Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_06-cv-00219/USCOURTS-cand-3_06-cv-00219-12/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 535
Nature of Suit: Habeas Corpus - Death Penalty
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

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Case Nos. C 06 219 JF RS & C 06 926 JF RS

PROTECTIVE ORDER

(DPSAGOK)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

SAN JOSE DIVISION

Michael Angelo MORALES,

 Plaintiff,

 v.

Jeanne S. WOODFORD, Acting Secretary of the

California Department of Corrections and

Rehabilitation; Eddie S. Ylst, Acting Warden of

San Quentin State Prison; and Does 1-50,

 Defendants.

Case Number C 06 219 JF RS

Case Number C 06 926 JF RS

DEATH-PENALTY CASE

PROTECTIVE ORDER

[Docket Nos. 104 & 112]

I

In this action involving a challenge to California’s lethal-injection protocol, Defendants

have applied for a protective order with respect to the names, ranks, job descriptions, and other

identifying information of members of the execution team. Plaintiff opposes the motion in part.

Defendants clearly have legitimate “concerns about the safety of prison personnel” who

conduct executions. California First Amend. Coalition v. Woodford, 299 F.3d 868, 880 (9th Cir.

2002). Accordingly, a protective order in this action is appropriate. However, the Court

concludes that Defendants’ proposed form of order is overly broad.

The issue in the present action is not, as argued by Defendants, “merely . . . the narrow

question of whether the combination of drugs used by California in a lethal injection results in

Case 3:06-cv-00219-RS Document 126 Filed 04/03/06 Page 1 of 3
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Such approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.

2

Such authorization may be sought from and granted by the assigned magistrate judge.

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Case Nos. C 06 219 JF RS & C 06 926 JF RS

PROTECTIVE ORDER

(DPSAGOK)

the infliction of cruel and unusual pain.” Indeed, it is undisputed that the combination of drugs

used by Defendants should not cause such pain if properly administered. However, the Court has

found that the records of recent executions raise substantial questions as to whether the drugs are

in fact being administered properly. See Morales v. Hickman, 438 F.3d 926, 929 (9th Cir. 2006). 

Under these circumstances, Plaintiff must be given a reasonable opportunity, in a manner that

will not jeopardize the safety of prison personnel, to explore possible answers to these substantial

questions, including answers that relate to the background, training, and experience of the

members of the execution team.

II

Accordingly, and good cause therefor appearing, Defendants’ motion is granted in part: 

the Court hereby enters this Protective Order pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(c).

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, the name, address, date and place of birth, Social

Security number, rank, job description (to the extent that it is not directly related to being a

member of the execution team), race, color, religion, ethnicity, sex, age, sexual orientation,

gender, physical description, and any other identifying information of any member of the

execution team that is revealed to Plaintiff’s attorneys in the course of the present litigation and

that is not otherwise publicly available shall be “Protected Information” pursuant to this

Protective Order.

Protected Information is and shall remain confidential: it shall be revealed to and used by

only Plaintiff’s attorneys, one expert (Dr. Mark Heath), and one licensed private investigator

whose background and credentials must be approved by Defendants.1 Plaintiff’s attorneys,

expert, and investigator shall not disclose Protected Information to anyone without first obtaining

express authorization to do so from the Court.2 Plaintiff’s attorneys shall provide copies of this

Protective Order to the expert and the investigator, who shall submit to the Court declarations

under penalty of perjury that they have read this Protective Order and agree to abide by its terms. 

Case 3:06-cv-00219-RS Document 126 Filed 04/03/06 Page 2 of 3
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Case Nos. C 06 219 JF RS & C 06 926 JF RS

PROTECTIVE ORDER

(DPSAGOK)

A violation of this Protective Order by any attorney, the expert, or the investigator may be

punished by the Court as a contempt.

In the event that a party wishes to submit to the Court briefs or other materials that

disclose Protected Information, the party shall do so under seal via e-mail to

g_o_kolombatovich@cand.uscourts.gov. However, copies of such materials shall be e-filed in

the public record with the Protected Information deleted and such deletion noted as made

pursuant to this Protective Order.

This Protective Order shall continue in effect after the conclusion of the present action. 

The parties may request modification of this Protective Order upon entry of final judgment in the

present action.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: April 3, 2006 __________________________________

JEREMY FOGEL

United States District Judge

Case 3:06-cv-00219-RS Document 126 Filed 04/03/06 Page 3 of 3