:45 p.m., defendant Blessing responded to 8 another inmate, and defendant Bettencourt was assisting by retrieving a security shield from in 9 front of plaintiff’s door. (Id. at 43.) As defendant Bettencourt came back down the stairs with the 10 shield, plaintiff threw a large amount of liquid out of his cell door, striking defendant Bettencourt 11 in the back. (Id. at 44.) 12 When defendant Bettencourt returned to the injured inmate’s cell, defendant Blessing 13 smelled a “pungent odor” coming from the liquid on defendant Bettencourt’s jumpsuit. (Id. at 14 43.) Defendant Blessing ordered defendant Bettencourt to stop assisting the injured inmate and to 15 get a “gassing” kit completed. (Id.) 16 Defendant Blessing ordered defendants Burke and Defazio to remove plaintiff from his 17 cell to allow defendants Lebeck and Brady to search plaintiff’s cell. (Id. at 70.) 18 Citing Exhibit A, pp. 29-43, defendants contend that before arriving at plaintiff’s cell on 19 February 15, 2018, defendants Defazio, Lebeck, Burke and Brady were aware that plaintiff had 20 already gassed two officers that morning. (ECF No. 216-3 at 5.) The undersigned has reviewed 21 the fifteen pages of exhibits cited by defendants, and it is not clear that these exhibits demonstrate 22 that defendants Defazio, Lebeck, Burke and Brady knew that plaintiff had already gassed two 23 officers that morning. (See ECF No. 216-4 at 30-44). 24 Citing Exhibit A, p 18, defendants argue that these officers were also aware of plaintiff’s 25 dislike of white correctional officers. (ECF No. 216-3 at 6.) However, defendants’ Exhibit A at 26 page 18 is a photograph of Officer Potter’s sleeve. (ECF No. 216-4 at 19.) 27 At approximately 1:15 p.m., defendants Defazio, Lebeck, Brady and Burke arrived at 28 plaintiff’s cell. (Id. at 70.) Plaintiff complied with defendant Defazio’s order to submit to 12 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 13 of 70 1 handcuffs. (Id.) Defendant Defazio signaled to have plaintiff’s cell door opened. (Id.) 2 Defendant Matthews opened the cell door. (ECF No. 216-5 at 6.) In his report, defendant 3 Defazio describes what allegedly happened next: 4 Cell FA3-232 opened and inmate OWENS spun around before I could grab his left forearm. Inmate OWENS sudden attack made me 5 fear for my safety and I stepped back as he was attempting to strike my facial area with his forehead/head area. I could not step back fast 6 enough to completely avoid being struck and inmate OWENS struck me in my chest area with his head. I used immediate force to subdue 7 OWENS and overcome his attack. With my left fist I struck inmate OWENS in his facial area to stop the assault with his head. I grabbed 8 inmate OWENS by the back of head, grabbing a handful of his hair with my right hand; with my left hand I grabbed inmate OWENS by 9 his left arm bicep area and pushed inmate OWENS to the ground. Inmate OWENS struck the tier floor face first. As I re-adjusted my 10 right hand I noticed several pieces of inmate OWENS hair on the tier floor, loose from his head. 11 My left hand was now positioned on inmate OWENS shoulder area. 12 Inmate OWENS continued thrashing his body around on the ground attempting to batter on scene staff. Inmate OWENS at this time spun 13 his head in my direction and attempted to bite my left hand. I immediately moved my left hand away from inmate OWENS attack 14 while simultaneously hitting OWENS with my left fist approximately 2 times to his facial area. My punches had no effect 15 on inmate OWENS and he continued to try and bite me. Inmate OWENS continued to spin his head in my direction attempting to bite 16 me again. At this time with my left fist I struck inmate OWENS in the facial area 1 time. The last strike I struck inmate OWENS facial 17 area stopped him from attempting to bite me further. Officer Brady at this time grabbed inmate OWENS head and forced it down to the 18 ground causing his face to strike the ground. Officer Brady then assisted me in holding down inmate OWENS head by utilizing both 19 hands on the back of his head. Inmate OWENS continued to violently thrash his body from side to side. Inmate OWENS 20 continued to kick Officer Lebeck and Officer M. Brady went to OWENS legs and applied leg irons to inmate OWENS. Once we had 21 inmate OWENS head area under control officer Brady re-positioned himself to his lower body. I went to place the spit net on inmate 22 OWENS. As I was applying the spit net to inmate OWENS he began throwing his head from side to side. Due to the thrashing of his head 23 I could not properly apply the spit net. I removed the spit net and was able to properly apply it to inmate OWENS head. At this time 24 Officer J. Murrillo and Officer D. Drake relieved us and escorted inmate OWENS to the FA3 rotunda holding cell. This concludes 25 my involvement in this incident. 26 (ECF 216-4 at 70-71.) 27 Defendant Brady prepared a report regarding the incident. (Id. at 74-75.) Defendant 28 Brady’s description of the incident is consistent with defendant Defazio’s description of the 13 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 14 of 70 1 incident. (Id.) Defendant Brady also states that during the incident, while trying to hold 2 plaintiff’s head down, defendant Brady grasped plaintiff’s hair because of his large amount of 3 braids. (Id. at 75.) Defendant Brady states that because plaintiff was thrashing his head so 4 violently while defendant Brady grasped his braids, some of plaintiff’s braids came off his head. 5 (Id.) 6 Defendant Burke prepared a report regarding the incident. (Id. at 78-79.) Defendant 7 Burke’s description of the incident is consistent with defendant Defazio’s description of the 8 incident. (Id.) 9 Defendant Lebeck prepared a report regarding the incident. (Id. at 82-83.) Defendant 10 Lebeck’s description of the incident is consistent with defendant Defazio’s description of the 11 incident. (Id.) 12 Defendant Matthews sounded his alarm. (ECF No. 216-5 at 6.) In response to the alarm, 13 and apparently before defendants Murillo and Drake arrived, defendant Blessing arrived. (ECF 14 No. 216-4 at 64.) In his report, defendant Blessing states that when he arrived, he saw plaintiff 15 lying in the prone position on his stomach, actively resisting. (Id.) Plaintiff thrashed his body 16 and head from side to side. (Id.) Defendant Blessing observed on scene staff using their hands to 17 push down on various parts of plaintiff’s body parts and trying to overcome plaintiff’s resistance. 18 (Id.) Defendant Blessing observed that after defendant Defazio got the spit net on plaintiff, 19 plaintiff started to calm down. (Id.) 20 In his report, defendant Blessing states that defendants Drake and Murillo arrived on the 21 scene. (Id.) Defendant Blessing ordered defendants Drake and Murillo to escort plaintiff for a 22 7219 medical clearance. (Id.) Defendant Blessing states that defendants Drake and Murillo each 23 lifted plaintiff to his feet where plaintiff walked on his own power. (Id.) Defendant Blessing 24 states that once in the rotunda, it appeared that plaintiff started to let his body slump down and 25 defendants Drake and Murillo had to support plaintiff’s weight while he walked. (Id. at 64-65.) 26 Defendants claim that defendant Rashev was not present during the use of force because 27 he (defendant Rashev) was processing the evidence that was collected following the first gassing 28 incident. (ECF No. 216-3 at 12.) In support of this claim, defendants cite a report prepared by 14 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 15 of 70 1 defendant Rashev stating that he responded to the alarm sounded after Officer Potter was gassed. 2 (ECF No. 216-4 at 34.) Defendant Rashev wrote that he immediately retrieved the gassing kit 3 from the office and swabbed Officer Potter’s jacket. (Id.) Defendant Rashev wrote that he then 4 took the swab to A Facility Control and placed it in evidence locker A-1. (Id.) 5 In undisputed fact no. 80, defendants contend that defendant Martinez did not use force on 6 plaintiff and nor did he see anyone use force on plaintiff. (ECF No. 216-3 at 12.) However, 7 defendants cite no evidence in support of this claim. (Id.) 8 Defendants argue that defendant Bettencourt did not use force against plaintiff, nor did he 9 see anyone else use force against plaintiff. Defendants argue that defendant Bettencourt was not 10 in the area when the incident occurred as he was ordered to submit to a “gassing” kit by defendant 11 Blessing. Defendants cite defendant Bettencourt’s report prepared regarding the alleged gassing 12 incident in support of this claim. In this report, defendant Bettencourt wrote that he and 13 defendant Blessing responded to a call informing defendant Blessing that Officer Potter had been 14 gassed. (ECF No. 216-4 at 24.) Defendant Bettencourt offered to help defendant Rashev swab 15 Officer Potter. (Id.) After the swab sample was taken, defendant Bettencourt explained the rest 16 of the evidence process to defendant Rashev, who apparently took the sample away. (Id.) 17 Defendant Bettencourt then wrote, 18 I assumed all tasks were completed in the evidence collection process so I went to the sink of the Officers Office and wetted an extra swab 19 I was holding and went and cleaned the soiled areas of Potter’s jumpsuit. I went and checked on Officer Rashev progress in the 20 Sergeant’s Office to see if he needed any more help. This concludes my involvement in this incident. 21 22 (Id. at 25.) 23 Discussion 24 Regarding the first alleged excessive force incident, defendants argue that the force used 25 by defendants Defazio, Lebeck Burke and Brady did not violate the Eighth Amendment because 26 it was applied in a good-faith effort to maintain or restore discipline. 27 //// 28 //// 15 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 16 of 70 1 Based on the allegations in the verified complaint, the undersigned first finds that the 2 events leading up to the first alleged incident of excessive force are largely disputed.5 (See ECF 3 No. 221 at 39-61 (plaintiff’s response to defendants’ statement of undisputed facts, citing verified 4 complaint).) 5 Whether plaintiff made the statements defendants claim he made to defendant Mercado 6 and LCSW Riley before the alleged excessive force incidents is disputed.6 (ECF No. 221 at 43- 7 44.) The parties also dispute the circumstances of the first gassing incident involving Officer 8 Potter. In relevant part, plaintiff admits that he threw water at his cell door but claims that none 9 of the water touched Officer Potter. The parties dispute whether the second alleged gassing 10 incident involving defendant Bettencourt occurred. The parties also dispute whether plaintiff’s 11 cell had been previously searched when defendants Defazio, Lebeck, Burke and Brady arrived to 12 search plaintiff’s cell. 13 While it is undisputed that plaintiff consented to application of handcuffs, the parties 14 dispute what happened next. In his verified complaint, plaintiff alleges that after removing him 15 from his cell, defendants Defazio, Brady, Lebeck and Burke assaulted plaintiff without 16 provocation. Plaintiff denies headbutting defendant Defazio or otherwise resisting defendants. In 17 contrast, defendants claim that plaintiff assaulted defendant Defazio. Defendants claim that 18 plaintiff suffered injuries when he resisted their attempts to control him. Based on these disputed 19 facts, the undersigned cannot determine whether defendants Defazio, Brady, Lebeck and Burke 20 5 A verified complaint signed under penalty of perjury may be considered an affidavit in 21 opposition to a motion for summary judgment to the extent that it sets forth facts within the 22 plaintiff’s personal knowledge that are admissible into evidence. See Schroeder v. McDonald, 55 F.3d 454, 460 (9th Cir. 1995). 23 In addition to his verified complaint, plaintiff submitted additional evidence in support of his opposition. With respect to plaintiff’s excessive force claims, the undersigned need not discuss 24 all of this additional evidence because the allegations in plaintiff’s verified complaint are sufficient to create disputed material facts. 25 The undersigned notes that plaintiff has filed declarations from inmate witnesses Terrell Wolff 26 (ECF No. 200 at 92-94 (exhibit GG)), Carlos Hendon (id. at 108-10 (exhibit KK)), and inmate Sanchez (ECF No. 221 at 70-73) in support of his excessive force claims. 27 6 As discussed above, defendants’ summary judgment motion does not contain any evidence 28 regarding the statements plaintiff allegedly made to LCSW Riley. 16 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 17 of 70 1 applied force in a good faith effort to maintain and restore discipline, or maliciously and 2 sadistically for the purpose of causing plaintiff harm. For these reasons, the undersigned 3 recommends that defendants Defazio, Brady, Lebeck and Burke be denied summary judgment 4 regarding the first alleged incident of excessive force.7 5 Turning to defendant Martinez’s involvement in the first alleged incident of excessive 6 force, plaintiff alleges that after the beating by defendants Defazio, Brady, Lebeck and Burke, 7 defendant Martinez arrived and pulled plaintiff’s legs up and kicked him in the testicles. As 8 discussed above, in the summary judgment motion, defendants argue that defendant Martinez did 9 not use force on plaintiff and nor did he see anyone use force on plaintiff. However, defendants 10 provide no evidence in support of this claim. Based on defendants’ failure to provide any 11 evidence regarding defendant Martinez, defendants’ motion for summary judgment as to 12 defendant Martinez should be denied. 13 In the second incident of excessive force alleged in the verified complaint, plaintiff claims 14 that defendants Blessing, Bettencourt and Rashev arrived and kicked and hit plaintiff in the face. 15 Defendants admit that defendant Blessing arrived at the scene after the first incident, but deny 16 that defendant Blessing used excessive force. Thus, whether defendant Blessing kicked and hit 17 plaintiff in the face is a disputed material fact. Accordingly, defendant Blessing should be denied 18 summary judgment as to this claim. 19 Defendants move for summary judgement as to defendants Bettencourt and Rashev on 20 the grounds that they were not in the area where the excessive force allegedly occurred. 21 Defendants contend that at the time of the incident, defendant Rashev had taken the swab sample 22 from Officer Potter’s jacket to A Facility Control. Defendants contend that at the time of the 23 incident, defendant Bettencourt went to the Officer’s Office and then to check on Officer Rashev 24 in the Sergeant’s Office. 25 7 26 Even assuming it was undisputed that plaintiff gassed two officers and/or made the statements defendants claim he made to defendant Mercado and LSCW Riley, defendants would not be 27 entitled to summary judgment as to this claim based on the disputed facts regarding the actual alleged excessive force incident. 28 17 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 18 of 70 1 Whether defendants Bettencourt and Rashev were present during the second incident of 2 excessive force, and kicked and hit plaintiff in the face, are disputed material facts. See Zetwick 3 v. County of Yolo, 850 F.3d 436, 441 (9th Cir. 2017) (the court must not make any credibility 4 determinations on summary judgment).8 Accordingly, the undersigned recommends that 5 defendants motion for summary judgment as to Bettencourt and Rashev be denied. 6 Regarding the third incident of excessive force, in the verified complaint plaintiff alleges 7 that defendants Drake and Murillo dragged him to the bottom of the stairs, slammed his head in a 8 door frame and held him up so that defendants Defazio and Blessing could hit him. In contrast, 9 defendants allege that defendants Drake and Murillo escorted plaintiff for a 7219 medical 10 clearance. Defendants claim that defendants Drake and Murillo lifted plaintiff to his feet where 11 plaintiff walked on his own power. Defendants claim that once in the rotunda, it appeared that 12 plaintiff started to let his body slum down and defendants Drake and Murillo had to support 13 plaintiff’s weight while he walked. Defendants dispute plaintiff’s claim that defendants Defazio 14 and Blessing hit plaintiff once defendants Drake and Murillo dragged plaintiff to the bottom of 15 the stairs. 16 Whether defendants Drake and Murillo dragged plaintiff down the stairs, slammed his 17 head in the door frame and held him up so that defendants Defazio and Blessing could beat 18 plaintiff are materially disputed facts. Accordingly, defendants Drake, Murillo, Defazio and 19 Blessing should be denied summary judgment as to plaintiff’s claim regarding the third alleged 20 incident of excessive force. 21 3. Discussion re: Excessive Force Claims Against Defendants Matthews and Guffee 22 Regarding the first alleged incident of excessive force, plaintiff claims that defendant 23 Matthews witnessed the beating but failed to sound the unit alarm. Regarding the second alleged 24 25 8 In making this finding, the undersigned observes that the first incident of excessive force occurred at approximately 1315 hours, i.e., 1:15 pm. (ECF No. No. 216-4 at 70.) In his report, 26 defendant Rashev states that at 11: 45, he responded to the alarm regarding the gassing of Officer Potter. (ECF No. 216-4 at 34.) It is not clear from these exhibits whether defendant Rashev (or 27 defendant Bettencourt) would have been unable to be present during the second alleged incident of excessive force. 28 18 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 19 of 70 1 incident of excessive force, plaintiff alleges that defendants Guffee and Matthews witnessed this 2 incident but failed to intervene. 3 A prison official who does not himself use force may violate the Eighth Amendment if he 4 has a reasonable opportunity to intervene in other officials’ use of excessive force but does not do 5 so. See Robins v. Meecham, 60 F.3d 1436, 1442 (9th Cir. 1995). 6 Defendant Matthews 7 Defendants move for summary judgment as to defendant Matthews on the grounds that he 8 was unable to see the area where the first alleged incident of excessive force occurred.9 As 9 discussed above, defendants deny that the second alleged incident of excessive force occurred. 10 Defendants argue that defendant Matthews could not have left his post to intervene because he 11 was in the control booth and could not leave the area. Defendants also argue that defendant 12 Matthews did sound the alarm. In support of these arguments, defendants cite defendant 13 Matthews’ declaration. 14 In his declaration, defendant Matthews states, in relevant part, that in February 2015, he 15 was assigned as a tower officer in the PSU at CSP-Sac. (ECF No. 216-5 at 5.) As a tower 16 officer, his duties included monitoring movements on the tier, providing coverage, opening doors 17 to cells and for access to the yard. (Id. at 6.) As a tower officer, defendant Matthews could not 18 leave the tower in case of an incident. (Id.) However, defendant Matthews could sound an alarm 19 to signal other staff as needed. (Id.) 20 From his vantage point in the tower, defendant Matthews did not have a clear view of all 21 areas on the tier. (Id.) On the afternoon of February 18, 2015, at approximately 1:15 p.m., an 22 incident occurred involving plaintiff. (Id.) Officers were attempting to remove plaintiff from his 23 cell because of an earlier “gassing” incident. (Id.) One of the officers applied handcuffs through 24 the food port, and signaled defendant Matthews to open the cell door. (Id.) 25 Defendant Matthews states that as he opened the door, he noticed some sort of struggle 26 occurring. (Id.) From his vantage point, which was approximately 80 feet from the cell, he could 27 9 Plaintiff appears to allege that the first and second incidents of excessive force occurred in the 28 same area. 19 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 20 of 70 1 not see what started the incident. (Id.) Defendant Matthews states that plaintiff ended up in a 2 prone position on the ground just outside of the cell. (Id.) 3 Defendant Matthews states that due to the number of officers involved, “I could not have 4 a clear view of what was happening. In addition, there is a lip, or curb, on the upper tier that 5 holds the railing in place. That curb also blocked my view once Owens was on the ground.” (Id.) 6 Defendant Matthews states that he sounded his alarm and called over the radio, “we have a code 7 one in A Facility, three block.” (Id.) 8 Defendants Matthews states that as the tower officer, he could not leave his post to assist. 9 (Id.) Defendant Matthews states that he then turned back to the incident and was able to see 10 officers having to apply downward pressure to plaintiff’s torso in an attempt to prevent him from 11 moving. (Id.) Responding staff arrived and defendant Matthews noticed one of the officers 12 struggling with plaintiff and having difficulty applying a spit mask as plaintiff moved his head 13 back and forth. (Id.) Plaintiff appeared angry and was yelling something defendant Matthews did 14 not understand. (Id.) 15 Defendant Matthews states that defendants Murillo and Drake each took hold of one of 16 plaintiff’s arms and escorted him down the stairs for medical evaluation. (Id.) Defendant 17 Matthews did not observe plaintiff being dragged down the stairs. (Id.) Defendant Matthews 18 states that plaintiff was placed in a wheelchair and escorted to the Triage and Treatment area. (Id. 19 at 7.) 20 In his opposition, plaintiff does not dispute that defendant Matthews was unable to leave 21 his post. However, plaintiff argues that defendant Matthews did not sound the alarm until after 22 the first incident of excessive force was almost over. In support of this argument, plaintiff cites 23 his verified declaration submitted in support of his summary judgment motion, which is 24 consistent with the allegation in the verified complaint. In this declaration, plaintiff alleges that 25 after defendant Defazio stated, “No you don’t nigger. You think you run this place, you walk 26 around here like you run this place, you’re going to learn nigger,” one of the correctional officers 27 yelled to defendant Matthews, “who was standing at the booth and watching the beating,” to 28 sound the alarm. (ECF No. 200 at 78.) 20 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 21 of 70 1 It is undisputed that defendant Matthews could not leave his post during the alleged 2 incident of excessive force. Accordingly, defendant Matthews should be granted summary 3 judgment as to any claim by plaintiff that his failure to leave his post and intervene violated the 4 Eighth Amendment. 5 The undersigned now turns to plaintiff’s claim that defendant Matthews violated the 6 Eighth Amendment by failing to sound the alarm when the alleged beating began, but instead 7 waited until it was almost over after being instructed by one of the defendants. After reviewing 8 defendant Matthews’ declaration, the undersigned is puzzled by defendant Matthews’ alleged 9 ability to witness some parts of the incident, but not other parts of the incident. For example, 10 defendant Matthews states he did not have a clear view of what happened due to the number of 11 officers involved and because a curb blocked his view of plaintiff once he was on the ground. 12 However, defendant Matthews was able to see officers applying pressure to plaintiff when 13 plaintiff was on the ground. Defendant Matthews was also able to see an officer having difficulty 14 applying a spit mask when plaintiff was on the ground. The undersigned also observes that in his 15 declaration, defendant Matthews does not address what prompted him to sound the alarm when he 16 did. 17 To the extent defendant Matthews could see defendants Defazio, Burke, Brady and 18 Lebeck interacting with plaintiff, it appears that defendant Matthews denies witnessing any 19 excessive force committed by these defendants. 20 Without further explanation regarding why defendant Matthews sounded the alarm when 21 he did and the confusing statements in his declaration regarding his ability to witness some parts 22 of the incident but not others, the undersigned cannot determine whether defendant Matthews’ 23 failed to intervene in violation of the Eighth Amendment. Accordingly, defendant Matthews 24 should be denied summary judgment as plaintiff’s Eighth Amendment claim regarding the first 25 incident of alleged excessive force. 26 Plaintiff alleges that defendants Matthews failed to sound the alarm during the second 27 incident of excessive force. Defendants deny that this second incident occurred. Assuming that 28 the second incident occurred as alleged, it is unclear if defendant Matthews could have sounded 21 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 22 of 70 1 the alarm a second time, i.e., what purpose it would have served. However, without further 2 factual development of this issue, the undersigned cannot determine whether defendant 3 Matthews’ alleged failure to sound the alarm a second time during the alleged second alleged 4 incident violated the Eighth Amendment. Accordingly, defendant Matthews should be denied 5 summary judgment as to this claim. 6 Defendant Guffee 7 In the verified complaint, plaintiff alleges that during the second alleged incident of 8 excessive force, defendant Guffee observed the violence from the bottom of the stairs. Plaintiff 9 alleges that defendant Guffee failed to intervene. 10 Defendants move for summary judgment as to defendant Guffee on the grounds that he 11 was not in a position to intervene. In support of this argument, defendants cite defendant 12 Guffee’s declaration. 13 In his declaration, defendant Guffee states that on February 18, 2015, he was working as a 14 search and escort officer, and was not assigned to the PSU. (ECF No. 216-5 at 9.) At 15 approximately 1:15 p.m., an alarm sounded for Facility A-3, Section C. (Id.) Defendant Guffee 16 was in a building approximately thirty feet away from the building. (Id. at 10.) Defendant 17 Guffee ran to A-Facility and through a side entrance. (Id.) Defendant Guffee went to section B, 18 and realized that he was in the wrong section. (Id.) Defendant Guffee then ran to C section, 19 where the incident had occurred. (Id.) Defendant Guffee states that by the time he arrived, the 20 incident was over. (Id.) Officers waived him off and defendant Guffee left the area. (Id.) 21 Defendant Guffee states that he did not see any officer use force on plaintiff, as the incident was 22 over when he reached the building. (Id.) Defendant Guffee states that because he did not see 23 force being used, there was no chance for him to intervene in the incident. (Id.) 24 Based on the allegations in the verified complaint and defendant Guffee’s declaration, the 25 undersigned finds that whether defendant Guffee witnessed the second alleged incident of 26 excessive force is a disputed material fact. Accordingly, defendants’ motion for summary 27 judgment as to defendant Guffee should be denied. 28 //// 22 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 23 of 70 1 B. Defendant Mercado 2 Legal Standard 3 A prisoner’s claim of inadequate medical care does not constitute cruel and unusual 4 punishment in violation of the Eighth Amendment unless the mistreatment rises to the level of 5 “deliberate indifference to serious medical needs.” Jett v. Penner, 439 F.3d 1091, 1096 (9th Cir. 6 2006) (quoting Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97, 104 (1976)). The two-part test for deliberate 7 indifference requires plaintiff to show (1) “a ‘serious medical need’ by demonstrating that failure 8 to treat a prisoner’s condition could result in further significant injury or the ‘unnecessary and 9 wanton infliction of pain,’” and (2) “the defendant’s response to the need was deliberately 10 indifferent.” Jett, 439 F.3d at 1096. A defendant does not act in a deliberately indifferent manner 11 unless the defendant “knows of and disregards an excessive risk to inmate health or safety.” 12 Farmer v. Brennan, 511 U.S. 825, 837 (1994). Deliberate indifference is shown where there was 13 “a purposeful act or failure to respond to a prisoner’s pain or possible medical need” and the 14 indifference caused harm. Jett, 439 F.3d at 1096. 15 Discussion 16 Plaintiff alleges that defendant Mercado denied him an ice pack in violation of his Eighth 17 Amendment right to adequate medical care. In the verified complaint, plaintiff alleges that non- 18 defendant Dr. Wedell instructed his assistant, non-defendant Nurse Nicolaou, to apply an ice pack 19 to plaintiff’s eyes to stop them from swelling shut. Plaintiff alleges that defendant Mercado told 20 Nurse Nicolaou, “No, he cannot have an ice pack.” Plaintiff alleges that Nurse Nicolaou told 21 plaintiff that she would document that defendant Mercado said that he could not have an ice pack. 22 As clarified herein, the evidence demonstrates that defendant Mercado denied plaintiff 23 permission to take the ice pack back to his cell. 24 Defendants move for summary judgment on the grounds that defendant Mercado did not 25 act with deliberate indifference when he denied plaintiff the ice pack. In support of this 26 argument, defendants cite defendant Mercado’s declaration. In his declaration, defendant 27 Mercado states, in relevant part, that when he (defendant Mercado) arrived at the PSU on the 28 evening of February 18, 2015, Sergeant McCargle advised that plaintiff was in the A-Facility 23 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 24 of 70 1 Triage and Treatment Area (“ATTA”). (ECF No. 216-5 at 3.) Defendant Mercado relieved 2 Sergeant McCargle in the ATTA, and Sergeant McCargle told defendant Mercado that plaintiff 3 was agitated and that defendant Mercado should stay with him. (Id.) 4 Defendant Mercado remained in the ATTA until plaintiff was released back to his cell. 5 (Id.) As they were leaving, a nurse asked if plaintiff could have an ice pack. (Id.) In his 6 declaration, defendant Mercado states that because plaintiff was on suicide watch, he was only 7 allowed certain items such as a security smock, a security blanket, and a security mattress. (Id.) 8 Defendant Mercado states that before an inmate on suicide watch can obtain other items, there 9 must be an order from a doctor, which has to be reviewed and signed by a psychiatrist. (Id.) 10 Defendant Mercado states that because there was no doctor’s order, plaintiff could not have the 11 ice pack. (Id.) Defendant Mercado also states that at that time, PSU ice packs were made up of 12 ice cubes in a plastic bag or a “blue pack” frozen block. (Id.) Defendant Mercado states that 13 because plaintiff “had a history of gassing staff by throwing feces and urine out of his cell,” 14 plaintiff could not have those items for security reasons. (Id.) 15 Defendants have also cited an entry in plaintiff’s medical record for February 18, 2015, at 16 1400 hours stating, in relevant part, “Eye clearly swollen shut. Custody said could not have ice 17 on block.” (ECF No. 216-4 at 215.) It appears that the nurse who asked defendant Mercado if 18 plaintiff could have the ice pack made this entry. 19 In his opposition, in response to defendants’ statement of undisputed facts, plaintiff does 20 not dispute that he was on suicide watch. (ECF No. 221 at 41.) Plaintiff contends that he had an 21 order for an ice pack from the doctor and that there is no rule that says that non-medical officials 22 must sign off on medical treatment ordered by a doctor. (Id. at 55-56.) Elsewhere in his 23 opposition, plaintiff argues that his Exhibit F demonstrates that he had an order from a doctor. 24 (Id. at 30.) Plaintiff’s exhibit F is an entry in his medical record dated February 18, 2015, at 1700 25 hours by Nurse Nicolaou stating, “Icepacks to face …barrier between skin and ice pack. On 20 26 min., off 20 min., prn swelling x 24 hours.” (ECF No. 200 at 24.) This note appears to contain 27 the signature of Dr. Wedell. (Id.) 28 //// 24 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 25 of 70 1 The undersigned now considers whether defendant Mercado acted with deliberate 2 indifference when he denied the ice pack to plaintiff. In his declaration, defendant Mercado states 3 that plaintiff was not allowed to have an ice pack in his suicide watch cell for two reasons: 1) he 4 did not have an order for an ice pack from a doctor, also signed by a psychiatrist; and 2) for 5 security reasons, based on plaintiff’s history of gassing staff by throwing feces and urine. 6 The medical record cited above states that “custody,” presumably defendant Mercado, 7 denied the nurse’s request for plaintiff to take an ice pack back to his cell because plaintiff could 8 not have ice “on block.” This entry suggests that defendant Mercado denied plaintiff the ice pack 9 for security reasons, rather than based on the lack of an order from the doctor and psychiatrist.10 10 The entry suggests that even with an order from a doctor and psychiatrist, plaintiff would not 11 have been permitted to have the ice pack. 12 According to defendant Mercado, plaintiff could not have the ice pack in his cell based on 13 his history of gassing staff by throwing feces and urine out of his cell. Because neither the ice 14 pack nor the bluepack contained urine or feces, it appear that defendant Mercado’s alleged 15 security concern was plaintiff throwing water out of his cell. It is unclear to the undersigned how 16 a bluepack frozen block could be converted to liquid. If plaintiff was given an ice pack, it is also 17 unclear how much water plaintiff would have been able to obtain from the ice to throw out of his 18 cell. The fact that plaintiff was apparently permitted to have an ice pack 3 hours later, pursuant to 19 an order signed by Dr. Wedell only, also undermines defendants’ claim that plaintiff’s possession 20 of the ice pack created a security risk. 21 Without further information regarding the security risk created by plaintiff’s possession of 22 the ice pack, the undersigned cannot find that defendant Mercado did not act with deliberate 23 indifference when he denied the nurse’s request for plaintiff to have an ice pack in his cell to 24 apply to his swollen shut eye. Accordingly, defendants’ motion for summary judgment as to 25 defendant Mercado should be denied. 26 //// 27 10 The entry in plaintiff’s medical record does not state that plaintiff could not have an ice pack 28 because it was not ordered by a doctor and psychiatrist. 25 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 26 of 70 1 C. Defendants Okoroike and Martincek 2 Legal Standard 3 A conspiracy claim under § 1983 requires factual allegations supporting “an agreement or 4 ‘meeting of the minds’ to violate constitutional rights.” Franklin v. Fox, 312 F.3d 423, 441 (9th 5 Cir. 2002) (quoting United Steelworkers of Am. v. Phelps Dodge Corp., 865 F.2d 1539, 1540-41 6 (9th Cir. 1989)). “To be liable, each participant in the conspiracy need not know the exact details 7 of the plan, but each participant must at least share the common objective of the conspiracy.” 8 Franklin, 312 F.3d at 441 (quoting United Steelworkers of Am., 865 F.2d at 1541 9 The elements of a conspiracy claim under § 1983 are: “(1) the existence of an express or 10 implied agreement among the defendant officers to deprive [the plaintiff] of his constitutional 11 rights, and (2) an actual deprivation of those rights resulting from that agreement.” Avalos v. 12 Baca, 596 F.3d 583, 592 (9th Cir. 2010) (internal quotation marks omitted). 13 Clarification of Plaintiff’s Conspiracy Claims 14 Plaintiff alleges that defendants Okoroike and Martincek conspired to cover-up the 15 excessive force incidents. Plaintiff alleges that defendant Okoroike prepared a report minimizing 16 plaintiff’s injuries. Plaintiff alleges that defendant Martincek allowed staff to change their stories 17 and report things that did not happen. 18 In the summary judgment, defendants argue that plaintiff failed to provide any factual 19 information showing that there was a conspiracy between defendants Okoroike and Martincek. 20 (ECF No. 216-2 at 23.) Defendants have misunderstood plaintiff’s conspiracy claims against 21 these defendants. As discussed in the October 3, 2017 findings and recommendations addressing 22 defendants’ motion to dismiss, plaintiff claims that defendants Okoroike and Martincek conspired 23 to cover-up the excessive force incidents, i.e., they conspired with the defendants involved in the 24 excessive force incidents. (ECF No. 49 at 20-21.) Plaintiff does not allege a conspiracy 25 exclusively between defendants Okoroike and Martincek. Nevertheless, the undersigned herein 26 addresses defendants’ arguments to the extent they are relevant to plaintiff’s conspiracy claims. 27 //// 28 //// 26 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 27 of 70 1 Defendant Okoroike 2 Defendants argue that any failure by defendant Okoroike to document plaintiff’s injuries 3 was due to plaintiff’s refusal to participate in the examination. In support of this argument, 4 defendants cite defendant Okoroike’s declaration and plaintiff’s medical records. 5 In their declaration, defendant Okoroike states that on February 18, 2015, at 6 approximately 1:30 p.m., they were called to the A3 housing unit to complete an assessment on 7 an inmate and document injuries as a result of an unusual occurrence. (ECF No. 216-5 at 13.) 8 When defendant Okoroike arrived, plaintiff was in a holding cell. (Id.) Defendant Okoroike 9 asked plaintiff about the circumstances of his injuries, and he stated, “they jumped on me, kicked 10 me in on my chest, knocked my front tooth out, and pulled my hair out.” (Id.) Defendant 11 Okoroike documented plaintiff’s statement on a form CDCR 7219. (Id.) 12 In their declaration, defendant Okoroike states that they documented all of the injuries 13 they observed, including a scratch on plaintiff’s lip, two teeth knocked out with active bleeding, a 14 swollen and dislocated area above the left eye, and a reddened area on the forehead. (Id.) 15 Defendant Okoroike asked plaintiff to stand and turn around so that they could document any 16 other injuries, but he refused. (Id.) Defendant Okoroike states that plaintiff was so agitated that 17 correctional staff would not remove him from the holding cell so that defendant Okoroike could 18 document any other injuries plaintiff had. (Id.) 19 Defendants provided a copy of defendant Okoroike’s report, i.e., the 7219 form, which is 20 consistent with the information in defendant Okoroike’s declaration. (ECF No. 216-4 at 92.) 21 In undisputed fact no. 69, defendants state that on February 21, 2015, plaintiff was 22 transferred to the California Medical Facility (“CMF”). (ECF No. 216-3 at 10.) Defendants cite 23 plaintiff’s medical records following his arrival at CMF. (Id.) An entry by Nurse Plasencia on 24 February 21, 2015, states that plaintiff had moderate swelling and bruising on both eyes. (ECF 25 No. 216-3 at 223.) 26 An entry by Dr. Mathis from February 21, 2015, states that plaintiff has injuries on inner 27 thighs that are four days old and facial injuries that are about three days old. (Id. at 224.) This 28 report states that plaintiff has medial periorbital ecchymosis, i.e., dark circles under his eyes. (Id.) 27 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 28 of 70 1 The report states that plaintiff has minimal swelling. (Id.) The report states, “Tender over the 2 nasal bridge, but not swollen.” (Id.) The report states, “Bilaterally tender zygomatic 3 prominences,” which apparently means that the area near plaintiff’s cheeks was tender. (Id.) The 4 report notes plaintiff’s missing teeth. (Id.) The report notes minor bruises on plaintiff’s legs. 5 (Id.) Finally, the report states, “Subacute facial contusions w/o evidence of fracture. No x-ray 6 required. Absent teeth, acute.” (Id.) 7 In his opposition, in support of his claim that defendant Okoroike minimized his injuries 8 in their report in an attempt to cover-up the excessive force, plaintiff cites his exhibits B and JJ. 9 (ECF No. 221 at 53.) Plaintiff also references his exhibit L. (See ECF No. 193-2 at 4.) 10 Plaintiff’s exhibit B is the CDCR 7219 form prepared by defendant Okoroike. (ECF No. 11 200 at 14.) Plaintiff’s exhibit JJ is plaintiff’s declaration. (Id. at 102-07.) In this declaration 12 plaintiff states, in relevant part, that after he was beaten, “medical staff witness that I was 13 seriously injured, yet they did not document so.” (Id. at 103.) Plaintiff goes on to state, “[D]ays 14 after I was beaten, I was evaluated by non-biased medical staff and they correctly documented all 15 of the injuries suffered to me except for the broken ankle sustained.” (Id.) 16 Plaintiff’s exhibit L is a report prepared by Nurse Valera dated February 21, 2015, on a 17 form which appears identical to the form completed by defendant Okoroike. (Id. at 37.) A 18 handwritten note at the top of the form states, “Pre-crisis unit admission.” (Id.) The report states 19 that plaintiff reported that, “Those C.O. beat me and dragged me. This happened 3-4 days ago.” 20 (Id.) The report identifies more injuries than the report prepared by defendant Okoroike. (Id.) 21 The undersigned discusses these differences herein. 22 Defendant Okoroike identified five injuries to plaintiff, all on his head. (Id. at 14.) In 23 particular, defendant Okoroike identified two missing teeth, an abrasion around plaintiff’s mouth, 24 discoloration around plaintiff’s left eye, swelling around plaintiff’s left eye and a reddened area 25 on plaintiff’s forehead. (Id.) 26 Nurse Valera identified three missing teeth and the same injuries around plaintiff’s head 27 as identified by defendant Okoroike, as well as dried blood. (Id. at 37.) Nurse Valera also 28 identified additional injuries to plaintiff’s body, including an abrasion and a reddened area on 28 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 29 of 70 1 plaintiff’s right arm, an abrasion and reddened area on plaintiff’s right knee, an abrasion on 2 plaintiff’s right ankle, an abrasion and healing scabs on plaintiff’s left thigh and an abrasion on 3 plaintiff’s left ankle. (Id.) 4 In his verified declaration submitted in support of his opposition, plaintiff alleges that he 5 told defendant Okoroike that “the officers beat me up while I was in handcuffs behind my back 6 and hit and kicked me in the face.” (ECF No. 221 at 83.) Plaintiff alleges that instead of 7 recording this statement, defendant Okoroike wrote that plaintiff told her that the officers jumped 8 him, kicked him, knocked out his front tooth and pulled his hair out. (Id.) 9 Plaintiff also alleges that during his encounter with defendant Okoroike, she never asked 10 plaintiff to stand or turn around so that she could document any other injuries. (Id.) Plaintiff 11 alleges that during his encounter with defendant Okoroike, he remained standing and facing 12 towards her the entire time. (Id.) Plaintiff alleges that defendant Okoroike failed to perform a 13 thorough medical evaluation. (Id.) 14 For the reasons stated herein, the undersigned finds that plaintiff has not met his summary 15 judgment burden of demonstrating a genuine issue of material fact with respect to his conspiracy 16 claim against defendant Okoroike. 17 With the exception of the number of missing teeth, the facial injuries described in the 18 reports by defendant Okoroike and Nurse Valera are the same. While plaintiff alleges that 19 defendant Okoroike inaccurately recorded his statement regarding how he suffered his injuries, 20 defendant Okoroike’s description of plaintiff’s statement is not inconsistent with what plaintiff 21 claims happened, i.e., he was assaulted by correctional staff. The undersigned also finds that 22 defendant Okoroike’s description of plaintiff’s facial injuries is not inconsistent with the 23 description of his facial injuries made by Nurse Plasencia and Dr. Mathis. 24 Whether defendant Okoroike asked plaintiff to stand up and turn around so that she could 25 examine the rest of his body is disputed. However, as discussed above, defendant Okoroike 26 appears to have accurately documented plaintiff’s facial injuries and plaintiff’s explanation of 27 their cause. For this reason, the undersigned finds that it is not reasonable to infer that defendant 28 Okoroike failed to document the injuries to plaintiff’s arms, legs and ankles in order to cover-up 29 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 30 of 70 1 the alleged excessive force. 2 For these reasons, the undersigned recommends that defendant Okoroike be granted 3 summary judgment as to plaintiff’s claim that defendant conspired to cover-up the alleged 4 excessive force by preparing a report that minimized his injuries. 5 Defendant Martincek 6 As stated above, plaintiff alleges that defendant Martincek conspired to cover-up the 7 alleged excessive force by allowing staff to change their stories and report things that did not 8 happen. In the summary judgment motion, defendants argue that plaintiff offers only conclusory 9 allegations in support of his conspiracy between defendants Martincek and Okoroike. (ECF No. 10 216-2 at 23.) Defendants cite their undisputed facts nos. 52, 55 and 56 in support of this 11 argument. (Id.) 12 Defendants’ undisputed facts nos. 52, 55 and 56 do not address plaintiff’s claim that 13 defendant Martincek conspired to cover-up the alleged excessive force by allowing staff to 14 change their stories and report things that did not happen. (See ECF No. 216-3 at 8.) 15 The undersigned recommends that defendant Martincek be denied summary judgment 16 because defendants do not address plaintiff’s conspiracy claim against this defendant. 17 D. Defendant Schultz 18 Plaintiff alleges that defendant Schultz denied him due process during his disciplinary 19 hearing regarding the charges made against plaintiff by defendant Defazio. Plaintiff alleges that 20 defendant Schultz refused plaintiff’s request for witnesses and to present documentary evidence. 21 Plaintiff also alleges that there was insufficient evidence to support defendant Schultz’s finding 22 that he was guilty of the charges. 23 Legal Standards 24 When determining whether an inmate has been deprived of due process during a 25 disciplinary hearing, the court considers the hearing requirements laid out in Wolff v. McDonnell, 26 418 U.S. 539 (1974). The Wolff procedural due process requirements are: (1) advance, written 27 notice of violation; (2) provision of at least 24 hours to prepare for committee appearance; (3) 28 written statement of fact-finding; (4) the right to present witnesses and present documentary 30 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 31 of 70 1 evidence where it would not be unduly hazardous to institutional safety; (5) an impartial decision- 2 making body, and (6) assistance if inmate is illiterate or if issues are complex. Wolff, 418 U.S. at 3 564-70. 4 When reviewing a prison disciplinary decision, the appropriate standard for federal courts 5 to apply is the “some evidence” standard outlined in Superintendent, Massachusetts Correctional 6 Institution, Walpole v. Hill, 472 U.S. 445 (1985). Specifically, if there is any evidence in the 7 record that could support the conclusion reached by the disciplinary board, the requirements of 8 due process are satisfied. See Hill, 472 U.S. at 455-56. 9 Determining whether the “some evidence” standard is satisfied in a particular case does 10 not require examination of the entire record, independent assessment of the credibility of 11 witnesses, or the weighing of evidence. Toussaint v. McCarthy, 801 F.2d 1080, 1105 (9th Cir. 12 1986), abrogated on other grounds by Sandin v. Connor, 515 U.S. 472 (1995)). Thus, with a 13 decision on a disciplinary charge, if there is any reliable evidence in the record that could support 14 the conclusion reached by the fact finder, the decision must be upheld. See Powell v. Gomez, 33 15 F.3d 39, 40 (9th Cir. 1994) (citing Hill, 472 U.S. at 455-65 and Cato v. Rushen, 824 F.2d 703, 16 705 (9th Cir. 1987)). “The fundamental fairness guaranteed by the Due Process Clause does not 17 require courts to set aside decisions of prison administrators that have some basis in fact.” Hill, 18 472 U.S. at 456. 19 Was Plaintiff Entitled to Due Process? 20 In the verified complaint, plaintiff alleges that he was sentenced to an 18 month Security 21 Housing Unit (“SHU”) term as a result of being found guilty of battery on defendant Defazio by 22 defendant Schultz. (ECF No. 1 at 37.) In the summary judgment motion, defendants suggest that 23 plaintiff was not entitled to due process because he was not deprived of a liberty interest as a 24 result of the rules violation. Defendants contend that plaintiff was not assessed time credits and 25 was already serving a SHU term, albeit in the PSU. 26 The due process protections provided for in Wolff, supra, “adhere only when the 27 disciplinary action implicates a protected interest in some ‘unexpected matter’ or imposes an 28 ‘atypical and significant hardship on the inmate in relation to the ordinary incidents of prison 31 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 32 of 70 1 life.’” Serrano v. Francis, 345 F.3d 1071, 1078 (9th Cir. 2003) (quoting Sandin v. Conner, 515 2 U.S. 472, 484 (1995)). 3 In his opposition plaintiff does not dispute that he was not assessed time credits. 4 Accordingly, the undersigned herein discusses defendants’ argument that plaintiff did not have a 5 liberty interest because he was already serving a SHU term. 6 By arguing that plaintiff was “already” serving a SHU term, defendants appear to argue 7 that the SHU term plaintiff was assessed was ordered to be served concurrently to a SHU term 8 plaintiff was already serving. In support of this argument, defendants cite their undisputed facts 9 nos. 3-4. (ECF No. 216-2 at 25.) Defendants’ undisputed fact no. 4 discusses the PSU and does 10 not address plaintiff’s SHU term. (ECF No. 216-3 at 2.) Accordingly, defendants’ undisputed 11 fact no. 4 is not relevant to defendants’ argument that plaintiff was “already” serving a SHU term. 12 Defendants’ undisputed fact no. 3 states, “At the time of the alleged events, plaintiff was 13 housed in the Psychiatric Services Unit (PSU) at CSP-Sacramento. (DX A, p. 5).” (Id.) 14 Defendants’ Exhibit A, p. 5, is a document titled “Bed Assignments.” (ECF No. 216-4 at 6.) 15 This document shows plaintiff’s bed assignments from May 1, 2014, to February 20, 2015. (Id.) 16 The disciplinary hearing regarding the rules violation charging plaintiff with battery on defendant 17 DeFazio was conducted after February 20, 2015. (Id. at 141.) Therefore, it does not appear that 18 defendants’ Exhibit A, p. 5, showing plaintiff’s bed assignments through February 20, 2015, 19 demonstrates that plaintiff’s at-issue 18 month SHU term was served concurrently with another 20 SHU term. Accordingly, defendants’ motion for summary judgment on the grounds that plaintiff 21 was not deprived of a liberty interest should be denied.11 22 //// 23 //// 24 11 In his verified complaint, plaintiff alleges that the conditions of the SHU term included 25 confinement to an isolated cell for up to 22 hours per day, and sometimes longer as well as the 26 denial of various privileges. (ECF No. 1 at 37-38.) Plaintiff alleges that the conditions of the SHU imposed “a significant hardship that is not endured in the general population (“GP”)…” (Id. 27 at 37.) Defendants do not move for summary judgment on the grounds that the conditions of the SHU did not constitute an atypical and significant hardship. Accordingly, the undersigned does 28 not reach this issue in addressing defendants’ summary judgment motion. 32 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 33 of 70 1 Was Plaintiff Denied Witnesses in Violation of Due Process? 2 In his verified complaint, plaintiff alleges that at the disciplinary hearing he told defendant 3 Schultz that he had eyewitnesses who he wanted to call as witnesses. (ECF No. 1 at 34-35.) 4 Plaintiff alleges that defendant Schultz responded, “this R.V.R. is what I go off of.” (Id. at 35.) 5 Plaintiff alleges that he was not allowed to call any witnesses. (Id.) 6 In the summary judgment motion, defendants argue that “while plaintiff was denied the 7 full twenty-two witnesses he wanted to call at the second hearing, he was allowed to ask 8 questions of relevant witnesses, which plaintiff provided to the SHO.” (ECF No. 216-2 at 25.) 9 Defendants cite undisputed fact no. 76 in support of this claim. (Id.) Defendants’ undisputed fact 10 no. 76 cites defendants’ Exhibit A at p. 145. (Id.) 11 Defendants’ Exhibit A, p. 145 is a page from the report of the at-issue disciplinary 12 hearing. (ECF No. 216-4 at 146.) This page of the report addresses plaintiff’s request to the 13 Investigative Employee (“IE”) to interview twenty-two witnesses, apparently before the hearing. 14 (Id.) In other words, this page of the report does not address plaintiff’s request to call witnesses 15 at the actual disciplinary hearing. 16 Defendants’ Exhibit A, p. 140, is another page from the report from the at-issue 17 disciplinary hearing. (Id. at 141.) This page of the report states, “Witnesses: Inmate OWENS 18 requested no witnesses at the time of the disciplinary hearing.” (Id.) The word “no” is 19 handwritten, whereas the remaining words in this sentence are typewritten. (Id.) 20 Based on the evidence cited above, the undersigned finds that whether defendant Shultz 21 denied plaintiff’s request to call witnesses at the disciplinary hearing is a materially disputed fact. 22 Accordingly, defendant Shultz should be denied summary judgment as to this claim. 23 Did Defendant Schultz Deny Plaintiff’s Request to Present Documentary Evidence in 24 Violation of Due Process? 25 In the verified complaint, plaintiff alleges that he attempted to produce documentary 26 evidence at the disciplinary hearing in support of his defense. (ECF No. 1 at 35.) Plaintiff alleges 27 that defendant Shultz denied plaintiff’s request to produce documentary evidence because he did 28 not want to “deal with all of that.” (Id.) 33 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 34 of 70 1 Defendants’ summary judgment motion does not address plaintiff’s claim that defendant 2 Schultz denied his request to present documentary evidence. (See ECF No. 216-2 at 25.) 3 In defendants’ description of the due process rights inmates are entitled to in prison 4 disciplinary proceedings pursuant to Wolff v. McDonnell, defendants do not include the right to 5 present documentary evidence. (Id. at 24.) As stated above, and observed in the October 3, 2017 6 findings and recommendations addressing defendants’ motion to dismiss, in Wolff v. McDonnell, 7 the Supreme Court stated, “[w]e are also of the opinion that the inmate facing disciplinary 8 proceedings should be allowed to call witnesses and present documentary evidence in his defense 9 when permitting him to do so will not be unduly hazardous to institutional safety or correctional 10 goals.” 418 U.S. at 566. (See ECF No. 49 at 23.) 11 For the reasons discussed above, the undersigned finds that defendants’ summary 12 judgment motion does not address plaintiff’s claim that defendant Schultz denied his request to 13 present documentary evidence. 14 Was There Some Evidence to Support the Guilty Finding? 15 Defendants’ summary judgment motion does not directly address plaintiff’s claim that 16 defendant Schultz’s decision finding him guilty was not supported by adequate evidence. 17 In the October 3, 2017 findings and recommendations addressing defendants’ motion to 18 dismiss, the undersigned found that plaintiff stated a potentially colorable due process claim 19 against defendant Shultz on the grounds that the disciplinary conviction was not supported by 20 adequate evidence. (ECF No. 49 at 25.) In making this finding, the undersigned cited Hines v. 21 Gomez, 108 F.3d 265, 268 (9th Cir. 1997), for the proposition that the “some evidence” standard 22 set forth in Superintendent v. Hill, supra, does not apply where a prisoner alleges that a rules 23 violation report is false. (Id. at 25.) The undersigned herein reconsiders this finding. 24 In Hines v. Gomez, the Ninth Circuit held that, “where a prisoner alleges a correctional 25 officer has falsely accused him of violating a prison rule in retaliation for the prisoner’s exercise 26 of his constitutional rights, the correctional officer’s accusation is not entitled to the ‘some 27 evidence’ standard of review ... afford[ed] disciplinary administrative decisions.” Id. at 269. 28 In Church v. Naftzger, 2019 WL 5784903 (E.D. Cal. Nov. 6, 2019), Magistrate Judge 34 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 35 of 70 1 Thurston found that the Hines standard only applies in cases where the prisoner alleges that the 2 rules violation is false and retaliatory: 3 Although not stated explicitly, the Ninth Circuit’s phrasing strongly suggests that, to avoid the deferential “some evidence” standard, a 4 plaintiff must allege that a prison guard has made an accusation that is not only false, but also retaliatory. In follow-up cases, the Ninth 5 Circuit and district courts have continued to suggest this. See, e.g., Bruce v. Ylst, 351 F.3d 1283, 1289 (9th Cir. 2003) (“In Hines, ... we 6 held that ‘some evidence’ standard of Hill did not apply to retaliation claims.”); McQuillion v. McKenzie, 35 F. App'x 547, 549, 551 (9th 7 Cir. 2002) (denying summary judgment under Hines where plaintiff alleged false and retaliatory chronos); McClenton v. Hubbard, No. 8 2009 WL 2488144, at *6 (E.D. Cal. Aug. 13, 2009) (Hines not applicable because plaintiff did not allege defendant acted in 9 retaliation); Jones v. Lopez, 2007 WL 951658, at *14 (D. Nev. Mar. 26, 2007) (“some evidence” standard not applicable because no due 10 process violation alleged, only retaliation claim). Because Plaintiff has not alleged that Defendant falsified his March 2014 disciplinary 11 chrono in retaliation for engaging in protected activity, (see Docs. 1, 19, 21), Plaintiff’s due process claim is subject to the “some 12 evidence” standard. 13 2019 WL 5784903, *6. 14 Based on Magistrate Judge Thurston’s reasoning in Church v. Naftzger, the undersigned 15 finds that Hines applies in cases where the prisoner alleges that the rules violation report is both 16 false and issued in retaliation for the exercise of a First Amendment right. See, e.g., McQuillion 17 v McKenzie, 35 Fed.Appx. 547, at *1-2 (plaintiff alleged disciplinary reports issued in retaliation 18 for activity protected under the First Amendment.) 19 In the instant case, plaintiff does not allege that the rules violation report charging him 20 with battery on defendant Defazio was issued in retaliation for exercising his First Amendment 21 rights. Accordingly, the undersigned considers whether the guilty finding is supported by “some 22 evidence.” 23 The rules violation report states that defendant Schultz found plaintiff guilty based on the 24 following evidence: 25 The written Rules Violation Report by Correctional Officer J. Defazio, which states in part, “I signaled to have cell FA3-232 26 opened. Cell 232 opened and Owens spun around before I could grab his left forearm. Owens sudden attack made me fear for my safety 27 and I stepped back as he as attempting to strike my facial area with his forehead/head area. I could not step back fast enough to 28 completely avoid being struck and Owens struck me in my chest area 35 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 36 of 70 1 with his head. 2 The CDCR-837C Incident Report authored by Correctional Officer J. Burke, which states in part, “Once the door opened inmate Owens 3 spun towards Officer J. Defazio and lunged forward with his head striking Officer J. Defazio in the upper chest area forcing Officer 4 Defazio to move back. 5 (ECF No. 216-4 at 141.) 6 The undersigned finds that the reports by defendants Defazio and Burke constituted “some 7 evidence” that plaintiff committed battery on defendant Defazio. See Hill, 472 U.S. at 455-56. 8 Accordingly, the undersigned recommends that defendant Shultz be granted summary judgment 9 as to plaintiff’s claim that his disciplinary conviction was not supported by sufficient evidence in 10 violation of due process. 11 E. Defendant Eldridge 12 Plaintiff alleges that defendant Eldridge violated his right to due process by approving 13 defendant Schultz’s decisions denying his request for witnesses and to present documentary 14 evidence. Plaintiff also argues that because his prison disciplinary conviction was not supported 15 by sufficient evidence, defendant Eldridge violated his right to due process by upholding the 16 guilty finding. 17 The undersigned clarifies that plaintiff’s claim against defendant Eldridge is based on her 18 signature on the rules violation report, as the Chief Disciplinary Officer, approving defendant 19 Schultz’s decision finding plaintiff guilty. (See ECF No. 200 at 259.) Plaintiff alleges that 20 defendant Eldridge failed to correct the due process violations by signing (and approving) the 21 rules violation report following his conviction. 22 Defendants argue that defendant Eldridge’s involvement in reviewing the disciplinary 23 documents after the fact provides no basis for the imposition of liability under section 1983. 24 Citing Matthews v. Eldridge, 424 U.S. 319, 333 (1976), defendants argue that due process 25 requires only that plaintiff receive notice and “the opportunity to be heard at a meaningful time 26 and in a meaningful manner.” (ECF No. 216-2 at 25.) Defendants go on to argue that plaintiff, 27 “does not have a broader right to notice and the opportunity to be heard at every step of the 28 process by every individual who sat in on a hearing or touched a piece of paper relating to his 36 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 37 of 70 1 revalidation, but he does not have the right to be heard by a critical decision-maker.” (Id.) 2 Defendants then cite Castro v. Terhune, 712 F.3d 1304, 1308 (9th Cir. 2013), Stewart v. 3 Alameida, 418 F.Supp.2d 1154, 1167 (N.D. Cal. 2006) (citing Madrid v. Gomez, 889 F.Supp. 4 1146, 1276 (N.D. Cal. 1995)). (Id.) Defendants argue that because defendant Eldridge was not 5 directly involved in the alleged violation of plaintiff’s due process rights at the disciplinary 6 hearing, her decision upholding the finding of guilt does not subject her to liability for any 7 underlying violation allegedly committed by defendant Schultz. (Id. at 25-26.) 8 The cases cited by defendants above concern due process rights in prison gang-validation. 9 After reviewing these cases, the undersigned finds that the law discussed in these cases regarding 10 due process in gang validation is not the correct legal standard under which to evaluate plaintiff’s 11 claims against defendant Eldridge. The undersigned herein sets forth the correct legal standard to 12 evaluate plaintiff’s claim against defendant Eldridge. 13 Government officials may not be held liable for the unconstitutional conduct of their 14 subordinates under a theory of respondeat superior. See Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 676 15 (2009). Rather, to be held liable, a supervising officer has to personally take some action against 16 the plaintiff or “set in motion a series of acts by others ... which he knew or reasonably should 17 have known, would cause others to inflict the constitutional injury” on the plaintiff. Larez v. City 18 of Los Angeles, 946 F.2d 630, 646 (9th Cir. 1991) (internal quotations omitted). This is not to 19 say that a plaintiff is required to allege that a supervisor was physically present when the injury 20 occurred. Starr v. Baca, 652 F.3d 1202, 1205 (9th Cir. 2011). Instead, to assert liability, the 21 plaintiff must articulate specific facts from which the court can plausibly infer that the supervisor 22 participated in the violation by his or her “own culpable action or inaction in the training, 23 supervision, or control of his subordinates, his acquiescence in the constitutional deprivations of 24 which the complaint is made, or conduct that showed a reckless or callous indifference to the 25 rights of others.” Id. at 1205-06. 26 Plaintiff does not allege, or provide any evidence demonstrating, that defendant Eldridge 27 took any actions that caused or otherwise contributed to defendant Schultz’s alleged failure to 28 allow him to present witnesses and documentary evidence. Instead, plaintiff’s claims against 37 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 38 of 70 1 defendant Eldridge are based on her conduct after the alleged deprivations occurred. For these 2 reasons, the undersigned recommends that defendants’ motion for summary judgment be granted 3 as to plaintiff’s claim that defendant Eldridge violated his right to due process by approving his 4 disciplinary conviction.12 5 The undersigned also finds that defendant Eldridge is entitled to summary judgment as to 6 plaintiff’s claim alleging that she violated due process by approving his disciplinary conviction 7 because it was not supported by sufficient evidence. As discussed above, plaintiff’s disciplinary 8 conviction was supported by “some evidence.” See Hill, 472 U.S. at 455-56. For this reason, 9 defendant Eldridge should be granted summary judgment as to this claim. 10 F. Qualified Immunity 11 Legal Standard 12 In Saucier v. Katz, 533 U.S. 194 (2001), the Supreme Court set forth a two-pronged test to 13 determine whether qualified immunity exists. First, the court asks: “Taken in the light most 14 favorable to the party asserting the injury, do the facts alleged show the officer’s conduct violated 15 a constitutional right?” Id. at 201. If “a violation could be made out on a favorable view of the 16 parties’ submissions, the next, sequential step is to ask whether the right was clearly established.” 17 Id. To be “clearly established,” “[t]he contours of the right must be sufficiently clear that a 18 reasonable official would understand that what he is doing violates that right.” Id. at 202 (internal 19 quotation marks and citation omitted). Accordingly, for the purposes of the second prong, the 20 dispositive inquiry “is whether it would be clear to a reasonable officer that his conduct was 21 unlawful in the situation he confronted.” Id. Courts have the discretion to decide which prong to 22 address first, in light of the particular circumstances of each case. See Pearson v. Callahan, 555 23 U.S. 223, 236 (2009). 24 25 12 The undersigned also observes that in his opposition plaintiff presents no evidence demonstrating that, at the time she approved his conviction, defendant Eldridge knew that 26 defendant Schultz allegedly denied his requests for witnesses and to present documentary evidence. As discussed above, the rules violation report prepared by defendant Schultz states that 27 plaintiff did not request witnesses. The undersigned also finds no mention of plaintiff’s request to present documentary evidence in the rules violation report. 28 38 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 39 of 70 1 Analysis 2 Defendants argue that defendants DeFazio, Burke, Lebeck and Brady are entitled to 3 qualified immunity because they faced a situation in which the use of force was compelled by 4 necessity or exigency. Defendants argue that they are entitled to qualified immunity because the 5 force they used was only the force necessary to maintain safety and restore order. 6 For the following reasons, the undersigned finds that defendants DeFazio, Burke, Lebeck 7 and Brady are not entitled to qualified immunity. Taking the facts in the light most favorable to 8 plaintiff, these defendants assaulted plaintiff without provocation, in violation of the Eighth 9 Amendment. The undersigned also finds that if plaintiff’s allegations are true it would be clear to 10 a reasonable officer that defendants’ alleged conduct was unlawful. Accordingly, the 11 undersigned finds that defendants DeFazio, Burke, Lebeck and Brady are not entitled to qualified 12 immunity. 13 Defendants argue that defendant Mercado is entitled to qualified immunity because 14 plaintiff did not have an order for an ice pack from a physician that was signed by a psychiatrist, 15 which is required for inmates on suicide watch. Defendants argue that because there was not a 16 medical order for an ice pack, no reasonable prison official in defendant Mercado’s position 17 would have believed that he was denying plaintiff access to necessary medical care. 18 As discussed above, the record suggests that defendant Mercado denied plaintiff an ice 19 pack for security reasons, and not because plaintiff did not have a doctor’s order signed by a 20 psychiatrist. The evidence suggests that the security risk caused by plaintiff having the ice pack 21 in his cell was low. Without further explanation of the security risk caused by plaintiff having the 22 ice pack in his cell, the undersigned cannot determine whether defendant Mercado acted with 23 deliberate indifference.13 24 Without further explanation of the security risk caused by the ice pack, the undersigned 25 also cannot determine whether it would be clear to a reasonable officer that denying the ice pack 26 13 27 Moreover, plaintiff presented a medical record indicating that he was allowed to have an ice pack several hours after defendant Mercado denied the request. This order appears to have been 28 signed by a doctor only. 39 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 40 of 70 1 to plaintiff was unlawful. Accordingly, based on the current record, undersigned cannot find that 2 defendant Mercado is entitled to qualified immunity. 3 V. Plaintiff’s Motions for Partial Summary Judgment 4 A. Summary Judgment Motion Addressing Claims Against Defendants Schultz and 5 Eldridge (ECF No. 181) 6 Did Plaintiff Have a Liberty Interest Entitling Him to Procedural Due Process? 7 In his verified summary judgment motion, as in the verified complaint, plaintiff alleges 8 that after defendant Shultz found him guilty of the rules violation, he was assessed an 18 month 9 SHU term. (ECF No. 181 at 15.) Plaintiff argues that he had a liberty interest in not being 10 arbitrarily placed in the SHU for 18 months. (Id. at 21.) The October 3, 2017 findings and 11 recommendations addressing defendants’ motion to dismiss also found that plaintiff’s allegations 12 regarding the 18 month SHU term were sufficient to state a potentially colorable liberty interest in 13 support of his due process claim. (ECF No. 49 at 25.) 14 In the points and authorities filed in support of the opposition, defendants argue that 15 plaintiff failed to establish a liberty interest entitling him to due process. (ECF No. 217 at 5.) 16 Defendants argue that in his complaint, plaintiff only alleged that his disciplinary conviction 17 resulted in a 90 days loss of quarterly packages and telephone use, but these deprivations did not 18 cause an atypical or significant hardship in relation to the ordinary incidents of prison life. (Id.) 19 The undersigned agrees with defendants that the deprivation of these privileges for 90 days does 20 not create a liberty interest. 21 However, in the points and authorities in opposition to plaintiff’s summary judgment 22 motion, defendants do not address plaintiff’s claim that his 18 month SHU term created a liberty 23 interest. In their response to plaintiff’s statement of undisputed facts, defendants contend that 24 plaintiff’s allegations regarding his SHU term are “immaterial.” (ECF No. 217-1 at 11.) The 25 undersigned discusses this argument herein. 26 In undisputed fact no. 28, plaintiff states that on August 26, 2015, the ICC affirmed the 27 disciplinary conviction and sentenced him to the 18 month SHU term. (Id.) Plaintiff indicates 28 that undisputed fact no. 28 is relevant to his claims against both defendants Schultz and Eldridge. 40 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 41 of 70 1 (Id.) In response to plaintiff’s undisputed fact no. 28, defendants state, “Objection: immaterial. 2 Members of the Institutional Classification Committee are not defendants in this matter, and these 3 allegations as to defendant Eldridge are outside the scope of the complaint.” (Id.) 4 In their response to undisputed fact no. 28, defendants seem to argue that defendants 5 Schultz and Eldridge did not cause plaintiff to suffer the 18 month SHU term because it was 6 assessed by the ICC, and not defendants Schultz and Eldridge. In Buren v. Waddle, 2016 WL 7 4474601 (E.D. Cal. Aug. 24, 2016), Magistrate Judge Seng rejected a similar argument: 8 Defendant Lesniak argues it was not he who assessed Plaintiff the eighteen month SHU term; he merely referred Plaintiff's case to the 9 ICC for possible confinement in the SHU while the ICC imposed the actual sentence. Furthermore, loss of good time credits has no effect 10 on a prisoner serving a life sentence. In Defendant Lesniak's view, the only liberty interest Plaintiff has been deprived of was his ten 11 days loss of privileges. 12 The Court must reject this argument. One cannot conclude that Defendant Lesniak is not responsible for placing Plaintiff in the SHU 13 merely because he only referred Plaintiff for a possible SHU term and another committee imposed that term. Based on the evidence 14 presently before the Court, a reasonable juror could conclude Plaintiff was assessed an eighteen month SHU term on the basis of 15 Defendant Lesniak’s findings at the RVR hearing that Plaintiff was guilty of Battery on a Peace Officer. 16 17 2016 WL 4474601, at *8. 18 The undersigned agrees with the reasoning of Magistrate Judge Seng set forth above. In 19 the instant case, defendant Schultz referred plaintiff to the ICC for a SHU assessment. (See ECF 20 No. 216-4 at 142.) Based on this evidence, the undersigned finds that plaintiff was assessed the 21 18 month SHU term on the basis of defendant Schultz’s finding that plaintiff was guilty of battery 22 on defendant Defazio. The fact that defendant Schultz did not himself assess the SHU term is 23 immaterial. 24 The undersigned now turns to plaintiff’s unopposed claim in his summary judgment 25 motion that his 18 month SHU term created a liberty interest.14 For the reasons stated herein, the 26 14 In his statement of undisputed facts filed in support of the summary judgment motion, plaintiff 27 states that he was assessed a SHU term. However, plaintiff does not address the conditions of the SHU in his statement of undisputed facts. 28 The undersigned finds that plaintiff’s failure to address the conditions of the SHU in his 41 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 42 of 70 1 undersigned finds that plaintiff has demonstrated that his 18 month SHU term created a liberty 2 interest entitling him to procedural due process. 3 In his verified complaint, plaintiff alleges that during his 18 month SHU term, he was 4 subject to the following conditions: 1) confined to an isolated cell for up to 22 hours per day, 5 sometimes longer or shorter, depending on the program schedule; 2) allowed two visits per week, 6 if space was available, while the general population received two visits per week; 3) denied 7 allowable personal property and telephone privileges, while the general population received these 8 privileges; 4) limited commissary and commissary items at a $50 dollar limit, while the general 9 population had a $220 limit; 5) limited receipt of package privileges and package items, and 10 limited to one package per year; the general population received four packages per year; 6) 11 limited participation in educational, rehabilitative and religious programs; these programs at times 12 may not be offered to SHU inmates; 7) restricted movement to mechanical restraints (handcuffs 13 and leg irons) at all times; 8) two hours of exercise every other day inside of a 15 by 10 foot cage; 14 GP inmates receive four hours of exercise daily, on a large yard; 9) inability to carry out a job in 15 the prison system to earn good time credits; and 10) two hours of law library access per week. 16 (ECF No. 1 at 37-38.) 17 Although the level of the hardship must be determined on a case-by-case basis, and “[i]n 18 Sandin’s wake the Courts of Appeals have not reached consistent conclusions for identifying the 19 baseline from which to measure what is atypical and significant in any particular prison system,” 20 Wilkinson v. Austin, 545 U.S. 209, 223 (2005), courts in the Ninth Circuit look to: 21 “whether the conditions of confinement mirrored those imposed upon inmates in analogous discretionary confinement settings;” (2) 22 “the duration and intensity of the conditions of confinement;” and (3) “[w]hether the change in confinement would inevitably affect the 23 duration of the [prisoner’s] sentence.” 24 Chappell v. Mandeville, 706 F.3d 1052, 1064-65 (9th Cir. 2013). 25 statement of undisputed facts does not undermine his summary judgment motion as to this claim 26 because plaintiff’s pleadings (i.e., his complaint and motion for partial summary judgment) and the findings and recommendations addressing defendants’ motion to dismiss made clear the 27 grounds of plaintiff’s alleged liberty interest claim. Moreover, based on defendants’ argument that plaintiff’s allegations regarding the SHU are “immaterial,” defendants can show no prejudice 28 as a result of plaintiff’s failure to address the SHU conditions in his statement of undisputed facts. 42 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 43 of 70 1 “Only if the prisoner alleges facts sufficient to show a protected liberty interest must 2 courts next consider ‘whether the procedures used to deprive that liberty satisfied Due Process.’” 3 Rider v. Sanchez, 2020 WL 6287457, *4 (S.D. Cal. Oct. 27, 2020) (quoting Ramirez v. Galaza , 4 334 F.3d 850, 860 (9th Cir. 2003)). 5 The undersigned has reviewed several cases considering whether lengthy sentences in 6 disciplinary housing invoke liberty interests. See e.g., Williams v. Foote, 2009 WL 1520029 7 (C.D. Cal. May 28, 2009) (no liberty interest based on 701 days in SHU); Bryant v. Cortez, 536 8 F.Supp.2d 1160, 1166-67 (C.D. Cal. 2008) (18-month period of confinement in administrative 9 segregation unit where restrictions on plaintiff’s exercise, shower, hygiene, visitation, telephone, 10 work and education privileges did not create an atypical and significant hardship); but see Buren 11 v. Waddle, 2016 WL 4474601, at *8 (E.D. Cal. Aug. 24, 2016) (finding a reasonable juror could 12 conclude an 18 month confinement in segregated housing unit with loss of privileges, personal 13 property and isolation from family members amounted to an atypical hardship). 14 In a case analogous to the instant action, the Ninth Circuit found that an 18 month term in 15 disciplinary housing created a liberty interest. See Mizzoni v. Nevada, 795 F.3d.Appx. 521 (9th 16 Cir. 2020). The undersigned discusses this case herein. 17 In Mizzoni v. Nevada, 2018 WL 444049 (D. Nev. March 12, 2018), the magistrate judge 18 recommended that defendants’ summary judgment motion be granted on the grounds that plaintiff 19 had not demonstrated a liberty interest based on his 18 month term in disciplinary segregation 20 (“DS”). In Mizzoni, the plaintiff received the 18 month DS term after being found guilty of 21 battery on a correctional officer. 2018 WL 4444059 at *4 (D. Nev. March 12, 2018). 22 The magistrate judge in Mizzoni stated that plaintiff identified the following DS 23 conditions that were different than GP conditions: 1) inmates in GP get clothing and food 24 packages, but DS inmates do not; 2) GP inmates have access to the coffee shop, but DS inmates 25 do not; 3) GP inmates get yard and gym time all day with access to weights and the recreation 26 yard, while DS inmates get one hour a day; 4) GP inmates have access to the church and choir 27 and DS inmates do not; 5) GP inmates have visiting room privileges with contact visits, and the 28 opportunity to get food from family members, while DS inmates have visits behind glass with no 43 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 44 of 70 1 contact, must wear their orange jumpsuits and are shackled with belly chains and leg shackles the 2 entire time; 6) GP inmates get to wear regular prison clothes and have property privileges, while 3 DS inmates have to wear orange jumpsuits and have limited property access; 7) GP inmates can 4 shower every day at any time, while DS inmates can shower every three days when the officer 5 says they can do so; 8) GP inmates have tier time, while DS inmates have none; 9) GP inmates 6 can walk to culinary or work, while DS inmates may not; 10) GP inmates are free of restraints, 7 and DS inmates have their legs and hands cuffed wherever they go; 11) GP inmates have phone 8 privileges any time, but DS inmates can only use the phone once a week; 12) GP inmates have 9 access to hobby craft, and DS inmates do not; 13) GP inmates have access to food and appliances 10 in the prison store, but DS inmates have much more limited access. Id. at *7. 11 The magistrate judge in Mizzoni found that the plaintiff did not describe any DS condition 12 with specificity or show how it exceeded the conditions of the GP so as to raise a genuine dispute 13 of material fact as to whether the conditions were atypical and significant. Id. at *8. The 14 magistrate judge found that “this factor weighs against finding a liberty interest was implicated.” 15 Id. The magistrate judge found that the duration of the plaintiff’s DS term, 18 months, weighed 16 in favor of finding a liberty interest. Id. The magistrate judge found that plaintiff did not show 17 that the length of his sentence was affected by his disciplinary conviction and that he had no 18 liberty interest in earning work and good time credits while in DS. Id. at 9. The magistrate judge 19 concluded that, “[o]n balance, the factors discussed above weigh against finding that plaintiff 20 faced an atypical and significant hardship in disciplinary segregation.” Id. 21 The district court adopted the magistrate judge’s findings and recommendations and 22 granted defendants’ summary judgment motion. See 2018 WL 3000544. 23 On February 25, 2020, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the district court’s 24 order granting defendants’ summary judgment motion. See Mizzoni v. Nevada, 795 F3d.Appx. 25 521 (9th Cir. 2020). 26 Defendants do not contest that this term of disciplinary segregation entailed conditions of significant isolation. [Footnote 2.] A lengthy, 27 functionally unreviewable term of disciplinary segregation that imposes such conditions is not meaningfully distinguishable from the 28 confinement at issue in Brown v. Oregon Department of Corrections, 44 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 45 of 70 1 751 F.3d 983 (9th Cir. 2014). [Footnote 3.] Such confinement imposes an “atypical and significant hardship on the inmate in 2 relation to the ordinary incidents of prison life” and accordingly entitles the inmate to the protections of procedural due process. See 3 id. at 987-90 (quoting Sandin v. Conner, 515 U.S. 472, 484 (1995)). [Footnote 4.] 4 [Footnote 2: Mizzoni was pro se before the district court, and thus 5 defendants’ concession on this point may not have been clearly reflected in the summary judgment record before the district court.] 6 [Footnote 3: No different conclusion is warranted based on our prior 7 unpublished decision that a different term of disciplinary segregation to which Mizzoni was previously sentenced did not implicate a 8 liberty interest. See Mizzoni v. McDaniel, 601 F. App'x 553 (9th Cir. 2015). In that case, which involved detention at a different facility 9 than this one, see Mizzoni v. Nevada ex rel. Nev. Dep’t of Corr., No. 3:11-cv-00186-LRH-WGC, 2014 WL 4162252, at *2 (D. Nev. Aug. 10 20, 2014), there was no apparent agreement that Mizzoni was detained in conditions of significant isolation 11 [Footnote 4: Because this conclusion is sufficient to warrant 12 reversal, we do not address whether Mizzoni’s disciplinary hearing implicated any further liberty interests. 13 14 795 F.Appx. at 521-22. 15 The undersigned has reviewed the briefing filed in the Ninth Circuit in Mizzoni regarding 16 plaintiff’s appeal. In his opening brief, plaintiff addressed the “significant isolation” he 17 experienced during his 18 month DS term, referred to by the Ninth Circuit. Plaintiff alleged that 18 he was “kept alone in his small and barren cell for 23 hours each day, day after day, for a year and 19 a half.” (Case no. 18-16184, ECF No. 24: 14.) Plaintiff argued, “[t]hat dramatic isolation from 20 prisoners and guards was paired with severe limitations on communicating with the outside 21 world.” (Id.) Plaintiff was allowed to use the phone once per week. (Id.) During visits, plaintiff 22 was restrained with cuffs, shackles and a belly chain, and always separated from his visitor by 23 glass. (Id.) “All that isolation was compounded by a lack of environmental stimulation, through 24 severe limitations on keeping personal property, accessing the prison store, using appliances like 25 televisions and radios and receiving packages of clothing or food.” (Id.) 26 In the instant case, plaintiff’s description of the SHU conditions (compared with the GP 27 conditions) is similar to the DS conditions alleged by the plaintiff in Mizzoni. In the instant case 28 and Mizzoni, both plaintiffs were confined to their cells for lengthy periods of time. Regarding 45 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 46 of 70 1 exercise, the plaintiff in Mizzoni received one hour of yard per day, whereas plaintiff in the 2 instant case received two hours every other day in a 10 by 15 foot cage. In the instant case, 3 plaintiff alleges that he was denied phone privileges, while the inmate in Mizzoni alleged that he 4 was allowed to use the phone once per week. 5 The SHU conditions alleged by plaintiff were different in some respects from the DS 6 conditions alleged in Mizzoni. Plaintiff in the instant case alleged that inmates in the SHU were 7 allowed to receive one package per year, whereas the inmate in Mizzoni alleged that inmates in 8 DS were not allowed to receive packages. The plaintiff in Mizzoni alleged that he was denied 9 contact visits. In the instant case, plaintiff alleges that he received only two visits per week, but 10 he does not allege a denial of contact visits. The plaintiff in Mizzoni also alleged a limitation on 11 personal property in his cell, including television and radios. In the instant case, plaintiff alleges 12 that he was denied “allowable personal property.” 13 The undersigned finds that the undisputed SHU conditions, described by plaintiff in his 14 verified complaint, “entailed conditions of significant isolation,” like the DS conditions alleged in 15 Mizzoni. Although some of the SHU conditions alleged by plaintiff were less restrictive, i.e., he 16 was apparently not denied contact visits, the undersigned finds the SHU conditions entailed 17 significant isolation. Plaintiff was confined to his cell for up to 22 hours per day, allowed to 18 exercise every other day in a 15 by 10 foot cage, denied telephone and personal property 19 privileges, allowed to receive one package per year and permitted two visits per week. “Such 20 confinement imposes an “atypical and significant hardship on the inmate in relation to the 21 ordinary incidents of prison life” and accordingly entitles the inmate to the protections of 22 procedural due process.” Mizzoni, 795 F.3d at 522. 23 Did Defendant Schultz Deny Plaintiff’s Right to Call Witnesses in Violation of Due 24 Process? 25 Plaintiff’s undisputed facts nos. 6-7 directly address plaintiff’s claim that defendant 26 Schultz denied his request to present witnesses at his disciplinary hearing. (ECF No. 217-1 at 3- 27 4.) 28 //// 46 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 47 of 70 1 In undisputed fact no. 6, plaintiff alleges that defendant Schultz denied his request for 2 witnesses at the disciplinary hearing. (Id. at 3.) In support of this claim, plaintiff cites exhibits 3 RR-2, EE and his verified complaint. (Id.) In the verified complaint, plaintiff alleges that he told 4 defendant Schultz, “I have eye-witnesses who saw the whole incident and I would like them to 5 make a statement.” (ECF No. 1 at 34-35.) Plaintiff alleges that defendant Schultz denied this 6 request, stating, “this R.V.R is what I have to go off of.” (Id.) 7 Plaintiff’s exhibit EE is plaintiff’s declaration containing his allegations that defendant 8 Schultz denied his request for witnesses because, “This R.V.R. is what I have to go off of.” (ECF 9 No. 200 at 85.) 10 Plaintiff’s Exhibit RR-2 is a page from the Rules Violation Report prepared by defendant 11 Schultz stating, in relevant part, “Inmate Owens requested no witnesses at the time of the 12 disciplinary hearing.” (Id. at 262.) In the title page for exhibit RR-2, plaintiff cites his exhibit 13 QQ-3 as evidence that he requested witnesses at his evidentiary hearing. (Id. at 261.) Plaintiff’s 14 exhibit QQ-3 is a document prepared by Officer Demps stating that plaintiff requested six inmate 15 witnesses at his disciplinary hearing. (Id. at 252.) 16 Defendants object to plaintiff’s undisputed fact no. 6 on the grounds that it presumes facts 17 that have not been established as true, misstates the evidence, and does not meet plaintiff’s burden 18 of establishing an undisputed fact. (ECF No. 217-3 at 3.) Defendants cite no evidence in support 19 of their objections. (Id.) 20 In undisputed fact no. 7, plaintiff argues that defendant Schultz falsely documented that he 21 did not request any witnesses at the hearing. (Id.) In support of this claim, plaintiff cites his 22 verified complaint and the documents cited in support of undisputed fact no. 6. (Id.) Defendants 23 object to plaintiff’s undisputed fact no. 7 as argumentative, vague as to which hearing plaintiff 24 refers to, misstate the facts, and fails to meet the burden of establishing an undisputed fact. (Id.) 25 Defendants cite no evidence in support of their objections. (Id.) 26 Although defendants cite no evidence in opposition to plaintiff’s undisputed facts nos. 6 27 and 7, the undersigned finds that plaintiff has not met his summary judgment burden of 28 demonstrating that defendant Schultz denied his request for witnesses. See Celotex Corp. v. 47 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 48 of 70 1 Catrett, 477 U.S. at 323. Plaintiff’s evidence demonstrating that he requested witnesses conflicts 2 with his evidence indicating that he did not request witnesses, i.e., the rules violation report 3 prepared by defendant Schultz. While plaintiff claims that defendant Schultz’s statement in the 4 report that plaintiff did not request witnesses is not true, the undersigned cannot make this finding 5 in summary judgment. See Soremuken v. Thrifty Payless, Inc., 509 F.3d 978, 984 (9th Cir. 2007) 6 (in judging evidence at the summary judgment stage, the court does not make credibility 7 determinations or weigh conflicting evidence). For these reasons, plaintiff’s motion for summary 8 judgment as to his claim that defendant Schultz denied his request for witnesses should be denied. 9 Did Defendant Schultz Deny Plaintiff’s Request to Present Documentary Evidence in 10 Violation of Due Process? 11 In defendants’ points and authorities filed in opposition to plaintiff’s summary judgment 12 motion, defendants fail to recognize plaintiff’s constitutional right to present documentary 13 evidence at his disciplinary hearing. (See ECF No. 217 at 5-7.) However, defendants’ response 14 to plaintiff’s undisputed facts addresses plaintiff’s undisputed facts regarding defendant Schultz’s 15 alleged denial of his request to present documentary evidence, i.e., plaintiff’s undisputed facts 16 nos. 8 and 9. (ECF No. 217-1 at 4.) The undersigned herein addresses plaintiff’s undisputed 17 facts nos. 8 and 9 and defendants’ responses. 18 Plaintiff’s undisputed fact no. 8 states that the record shows that defendant Schultz did not 19 provide an adequate reason for depriving plaintiff’s request for documentary evidence. (Id.) 20 Plaintiff cites his verified complaint at pp. 29-30 and Exhibits RR-2 and BBB in support of this 21 undisputed fact. (Id.) 22 At pages 29-30 of his verified complaint, plaintiff alleges that defendant Schultz failed to 23 provide any reason for denying his request for witnesses. (ECF No. 1 at 38-40.) However, as 24 discussed above, in the verified complaint plaintiff also alleges that when he attempted to produce 25 documentary evidence, defendant Schultz stated, “I am not going to deal with all of that, the 26 office of Internal Affairs can deal with that since they are investigating the assault and battery that 27 happen to you.” (Id. at 35.) Plaintiff’s failure to cite the correct page of his complaint in support 28 of this claim is not material. 48 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 49 of 70 1 As discussed above, plaintiff’s Exhibit RR-2 is a page from the Rules Violation Report 2 prepared by defendant Schultz. (ECF No. 200 at 262.) This document makes no mention of 3 plaintiff’s request to present documentary evidence. (Id.) In the title page for exhibit RR-2, 4 plaintiff cites his exhibit QQ-3 as evidence of his intent to produce documentary evidence at the 5 disciplinary hearing (Id. at 261.) Plaintiff’s exhibit QQ-3 is a document prepared by Officer 6 Demps stating that plaintiff requested the following evidence: medical report CDCR 7219, 7 photos taken on the day of the incident, dental reports and RN reports. (Id. at 252.) 8 Plaintiff’s exhibit BBB contains defendants’ responses to plaintiff’s requests for 9 admissions. (Id. at 355.) Plaintiff does not identify which request for admissions supports his 10 claim that defendant Schultz denied his request to present documentary evidence. However, the 11 responses to plaintiff’s request for admissions contained in exhibit BBB are unverified in that 12 they are signed by defense counsel. (Id. at 364.) Accordingly, defendants’ responses to 13 plaintiff’s requests for admissions are not admissible. See Blevins v. Marin, 2013 WL 718869, at 14 *1 (E.D. Cal. Oct. 11, 2013) (“[A]ll responses to interrogatories and requests for admission must 15 be verified—that is, bear plaintiff’s signature attesting under penalty of perjury that his responses 16 are true and correct—in order to be an admissible form at summary judgment or trial.”). 17 In response to plaintiff’s undisputed fact no. 8, defendants object, “Misstates the evidence. 18 Plaintiff feels to meet his burden of establishing an undisputed fact.” (ECF No. 217-1 at 4.) 19 Defendants’ objection that plaintiff’s undisputed fact no. 8 misstates the evidence is overruled. 20 Plaintiff’s undisputed fact no. 8 does not misstate the evidence. The admissible evidence cited in 21 support of undisputed fact no. 8 demonstrates the alleged undisputed fact, i.e., that defendant 22 Schultz failed to provide an “adequate” reason for refusing plaintiff’s request to present 23 documentary evidence. Plaintiff’s admissible evidence demonstrates that defendant Schultz 24 denied his request to present relevant, documentary evidence at his disciplinary hearing, i.e., the 25 medical report CDCR 7219, photos taken on the day of the incident, dental reports and RN 26 reports, for reasons unrelated to institutional security or correctional goals. 27 Plaintiff’s undisputed fact no. 9 states, “the record shows that Schultz did not even address 28 the plaintiff’s requested documentary evidence in his summary.” (ECF No. 217-1 at 4.) In 49 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 50 of 70 1 support of undisputed fact no. 9, plaintiff cites exhibits RR-2 and EE. (Id.) As discussed above, 2 exhibit RR-2 is a page from the Rules Violation Report prepared by defendant Schultz. (ECF No. 3 200 at 262.) The page from this report does not discuss any request by plaintiff to present 4 documentary evidence. (Id.) 5 Plaintiff’s exhibit EE is plaintiff’s declaration addressing his due process claims against 6 defendant Schultz. (Id. at 83.) In this declaration, plaintiff states (in relevant part), that he 7 (plaintiff) attempted to provide evidence as a defense, including photographs, letters and medical 8 reports. (Id. at 85.) Plaintiff alleges that defendant Schultz told him, “I am not going to deal with 9 all of that. The office of Internal Affairs can deal with that since they are investigating the assault 10 and battery that happen to you…I am finding you guilty.” (Id.) 11 Defendants’ object to plaintiff’s undisputed no. 9 fact as vague as to what documentary 12 evidence plaintiff is referring. (ECF No. 217-1 at 4.) Defendants’ vagueness objection is 13 overruled because plaintiff’s declaration cited in undisputed fact no. 9 describes this documentary 14 evidence. Defendants also object that plaintiff has not met his burden of establishing an 15 undisputed fact in undisputed fact no. 9. (Id.) This objection is overruled. Plaintiff’s claim that 16 defendant Schultz did not address his requested documentary evidence is supported by plaintiff’s 17 declaration, cited in undisputed fact no. 9. 18 Plaintiff’s undisputed evidence demonstrates that defendant Schultz denied his request to 19 present relevant documentary evidence because defendant Schultz did not want to “deal with all 20 of that.” In other words, plaintiff’s undisputed evidence demonstrates that defendant Schultz did 21 not consider institutional safety or correctional goals when denying plaintiff’s request to present 22 relevant documentary evidence. For these reasons, the undersigned finds that defendant Schultz 23 violated plaintiff’s right to due process when he denied plaintiff’s request to present documentary 24 evidence at his disciplinary hearing. Wolff, 418 U.S. at 566. Accordingly, plaintiff’s summary 25 judgment motion as to this claim should be granted. 26 Did Defendant Schultz Violate Plaintiff’s Right to Due Process by Finding Plaintiff Guilty 27 Based on Insufficient Evidence? 28 It is unclear whether plaintiff moves for summary judgment as to his claim against 50 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 51 of 70 1 defendant Schultz alleging insufficient evidence to support his conviction. However, for the 2 reasons discussed above addressing defendants’ summary judgment motion as to this claim, the 3 undersigned finds that plaintiff’s guilty finding was supported by “some” evidence. See Hill, 472 4 U.S. at 455-56. Accordingly, to the extent plaintiff moves for summary judgment as to this claim, 5 plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment should be denied. 6 Defendant Eldridge 7 As discussed above, plaintiff alleges that defendant Eldridge ratified the alleged due 8 process violations committed by defendant Schultz at the disciplinary hearing when she approved 9 the guilty finding. As discussed above, to succeed on this claim, plaintiff would have to 10 demonstrate some involvement by defendant Eldridge in the alleged deprivations before or at the 11 time they occurred, rather than after. For the reasons stated herein, the undersigned finds that 12 plaintiff has not met this burden. 13 In his declaration submitted in support of his motion for summary judgment as to 14 defendant Eldridge, plaintiff alleges that after the disciplinary hearing, defendant Eldridge, “seen 15 that the plaintiff had requested witnesses prior to the hearing to attend the hearing on his behalf, 16 and that those specifically identified witnesses were not allowed to attend.” (ECF No. 200 at 86.) 17 Plaintiff also states in his declaration that defendant Eldridge also saw that “the plaintiff had 18 requested documentary evidence for his defense at the hearing and that the request was not 19 provided or addressed in the disciplinary summary,” yet defendant Eldridge affirmed the guilty 20 finding anyway. (Id.) 21 Plaintiff’s declaration does not demonstrate that defendant Eldridge participated in the 22 alleged violations either before or during the disciplinary hearing. The undersigned also observes 23 that in his declaration, plaintiff does not allege how he knows that defendant Eldridge knew that 24 defendant Schultz denied his request for witnesses and to present documentary evidence when she 25 (defendant Eldridge) approved the rules violation report. The rules violation report states that 26 plaintiff did not request witnesses and does not discuss plaintiff’s request to present documentary 27 evidence. 28 //// 51 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 52 of 70 1 Assuming plaintiff could base defendant Eldridge’s liability on her approval of the rules 2 violation report, plaintiff’s conclusory declaration regarding defendant Eldridge’s alleged 3 knowledge of the denial of his requests for witnesses and to present documentary evidence is 4 insufficient at summary judgment. See Head v. Glacier Nw. Inc., 413 F.3d 1053, 1059 (9th Cir. 5 2005) (noting the “longstanding precedent that conclusory declarations are insufficient to raise a 6 question of material fact”), abrogated on other grounds by Unit. Of Tex. S.W. Med. Ctr. v. 7 Nassar, 133 S.Ct. 2517 (2013). 8 In the opposition, defendants argue that plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment as to 9 defendant Eldridge should be denied on the grounds that plaintiff’s due process rights were not 10 violated. The undersigned recommends that plaintiff’s summary judgment motion as to 11 defendant Eldridge be denied on the alternative grounds that plaintiff has presented no evidence 12 demonstrating that defendant Eldridge took action that caused or contributed to the alleged due 13 process violations at his disciplinary hearing. 14 B. Summary Judgment Motion Addressing Claims Against Defendant Mercado (ECF 15 No. 182) 16 As discussed above, plaintiff alleges that defendant Mercado violated his Eighth 17 Amendment right to adequate medical care when he denied the order from the nurse and Dr. 18 Wedell that he be allowed to bring an ice pack to his cell to apply to his swollen-shut eye.15 In 19 support of his summary judgment motion addressing this claim, plaintiff cites his complaint and 20 medical records (discussed in the section above addressing defendants’ summary judgment 21 motion) showing that the nurse and Dr. Wedell recorded that plaintiff should have an ice pack to 22 apply to his swollen-shut eye, but defendant Mercado denied this request because ice was not 23 allowed on the block. 24 Neither defendants’ points and authorities nor their response to plaintiff’s statement of 25 undisputed facts address plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment as to defendant Mercado. 26 27 15 Plaintiff’s summary judgment motion appears to address other claims against defendant Mercado. However, the only claim proceeding against defendant Mercado at this stage of the 28 proceedings is plaintiff’s Eighth Amendment claim based on the alleged denial of the ice pack. 52 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 53 of 70 1 (ECF Nos. 217, 217-1.) Defendants’ failure to oppose this claim could be deemed a waiver of 2 opposition. However, because defendants addressed the merits of this claim in their summary 3 judgment motion, the undersigned prefers to consider the merits of this claim raised in plaintiff’s 4 motion. Based on the fact that plaintiff filed four separate motions for summary judgment, 5 supported by a large volume of exhibits, it is clear that defendants’ failure to address plaintiff’s 6 motion for summary judgment as to defendant Mercado was inadvertent. See In re Online DVD 7 Rental Antitrust Litigation, 2011 WL 5883772, at *12 (N.D. Cal. Nov. 23, 2011) (despite 8 plaintiff’s failure to oppose claim in summary judgment opposition brief, court exercises 9 discretion to considers merits of claim). 10 As discussed above, in support of their summary judgment motion, defendants submitted 11 evidence suggesting that defendant Mercado denied the request for plaintiff to have an ice pack 12 because of security concerns. As the undersigned previously stated, the record suggests that even 13 with an order signed by both a doctor and a psychiatrist, defendant Mercado would not have 14 permitted plaintiff to have the ice pack in his cell. 15 While the alleged security risk created by plaintiff’s possession of an ice pack in his cell is 16 not well explained, the undersigned finds that defendants have presented sufficient evidence (via 17 their summary judgment motion) to create a material dispute as this contention, i.e., did plaintiff’s 18 possession of an ice pack in his cell create a sufficient security risk? As discussed above, in the 19 endeavor to establish the existence of a factual dispute, the opposing party need not establish a 20 material issue of fact conclusively in its favor. 21 Because defendants have presented sufficient evidence to create a factual dispute as to 22 whether defendant Mercado acted with deliberate indifference when he denied plaintiff the ice 23 pack, plaintiff’s summary judgment motion as to defendant Mercado should be denied. 24 C. Summary Judgment Motion Addressing Claims Against Defendants Okoroike and 25 Martincek (ECF No. 193) 26 1. Defendant Okoroike 27 Plaintiff alleges that defendant Okoroike conspired with the other defendants to cover-up 28 the alleged excessive force by preparing a report minimizing plaintiff’s injuries. In support of his 53 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 54 of 70 1 summary judgment motion as to these claims, plaintiff cites his verified complaint and exhibit B. 2 (ECF No. 193 at 7.) Plaintiff’s exhibit B is a copy of the February 18, 2015 report prepared by 3 defendant Okoroike describing plaintiff’s injuries, discussed above in the section addressing 4 defendants’ summary judgment motion. (ECF No. 200 at 14.) 5 In his statement of undisputed facts, plaintiff argues that days later, he was evaluated by 6 non-biased medical staff who documented additional injuries, which defendant Okoroike failed to 7 document. (ECF No. 193-2 at 4.) In support of this argument, plaintiff cites exhibit L. (Id.) 8 Plaintiff’s exhibit L is the February 21, 2015 report prepared by Nurse Valera, discussed above in 9 the section addressing defendants’ summary judgment motion. (ECF No. 200 at 37.) 10 In the opposition, defendants argue that plaintiff failed to set forth any meaningful and 11 competent facts to suggest that defendants Okoroike and Martincek conspired to falsely document 12 plaintiff’s injuries. (ECF No. 217 at 7.) As discussed above, plaintiff does not allege a 13 conspiracy only between defendants Okoroike and Martincek. Rather, plaintiff alleges that 14 defendants Okoroike and Martincek conspired with the defendants, who allegedly committed the 15 excessive force, to cover-up the excessive force incidents. 16 In their response to plaintiff’s undisputed fact alleging that non-biased staff identified 17 additional injuries, defendants cite defendants’ undisputed fact no. 69. (ECF No. 217-1 at 14.) 18 Defendants’ undisputed fact no. 69 cites medical records at defendants’ exhibit C, pp. 14- 19 15. (ECF No. 216-3 at 10.) These medical records indicate that plaintiff transferred to the 20 California Medical Facility (“CMF”) on February 21, 2015. (ECF No. 216-4 at 223-24.) An 21 entry by Nurse Plasencia states that plaintiff had moderate swelling and bruising on both eyes. 22 (Id. at 223.) 23 The second entry by Dr. Mathis states that plaintiff has injuries on inner thighs that are 24 four days old and facial injuries that are about three days old. (Id. at 224.) This report states that 25 plaintiff has medial periorbital ecchymosis, i.e., dark circles under his eyes. (Id.) The report 26 states that plaintiff has minimal swelling. (Id.) The report states, “Tender over the nasal bridge, 27 but not swollen.” (Id.) The report states, “Bilaterally tender zygomatic prominences,” which 28 apparently means that the area near plaintiff’s cheeks was tender. (Id.) The report notes 54 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 55 of 70 1 plaintiff’s missing teeth. (Id.) The report notes minor bruises on plaintiff’s legs. (Id.) Finally, 2 the report states, “Subacute facial contusions w/o evidence of fracture. No x-ray required. 3 Absent teeth, acute.” (Id.) 4 Having compared defendant Okoroike’s report with the report prepared by Nurse Valera 5 as well as the two February 21, 2015 entries in plaintiff’s medical records following his transfer 6 to CMF, the undersigned finds that defendant Okoroike did not fail to accurately record plaintiff’s 7 injuries to his face. Defendant Okoroike also wrote in her report that plaintiff reported that his 8 injuries were caused by an assault by prison staff. 9 While defendant Okoroike failed to document the injuries to the rest of plaintiff’s body, 10 the undersigned finds that it is not reasonable to infer that defendant Okoroike failed to document 11 these other injuries in an attempt to cover-up the alleged excessive force. For these reasons, 12 plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment as to defendant Okoroike should be denied. 13 2. Defendant Martincek 14 Plaintiff alleges that defendant Martincek conspired with the defendants involved in the 15 excessive force incidents to cover-up these incidents. As discussed in the October 3, 2017 16 findings and recommendations addressing defendants’ motion to dismiss, plaintiff alleges that 17 defendant Martincek added things to the incident report that did not happen and minimized 18 plaintiff’s injuries. (ECF No. 49 at 21.) Plaintiff also alleged that defendant Martincek allowed 19 staff to change their story in an attempt to cover-up the alleged excessive force. (Id.) 20 In the points and authorities filed in support of their opposition, defendants incorrectly 21 argue that “plaintiff now alleges that defendant Martincek conspired with all of the other 22 defendants because he had the other defendants change their reports. This is not alleged in the 23 complaint.” (ECF No. 217 at 2; see also id. at 8.) 24 In the response to plaintiff’s statement of undisputed facts filed in support of his motion 25 for summary judgment as to defendant Martincek, defendants object to plaintiff’s evidence on 26 various grounds. (See ECF No. 217-1 at 16- 23.) 27 Despite defendants’ failure to properly address plaintiff’s claim against defendant 28 Martincek, for the reasons stated herein, the undersigned finds that plaintiff failed to meet his 55 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 56 of 70 1 initial summary judgment burden of demonstrating the absence of a genuine material fact as to his 2 claim that defendant Martincek conspired to cover-up the alleged excessive force. 3 Plaintiff’s Undisputed Fact No. 3516 4 Citing exhibits PP and PP-1, plaintiff argues that the record shows that defendant 5 Martincek conspired to conceal plaintiff’s injuries and the excessive force. (ECF No. 193-2 at 4.) 6 Defendants object to this undisputed fact: “Objection: legal conclusion, plaintiff’s self- 7 serving testimony lacks foundation and personal knowledge. Fed. R. Evid. 602, 701. Summary 8 judgment requires facts not simply unsupported denials or rank speculation…Plaintiff fails to 9 meet his burden of establishing this as an undisputed fact. Disputed. See DSUP No. 56.” (ECF 10 No. 217-1 at 14.) 11 Defendants’ objections have merit. For the reasons stated herein, the undersigned further 12 finds that plaintiff’s exhibits do not demonstrate that defendant Martincek conspired to conceal 13 his injuries and the excessive force. 14 Plaintiff describes his exhibit PP as the crime/incident report prepared by all defendants. 15 (ECF No. 200 at 170.) It appears that plaintiff has organized this report into different exhibits, 16 from PP-1 to PP-34. While each of plaintiff’s PP exhibits contains a cover page describing its 17 relevance, not all of plaintiff’s PP exhibits are relevant to plaintiff’s claims against defendant 18 Martincek. For example, plaintiff describes exhibit PP-33 as a report prepared by defendant 19 Mercado and signed by defendant Blessing. (Id. at 242.) 20 It is not the undersigned’s duty to go through each of plaintiff’s PP exhibits in order to 21 determine which are relevant to his claims against defendant Martincek. Accordingly, the 22 undersigned discusses only the specific PP exhibits identified by plaintiff. 23 Plaintiff’s exhibit PP-1 is page 1 of 8 of a “Crime/Incident Report, Part A-Cover Sheet,” 24 prepared by defendant Martincek on February 18, 2015, regarding the February 18, 2105 incident. 25 (Id. at 172.) This document states that plaintiff was charged with battery on a peace officer 26 27 16 The undersigned refers to these undisputed facts by the number contained in defendants’ response to plaintiff’s statement of undisputed facts. 28 56 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 57 of 70 1 resulting in use of force. (Id.) The document describes the use of force used against plaintiff: “1. 2 PHYSICAL FORCE- # Warning: 0 # Effect: 0 # Chemical: 0; 2) PHYSICAL FORCE-OTHER 3 # Warning: 0 # Effect: 0 # Chemical: 0. Other Description: 4 punches.” (Id.) 4 While exhibit PP-1 does not discuss plaintiff’s injuries, this page of the report does not 5 contain a section for documenting plaintiff’s injuries. Accordingly, the undersigned does not find 6 that plaintiff’s exhibit PP-1 demonstrates that defendant Martincek conspired to conceal 7 plaintiff’s injuries. 8 Exhibit PP-1 states that 4 punches were used against plaintiff, which is not inconsistent 9 with defendant Defazio’s report. Plaintiff’s argument that this exhibit demonstrates that 10 defendant Martincek covered-up the alleged excessive force is speculative and lacks personal 11 knowledge. See Rule 602, Federal Rules of Evidence (witness may testify to a matter only if the 12 evidence is introduced sufficient to support a finding that the witness has personal knowledge of 13 the matter). 14 Undisputed Fact No. 36 15 Citing exhibits PP-1, PP-2 and JJ, plaintiff argues that the record shows that defendant 16 Martincek did not document all of plaintiff’s injuries in an attempt to cover-up the excessive 17 force. (ECF No. 193-2 at 4.) 18 Defendants object to plaintiff’s undisputed fact no. 36: “Objection: Immaterial as this 19 fact is outside the scope of the complaint, is an unsupported legal conclusion, and argumentative. 20 Plaintiff fails to meet his burden of establishing an undisputed fact.” (ECF No. 217-1 at 14.) 21 Defendants’ objection that plaintiff’s undisputed fact no. 36 is outside the scope of the 22 complaint is overruled. 23 As discussed above, exhibit PP-1 does not contain a section for documenting plaintiff’s 24 injuries. For this reason, the undersigned finds that exhibit PP-1 does not establish undisputed 25 fact no. 36. 26 Plaintiff’s exhibit PP-2 is page 2 of 8 of a report titled, “Crime/Incident Report, Part A1, 27 Supplement,” signed by defendant Martincek on February 18, 2015. (ECF No. 200 at 174.) This 28 document contains a “synopsis/summary of incident.” (Id.) The report describes plaintiff’s 57 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 58 of 70 1 injuries by noting the report prepared by defendant Okoroike: “Registered Nurse (RN) A. 2 Okoroike completed a Medical Report of Injury (7219) on OWENS noting he sustained a missing 3 tooth, an abrasion to his lip, a swollen and dislocated left eye, as well [as] a reddened forehead 4 area.” (Id.) 5 But for the fact that defendant Okoroike reported that plaintiff lost two teeth, defendant 6 Martincek’s description of defendant Okoroike’s report is not inaccurate. (See ECF No. 216-4 at 7 92.) The undersigned does not find that defendant Martincek’s description of plaintiff’s injuries 8 in exhibit PP-2, based on defendant Okoroike’s report, demonstrates his attempt to conceal the 9 extent of plaintiff’s injuries. 10 Plaintiff’s exhibit JJ is a declaration by plaintiff. (ECF No. 200 at 101-07.) In this 11 declaration, plaintiff generally argues that defendants provided false information in their reports 12 and minimized his injuries in order to cover-up the incident. (Id.) This declaration contains no 13 specific information in support of plaintiff’s claims against defendant Martincek. (Id.) 14 For the reasons discussed above, the undersigned does not find that plaintiff’s exhibits PP- 15 1, PP-2 and JJ demonstrate that defendant Martincek failed to document plaintiff’s injuries in an 16 attempt to cover-up the alleged excessive force. 17 Plaintiff’s Undisputed Fact no. 3717 18 Citing exhibits PP-8, PP-9, PP-10, PP-13, PP-14, PP-17, PP-18, PP-20 and PP-21, 19 plaintiff argues that these exhibits show that defendant Martincek allowed the other defendants to 20 continuously change the story of their involvement in the incident. (ECF No. 193-2 at 4-5.) 21 Defendants’ object to plaintiff’s undisputed fact no. 37 as immaterial as this fact is outside 22 the scope of the complaint. (ECF No. 217-1 at 15.) Defendants’ objection that plaintiff’s 23 undisputed fact no. 37 is immaterial is overruled. 24 Citing Federal Rules of Evidence 602 and 701, defendants also object that plaintiff’s 25 undisputed fact no. 37 contains plaintiff’s self-serving testimony that lacks foundation and 26 personal knowledge. (Id.) Defendants object that plaintiff fails to meet his burden of establishing 27 17 Plaintiff’s undisputed fact no. 38 is duplicative of undisputed fact no. 37. (See ECF No. 217-1 28 at 15.) 58 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 59 of 70 1 this as an undisputed fact. (Id.) 2 Plaintiff’s exhibit PP-8 contains six questions defendant Martincek submitted to defendant 3 Defazio regarding the incident. (ECF No. 200 at 190.) Plaintiff describes these questions as 4 “leading clarification questions” which allowed defendant DeFazio to further lie and conceal 5 plaintiff’s unlawful beating. (Id. at 189.) Plaintiff focuses primarily on question 1, which asked, 6 “In your report you indicate that while on the ground, inmate Owens was thrashing his body from 7 side to side attempting to further batter staff. During this time did you or any responding staff 8 give verbal orders to Owens to stop his resistive behavior?” (Id. at 190.) 9 Plaintiff’s exhibit PP-9 contains defendant Defazio’s response to the questions identified 10 in exhibit PP-8. (Id. at 192.) In response to question no. 1, defendant Defazio stated, “I gave 11 order to Owens to stop resisting and I recall hearing orders given to Owen to stop resisting as 12 well.” (Id.) Plaintiff argues that defendant Defazio’s initial report does not state that he told 13 plaintiff to stop resisting. Plaintiff argues that in question no. 1, defendant Martincek “coached” 14 defendant DeFazio to state that he ordered plaintiff to stop resisting, in order to justify the use of 15 force. (Id. at 191.) 16 The undersigned finds that defendant Martincek’s question to defendant Defazio 17 regarding whether he, or anyone else, told plaintiff to stop resisting is not persuasive evidence 18 that defendant Martincek attempted to “coach” defendant Defazio in an attempt to cover-up the 19 alleged excessive force. 20 Plaintiff’s exhibit PP-10 is a report prepared by Staggs-Boatright, who plaintiff describes 21 as a psychiatric technician, describing the injuries allegedly suffered by defendant Defazio during 22 the incident. (Id. at 193-94.) The report states that defendant Defazio described the 23 circumstances leading to his injuries as, “Inmate Owens headbutted me in the upper chest area 24 and I have soreness on my left hand from trying to subdue inmate Owens.” (Id. at 194.) The 25 report indicates that defendant Defazio reported pain in his chest. (Id.) It is not clear to the 26 undersigned how exhibit PP-10 demonstrates that defendant Martincek allowed defendant 27 DeFazio to change his story in order to cover-up the alleged excessive force. 28 //// 59 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 60 of 70 1 Plaintiff’s exhibit PP-13 contains two questions from defendant Martincek to defendant 2 Brady regarding the incident. (Id. at 200.) Plaintiff’s exhibit PP-14 contains defendant Brady’s 3 response to these questions. (Id. at 202.) Plaintiff’s exhibit PP-17 contains four questions from 4 defendant Martincek to defendant Lebeck regarding the incident. (Id. at 208.) Plaintiff’s exhibit 5 PP-18 contains defendant Lebeck’s response to these questions. (Id. at 210.) Plaintiff’s exhibit 6 PP-21 contains two questions from defendant Martincek to defendant Burke regarding the 7 incident. (Id. at 217.) Plaintiff’s exhibit PP-20 contains defendant Burke’s response to these 8 questions. (Id. at 215.) 9 Plaintiff argues that exhibits PP-13, PP-14, PP-17, PP-18, PP-20 and PP-21 demonstrate 10 that Martincek allowed defendants Brady, Lebeck and Burke to change their reports to correct 11 faults within their original reports through “guiding questions.” 12 After reviewing these exhibits, it is unclear to the undersigned how the questions asked by 13 defendant Martincek sought to “guide” defendants Brady, Lebeck and Burke in an attempt to 14 cover-up the alleged excessive force. The undersigned does not find that these exhibits are 15 persuasive evidence of defendant Martincek attempting to cover-up the alleged excessive force. 16 Plaintiff’s Undisputed Fact No. 39 17 Citing exhibits PP-1, PP-2 and JJ, plaintiff argues that the record shows that defendant 18 Martincek provided false information in his incident report that he knew was untrue. (ECF No. 19 193-2 at 5.) 20 Defendants object that undisputed fact no. 39 is immaterial as this fact is outside the scope 21 of the complaint. (ECF No. 217-1 at 15.) This objection is overruled. Defendants also object 22 that undisputed fact no. 39 contains plaintiff’s self-serving testimony that lacks foundation and 23 personal knowledge. (Id. at 16.) Defendants argue that plaintiff failed to meet his burden of 24 establishing this as an undisputed fact. (Id.) 25 As discussed above, PP-1 is titled, “Crime/Incident Report, Part A-Cover Sheet.” (ECF 26 No. 200 at 172.) This cover-sheet state that plaintiff committed battery on a peace officer. (Id.) 27 Exhibit PP-2 is titled, “Crime-Incident Report, Part A1-Supplement,” page 2 of 8, prepared by 28 defendant Martincek. (Id. at 174.) This report contains a “synopsis/summary of incident.” (Id.) 60 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 61 of 70 1 This report contains a description of the incident and describes plaintiff’s injuries, as reported by 2 defendant Okoroike. (Id.) 3 The undersigned finds that plaintiff’s claims that exhibits PP-1 and PP-2 demonstrate that 4 defendant Martincek knowingly provided false information is speculative and unsupported. 5 Plaintiff’s exhibit JJ is plaintiff’s declaration. (Id. at 102-07.) Plaintiff’s declaration does 6 not directly address his claims against defendant Martincek. 7 Plaintiff’s Undisputed Fact No. 40 8 Citing exhibits PP-5, PP-11, JJ and BBB, plaintiff argues that defendant Martincek did not 9 have all staff that were mentioned by defendants as being involved in the incident write reports, in 10 violation of prison policy. (ECF No. 193-2 at 5.) 11 Defendants object that undisputed fact no. 40 is immaterial as this fact is outside the scope 12 of the complaint. (ECF No. 217-1 at 16.) This objection is overruled. Defendants also object 13 that undisputed fact no. 40 contains plaintiff’s self-serving testimony that lacks foundation and 14 personal knowledge. (Id.) Defendants argue that plaintiff failed to meet his burden of 15 establishing this as an undisputed fact. (Id.) 16 Plaintiff’s exhibit BBB are defendants’ response to plaintiff’s request for admissions. 17 (ECF No. 200 at 355-64.) In relevant part, plaintiff argues that in these responses, defendants 18 admit that prison policy requires that all staff who either use or observe force used are required to 19 submit a report. (Id.) The undersigned observes that California Code of Regulations title 15, 20 § 3268.1(a)(1) provides that any employee who uses force or observes a staff use of force shall 21 report it to a supervisor as soon as practical and submit the appropriate documentation. 22 Plaintiff’s exhibit PP-5 is a holding cell log dated February 18, 2015 for plaintiff. (ECF 23 No. 200 at 184.) This document states that plaintiff was placed in the holding cell by defendants 24 Drake and Murillo for plaintiff to receive a 7219 medical evaluation. (Id.) This report states, 25 “holding cell searched by: Bettencourt.” (Id.) The document is signed by defendant Blessing. 26 (Id.) Plaintiff argues that exhibit PP-5 shows that defendant Bettencourt was involved in the 27 incident, and that defendant Martincek failed to ask defendant Bettencourt to write a report. (Id. 28 at 183.) 61 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 62 of 70 1 Plaintiff’s exhibit PP-5 indicates that defendant Bettencourt searched the holding cell 2 plaintiff was placed in after the incident. This exhibit does not directly implicate defendant 3 Bettencourt in the alleged excessive force incident, although it suggests defendant Bettencourt 4 may have been in the area where the incidents of excessive force occurred on or around the time 5 they occurred, contrary to the arguments made by defendants in the summary judgment motion. 6 In any event, because this document only shows that defendant Bettencourt searched the holding 7 cell plaintiff waited in for his medical evaluation, the undersigned does not find that this 8 document supports plaintiff’s claim that defendant Martincek knew of defendant Bettencourt’s 9 involvement in the alleged excessive force and failed to order him to prepare a report. 10 Plaintiff’s exhibit PP-11 is page 1 of 2 of a report prepared by defendant Brady titled, 11 “Crime/Incident Report, Part C-Staff Report.” (Id. at 196.) The report describes the 12 crime/incident as, “battery on a peace officer resulting in the use of force (physical).” (Id.) This 13 report lists defendant Bettencourt as being a witness to the incident. (Id.) Plaintiff argues that 14 defendant Martincek failed to require defendant Bettencourt to write a report as required by 15 California Code of Regulations, title 15, § 3268.1 (a)(1). (Id. at 195.) 16 Defendant Brady’s report describes defendant Bettencourt’s involvement in the incident 17 as follows: “The reason for removing Owens from his cell was Owens gassed Officer P. 18 Bettencourt, and follow up search was needed.” (Id.) 19 Although defendant Brady identifies defendant Bettencourt as a witness, defendant 20 Brady’s report does not demonstrate that defendant Bettencourt witnessed the use of force 21 incident. Instead, defendant Brady apparently listed defendant Bettencourt as a witness because 22 plaintiff was accused of gassing defendant Bettencourt. For these reasons, the undersigned does 23 not find that plaintiff’s exhibit P-11 is persuasive evidence of defendant Martincek’s alleged 24 cover-up of the excessive force. 25 Plaintiff’s exhibit JJ is plaintiff’s declaration. (Id. at 102-07.) Plaintiff’s declaration does 26 not directly address his claims against defendant Martincek. 27 //// 28 //// 62 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 63 of 70 1 Plaintiff’s Undisputed Fact No. 41 2 Citing exhibits PP-1, PP-2, PP-3 and PP-4, plaintiff argues that defendant Martincek 3 personally participated in the creation of the false incident report and assisted other defendants in 4 violating plaintiff’s constitutional rights. (ECF No. 193-2 at 5.) 5 Defendants object that undisputed fact no. 41 is immaterial as this fact is outside the scope 6 of the complaint. (ECF No. 217-1 at 17.) This objection is overruled. Defendants also object 7 that undisputed fact no. 40 contains plaintiff’s self-serving testimony that lacks foundation and 8 personal knowledge. (Id.) Defendants argue that plaintiff failed to meet his burden of 9 establishing this as an undisputed fact. (Id.) 10 As discussed above, plaintiff’s exhibit PP-1 is the “Crime/Incident Report, Part A-Cover 11 Sheet,” prepared by defendant Martincek. (Id. at 172.) Plaintiff’s exhibit PP-2 is a page from the 12 “Crime/Incident Report, Part A-1, Supplement,” prepared by defendant Martincek. (Id. at 174.) 13 This document contains a summary of the incident and a description of plaintiff’s injuries, taken 14 from defendant Okoroike’s report. (Id.) 15 Plaintiff’s claim that exhibits PP-1 and PP-2 show that defendant Martincek created false 16 reports is conclusory and unsupported. 17 Plaintiff’s Exhibit PP-3 is a page from the, “Crime/Incident Report, Part B1-Inmate.” (Id. 18 at 176.) It is unclear who prepared this report. This document describes plaintiff’s injuries. (Id.) 19 The description of plaintiff’s injuries in this document is consistent with defendant Okoroike’s 20 report. (Id.) Plaintiff’s claim that this document demonstrates that defendant Martincek created 21 false reports is conclusory and speculative. 22 Finally, plaintiff’s exhibit PP-4 is a page from the, “Crime/Incident Report, Part B2- 23 Staff.” (Id. at 178-82.) This document shows that defendants Martincek, Blessing, Mercado, 24 Burke, Drake, Lebeck, Murillo and Okoroike reported no injuries as a result of the incident. (Id.) 25 The report shows that defendant Defazio reported an injured left hand and pain in the chest area. 26 (Id. at 180.) 27 Plaintiff argues that exhibit PP-4 demonstrates that defendant Martincek knew that 28 plaintiff did not commit the acts alleged by the other defendants because the only “victim” 63 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 64 of 70 1 identified in this document is defendant Defazio. (Id. at 177.) Plaintiff argues that defendant 2 Defazio’s alleged injuries show that defendant Defazio did not suffer an actual injury. (Id.) 3 Plaintiff’s argument that exhibit PP-4 demonstrates that defendant Martincek knew that 4 plaintiff did not commit the acts alleged by the other defendants is conclusory and unsupported. 5 Plaintiff’s Undisputed Fact No. 42 6 Citing exhibit OO, plaintiff argues that the record shows that defendant Martincek knew 7 of prison policy violations and failed to prevent the violations. (ECF No. 193-2 at 6.) Plaintiff’s 8 exhibit OO consists of copies of various sections from the CDCR Operations Manual. (ECF No. 9 200 at 150-69.) These regulations are not direct evidence of defendant Martincek’s alleged 10 failure to follow prison policies in an attempt to cover-up the excessive force. 11 Plaintiff’s Undisputed Fact No. 43 12 Citing exhibits B, L and PP-1, plaintiff argues that the record shows that there are some 13 facts to support the existence of a conspiracy among that defendants and that all defendants 14 conspired to violate plaintiff’s rights. (ECF No. 193-2 at 6.) 15 Defendants object that undisputed fact no. 49 is immaterial as this fact is outside the scope 16 of the complaint. (ECF No. 217-1 at 17.) This objection is overruled. Defendants object that 17 plaintiff’s undisputed fact no. 43 is an unsupported legal conclusion, speculative and 18 argumentative. (Id.) Defendants object that plaintiff’s self-serving testimony lacks foundation 19 and personal knowledge. (Id.) 20 As discussed above, plaintiff’s exhibit PP-1 is the “Crime/Incident Report, Part A-Cover 21 Sheet,” prepared by defendant Martincek. (Id. at 172.) Plaintiff’s exhibit B is the form CDCR 22 7219 prepared by defendant Okoroike describing plaintiff’s injuries (Id. at 14.) Plaintiff’s 23 exhibit L is the February 21, 2015 report prepared by Nurse Valera. (Id. at 37.) 24 Plaintiff’s claim that exhibits PP-1, L and B demonstrate that defendant Martincek 25 conspired to cover-up the alleged excessive force is an unsupported legal conclusion, speculative 26 and not based on personal knowledge. 27 //// 28 //// 64 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 65 of 70 1 Plaintiff’s Undisputed Fact No. 44 2 Citing exhibit JJ, plaintiff argues that the record reflects that there are “several assertions 3 on the record that defendants conspired and acted in concert.” (ECF No. 193-2 at 6.) Defendants 4 object to plaintiff’s undisputed fact no. 44. (ECF No. 217-1 at 18.) 5 Plaintiff’s exhibit JJ is plaintiff’s declaration. (ECF No. 200 at 101-07.) This declaration 6 does not specifically discuss plaintiff’s claims against defendant Martincek. Accordingly, 7 plaintiff’s undisputed fact no. 44 is an unsupported legal conclusion. 8 Plaintiff’s Undisputed Fact no. 45 9 Citing exhibits B, PP-1 and PP-2, plaintiff argues that the record shows that “some overt 10 act was done in furtherance of the defendants’ conspiracy, and that defendants’ actions were 11 obviously intended to deprive plaintiff of his rights.” (ECF No. 193-2 at 6.) 12 Defendants object that undisputed fact no. 45 is immaterial as this fact is outside the scope 13 of the complaint. (ECF No. 217-1 at 18.) This objection is overruled. Defendants also object 14 that undisputed fact no. 45 is an unsupported legal conclusion, speculative and argumentative. 15 (Id.) Defendants also object that plaintiff’s self-serving testimony lacks foundation. (Id.) 16 As discussed above, plaintiff’s exhibit PP-1 is the “Crime/Incident Report, Part A-Cover 17 Sheet,” prepared by defendant Martincek. (ECF No. 200 at 172.) Plaintiff’s exhibit PP-2, the 18 incident summary, states (in relevant part) that defendant Defazio struck plaintiff in the facial 19 area. (Id. at 174.) Plaintiff’s exhibit B is the form CDCR 7219 prepared by defendant Okoroike 20 describing plaintiff’s injuries (Id. at 14.) 21 To the extent plaintiff claims that exhibits PP-1, PP-2 and B demonstrate overt acts by 22 defendant Martincek in furtherance of the alleged conspiracy, this claim is an unsupported legal 23 conclusion and speculative. 24 Plaintiff’s Undisputed Fact No. 46 25 Citing exhibit JJ, plaintiff argues that the record shows that “defendants” deprived him of 26 his rights secured by the Constitution and other laws of the United States. (ECF No. 193-2 at 7.) 27 Defendants object that undisputed fact no. 46 is immaterial because there are no 28 allegations of violations of “other laws of the United States.” (ECF No. 217-1 at 18.) This 65 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 66 of 70 1 objection has merit and is granted. 2 Defendants also object that undisputed fact no. 46 is an unsupported legal conclusion, 3 speculative and argumentative. (Id.) Defendants object that plaintiff’s self-serving testimony 4 lacks foundation and personal knowledge. (Id.) 5 Plaintiff’s exhibit JJ is plaintiff’s declaration. (ECF No. 200 at 101-07.) This declaration 6 does not specifically discuss plaintiff’s claims against defendant Martincek. Accordingly, 7 plaintiff’s undisputed fact no. 46 is an unsupported legal conclusion. 8 Plaintiff’s Undisputed Fact No. 47 9 Citing exhibits L, JJ and PP-2, plaintiff argues that the record reflects that defendants 10 acted with intentions that harm would result from their actions to plaintiff, and without regard to 11 the consequences that would follow their actions. (ECF No. 193-2 at 7.) 12 Defendants object that undisputed fact no. 47 is vague as to which defendants and actions 13 plaintiff is referring. (ECF No. 217-1 at 19.) Defendants further object that undisputed fact no. 14 47 is an unsupported legal conclusion, speculative and argumentative. (Id.) Defendants also 15 object that plaintiff’s self-serving testimony lacks foundation and personal knowledge. (Id.) 16 Plaintiff’s exhibit JJ is plaintiff’s declaration. (ECF No. 200 at 101-07.) This declaration 17 does not specifically discuss plaintiff’s claims against defendant Martincek. Plaintiff’s exhibit L 18 is the February 21, 2015 report prepared by Nurse Valera documenting plaintiff’s injuries. (Id. at 19 37.) Plaintiff’s exhibit PP-2 is the incident summary prepared by defendant Martincek. (Id. at 20 174.) 21 Assuming that undisputed fact no. 47 addresses defendant Martincek, defendants’ 22 objection that undisputed fact no. 47 is vague as to which actions plaintiff refers has merit. 23 Undisputed fact no. 47 is also speculative. 24 Plaintiff’s Undisputed Fact No. 48 25 Citing exhibit JJ, plaintiff argues that the record shows that defendants were “fully aware 26 that their conduct was unlawful and that it could and would cause plaintiff damages. Yet they 27 each disregarded this awareness and instead acted maliciously and sadistically with the hopes of 28 getting away with their crimes.” (ECF No. 193-2 at 7.) 66 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 67 of 70 1 Defendants object that undisputed fact no. 48 is vague as to which defendants and what 2 conduct plaintiff is referring. (ECF. No. 217-1 at 19.) Defendants object that undisputed fact is 3 an unsupported legal conclusion, speculative and argumentative. (Id.) Defendants object that 4 plaintiff’s self-serving testimony lacks foundation and personal knowledge. (Id.) 5 Plaintiff’s exhibit JJ is plaintiff’s declaration. (ECF No. 200 at 101-07.) This declaration 6 does not specifically discuss plaintiff’s claims against defendant Martincek. 7 Assuming that undisputed fact no. 47 addresses defendant Martincek, defendants’ 8 objection that undisputed fact no. 47 is vague as to which actions plaintiff refers has merit. The 9 undersigned also finds that undisputed fact no. 47 is an unsupportive legal conclusion and 10 speculative. 11 Plaintiff’s Undisputed Fact No. 49 12 Citing exhibits ZZ, OO, PP-1 and PP-2, plaintiff argues that the record shows that 13 defendant Martincek did not properly categorize the other defendants’ strikes to plaintiff’s face, 14 head and eyes as lethal target areas. (ECF No. 193-2 at 7.) 15 Defendants object that undisputed fact no. 49 is immaterial as this fact is outside the scope 16 of the complaint. (ECF No. 217-1 at 20.) This objection is overruled. Defendants also object 17 that undisputed fact no. 49 contains plaintiff’s self-serving testimony that lacks foundation and 18 personal knowledge. (Id.) Defendants argue that plaintiff failed to meet his burden of 19 establishing this as an undisputed fact. (Id.) 20 Plaintiff’s exhibit OO consists of copies of various sections from the CDCR Operations 21 Manual. (ECF No. 200 at 150-69.) 22 Plaintiff’s Exhibit PP-1, the Crime/Incident Report Cover Sheet, describes the force used 23 against plaintiff as four punches, although it does not identify where on plaintiff the punches 24 landed. (Id. at 172.) Plaintiff’s exhibit PP-2, the incident summary prepared by defendant 25 Martincek, states (in relevant part) that defendant Defazio struck plaintiff in the facial area. (Id. 26 at 174.) 27 Plaintiff’s exhibit ZZ are 14 pages from the CDCR Department Operations Manual. (Id. 28 at 332-47.) Plaintiff contends that § 51020.19, contained within exhibit ZZ, shows that punches 67 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 68 of 70 1 to the head are considered lethal target areas. (Id. at 330.) The undersigned cannot locate 2 § 51020.19 in plaintiff’s exhibit ZZ. 3 Having reviewed these exhibits, the undersigned cannot determine the relevance of 4 defendant Martincek’s alleged failure to classify defendant Defazio’s strikes to plaintiff’s face as 5 strikes to a lethal area to plaintiff’s claim against defendant Martincek. 6 Plaintiff’s Undisputed Fact No. 53 7 Citing exhibits ZZ, PP-2 and PP-6, plaintiff argues that if “defendant did not actually 8 sustain an injury from his use of force on plaintiff, because he had, defendant Martincek would 9 have been required to complete an ‘Occupational Injury or Illness Form (SCIF-3067)’ which was 10 not completed by him.” (ECF No. 193-2 at 8.) 11 Defendants object to plaintiff’s undisputed fact no. 53 as vague as to which defendant 12 plaintiff is referring, and presumes as true facts that have not been established as true. (ECF No. 13 217-1 at 21.) To the extent plaintiff is referring to the injuries sustained by defendant Defazio, 14 defendants dispute plaintiff’s undisputed fact by citing their the CDCR 7219 form indicating that 15 defendant Defazio sustained injuries to his chest and hand. (Id.) 16 Plaintiff argues that the CDCR Department Operations Manual, contained in exhibit ZZ, 17 contained the requirement for defendant Martincek to prepare an Occupational Injury or Illness 18 form, i.e., SCIF-3067. (ECF No. 200 at 331). The undersigned cannot locate this document . 19 However, a SCIF-3067 appears to be a form required in order to obtain worker’s compensation 20 benefits. 21 The undersigned finds that Martincek’s alleged failure to complete a SCIF-3067 form is 22 not persuasive evidence of his attempt to cover-up the alleged excessive force. 23 Conclusion 24 After considering the undisputed facts and exhibits submitted in support of the undisputed 25 facts, the undersigned finds that plaintiff has not met his initial summary judgment burden of 26 demonstrating the absence of genuine issues of material facts as to his claim that defendant 27 Marticek conspired to cover-up the alleged excessive force. For these reasons, plaintiff’s 28 summary judgment motion as to defendant Martincek should be denied. 68 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 69 of 70 1 D. Plaintiff’s Summary Judgment Motion Addressing Claims Against Defendants 2 DeFazio, Lebeck, Burke, Brady, Blessing, Rashev, Guffee, Matthews, Bettencourt, 3 Martinez, Drake and Murillo (ECF No. 203) 4 In this motion for summary judgment, plaintiff relies largely on the same evidence cited in 5 his opposition to defendants’ motion for summary judgment as to these defendants. (See ECF 6 No. 203.) In opposition, defendants cite evidence submitted in support of their summary 7 judgment motion. (See ECF No. 217-1 at 28-80.) The undersigned has again reviewed the 8 evidence cited by plaintiff and defendants. 9 As discussed above, the undersigned recommends that defendants’ summary judgment 10 motion as to defendants Defazio, Lebeck, Burke, Brady, Blessing, Rashev, Guffee, Matthews, 11 Bettencourt, Martinez, Drake and Murillo be denied based on disputed material facts. For the 12 same reasons in the section above addressing defendants’ summary judgment motion, the 13 undersigned finds that plaintiff is not entitled to summary judgment as to defendants Defazio, 14 Lebeck, Burke, Brady, Blessing, Rashev, Guffee, Matthews, Bettencourt, Martinez, Drake and 15 Murillo. Accordingly, the undersigned recommends that plaintiff’s summary judgment motion as 16 to these defendants be denied. 17 Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY RECOMMENDED that: 18 1. Defendants’ summary judgment motion (ECF No. 216) be granted as to all claims 19 against defendant Okoroike and Eldridge and plaintiff’s claim alleging that defendant 20 Schultz denied him due process by finding him guilty of a rules violation report based 21 on insufficient evidence; defendants’ summary judgment motion should be denied in 22 all other respects; 23 2. Plaintiff’s motion for partial summary judgment as to defendant Schultz (ECF No. 24 181) be granted as to the claim that defendant Schultz violated plaintiff’s right to due 25 process when he denied plaintiff’s request to present documentary evidence at the 26 disciplinary hearing; plaintiff’s motion for partial summary judgment as to defendants 27 Schultz and Eldridge (ECF No. 181) be denied in all other respects; 28 3. Plaintiff’s motions for partial summary judgment (ECF Nos. 182 193, 203) be denied. 69 Case 2:16-cv-02750-JAM-KJN Document 224 Filed 03/03/21 Page 70 of 70 1 These findings and recommendations are submitted to the United States District Judge 2 assigned to the case, pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(l). Within fourteen days 3 after being served with these findings and recommendations, any party may file written 4 objections with the court and serve a copy on all parties. Such a document should be captioned 5 “Objections to Magistrate Judge’s Findings and Recommendations.” Any response to the 6 objections shall be filed and served within fourteen days after service of the objections. The 7 parties are advised that failure to file objections within the specified time may waive the right to 8 appeal the District Court’s order. Martinez v. Ylst, 951 F.2d 1153 (9th Cir. 1991). 9 Dated: March 3, 2021 10 11 Owen2750.sj(2) 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 70