Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_12-cv-00225/USCOURTS-caed-1_12-cv-00225-29/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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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

Plaintiff William Atcherley (“Plaintiff”) is a prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis 

in this civil rights action pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1983. This action is proceeding on Plaintiff’s First 

Amended Complaint, filed on March 14, 2013, for violation of the Eighth Amendment and negligence 

against numerous Defendants.1Pursuant to Court order, discovery was to be completed by September 

29, 2014.

On September 17, 2014, Plaintiff filed numerous motions to compel, including the instant 

motion. The motion originally requested an order to compel CDCR to photograph Plaintiff’s left 

knee, which is the subject of this action, prior to his upcoming knee replacement surgery. 

 

1 On September 10, 2014, the Court granted Plaintiff leave to file a Second Amended Complaint naming Doe Defendants.

WILBUR ATCHERLEY,

 Plaintiff,

v.

CLARK, et al.,

Defendants.

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Case No.: 1:12cv00225 LJO DLB (PC)

ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION TO 

COMPEL CDCR TO PERMIT HIM TO TAKE 

PHOTOGRAPHS OF HIS KNEE

(Document 124)

Case 1:12-cv-00225-LJO-DLB Document 161 Filed 11/12/14 Page 1 of 3
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Defendants opposed the motion on October 8, 2014, and pointed out that the Court had already 

denied this request when it denied Plaintiff’s motion to compel a response to an interrogatory 

requesting a picture. ECF No. 119.

Plaintiff filed a reply on October 8, 2014, and the motion is therefore deemed submitted 

pursuant to Local Rule 230(l).

DISCUSSION

In his reply, Plaintiff alters his request in response to Defendants’ opposition. Plaintiff 

explains that there is a camera in the visiting room that inmates can use, at their own expense, to take 

pictures of themselves and/or their family. Plaintiff states that his wife and daughter are approved to 

visit him at Kern Valley State Prison, and he expects them to visit in the next 90 days.

Plaintiff states that he asked a Correctional Officer if he could use the camera to take pictures, 

and the officer said that he could. Plaintiff asked the officer if he could use the camera to take pictures 

of his knee for litigation purposes, but the officer said that he could not. Plaintiff now seeks an order 

compelling CDCR to permit him to use the camera to take pictures of his left knee, at his own 

expense, when he has access to the camera during an upcoming visit.

Plaintiff believes that there is no reason to prohibit him from using the camera to photograph 

his left knee, other than the fact that prison officials are attempting to “keep [him] from gathering 

evidence to prove [his] case.” ECF No. 145, at 2.

First and foremost, this Court does not have jurisdiction over anyone at CDCR other than 

Defendants, none of whom appear to be in a position to grant Plaintiff’s request. Second, it is not the 

job of this Court, or Defendants, to assist Plaintiff in creating evidence to help him prove his case. 

This is especially true where the requested relief would require the Court to interfere with prison 

policies. 

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Case 1:12-cv-00225-LJO-DLB Document 161 Filed 11/12/14 Page 2 of 3
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Finally, the lack of photographic evidence of Plaintiff’s knee, in its current state, will not

necessarily be detrimental to his case.

Accordingly, Plaintiff’s motion is DENIED.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: November 11, 2014 /s/ Dennis L. Beck 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:12-cv-00225-LJO-DLB Document 161 Filed 11/12/14 Page 3 of 3