Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_02-cv-01296/USCOURTS-caed-2_02-cv-01296-2/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 550
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Civil Rights (U.S. defendant)
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

DONNIE PHILLIPS, )

) 2:02-cv-1296-GEB-JFM-P

Plaintiff, )

) SUPPLEMENT TO PRETRIAL ORDER

v. )

)

CHERYL PLILER, et al., )

)

Defendants. )

)

At the trial confirmation hearing held in this action on

January 13, 2006, the following rulings issued which supplement the

Pretrial Order filed August 26, 2005: 

1. The jury trial in this action will commence at 9:00 a.m.

on April 11, 2006. Trial will adjourn for the evening around 

4:30 p.m. Trial is anticipated to last 2-3 days. 

2. The sole issue preserved for trial is set forth in

plaintiff’s complaint, as follows: whether Defendant Ted Sanchez

“unexpectedly approached plaintiff from behind and maliciously clawed

into the flesh of plaintiff’s left inner back arm area while

Case 2:02-cv-01296-GEB -JFM Document 46 Filed 01/23/06 Page 1 of 6
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simultaneously causing plaintiff to trip over and onto the pavement,

being cuffed, only having his naked knee to break his fall,”(Complaint

at 8), and, if so, whether this constituted excessive force in

violation of the Eighth Amendment. Not later than ten days before the

date set for trial the parties may submit an agreed statement of

plaintiff’s claim or respective proposals for a statement of the claim

to be read to the jury. 

3. The parties agreed that Defendant acted under color of

state law and that this element is eliminated as a trial issue. 

4. The trial will be conducted in two phases: liability

and punitive damages. If the jury finds punitive damages are

recoverable in the liability phase, trial on the amount of punitive

damages will immediately occur. During the first phase of the trial,

the jury will be given a liability instruction on punitive damages

along with the other closing instructions and a verdict form which

will include the question whether punitive damages should be awarded. 

If the answer is yes, the second phase of the trial would then occur

with the presentation of financial condition evidence pertinent to the

amount of punitive damages, following which the parties would present

closing argument on that issue and a second phase jury instruction

would be given to the jury on the issue. The jury would then

deliberate on the issue and fill in a punitive damages verdict form.

5. The judge will ask all voir dire questions. If a party

desires a question asked during voir dire, that party shall

communicate the request to the judge in writing. During voir dire the

judge will ask, “Does a party have additional further input?” If the

answer is “yes,” the Courtroom Deputy will obtain from the answering

party that party’s written question or questions, 

Case 2:02-cv-01296-GEB -JFM Document 46 Filed 01/23/06 Page 2 of 6
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6. As discussed at the trial confirmation hearing,

Plaintiff will appear at trial with leg restraints under his clothing.

7. A jury of eight will be selected by the method explained

at the trial confirmation hearing. 

8. In the first phase of trial, each side’s opening

statement may not exceed 15 minutes; each side’s closing argument may

not exceed 20 minutes. Should there be a second phase, each side’s

opening statements and closing arguments may not exceed 10 minutes. 

9. The attached“Query” documents and “Strike Sheet” will be

used during jury selection.

 10. The parties shall exchange all trial exhibits not later

than February 3, 2006. Defendant shall advise the court in writing

not later than January 27, 2006 if defense counsel has been unable to

resolve issues related to plaintiff’s access to his legal materials.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: January 20, 2006

/s/ Garland E. Burrell, Jr.

GARLAND E. BURRELL, JR.

United States District Judge

Case 2:02-cv-01296-GEB -JFM Document 46 Filed 01/23/06 Page 3 of 6
Query re Excuse Potential Juror

Do you Agree that Juror No. ____ should be excused for the reason stated by the juror or

for any other reason? (Check applicable box below)

Plaintiff Defendant's

Donnie Phillips Attorney 

RESPONSE: 9 9 9 9

 Yes No Yes No 

Case 2:02-cv-01296-GEB -JFM Document 46 Filed 01/23/06 Page 4 of 6
Whether Jurors Present During Exercise of Peremptory Challenges

Can the jury be excused for the amount of time it will take to exercise peremptory

challenges? (Set forth response in box below)

Plaintiff Defendant's 

Donnie Phillips Attorney 

RESPONSE: 9

 Yes No

9 9

 Yes No

9 

How long do you estimate it will take you to exercise peremptory challenges? (Set forth

minutes in box below)

Plaintiff Defendant's 

Donnie Phillips Attorney 

MINUTES: 9 9 

Case 2:02-cv-01296-GEB -JFM Document 46 Filed 01/23/06 Page 5 of 6
STRIKE SHEET

Plaintiff 1 Defendant 1 

 2 2 

 3 3 

Case 2:02-cv-01296-GEB -JFM Document 46 Filed 01/23/06 Page 6 of 6