Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_13-cv-00418/USCOURTS-caed-1_13-cv-00418-13/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Civil Rights Act

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JAIME REYES, JR., Deceased, THROUGH 

HIS SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST 

MIRELLA REYES and JAIME REYES, SR.; 

MILELLA REYES, Individually; and JAIME 

REYES, SR., Individually,

Plaintiffs,

v.

CITY OF FRESNO, a public entity; CITY OF 

FRESNO POLICE CHIEF JERRY DYER, in 

his individual and official capacities, JUAN 

AVILA, and MIGUEL ALVAREZ,

Defendants.

_____________________________________/

Case No. 1:13-cv-00418-LJO-SKO

ORDER FOR SEALED IN-CAMERA 

INTERVIEW OF DR. JANA PRICESHARPS RE: DEFENDANT JUAN 

AVILA'S PSYCHOTHERAPIST-PATIENT 

PRIVILEGE CLAIM

The parties appeared telephonically for a hearing on Plaintiffs' motion for an independent 

medical examination of Defendant Juan Avila pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 35 and 

other pending discovery matters. Julia Sherwin, Esq., appeared on behalf of Plaintiffs; Bruce 

Case 1:13-cv-00418-DAD-SKO Document 97 Filed 08/13/15 Page 1 of 3
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Praet, Esq., appeared on behalf of the City of Fresno, Chief Jerry Dyer, and Miguel Alvarez; 

Kevin Osterberg, Esq., appeared on behalf of Juan Avila.1 

Defendant Avila has raised a claim of privilege with respect to certain psychotherapistpatient communications. Plaintiffs assert that Defendant Avila impliedly waived any privilege 

when he knowingly and voluntarily disclosed these psychotherapist-patient communications to 

third parties in August 2014. 

Given the unique circumstances of the asserted waiver in this case, the inquiry as to 

whether Defendant Avila knowingly and voluntarily waived the privilege is particularly sensitive 

and must remain confidential until further order of the Court. As discussed at the hearing, to 

appropriately balance the respective interests of the parties, this inquiry must be made by the Court 

confidentially, in a sealed and in-camera proceeding with Dr. Price-Sharps. 

As such, Dr. Price-Sharps shall personally appear for an in-camera interview before the 

undersigned at the United States Federal Courthouse, 2500 Tulare Street, 6th Floor, Courtroom 7, 

in Fresno, California. Dr. Price-Sharps is directed to review the following dates and times and 

shall contact this Court's chambers at (559) 499 5790 by no later than August 17, 2015, to 

apprise the Court of her availability as to one of the dates/times:

August 21, 2015 at 3:00 p.m.

September 8, 2015, at 3:00 p.m.

September 10, 2015, at 3:00 p.m.

Dr. Price-Sharps may retain independent counsel for purposes of this in camera interview. 

The interview will seek to ascertain Dr. Price-Sharps' opinion regarding whether Mr. Avila was 

able to knowingly and voluntarily waive the psychotherapist-patient privilege and the bases upon 

which Dr. Price-Sharps relied in arriving at her opinion. Dr. Price-Sharps shall bring to the in 

camera interview a copy of all of her treatment documentation, records, and/or notes as it 

pertains to Juan Avila.

2

 The Court will issue an order informing the parties when this in camera 

interview has been set. When the interview is concluded, the Court will issue a further order 

 

1

In light of the sensitive nature of this proceeding, this hearing and the transcript have been sealed.

2 Dr. Price-Sharps should not provide original treatment documentation, records, or notes, but rather a copy for the 

Court's retention.

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regarding Plaintiffs' opportunity for their own expert to conduct a confidential review and to 

submit an expert opinion on the issue of whether any waiver was voluntarily and knowingly given.

Dr. Price-Sharps is DIRECTED not to communicate with any counsel representing 

Plaintiffs or Defendants in this matter, including but not limited to Ms. Sherwin, Mr. Praet, or Mr. 

Osterberg regarding this in camera interview.

Finally, Mr. Praet is to review the complete internal affairs file as discussed at the hearing, 

and determine what portions will be produced to Plaintiffs. The documentation will be produced 

by no later than August 31, 2015, with any applicable privilege log. All parties' counsel shall set a 

date to meet and confer regarding additional discovery issues, particularly as it relates to 

underlying psychotherapist records made or taken in the course of providing fitness-for-duty 

evaluations of Defendant Avila to the City of Fresno.

Within one (1) day of the filing of this order, Mr. Osterberg shall deliver a copy of this 

order to Dr. Price-Sharps via email as discussed at the hearing.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: August 13, 2015 /s/ Sheila K. Oberto 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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