Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_04-cv-00296/USCOURTS-caed-2_04-cv-00296-8/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 110
Nature of Suit: Insurance
Cause of Action: 28:1332 Diversity-Insurance Contract

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

VESTA FIRE INSURANCE CORP., )

) 2:04-cv-0296-GEB-PAN

Plaintiff, )

)

v. ) 

) FINAL PRETRIAL ORDER

INSURANCE VENTURES, INC.; PAUL ) 

MCNEECE ROESSER; ROLAND CLARK )

COLTON; STEPHANIE FRANCIS SMITH; )

CARL FRANK; and LAW OFFICES OF )

COLTON & ROESSER, )

)

Defendants. )

)

)

AND RELATED COUNTER-CLAIM AND )

THIRD-PARTY COMPLAINT )

)

)

On March 10, 2006, the parties were notified that the

final pretrial conference then scheduled for March 13, 2006, was

vacated because this Order would issue. 

I. JURY/NON-JURY

All issues shall be tried to a jury.

II. DISPUTED EVIDENTIARY ISSUES

The parties Joint Pretrial Statement (“JPS”) lists

matters for which the “parties anticipate disputes concerning the

admissibility of evidence . . . .” (JPS at 10.) Some of the

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matters in the “Disputed Evidentiary Issues” section of the JPS are

too vague to disclose the nature of the dispute. Moreover, the

section contains matters that should have been raised during law

and motion. Therefore, the Court will not entertain any motions in

limine from the parties. Instead, the parties shall fully brief

bona fide anticipated evidentiary issues in their respective trial

briefs. L.R. 16-285(a).

III. FACTUAL, LEGAL AND/OR EQUITABLE CONTENTIONS

A. The Final Pretrial Order supersedes the pleadings

and controls the facts and claims which may be presented at trial. 

Any legal theory of relief or affirmative defense asserted in the

pleadings but not preserved for trial in this section of the Final

Pretrial Order cannot be raised during the trial. Therefore, to

preserve an issue for trial, and to be entitled to jury

instructions on that issue, the issue shall be identified and

preserved in this section of the Order. Failure to do so

dismisses, waives or abandons that issue, claim or defense. 

Hotel Emp., et al. Health Tr. v. Elks Lodge 1450, 827 F.2d 1324,

1329 (9th Cir. 1987) (“Issues not preserved in the pretrial order

are eliminated from the action.”).

B. The following issues are preserved for trial provided

jury instructions are submitted as required by section “XI” of this

Order:

Vesta’s Claims

1. Vesta’s first claim alleges IV, Carl Frank,

Roland Colton, Stephanie Smith, and Paul Roesser breached their

fiduciary duties to Vesta as follows:

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a. Carl Frank, Roland Colton, Stephanie

Smith, and Paul Roesser breached their fiduciary duties by failing

to notify Vesta of the following material facts:

(1) That IV was operated and controlled by

Roland Colton (“Colton”), a convicted felon who was prohibited by

federal law from engaging in the business of insurance without the

express written permission of the State insurance regulators;

(2) That Vesta’s premiums were going to be

deposited into a commingled account controlled and directed by

Colton;

(3) That Colton was the subject of a

multi-million dollar bankruptcy at the time he was exercising

control of Vesta’s fiduciary trust account;

(4) That IV was secretly owned and

operated by Colton, his partner, and their family members;

(5) That Colton was a convicted felon who

had previously been held by a court to be the “alter ego” of

another failed insurance company which had defaulted on its

obligations, resulting in judgments against him;

(6) That Colton was a convicted felon who

controlled IV, and routinely served as “corporate counsel” to a

number of Colton-created insurance agencies and companies over

which he exercised complete financial and administrative control;

(7) That the felony for which Colton had

been previously convicted was one of “financial dishonesty” and

related to the filing of a false tax return;

(8) That Vesta’s policyholders’ premium

trust funds were being used to pay outstanding obligations that IV

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owed to Explorer/ICW, the insurer whose program preceded Vesta’s

program; and

(9) That IV was acting in ways contrary

to Vesta’s interests as outlined in sub-section “b” below.

b. IV breached its fiduciary duties to Vesta

by:

(1) Using Vesta’s funds to pay

Explorer/ICW;

(2) Using Vesta’s funds to secure a

letter of credit for the benefit of Explorer/ICW;

(3) Failing to account for Vesta’s

policyholder premium funds;

(4) Failing to disclose to Vesta that it

had commingled Vesta’s premiums and transferred Vesta funds to

Explorer/ICW;

(5) Failing to provide Vesta’s staff with

signature authority on Vesta accounts;

(6) Failing to establish a separate trust

fund account for Vesta’s premiums;

(7) Failing to follow Vesta’s

instructions not to sell homeowner’s policies in contravention of

Vesta’s underwriting guidelines;

(8) Commingling Vesta’s policyholder

premium trust funds with ICW/Explorer premiums; and

(9) Failing to inform Vesta as to how its

policyholder premium trust funds were being utilized.

2. Vesta’s second claim alleges IV breached its

contract with Vesta by:

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a. Commingling the funds of Vesta and

Explorer/ICW; 

b. Failing to secure a security bond; 

c. Improperly paying itself commissions;

d. Selling insurance policies in

contravention of Vesta’s instructions;

e. Failing and refusing to provide Vesta with

a full, complete and accurate accounting of its policyholders’

premiums;

f. Failing and refusing to remit to Vesta in

excess of $2,570,093 in policyholder premiums held in trust for

Vesta’s benefit;

g. Failing and refusing to comply with all

relevant laws regulating the insurance business as required under

Section 3.11 of the Agreement; and

h. Paying Explorer/ICW with Vesta’s funds.

3. Vesta’s third claim alleges IV breached the

implied duty of good faith and fair dealing owed to Vesta by

committing every action identified in sub-section “2” above, and by

refusing to properly account for and remit to Vesta policyholder

premiums held in trust by IV when requested to do so by Vesta.

4. Vesta’s fourth claim alleges that IV, Carl

Frank, Roland Colton, Stephanie Smith, and Paul Roesser violated

their statutory duties codified in California Insurance Code

sections 1733 and 1734 by diverting Vesta’s policyholder premium

funds for their own purpose.

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5. Vesta’s fifth claim alleges that IV, Roland

Colton, Paul Roesser, and the Law Offices of Colton & Roesser

wrongfully converted $2,570,093 of Vesta’s funds.

6. Vesta’s sixth claim alleges Defendants

committed fraud by inducing Vesta to enter into the agreement

without disclosing the following material facts:

a. That IV was operated and controlled by

Colton, a convicted felon who was prohibited by federal law from

engaging in the business of insurance without the express written

permission of the State insurance regulators;

b. That Vesta’s premiums were going to be

deposited into a commingled account controlled and directed by

Colton;

c. That Colton was the subject of a

multi-million dollar bankruptcy at the time he was exercising

control of Vesta’s fiduciary trust account;

d. That IV was secretly owned and operated by

Colton, his partner, and their family members;

e. That Colton was a convicted felon who had

previously been held by a court to be the “alter ego” of another

failed insurance company which had defaulted on its obligations,

resulting in judgments against him; and

f. That Colton was a convicted felon who

controlled IV, and routinely served as “corporate counsel” to a

number of Colton-created insurance agencies and companies over

which he exercised complete financial and administrative control.

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On February 28, 2006, IV filed a motion to amend its 1

counter-claim and third-party complaint. The Rule 16 Scheduling

Order established December 21, 2005, as the last day for hearing

law and motion matters. (Order filed Sept. 29, 2005.) Since IV’s

motion is brought after the law and motion deadline, it is denied

as untimely. However, the Court notes IV’s desire, evinced in its

motion to amend and in the JPS, to only prosecute its claim for

accounting. Therefore, only that claim, as presented in the JPS,

is preserved for trial. 

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7. Vesta’s seventh claim alleges IV agreed in

writing that it was indebted to Vesta in the amount of $2,570,093;

and therefore, IV owes that amount as an account stated.

For the above claims Vesta seeks actual, special, and

punitive damages. Vesta also seeks attorney’s fees and costs,

recovery of fees paid to IV, prejudgment interest, and its costs to

trace improperly diverted funds. Finally, Vesta requests that a

constructive trust be imposed on assets of Defendants which were

purchased or improved with Vesta’s funds.

IV’s Claim1

1. IV’s claim for relief alleges Vesta owes IV

various sums of money under the terms of the Agreement. IV seeks

an accounting of all these funds, and recovery of any amount found

to be owed.

Affirmative Defenses

The defenses asserted in the parties’ Joint Pretrial

Statement have not been preserved because they do not constitute

affirmative defenses. Zivkovic v. Southern Cal. Edison Co., 302

F.3d 1080, 1088 (9th Cir. 2002) (“A defense which demonstrates that

plaintiff has not met [his] burden of proof is not an affirmative

defense. . . . [A] defense which points out a defect in the

plaintiff’s prima facie case is not an affirmative defense.”).

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C. In addition to the matters set forth in Local Rule

16-285, the parties shall brief the following points of law in

their trial briefs: 

1. The elements, standards, and burdens of proof as

to each of party’s causes of action, including citations of

authority in support thereof.

2. The elements, standards, and burdens of proof

as to each of party’s defenses, including citations of authority in

support thereof.

Notwithstanding Local Rule 16-285, trial briefs shall be

filed with the Court no later than April 5, 2006. A joint or

partial joint trial brief is permitted. All legal positions

briefed in the trial brief shall be supported with case and

applicable statutory authority. See Local Rule 16-285. If

separate or partial separate trial briefs are submitted, responding

briefs, if any, shall be filed with the Court no later than five

(5) court days prior to trial. The trial brief(s) must include “a

summary of points of law, including reasonably anticipated disputes

concerning admissibility of evidence, legal arguments, and

citations of authority in support thereof.” Local Rule 16-

285(a)(3).

IV. WITNESSES

A. Vesta expects to call as witnesses, either in person

or by deposition, some or all of the persons listed in Exhibit C of

the parties’ Joint Pretrial Statement.

B. Defendants expect to call as witnesses, either in

person or by deposition, some or all of the persons listed in

Exhibit D of the parties’ Joint Pretrial Statement.

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C. Each party may call a witness designated by the

other.

D. No person, other than those named on these witness

lists, will be permitted to testify unless:

(1) The party offering the witness demonstrates that

the witness is for the purpose of rebutting evidence which could

not reasonably be anticipated at the pretrial conference; or

(2) The witness was discovered after the pretrial

conference and the proffering party makes the showing required in

sub-section "E", below.

E. If a witness is discovered after the pretrial

conference, counsel for the party offering the witness shall

promptly inform the Court and opposing parties of the existence of

the unlisted witness so that the Court may consider at trial

whether the witness shall be permitted to testify. The witness

will be not be permitted to testify unless:

(1) The witness could not reasonably have been

discovered prior to pretrial;

(2) The Court and opposing counsel were promptly

notified upon discovery of the witness;

(3) If time permitted, counsel offered the witness

for deposition; and

(4) If time did not permit, a reasonable summary of

the witness' testimony was provided to opposing counsel.

V. EXHIBITS

A. Vesta intends to offer in evidence the exhibits

described in Exhibit E of the parties’ Joint Pretrial Statement.

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B. Defendants intend to offer in evidence the exhibits

described in Exhibit F of the parties’ Joint Pretrial Statement.

C. No other exhibits will be permitted to be introduced

unless:

(1) The party seeking to use the unlisted exhibit

demonstrates that the exhibit is being used to rebut evidence which

could not reasonably have been anticipated at the pretrial

conference; or

(2) The unlisted exhibit was discovered after the

pretrial conference and the offering party makes the showing

required in sub-section "D", below.

D. Any party proposing to introduce an exhibit which was

discovered after the pretrial conference shall promptly notify the

Court and opposing counsel of the existence of such exhibit. The

Court will not permit any such exhibit to be introduced unless it

finds:

(1) That the exhibit could not reasonably have been

discovered prior to the pretrial conference;

(2) The Court and counsel were promptly informed of

the exhibit’s existence; and

(3) That the offering party has delivered a copy of

the exhibit to opposing counsel, or, if the exhibit may not be

copied, that the offering counsel has made the exhibit reasonably

available for inspection by opposing counsel. 

E. Vesta’s exhibits shall be numbered and marked with

colored stickers provided by the Court while Defendants’ exhibits

shall be designated by alphabetical letter also marked with colored

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Counsel for the parties are required to meet and confer 2

on whether it is appropriate to submit any documents to the judge

prior to trial. If the parties decide this is appropriate, they

shall reflect their agreement in a stipulation which has attached

thereto whatever documents they agree can be considered by the

judge before trial. The stipulation should be filed and submitted

to the judge’s chambers at the parties’ earliest convenience.

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stickers provided by the Court. To obtain stickers, parties should

contact the Clerk of Court at (916) 930-4000.

Counsel shall produce all exhibits to the Clerk’s Office

on the Friday before the before trial date, no later than 4:00 p.m. 

At that time, the parties shall also furnish the Court with a copy

of each exhibit, unless the exhibit is physically incapable of

being reproduced. Failure to produce exhibits as ordered could

result in waiver of the right to offer those exhibits. Each party

submitting exhibits shall furnish a list to the Court, the

courtroom deputy and opposing counsel itemizing the exhibits.

VI. FURTHER PREPARATION FOR USE OF DISCOVERY DOCUMENTS2

A. It is the duty of counsel to ensure that any

depositions which are to be used at trial for any purpose shall

have been filed with the clerk, and counsel are cautioned that a

failure to discharge this duty may result in preclusion of the use

of the unfiled depositions or in the imposition of such other

sanctions as the Court deems appropriate.

B. No later than twenty (20) court days before the trial

commencement date, counsel for each party shall serve on the other

parties a statement designating all answers to interrogatories and

all portions of depositions (except for passages to be used solely

for refreshing recollection, impeachment or rebuttal). No later

than ten (10) court days before the trial commencement date,

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counter-designations of other portions of these discovery documents

may be served. No later than five (5) court days before trial, the

parties shall file and serve any preserved evidentiary objections

to any designated discovery, or said objections are waived.

VII. FURTHER DISCOVERY OR MOTIONS

Pursuant to the Court’s Pretrial Scheduling Order, all

discovery and law and motion was to have been completed prior to

the date of the final pretrial conference. That order is

confirmed. The parties are, of course, free to conduct any

additional discovery they desire pursuant to informal agreement. 

However, any such agreement will not be enforceable in this Court.

VIII. SETTLEMENT NEGOTIATIONS

No settlement conference is scheduled in this matter. 

This does not preclude the parties from asking the assigned

magistrate judge whether he nevertheless will serve as a settlement

judge. 

IX. AGREED STATEMENT

The parties shall submit a short, jointly-prepared

statement concerning the nature of this case that can be read to

the jury at the commencement of trial. The statement shall be

provided to the Court no later than ten (10) court days before the

commencement of trial. If the parties fail to do this, they may be

required to give their respective opening statements before voir

dire. Separate statements shall be submitted if agreement is not

reached.

X. SEPARATE TRIAL OF ISSUES

The trial will be conducted in two phases: liability and

punitive damages. If the jury finds punitive damages are

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recoverable in the liability phase, trial on the amount of punitive

damages will immediately occur. During the first phase of the

trial, the jury will be given a liability instruction on punitive

damages along with the other closing instructions and a verdict

form which will include the question whether punitive damages

should be awarded. If the answer is yes, the second phase of the

trial would then occur with the presentation of financial condition

evidence pertinent to the amount of punitive damages, following

which the parties would present closing argument on that issue and

a second phase jury instruction would be given to the jury on the

issue. The jury would then deliberate on the issue and fill in a

punitive damages verdict form.

XI. JURY INSTRUCTIONS, VOIR DIRE, AND VERDICT FORMS

A. The parties are to prepare jury instructions, in the

manner specified in paragraph B below. Counsel shall tailor all

general instructions to the facts and issues in suit.

B. Counsel are directed to confer and to attempt to

agree upon a joint set of jury instructions. All instructions,

both general and specific, shall be submitted in the exact

numerical order counsel desires them given to the jury and shall be

tailored to the facts and issues in suit.

The joint set of instructions shall be filed with the

court clerk fifteen (15) court days prior to the date of the trial

and shall be identified as the “Jury Instructions Without

Objection.” See L.R. 51-163(b). As to instructions on which there

is dispute, the parties shall adhere to the following procedure: 

1) the party offering the disputed instruction(s) shall submit the

instruction(s) as its package of proposed jury instructions, shall

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submit a brief memorandum in support of the proposed instruction(s)

and shall number the disputed instruction in a manner that shows

where each disputed instruction should be placed in the tendered

agreed upon instructions. The contested instruction(s) and

memorandum in support shall be filed with the joint set of

instructions fifteen (15) court days prior to the date of the

trial; 2) the party opposed to the contested instruction(s) shall

submit a brief memorandum succinctly stating the legal basis of the

objection(s); 3) the memoranda in opposition to the contested

instruction(s) shall be filed ten (10) court days prior to the date

of the trial.

C. All instructions shall be, to the extent possible,

concise, understandable, and neutral statements of law. They shall

be prepared in accordance with Local Rule 51-163. Ninth Circuit

Pattern Instructions are preferred.

D. It is the parties’ responsibility to ensure that

jury instructions are submitted on all issues preserved for trial

in accordance with the schedule set forth above. Pursuant to Local

Rule 51-163, instructions not presented in accordance with this

Order will be refused unless it is shown either (1) that the

necessity for the request arose in the course of trial; the

instructions could not reasonably have been anticipated prior to

trial from the Final Pretrial Order; and the request for such

additional instructions is presented to the Court as promptly as

possible; or (2) that the refusal to give such instructions would

constitute manifest injustice under Rule 16(e). 

Likewise, any objections to proposed instructions not

made in accordance with this Order will be overruled as untimely

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unless it is shown either (1) that the grounds therefor arose in

the course of trial and the intention to make such objections is

communicated to the Court as promptly as possible, or (2) that the

giving of such instructions would constitute plain error.

E. Most of the examination of prospective jurors is

conducted by the Court. The parties are directed to meet and

confer and attempt to agree upon a joint set of proposed voir dire

questions. These questions shall include any voir dire questions

supplied by the Court that the parties believe are necessary. The

joint set of voir dire questions shall be filed with the Court

fifteen (15) court days prior to the date of the trial. Parties

may also submit proposed voir dire questions which are disputed. 

Disputed voir dire questions shall be filed with the Court fifteen

(15) court days prior to the date of the trial and shall be

accompanied by an explanation as to the need for the question and

supporting case authority when available. The opposing party shall

respond with reasons for the opposition and any supporting case

authority no later than ten (10) court days prior to the date of

trial. Each side is granted fifteen (15) minutes to conduct voir

dire following the Court's examination of prospective jurors.

F. The parties shall file a joint verdict form

concurrently with proposed jury instructions fifteen (15) court

days prior to the commencement of trial. See L.R. 51-163(e). A

special verdict or interrogatories shall be included for all

factual disputes submitted to the jury that must be resolved before

questions of law can be decided, and for any other issue on which

specific responses are desired. The verdict form shall be prepared

in accordance with Local Rule 51-163(e). At the same time, where

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As explained in United States v. Blouin, 666 F.2d 796, 3

798 (2d Cir. 1981), "the goal of the 'struck jury' system is to

whittle down an initially selected group . . . [to the amount of

jurors] who will serve as the petit jury." The selected group

consists of the jurors who will hear the case, plus the number of

jurors required to enable the parties to use the combined number of

peremptory challenges allotted to both sides for striking jurors

from the group. Typically extra jurors are included in the select

group in the event the minimum amount of jurors required for the

"struck system" is reduced "for cause" or some other reason.

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disagreements exist, the parties shall explain the disagreement and

submit points and authorities supporting their respective

positions.

At the time of electronically filing the jury

instructions and verdict form, counsel shall also submit a copy of

the sanitized joint jury instructions, the sanitized disputed jury

instructions, and the joint verdict form to the Court by email to

geborders@caed.uscourts.gov in accordance with L.R. 51-163(b)(1).

G. The failure of one or more of the parties to

participate in the preparation of joint jury instructions, proposed

voir dire questions, or verdict form does not excuse the other

parties from their obligation to timely file these documents with

the Court in accordance with this Order. In the event that a party

fails to participate as ordered, the party timely submitting these

documents shall include a declaration explaining why it was unable

to obtain the cooperation of the other party or parties.

XII. USE OF STRUCK JURY SELECTION SYSTEM

Eight (8) jurors will be impaneled. The "struck jury"

system will be used to select the jury. At the beginning of the 3

voir dire process, eighteen prospective jurors, randomly selected

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More could be seated. 4

During the questioning, the attached Query Re Excuse 5

Potential Jurors form could be given to the parties to determine if

a particular juror should be excused. The attached for cause form

will also be used. 

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by the Jury Administrator, will be seated for voir dire. The 4

order of the jurors’ random selection is reflected by the order in

which they will be seated. The first randomly selected juror will

be in jury seat number one, which is at the extreme right-hand side

of the jury box in the top row as the jury box is viewed from the

well of the courtroom. The eighth juror will be in the eighth

seat. The ninth selected juror will occupy the seat located at the

extreme right-hand side of the jury box in the bottom row. The

fifteenth seat will be in the left-hand side of that row. Three

chairs will be placed in front of the jury box. The sixteenth

juror will occupy the seat on the right and the eighteenth juror

will occupy the seat on the left. The first eight (8) jurors on a

list, which shall be given to counsel, will constitute the petit

jury unless one or more of those eight (8) is excused for some

reason. Assuming that the first and fifth jurors on the list are

excused, the second listed juror becomes the first, and the other

jurors’ numbers are changed accordingly, with the ninth juror on

the list becoming seventh on the list; however, the jurors continue

to be identified by their original numbers.

Following the voir dire questioning, each side will

exercise its three allowed peremptory strikes. A copy of the 5

“strike sheet” which will be used is attached to this Order. 

Generally, the potential jurors are given a break for the amount of

time the parties estimate it will take them to exercise peremptory

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For example, assuming Plaintiff elects to strike the 6

juror in seat number 6, that strike will be exercised and then the

strike sheet is give to defense counsel. Assuming defense counsel

then strikes the juror in seat 4, the first line of the strike

sheet will appear as follows:

Plaintiff 1 6 Defendant 1 4 

Defense counsel would then give the strike sheet back to Plaintiff

so she could exercise her second strike.

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strikes. Therefore, before the striking process begins, the

parties are requested to provide an estimate of how long it will

take to exercise their peremptory strikes so the potential jurors

can be allowed to take a break for that amount of time. Peremptory

strikes will be exercised silently, by passing the strike sheet

between the parties, with the Plaintiff going first. To use a

strike, write the seat number of the juror above the line where the

strike is required to be designated. A party who does not use a 6

strike waives any further right to exercise that strike and is

required to reflect this waiver by writing the word “pass” on the

strike sheet where the strike was supposed to have been exercised.

XIII. ATTORNEY’S FEES

The parties are referred to Local Rule 54-293 concerning

the post-trial procedure for seeking an award of attorney’s fees. 

XIV. JURY INSTRUCTION AND VERDICT FORM CONFERENCE

A jury instruction and verdict form conference will be

scheduled if necessary. See Local Rule 51-163(f). The attorney

who will try the case for each party shall attend the conference. 

The purpose of the conferences is to finalize these matters, to the

extent possible, before trial. The possibility of conferences

being scheduled does not relieve the parties from their obligation

to comply with all provisions of this Order.

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The parties are required to meet and confer about the 7

length of the trial and to file a document no later than twenty

(20) court days before trial in which the length of trial is

estimated.

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XV. TRIAL DATE

Trial to a jury is set for April 25, 2006. A trial day 7

will commence at 9:00 a.m. and will adjourn at approximately 4:30

p.m. At the first phase of the trial, each side has twenty (20)

minutes within which to make an opening statement to the jury and

seventy-five (75) minutes within which to make a closing argument. 

If trial proceeds to the second phase, each side has twenty (20)

minutes within which to make a closing argument on the punitive

damage issue. Counsel are to call Shani Furstenau, Courtroom

Deputy, at (916) 930-4114, one week prior to trial to ascertain the

status of the trial date.

XVI. COMMUNICATION WITH JURY

The Court intends to communicate the following to the

jury just before it retires to deliberate:

1. Is the United States Marshal’s representative 

present who will take charge of the jury?

2. Deputy Clerk, please give the oath to the United

States Marshal's representative.

3. The jury may take breaks at will, without advance

permission, under the general supervision of the

United States Marshal's representative.

4. The jury may go to lunch when they desire, without

advance permission, under the general supervision of

the United States Marshal's representative. When

the jury leaves for lunch, the United States

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Marshal's representative shall tell my courtroom

deputy clerk so that I, my staff, the lawyers, and

the parties can be relieved from standby status. 

This allows those on standby status to go to lunch

at the same time the jury has lunch.

5. The jury is authorized to adjourn for the evening

without advance permission, and without having to

return to this courtroom to be excused by me in

front of the parties, but the United States

Marshal's representative shall tell my deputy

courtroom clerk when the jury adjourns so that the

judge, the judge's staff, the lawyers, and the

parties can be relieved from standby status.

6. When deliberations are continued the day after

evening adjournment, jurors are permitted to proceed

directly to the jury deliberation room. But jurors

are to wait until all jurors are present before

resuming deliberations.

7. We desire you to deliberate between the hours of

9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., as necessary. However, you

may deliberate for a shorter or longer period if you

desire, provided all of you are in agreement. 

Otherwise, you should let me know about the

disagreement.

8. If you have a cell phone and/or a device with a

wireless internet connection, you must give it to

the United States Marshal’s representative before

you go into the jury deliberation room so that we

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can be assured that there is no interference with

your deliberations. That representative will return

it when you leave the jury deliberation room.

9. The United States Marshal’s representative will

maintain a post outside the jury deliberation room

to protect the jury from outside influences or

visitors. That representative shall not communicate

with you about the case or the court system because

such conversations could be misconstrued as a

communication that seeks to influence the jury. 

Stay in the jury room until all jurors are ready to

leave for a break or lunch.

10. Please escort all jurors to the deliberation room.

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XVII. OBJECTIONS TO PRETRIAL ORDER

Any party may, within ten (10) court days after the date

this Order is filed, file and serve written objections to any part

of this Order. Any objection must specify the requested

correction, addition, and/or deletion. Any response to an

objection must be filed and served within ten (10) court days after

the objection is filed. A final pretrial order may only be

modified upon a showing of manifest injustice.

FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH ALL PROVISIONS OF THIS ORDER MAY BE

GROUNDS FOR THE IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS ON ANY AND ALL COUNSEL AS

WELL AS ANY PARTY OR PARTIES WHO CAUSE NON-COMPLIANCE WITH THIS

ORDER.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: March 10, 2006

/s/ Garland E. Burrell, Jr.

GARLAND E. BURRELL, JR.

United States District Judge

Case 2:04-cv-00296-GEB-EFB Document 218 Filed 03/10/06 Page 22 of 27
STRIKE SHEET

Plaintiff 1 Defendants 1 

 2 2 

 3 3 

 

Case 2:04-cv-00296-GEB-EFB Document 218 Filed 03/10/06 Page 23 of 27
Query re Excuse Potential Juror

Do you Agree that Juror No. ____ should be excused for the reason stated by the juror or

for any other reason? (Check applicable box below)

Plaintiff's Attorney Defendants’

Attorney 

RESPONSE: 9 9 9 9

 Yes No Yes No 

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Whether Jurors Present During Exercise of Peremptory Challenges

Can the jury be excused for the amount of time it will take to exercise peremptory

challenges? (Set forth response in box below)

Plaintiff's Attorney Defendants’ Attorney 

RESPONSE: 9

 Yes No

9 9

 Yes No

9 

How long do you estimate it will take you to exercise peremptory challenges? (Set forth

minutes in box below)

Plaintiff's Attorney Defendants’ Attorney 

MINUTES: 9 9 

Case 2:04-cv-00296-GEB-EFB Document 218 Filed 03/10/06 Page 25 of 27
FOR CAUSE DOCUMENT

Plaintiff's Counsel

If you have challenges for cause, state the seat number of the juror

involved and a brief explanation of the reason for the challenge.

Seat ______

Explanation: ___________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

Seat ______

Explanation: ___________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

Seat ______

Explanation: ___________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

Seat ______

Explanation: ___________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

List seat numbers of other for cause challenges: ____, ____,

____, ____, ____, ____, ____, ____, ____, ____, ____, ____, ____.

CHECK THIS BOX IF YOU HAVE NO CHALLENGES FOR CAUSE: 9

Signed:_____________________

Case 2:04-cv-00296-GEB-EFB Document 218 Filed 03/10/06 Page 26 of 27
FOR CAUSE DOCUMENT

Defendants’ Counsel

If you have challenges for cause, state the seat number of the juror

involved and a brief explanation of the reason for the challenge.

Seat ______

Explanation: ___________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

Seat ______

Explanation: ___________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

Seat ______

Explanation: ___________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

Seat ______

Explanation: ___________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

List seat numbers of other for cause challenges: ____, ____,

____, ____, ____, ____, ____, ____, ____, ____, ____, ____, ____.

CHECK THIS BOX IF YOU HAVE NO CHALLENGES FOR CAUSE: 9

Signed:_____________________

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