Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_06-cv-00900/USCOURTS-caed-1_06-cv-00900-8/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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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

RICHARD BYRD, )

)

)

)

Plaintiff, )

)

vs. )

)

)

ATWATER RESERVE OFFICER )

MICHAEL TEATER, et al., )

)

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Defendants. )

)

)

No. CV-F-06-900 OWW/GSA 

MEMORANDUM DECISION GRANTING

DEFENDANTS MICHAEL TEATER

AND CITY OF ATWATER’S 

MOTION FOR JUDGMENT ON THE

PLEADINGS (Doc. 73) 

Defendants Michael Teater and City of Atwater move for

judgment on the pleadings on three grounds: (1) Plaintiff failed

to timely file his complaint as required by the applicable

statutes of limitations; (2) Plaintiff’s state law claims are

barred by his complete failure to comply with the California

Government Claims Act; and (3) Plaintiff has failed to state a

cognizable federal claim against Defendants Teater or the City of

Atwater on any theory or cause of action.

In responding to this motion for judgment on the pleadings,

Case 1:06-cv-00900-OWW -GSA Document 87 Filed 03/11/08 Page 1 of 3
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Plaintiff, after reciting the standards governing resolution of a

motion for judgment on the pleadings, asserts:

2. The moving defendants are sued for

damages and declaratory relief in the

complaint for the following: (1) Teater, for

false arrest and malicious prosecution, in

violation of Byrd’s rights under federal and

state law; and (2) Atwater for municipal

liability under federal law and for vicarious

liability under state law. All of these

claims are, by implication, subject to

dismissal based on the reasoning of the

Court’s February 21, 2008 Memorandum Decision

and Order. Plaintiff is not seeking

reconsideration of the aspects of that ruling

that pertain to the claims challenged by the

moving defendants and will submit for present

purposes on the pertinent arguments he has

already unsuccessfully made to the Court.

Defendants’ motion was noticed for hearing at 10:00 a.m. on

March 10, 2008. Plaintiff’s counsel, Kevin Little, emailed the

courtroom deputy at 9:22 a.m. on March 3, requesting to appear

telephonically and leaving a telephone number where he could be

reached. At approximately 11:10 a.m., the case was called for

hearing. The telephone number left by Mr. Little did not answer,

the voicemail message stating that he could not answer the phone

at that time and to leave a message. The courtroom deputy

advised that the courtroom of Judge Wanger was calling for the

hearing on this case and requested that Mr. Little call the

courtroom immediately. The courtroom deputy again called Mr.

Little’s number at approximately 11:20 a.m. but again was unable

to reach Mr. Little. 

There being no just reason not to proceed with the hearing

on Defendants’ motion and no reasonable explanation for Mr.

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Little’s failure to appear, the Court addressed the merits of

Defendants’ motion. Based on the findings stated in open court

on March 10, 2008 and adopted herein and Plaintiff’s concession

that dismissal of the claims against Defendants Teater and the

City of Atwater is required pursuant to the February 21, 2008

Memorandum Decision, Defendants’ motion for judgment on the

pleadings is GRANTED.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: March 11, 2008 /s/ Oliver W. Wanger 

668554 UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 1:06-cv-00900-OWW -GSA Document 87 Filed 03/11/08 Page 3 of 3