Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_17-cv-05339/USCOURTS-cand-3_17-cv-05339-2/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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SCOTT LAW FIRM 

1388 SUTTER STREET, SUITE 715

SAN 

FRANCISCO, CA 94109

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STIPULATION AND [PROPOSED] ORDER FOR PLAINTIFFS

TO FILE FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT FOR DAMAGES

John H. Scott, SBN 72578

Lizabeth N. de Vries, SBN 227215

SCOTT LAW FIRM

1388 Sutter Street, Suite 715

San Francisco, California 94109

Tel.: (415) 561-9601; (415) 561-9603 / Fax: (415) 561-9609

E-mails: john@scottlawfirm.net

liza@scottlawfirm.net

Izaak D. Schwaiger, SBN 267888

130 Petaluma Avenue, Suite 1A

Sebastopol, CA 95472

Tel. (707) 595-4414 / Fax: (707) 851-1983

E-mail: izaak@izaakschwaiger.com

Attorneys for the Plaintiffs CHRISTOPHER WROTH

And MARNI WROTH

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

CHRISTOPHER WROTH and MARNI 

WROTH, 

 Plaintiffs,

 v.

CITY OF ROHNERT PARK, DAVID SITTIGWATTSON, SEAN HUOT, and DOES 1-25, 

inclusive.

 Defendants.

Case No. 3:17-cv-05339-JST

STIPULATION AND [PROPOSED] ORDER

FOR PLAINTIFFS TO FILE A FIRST

AMENDED COMPLAINT FOR DAMAGES

Case 3:17-cv-05339-JST Document 38 Filed 06/18/18 Page 1 of 10
SCOTT LAW FIRM 

1388 SUTTER STREET, SUITE 715

SAN 

FRANCISCO, CA 94109

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STIPULATION AND [PROPOSED] ORDER FOR PLAINTIFFS

TO FILE FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT FOR DAMAGES

WHEREAS Plaintiffs Christopher Wroth and Marni Wroth filed a complaint on 

September 14, 2017, Case. No. 3:17-cv-05339-JST, which alleged constitutional violations 

relating to the death of their son, Branch Wroth, while in the custody of the defendants; and

WHEREAS during the course of discovery, Plaintiffs identified Officer Matt Huot, 

Officer Mike Werle, and Sergeant Eric Matzen as integral participants in these constitutional 

violations; 

IT IS HEREBY STIPULATED by and between the parties hereto, through their attorneys 

of record, that Plaintiffs CHRISTOPHER WROTH and MARNI WROTH may file a First

Amended Complaint, attached hereto as Exhibit 1.

Dated: June 14, 2018 SCOTT LAW FIRM

 By: /s/John Houston Scott 

John Houston Scott

Attorneys for Plaintiffs

Dated: June 14, 2018 SCHWAIGER LAW FIRM

 By: /s/Izaak D. Schwaiger 

Izaak D. Schwaiger

Attorneys for Plaintiffs

Dated: June 14, 2018 GEARY SHEA O’DONNELL 

GRATTAN & MITCHEL, P.C.

 By: /s/Raymond J. Fullerton 

Raymond J. Fullerton

Attorneys for Defendants

Case 3:17-cv-05339-JST Document 38 Filed 06/18/18 Page 2 of 10
SCOTT LAW FIRM 

1388 SUTTER STREET, SUITE 715

SAN 

FRANCISCO, CA 94109

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STIPULATION AND [PROPOSED] ORDER FOR PLAINTIFFS

TO FILE FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT FOR DAMAGES

ELECTRONIC CASE FILING ATTESTATION

I, John Houston Scott, am the ECF user whose identification and password are being used 

to file the foregoing documents. Pursuant to Civil Local Rule 5.1(i), I hereby attest that 

concurrence in the filing of these documents has been obtained from each of its signatories. 

Dated: June 14, 2018 SCOTT LAW FIRM

By: /s/John Houston Scott 

John Houston Scott

Attorneys for Plaintiffs

[PROPOSED] ORDER

Pursuant to the stipulation of the parties, and good cause appearing therefore, the Court 

GRANTS plaintiffs CHRISTOPHER WROTH AND MARNI WROTH leave to file a First 

Amended Complaint within ten (10) calendars days of the date of this Order.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: ________________ ___________________________________

THE HONORABLE JON S. TIGAR

June 18, 2018

Case 3:17-cv-05339-JST Document 38 Filed 06/18/18 Page 3 of 10
Exhibit 1

Case 3:17-cv-05339-JST Document 38 Filed 06/18/18 Page 4 of 10
SCOTT LAW FIRM 

1388 SUTTER STREET, SUITE 715

SAN 

FRANCISCO, CA 94109

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FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT FOR DAMAGES

John Houston Scott (SBN 72578)

Lizabeth N. de Vries (SBN 227215)

SCOTT LAW FIRM

1388 Sutter Street, Suite 715

San Francisco, CA 94109

Tel: (415) 561-9601

Fax: (415) 561-9609

john@scottlawfirm.net

liza@scottlawfirm.net

Izaak D. Schwaiger (SBN 267888)

130 Petaluma Avenue, Suite 1A

Sebastopol, CA 95472

Tel. (707) 595-4414

Fax: (707) 851-1983

E-mail: izaak@izaakschwaiger.com

Attorneys for Plaintiffs CHRISTOPHER WROTH

AND MARNI WROTH

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

CHRISTOPHER WROTH and MARNI 

WROTH,

Plaintiffs,

v.

CITY OF ROHNERT PARK, DAVID 

SITTIG-WATTSON, SEAN HUOT, MATT 

HUOT, MIKE WERLE, ERIC MATZEN and 

DOES 1-25,

Defendants.

Case No. 3:17-cv-05399-JST

FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT FOR 

DAMAGES

(42 U.S.C. § 1983)

JURY TRIAL DEMANDED

PLAINTIFFS CHRISTOPHER WROTH and MARNI WROTH complain of Defendants 

and alleges as follows:

JURISDICTION AND VENUE

1. This action arises under 42 U.S.C. §1983. Jurisdiction is conferred by virtue of 28 

U.S.C. §§ 1331 and 1343. 

Case 3:17-cv-05339-JST Document 38 Filed 06/18/18 Page 5 of 10
SCOTT LAW FIRM 

1388 SUTTER STREET, SUITE 715

SAN 

FRANCISCO, CA 94109

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FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT FOR DAMAGES

2. The conduct alleged herein occurred in Sonoma County. Venue of this action lies 

in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.

PARTIES

3. Plaintiffs Christopher Wroth and Marni Wroth reside in Mount Shasta, County of

Siskiyou, California. They are the parents of the deceased, Branch Wroth.

4. Defendant City of Rohnert Park is a public entity situated in the State of California 

and organized under the laws of the State of California.

5. Defendant David Sittig-Wattson is and was a police officer employed by the City 

of Rohnert Park. He acted in the course and scope of his employment, and under color of state 

law, at all times mentioned herein.

6. Defendant Sean Huot is and was a police officer employed by the City of Rohnert 

Park. He acted in the course and scope of his employment, and under color of state law, at all 

times mentioned herein.

7. Defendant Matt Huot is and was a police officer employed by the City of Rohnert 

Park. He acted in the course and scope of his employment, and under color of state law, at all 

times mentioned herein.

8. Defendant Mike Werle is and was a police officer employed by the City of 

Rohnert Park. He acted in the course and scope of his employment, and under color of state law, 

at all times mentioned herein.

9. Defendant Eric Matzen is and was a sergeant employed by the City of Rohnert 

Park. He acted in the course and scope of his employment, and under color of state law, at all 

times mentioned herein.

10. Plaintiffs also do not presently know the true names and capacities of defendants 

DOES 1 through 25, inclusive, and therefore sues them by these fictitious names. Plaintiffs are 

informed and believe that DOES 1 through 25, and each of them, were responsible in some 

manner for the acts or omissions alleged herein. Plaintiffs will seek leave to amend this 

Complaint to add their true names and capacities when they have been ascertained.

Case 3:17-cv-05339-JST Document 38 Filed 06/18/18 Page 6 of 10
SCOTT LAW FIRM 

1388 SUTTER STREET, SUITE 715

SAN 

FRANCISCO, CA 94109

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FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT FOR DAMAGES

11. In doing the acts and/or omissions alleged herein, defendants and each of them 

acted under color of authority and/or under color of state law, and, in concert with each other.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

12. On May 12, 2017, Officer Sittig-Wattson was called to the Budget Inn in the City 

of Rohnert Park to check on the welfare of Branch Wroth, who was reportedly acting strangely. 

Upon contact, Branch Wroth appeared to be and was in need of medical treatment. Officer SittigWattson enquired of Branch what was the matter. Branch responded, “I’m having a meltdown.” 

Branch was in an obvious state of mental and emotional distress, but remained passive and 

cooperative. Instead of providing or obtaining emergency medical care for Branch, Officer SittigWattson elected to perform a warrant check. He discovered an outstanding warrant for Mr. Wroth

and determined to take him into police custody rather than address his obvious medical needs. 

This encounter was recorded by body camera video which is in the possession of the parties.

13. Officer Sean Huot arrived as backup. The officers attempted to handcuff Mr. 

Wroth for the purpose of taking him into custody. A struggle ensued and Officer Sittig-Wattson 

began punching and elbowing Branch repeatedly. Both officers began kneeing Branch in his 

abdomen. Officer Sittig-Wattson then fired his taser into Branch’s back as Mr. Wroth called out, 

“Help me, help me!” The two officers forced Branch to the floor and Officer Sittig-Wattson 

delivered a second application of the taser to his body. In less than a minute Branch was tasered 

seven times.

14. Officer Sean Huot placed handcuffs around one of Branch’s wrists as he lay 

facedown on the ground. About that time Officers Matt Huot, Mike Werle, and Sgt. Matzen 

arrived on scene and handcuffed Branch behind his back. Officer Matt Huot kneeled on top of 

Branch’s shoulders. Officer Wattson called out, “Hit him,” and Officer Werle began beating 

Branch with his service flashlight as Mr. Wroth called out, “Mom! Dad!”

15. Sgt. Matzen forced Branch’s legs into a figure-four pain compliance hold as he lay 

on the floor face down and handcuffed with the weight of the other officers crushing his upper 

Case 3:17-cv-05339-JST Document 38 Filed 06/18/18 Page 7 of 10
SCOTT LAW FIRM 

1388 SUTTER STREET, SUITE 715

SAN 

FRANCISCO, CA 94109

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FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT FOR DAMAGES

body. Branch cried for help as his face was forced straight down into the carpet. He cried out, “I 

can’t breathe!” The five officers continued to suffocate him to death.

16. As a result of said acts and omissions, Branch Wroth died while in the custody and 

under the control of Defendants David Sittig-Wattson, Sean Huot, Matt Huot, Mike Werle, and 

Eric Matzen.

STATEMENT OF DAMAGES

12. As a result of the acts and/or omissions of Defendants, and each of them, 

Plaintiffs suffered the loss of the familial association of their son, including society, comfort, and 

affection, in amounts to be determined according to proof.

13. As a result of the acts and/or omissions of Defendants, and each of them, the 

Plaintiffs suffered the loss of the services and economic support of their son in amounts to be 

determined according to proof.

14. The acts and/or omissions of Defendants David Sittig-Wattson, Sean Huot, Matt 

Huot, Mike Werle, and Eric Matzen were willful, wanton, reckless, malicious, oppressive and/or 

done with a conscious or reckless disregard for the rights of the decedent and the plaintiffs, who 

seek punitive and exemplary damages against these individuals according to proof.

15. Plaintiffs have retained private counsel to represent them in this matter and are

entitled to an award of attorneys’ fees.

FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION

(42 U.S.C. SECTION 1983)

[DEPRIVATION OF FAMILIAL RELATIONSHIP]

16. Plaintiffs hereby re-allege and incorporate by reference as though fully set forth

herein all prior paragraphs of this Complaint.

17. By and through the acts and omissions alleged herein, Defendants David SittigWattson, Sean Huot, Matt Huot, Mike Werle, Eric Matzen, and DOES 1-25, deprived Plaintiffs of 

the familial relationship with their son thereby violating said Plaintiffs’ rights under the First and

Case 3:17-cv-05339-JST Document 38 Filed 06/18/18 Page 8 of 10
SCOTT LAW FIRM 

1388 SUTTER STREET, SUITE 715

SAN 

FRANCISCO, CA 94109

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FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT FOR DAMAGES

Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution. The defendants acted with deliberate 

indifference and/or a purpose to harm Branch Wroth thus causing his death.

WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs pray for relief as hereinafter set forth.

SECOND CAUSE OF ACTION

[42 U.S.C. §1983 – RATIFICATION AGAINST CITY OF ROHNERT PARK]

18. All allegations set forth in this Complaint are hereby incorporated by reference.

19. Brian Masterson, Director of Public Safety, had final policymaking authority for 

the City of Rohnert Park concerning the acts police officers within his chain of command. 

20. Plaintiffs allege on information and belief that Masterson ratified the acts and 

omissions of Defendants David Sittig-Wattson, Sean Huot, Matt Huot, Mike Werle, and Eric 

Matzen. He reviewed and specifically approved their acts and omissions alleged herein and the 

reasons for them.

WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs pray for relief as hereinafter set forth.

PRAYER

1. For compensatory damages according to proof;

2. For general damages according to proof;

3. For an award of punitive and exemplary damages against individual defendants 

according to proof;

4. For costs and attorneys’ fees; and

5. For such other relief as the Court may deem proper.

//

Case 3:17-cv-05339-JST Document 38 Filed 06/18/18 Page 9 of 10
SCOTT LAW FIRM 

1388 SUTTER STREET, SUITE 715

SAN 

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FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT FOR DAMAGES

JURY TRIAL DEMAND

Plaintiffs hereby request a jury trial on all issues so triable.

SCOTT LAW FIRM

Dated: June 14, 2018 /s/ John Houston Scott

John Houston Scott

Attorney for Plaintiff 

SCHWAIGER LAW FIRM

Dated: June 14, 2018 /s/ Izaak David Schwaiger

Izaak David Schwaiger

Attorney for Plaintiff 

Case 3:17-cv-05339-JST Document 38 Filed 06/18/18 Page 10 of 10