Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_00-cv-06331/USCOURTS-caed-1_00-cv-06331-39/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

SCOTT E. STEARNS,

Plaintiff,

v.

P. FLORES, 

Defendant.

 /

1:00-CV-06331-DLB-P

ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION

TO ADD WITNESSES

ORDER RE PLAINTIFF’S MOTION TO

RESERVE RIGHT TO CROSS EXAMINE

WITNESSES AT TRIAL

(Doc. 485)

Scott E. Stearns (“plaintiff”) is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis in

this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Pursuant to Title 28 U.S.C. § 636(c)(1), the

parties have consented to the jurisdiction of the United States Magistrate Judge. Trial in this

action is scheduled to begin on September 11, 2007. On August 10, 2007, plaintiff filed a

motion to add three incarcerated witnesses to his witness list for trial, inmates Robert Stabler,

Vernon Hare, and Jeff Brown.

Plaintiff’s motion shall be denied as untimely. Plaintiff has had sufficient opportunity

before now to prepare a witness list and decide on the testimony he wishes to introduce at trial. 

Plaintiff’s civil rights action has been pending for nearly seven years, since September 1, 2000,

and during that time trial has been scheduled three times. The court’s Third Scheduling Order of

March 22, 2007, gave plaintiff a deadline of June 21, 2007, to submit his witness list for trial. 

Case 1:00-cv-06331-DLB Document 503 Filed 08/28/07 Page 1 of 2
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On June 4, 2007, plaintiff filed a pretrial statement which included his final witness list. 

Furthermore, plaintiff had ample time to discuss his witness list with the court at the hearing on

August 3, 2007. At the hearing, the court denied plaintiff’s request to transport inmate witnesses

Robert Stabler and Vernon Hare, after discussing with plaintiff the testimony expected from the

witnesses and deciding their testimony was not required. Plaintiff now alleges that he recalls a

conversation between himself and three inmates which occurred in April 1999. In light of this

record and the proximity of trial, plaintiff’s motion shall be denied as untimely.

Plaintiff also filed a motion to reserve the right to cross examine defense witnesses at

trial. Plaintiff already has a right to cross examine witnesses at trial, and he is not required to

request leave of court before exercising this right. Therefore, plaintiff’s motion shall be

disregarded as unnecessary.

In accordance with the above, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Plaintiff’s motion to add witnesses for trial is DENIED as untimely; and

2. Plaintiff’s motion to reserve the right of cross examination is disregarded as

unnecessary.

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

Dated: August 27, 2007 /s/ Dennis L. Beck 

3b142a UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:00-cv-06331-DLB Document 503 Filed 08/28/07 Page 2 of 2