John M. Donohue v. Perla Dominguez and Kevin Nakata, in Their Individual Capacities

ACCEPTED
04-15-00068-CV
FOURTH COURT OF APPEALS
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
8/10/2015 1:27:26 PM
KEITH HOTTLE
CLERK
No. 04-15-00068-CV
IN THE TEXAS COURT OF APPEALS FILED IN
4th COURT OF APPEALS
FOURTH COURT OF APPEALS SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
AT SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 8/10/2015 1:27:26 PM
KEITH E. HOTTLE
Clerk
JOHN M. DONOHUE
APPELLANT
VS.
PERLA DOMINGUEZ and KEVIN NAKATA,
In Their Individual Capacities
APPELLEES
Appealed from the 57th Judicial District Court
Bexar County, Texas
APPELLEES’ BRIEF
Mark Kosanovich
State Bar No. 00788754
FITZPATRICK & KOSANOVICH, P.C.
P.O. Box 831121
San Antonio, Texas 78283-1121
mk@fitzkoslaw.com
Phone: (210) 207-7259
Fax: (210) 207-8997
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLEES,
PERLA DOMINGUEZ and KEVIN NAKATA
INDENTITIES OF PARTIES AND COUNSEL
Appellant
John M. Donohue – pro se John M. Donohue
Duncan Unit
1502 South 1st Street
Diboll, Texas 75941
Appellees’ Counsel
Perla Dominguez & Kevin Nakata Mark Kosanovich
Fitzpatrick & Kosanovich, P.C.
P.O. Box 831121
San Antonio, Texas 78283-1121
mk@fitzkoslaw.com
(210) 207-7259 – Telephone
(210) 207-8997 – Facsimile
i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INDENTITIES OF PARTIES AND COUNSEL ...................................................... i
TABLE OF CONTENTS .......................................................................................... ii
TABLE OF AUTHORITIES ................................................................................... iii
STATEMENT OF THE CASE ..................................................................................v
STATEMENT REGARDING ORAL ARGUMENT ............................................. vi
ISSUES PRESENTED............................................................................................ vii
STATEMENT OF FACTS ........................................................................................1
SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT ........................................................................2
ARGUMENT .............................................................................................................2
I. Standard of Review for a Motion to Dismiss ...................................................2
II. Appellant failed to preserve error for review on appeal of Appellant’s
argument that his suit was improperly dismissed by the trial court because he was
not afforded meaningful discovery and because a court reporter was not present
to record Appellant’s verbal testimony provided through a teleconference. ..........3
III. The trial court did not commit error when it dismissed the claims against
Appellees because all of Appellant’s claims were brought under the Texas Tort
Claims Act making the claims subject to dismissal through the election of
remedies provisions of the Texas Tort Claims Act. ................................................4
IV. The trial court did not commit error when it dismissed Appellant’s claims
pursuant to TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE §101.106(f) because Appellees’
conduct when they arrested Appellant was within the general scope of their
employment. ............................................................................................................8
CONCLUSION ........................................................................................................10
PRAYER ..................................................................................................................10
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE .......................................................................12
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE ................................................................................13
ii
TABLE OF AUTHORITIES
Cases
Alexander v. Walker
435 S.W.3d 789 (Tex. 2014) ...................................................................................9
American Transitional Care Ctrs. of Texas, Inc. v. Palacios
46 S.W.3d 873 (Tex. 2001). ....................................................................................2
Burdett v. Doe
2008 WL 5264913 (Tex. App. – Austin Dec. 17, 2008, no pet.) ...........................7
City of Webster v. Myers
360 S.W.3d 51 (Tex. App. Houston [1st Dist.] 2011, pet. denied); ........................7
Franka v. Vasquez
332 S.W.3d 367 (Tex. 2011) ...................................................................................6
Kelemen v. Elliott
260 S.W.3d 518
(Tex. App. Houston – 2008 [1st Dist.], no pet.). .....................................................7
Mission Consolidated Indep. Sch. Dist. v. Garcia
253 S.W.3d 653 (Tex. 2008). ..............................................................................5, 7
Singleton v. Casteel
267 S.W.3d 547 (Tex. App. – Houston [14th Dist.] 2008, pet. denied). .................3
Texas Adjutant General’s Office v. Ngakoue
408 S.W.3d 350 (Tex. 2013) ...................................................................................5
U. Lawrence Boze’ & Assoc. P.C. v. Harris County Appraisal Dist.
368 S.W.3d 17 (Tex. App. – Houston [1st Dist.] 2011, no pet.) .............................4
Statutes
TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE §101.001(5). .............................................................8
TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE §101.021(1)-(2) ........................................................5
TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE §101.106(f)..................................................... passim
iii
Rules
TEXAS RULE APPELATE PROCEDURE 33(a)(1) .........................................................3,4
Treatises
Restatement (Third) of Agency §7.07(2). ..................................................................9
iv
STATEMENT OF THE CASE
Nature of the Case: Appellant filed suit against the San Antonio Police
Department, the San Antonio Chief of Police, Perla
Dominguez, Bexar County EMS and Officer John Doe,
asserting claims for false imprisonment, assault,
aggravated assault, claims under the Texas Penal Code
and claims under the Texas Constitution. The facts
giving rise to Appellant’s suit stemmed from his arrest in
on August 2, 2013.
Trial Court’s
Proceedings and
Disposition: The Honorable Laura Salinas heard Perla Dominguez’s
Motion to Dismiss and Kevin Nakata’s Motion to
Dismiss on January 8, 2015. (CR 138-141, CR 153-158).
On this same day, Judge Salinas granted Appellees’
Motions to Dismiss. (CR 200). Appellant filed a Motion
to Reinstate Perla Dominguez and Kevin Nakata as
Defendants on January 23, 2015. (CR 212-217). The
Honorable Laura Salinas denied Appellant’s Motion to
Reinstate Perla Dominguez and Kevin Nakata as
Defendants on January 30, 2015. (CR 223). On
February 13, 2015, Appellant filed his Notice of
Interlocutory Appeal. (CR 227-237).
Requested Disposition
From This Court: Appellees request that this Court affirm the judgment of
the trial court.
v
STATEMENT REGARDING ORAL ARGUMENT
Appellees do not request oral argument in this matter.
vi
ISSUES PRESENTED
ISSUE NO. 1 RESTATED:
Whether Appellant failed to preserve error for review on appeal his allegations that
he was not afforded meaningful discovery and that a court reporter was not present
to record Appellant’s testimony?
Appellant failed to preserve error for review on appeal of Appellant’s argument
that his suit was improperly dismissed by the trial court because he was not
afforded meaningful discovery and because a court reporter was not present to
record Appellant’s verbal testimony provided through a teleconference.
ISSUE NO. 2 RESTATED:
Did the trial court commit error when it dismissed Appellant’s claims under TEX.
CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE §101.106(f) because Appellant’s claims under the Texas
Penal Code and the Texas Constitution were not claims that fell under the Texas
Tort Claims Act?
The trial court did not commit error when it dismissed the claims against Appellees
because all of Appellant’s claims were brought under the Texas Tort Claims Act
making the claims subject to dismissal through the election of remedies provisions
of the Texas Tort Claims Act.
ISSUE NO. 3 RESTATED:
Did the trial court commit error when it dismissed Appellant’s claims pursuant to
TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE §101.106(f) because Appellees’ conduct when they
arrested Appellant was not within the general scope of their employment?
The trial court did not commit error when it dismissed Appellant’s claims pursuant
to TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE §101.106(f) because Appellees’ conduct when
they arrested Appellant was within the general scope of their employment.
vii
STATEMENT OF FACTS
Appellees, Perla Dominguez and Kevin Nakata are San Antonio Police
Department officers. Appellant, Donohue, who is currently incarcerated, was
arrested by Appellees on August 7, 2013 and transported to University Hospital in
San Antonio.1 (CR 72, 75).2 According to Appellant, prior to his arrest he called
the police department to have a police report taken at his mother’s house regarding
items involved in a divorce. (CR 71-17). Appellant claims that he was supposed
to meet the officers at the house, but his mother called and told him the officers
were already at the residence. (CR 72-73). When Appellant arrived at the house,
Officer Dominguez and another officer (who was later identified as Officer
Nakata) were at the house. (CR 72). Appellant, who refused to get out his truck
once getting to the scene, talked to the officers on his cell phone. (CR 73).
Eventually, Appellant got out of the truck. (CR 74). Once outside the truck,
Appellant claims the officers jumped on him, threw him to the ground, pulled his
arms behind his back and tightened the handcuffs that were put on him. Id.
Appellant claims he was placed in the back of a patrol car. (CR 75). Appellant
1
The facts of this case are drawn from Appellant’s “2nd Amendment to Plaintiff’s Original Claim
for Assault and False Imprisonment” verified on October 7, 2014. (CR 71-77). Appellant filed
motions to “supplement his allegations and claims as to both Appellees on November 24, 2014.
(CR 105-129). On November 24, 2014 – the same date as the “supplemental” filings – the clerk
filed “Petitioner’s Original Complaint and Claims for False Imprisonment and Assault.” (CR
130-137).
2
“CR” denotes Clerk’s Record. The page references after “CR” point to the pagination added by
the Clerk.
1
claims that while his legs were outside of the patrol car, he was kicked by Officer
Nakata. Id. Appellant claims he was transported to the University Hospital
Emergency Room. Id. Appellant filed his suit on August 7, 2014. (CR 1-8).
Appellant filed suit in this case on August 7, 2014. (CR 1-8) Appellees
Dominguez and Nakata filed their motions to dismiss under Texas Civil Practice
and Remedies Code §101.106. (CR 138-141, 153-158) This matter was heard on
January 8, 2015, and the motion was granted by the Honorable Laura Salinas. (CR
200). Appellant filed a Motion to reinstate his claims against these Appellees,
which was denied by Judge Salinas. (CR 212-217, 223). Appellant subsequently
filed this appeal.
SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT
The trial court properly dismissed all of Appellant’s claims for assault, false
imprisonment, claims under the Texas Penal Code and his claims under the Texas
Constitution pursuant to TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE §101.106(f).
ARGUMENT
I. Standard of Review for a Motion to Dismiss
Generally, a trial court’s order for a motion to dismiss is reviewed under an
abuse of discretion standard. American Transitional Care Ctrs. of Texas, Inc. v.
Palacios, 46 S.W.3d 873, 878 (Tex. 2001). However, the proper standard of
review is not necessarily determined by the caption on the motion to which the
2
order relates, rather it is determined by the substance of the issue to reviewed.
Singleton v. Casteel, 267 S.W.3d 547, 550 (Tex. App. – Houston [14th Dist.] 2008,
pet. denied). A motion under §101.106(f) raises an issue of official immunity. Id.
If official immunity applies, the trial court lacks subject matter jurisdiction over the
case. Id. Subject matter jurisdiction is a question of law which an appellate court
reviews de novo. Id.
II. Appellant failed to preserve error for review on appeal of Appellant’s
argument that his suit was improperly dismissed by the trial court
because he was not afforded meaningful discovery and because a court
reporter was not present to record Appellant’s verbal testimony
provided through a teleconference.
Appellant claims that the trial court committed error by dismissing his case
without affording him reasonable discovery and by not having a court reporter
present to record testimony. Appellant’s Brief, p. 3. Appellant contends that
Officer Dominguez was “hostile to discovery” and that Officer Nakata refused to
respond to discovery. Id. Between the hostility and the refusal to respond,
Appellant contends he was denied access to police reports, witness statements and
hospital records necessary to support his claims. Id., p. 4. Appellant contends that
further discovery will prove his claims are true and correct. Id.
Appellant failed to preserve any error regarding discovery or the lack of a
court reporter taking testimony. Under TEX. R. APP. P. 33(a)(1), a party seeking to
preserve error for appellate review must show that the complaint was made to the
3
trial court and the trial court either ruled on the motion or refused to rule on the
motion. TEX. R. APP. P. 33(a)(1); U. Lawrence Boze’ & Assoc. P.C. v. Harris
County Appraisal Dist., 368 S.W.3d 17, 33 (Tex. App. – Houston [1st Dist.] 2011,
no pet.)(to preserve error on a discovery dispute, the appealing party must obtain
a ruling by the trial court on the discovery issue). In this case, Appellant failed to
obtain a ruling from the trial court regarding any discovery dispute or the alleged
failure to have a record made of testimony. Since Appellant failed to preserve
error regarding his claims regarding discovery and the recording of testimony, the
trial court did not commit reversible error.
III. The trial court did not commit error when it dismissed the claims
against Appellees because all of Appellant’s claims were brought under
the Texas Tort Claims Act making the claims subject to dismissal
through the election of remedies provisions of the Texas Tort Claims
Act.
Appellant appears to argue two different reasons that the claims he is
pursuing do not fall under the provisions of the Texas Tort Claims Act (TTCA)
and thus are not subject to dismissal under TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE
§101.106(f). He contends that he is pursuing criminal acts under the Texas Penal
Code and that they do not fall under the TTCA. Appellant’s Brief, p. 5. He also
contends that his “state and constitutional claims are not barred by immunity.” 3
3
Appellant’s “2nd Amendment” pleading does not contain a reference to the Texas Constitution.
However, his supplements as to both Appellees, which he claimed were incorporated into his
4
Id., p. 11. As to his constitutional allegations, Appellant contends that the trial
court erred in not addressing the claims. Id.
The TTCA provides for a limited waiver of immunity for certain torts
against the government. Texas Adjutant General’s Office v. Ngakoue, 408
S.W.3d 350, 354 (Tex. 2013). Generally, a governmental unit can be liable under
the TTCA for the property damage, personal injury or death caused by the
wrongful act or omission or negligence of an employee acting within the scope of
his or her employment for an injury that arises from the operation or use of a
motor-driven vehicle if the employee would be liable under Texas law or for
personal injury or death caused by the use or misuse of tangible personal property.
TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE §101.021(1)-(2). The TTCA contains an
election-of-remedies provision which requires a determination as to whether an
employee acted independently and is thus solely liable, or acted within the general
scope of his or her employment such that the governmental unit is vicariously
liable. Mission Consolidated Indep. Sch. Dist. v. Garcia, 253 S.W.3d 653, 657
(Tex. 2008). The election-of-remedies provision requires a plaintiff to make an
irrevocable election at the time suit is filed between suing the governmental unit
under the TTCA or proceeding against the employee alone. Id. Section 101.106
second amendment reference the Texas Constitution. (CR 108, 119). Assuming these claims are
before the Court, they are subject to dismissal.
5
narrows the issues for trial and reduces delay and duplicative litigation costs. Id.
In relation to the issues in this suit, §101.106(f) provides the following:
If a suit is filed against an employee of a governmental unit based on
conduct within the general scope of that employee’s employment and
if it could have been brought under this chapter against the
governmental unit, the suit is considered to be against the employee in
the employee’s official capacity only. On the employee’s motion, the
suit against the employee shall be dismissed unless the plaintiff files
amended pleadings dismissing the employee and naming the
governmental unit as defendant on or before the 30 th day after the date
the motion is filed.
TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE §101.106(f).
When Appellant filed this suit, he specifically identified the San Antonio
Police Department, the San Antonio Police Chief, Officer Dominguez, Officer
John Doe and Bexar County EMS as defendants in both their individual and
official capacities. (CR 1). Under Texas law, a suit against a government
employee in his official capacity is a suit against his government employer with
one exception: an action alleging that the employee acted ultra vires. Franka v.
Vasquez, 332 S.W.3d 367, 382 (Tex. 2011). Since Appellant sued both Appellees
in their individual and official capacities and he also brought suit against
governmental entities, he made the irrevocable election to file suit against
governmental units and the individual Appellees.
Appellant appears to be arguing that since he is asserting claims under the
Penal Code, his claims are not being brought “under” the TTCA. Appellant’s
6
Brief, p. 5. He contends he is seeking a remedy under the Penal Code. Id. To the
extent Appellant asserts his claims do not fall under the TTCA and are not subject
to §101.106, this argument is incorrect. Because the TTCA is the only, albeit
limited, avenue for common law recovery against the government, all tort theories
alleged against a governmental unit, whether it is sued alone or together with its
employees, are assumed to be under the TTCA for purposes of §101.106. Garcia,
253 S.W.3d at 659. Claims brought under the Penal Code fall under the TTCA if
they seek damages against the governmental unit because the term “under this
chapter” in the TTCA includes claims for which the TTCA does not waive
liability. Kelemen v. Elliott, 260 S.W.3d 518, 523 (Tex. App. Houston – 2008 [1st
Dist.], no pet.). Appellant sought compensatory damages for the Penal Code
violations. (CR 7). Appellant’s “supplemental” pleadings as to both Appellees
stated that he was seeking compensatory damages for, among other things, the
Penal Code. (CR 111, 119). Therefore, the claims fall under the TTCA and they
are subject to dismissal under §101.106(f).
Appellant’s claims under the Texas Constitution also fall under the TTCA.
A claim seeking damages for alleged constitutional violations is brought under the
TTCA for purposes of §101.106. City of Webster v. Myers, 360 S.W.3d 51, 60
(Tex. App. Houston [1st Dist.] 2011, pet. denied); See Burdett v. Doe, 2008 WL
5264913, at *3 (Tex. App. – Austin Dec. 17, 2008, no pet.)(while framed as a
7
constitutional violation, the plaintiff’s suit sought damages against the city and
was considered to be brought under the TTCA for purposes of §101.106). In the
“supplemental” pleadings filed by Appellant as to both Appellees, Appellant
clearly states that he is seeking compensatory damages, amongst other damages
and claims, under the Texas Constitution. (CR 111, 119). As such, Appellant’s
claims under the Texas Constitution were under the TTCA and were subject to the
provisions of §101.106.
Since Appellants’ claims under the Penal Code and the Texas Constitution
were for damages, they fell under the TTCA and the provisions of §101.106.
Therefore, the trial court did commit error in dismissing these claims and the
judgment of the trial court should be affirmed.
IV. The trial court did not commit error when it dismissed Appellant’s
claims pursuant to TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE §101.106(f) because
Appellees’ conduct when they arrested Appellant was within the general
scope of their employment.
Appellant makes two arguments claiming the trial court erred when it
dismissed his suit involving the scope of Appellee’s employment. Appellant’s
Brief, p. 7, 9. Appellant contends that both Appellees acted outside the scope of
their employment. Id., p. 7. He also contends that Appellees cannot satisfy the
first prong of §101.106(f) because they operated outside the scope of their
authority and are not entitled to official immunity. Id., p. 10.
8
The TTCA defines the term “scope of employment” as the “performance for
a governmental unit of the duties of an employee’s office or employment and
includes being in or about the performance of a task lawfully assigned to an
employee by competent authority.” TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE §101.001(5).
The Restatement (Third) of Agency provides additional clarification by defining
the term negatively: “an employee’s act is not within the scope of employment
when it occurs within an independent course of conduct not intended by the
employee to serve any purpose of the employer.” Alexander v. Walker, 435
S.W.3d 789, 792 (Tex. 2014); quoting Restatement (Third) of Agency §7.07(2).
Arresting an individual in the course of employment for a governmental entity is
conduct that falls within the general scope of an officer’s employment. Id., at 792.
In Alexander, the plaintiff brought suit alleging assault, conspiracy, slander, false
arrest, false imprisonment and malicious prosecution against two officers who had
arrested plaintiff on two separate occasions. The court held that the officers’
conduct was within the scope of their employment. Id. The court reasoned that
the plaintiff had failed to allege any independent course of conduct by the officers
not intended to serve any purpose of the law enforcement agency. Id. The court
also reasoned that the claims against the two officers were identical to the tort
claims brought against the governmental unit in another suit. Id.
9
Like the plaintiff in Alexander, Appellant has sued Appellees in this matter
alleging claims for assault and false imprisonment related to his arrest and named
the SAPD as a liable party for the identical torts. Furthermore, Appellant’s
allegations against Appellees are for their actions while they were acting as police
officers for the SAPD. Appellant’s allegations fail to identify any independent
course of conduct by Appellees that was not done for the SAPD. Therefore,
Appellees conduct was done within the scope of their employment and their claims
were subject to dismissal under §101.106(f). As such, the trial court did not
commit error when it dismissed Appellant’s claims. Therefore, the judgment of
the trial court should be affirmed.
CONCLUSION
The trial court properly granted Appellees’ Motions to Dismiss under
§101.106(f) because Appellant made an irrevocable election to sue Appellees and
all the other Defendants in their individual and official capacities. Pursuant to
§101.106(f), the claims against Appellees were properly dismissed because all of
the claims asserted by Appellant were brought under the TTCA and Appellees
actions were within the scope of their employment. Since the trial court did not
commit error, the judgment of the trial court should be affirmed.
PRAYER
10
WHEREFORE, PREMISES CONSIDERED, Appellees Perla Dominguez
and Kevin Nakata, respectfully pray that this Court affirm the trial court’s
judgment dismissing Appellant’s claims and for such other relief to which
Appellees might be entitled at law or in equity.
11
Respectfully submitted,
Mark Kosanovich
Fitzpatrick & Kosanovich, P.C.
P.O. Box 831121
San Antonio, Texas 78283-1121
mk@fitzkoslaw.com
Telephone: 210-207-7259
Telecopier: 210-207-8997
By: /s/ Mark Kosanovich
Mark Kosanovich
State Bar No. 00788754
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE
Pursuant to Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.4(i)(3), undersigned
counsel for Appellees certifies that the number of words in this document,
excluding those properly excluded under Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure
9.4(i)(1), is 2360.
/s/ Mark Kosanovich
Mark Kosanovich
12
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that a true and correct copy of the APPELLEES’ BRIEF was
forwarded via certified U.S. Mail to the following on the 10th day of August, 2015,
to:
John M. Donohue - 1895073
Duncan Unit
1502 South 1st Street
Diboll, Texas 75941
/s/ Mark Kosanovich
Mark Kosanovich
13