Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_07-cv-01516/USCOURTS-caed-1_07-cv-01516-8/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 550
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Civil Rights (U.S. defendant)
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

---

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

CHRISTOPHER S. RIDER,

Plaintiff,

v.

JAMES YATES, et al.,

Defendants.

 /

CASE NO. 1:07-cv-01516-SMS PC

ORDER DENYING MOTIONS

(Docs. 39, 40, 42, 44 and 48)

I. Order Denying Miscellaneous Motions

This is a civil rights action filed pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 by Plaintiff Christopher S.

Rider, a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis. This action is proceeding on

Plaintiff’s amended complaint, filed June 12, 2008, against Defendant Cano for use of excessive

force and against Defendant Kahn for denial of medical care, in violation of the Eighth Amendment.

On December 10, 2009, Plaintiff filed motions seeking a medical examination by an outside

doctor, a transfer to Pleasant Valley State Prison (PVSP) to conduct a physical investigation of the

premises, and a settlement conference by video conference. On December 23, 2009, Plaintiff filed

a motion seeking a polygraph examination, and on January 8, 2010, Plaintiff filed a motion seeking

the issuance of five subpoenas duces tecum. Defendants filed an opposition to Plaintiff’s motion

to conduct a physical investigation at PVSP on December 28, 2009. For the reasons set forth below,

Plaintiff’s motions are denied.

///

///

1

Case 1:07-cv-01516-GBC Document 50 Filed 02/05/10 Page 1 of 3
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

A. Medication Examination

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 35(a) allows the court to order the physical or mental

examination of a party whose condition is in controversy. Rule 35 is intended to permit a party to

seek an order requiring an opposing party whose condition is in controversy to submit to an

examination. Good cause for an examination must be shown, and the rule does not authorize

Plaintiff to seek his own free examination to obtain evidence to prosecute his case. Because Plaintiff

is incarcerated, the Court will assist him in facilitating an outside consult if Plaintiff has the funds

available to compensate a doctor for examining him. However, Plaintiff is not entitled under Rule

35 to a free examination by an outside specialist, and his motion is denied.

B. Transfer to PVSP to Conduct Investigation 

Plaintiff, who is currently housed at High Desert State Prison, seeks an order requiring that

he be transferred to PVSP and provided with a camera and other material at state cost so that he may

inspect, test, sample, measure, and photograph the areas in and around the program office, cell 2 in

building 242, and the shower. Plaintiff asserts that he has the legal right to seek anything relevant

to his claims in this action.

Plaintiff is not entitled to conduct an investigation to gather evidence at government expense. 

The in forma pauperis statute does not provide for the funding of the expenditures sought by

Plaintiff, and Defendants are not obligated to bear Plaintiff’s investigation expenses.

While Plaintiff is entitled to seek relevant evidence from the Defendants in discovery and to

file a motion to compel if necessary, Plaintiff may only seek evidence that already exists. The rules

of discovery do not allow Plaintiff to compel Defendants to conduct an investigation to create

evidence for Plaintiff. Plaintiff’s motion is denied.

C. Settlement Conference

Plaintiff seeks to set a settlement conference by video. In this type of action, settlement

conferences are not set automatically. Local Rule 240(c)(8). A settlement conference will set in this

action only if both sides notify the Court that they believe a settlement conference may be beneficial

or is desired. Local Rule 270(a). Therefore, Plaintiff’s motion for a settlement conference by video

is denied.

2

Case 1:07-cv-01516-GBC Document 50 Filed 02/05/10 Page 2 of 3
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

D. Polygraph Examination

Plaintiff seeks a polygraph examination for himself and for the defendants. Section 3293 of

Title 15, cited to by Plaintiff, provides for the administration of a polygraph exam by prison officials

during the course of a prison investigation. Cal. Code Regs., tit. 15 § 3293 (2009). The section has

no applicability to this civil suit in federal court. Likewise the state penal code sections cited to by

Plaintiff have no applicability. There is no entitlement to the administration of polygraph

examinations in this action, and Plaintiff’s motion is denied.

E. Subpoenas Duces Tecum

Finally, Plaintiff requested that the Clerk’s Office issue him five subpoenas duces tecum. 

Subject to certain requirements, Plaintiff is entitled to the issuance of a subpoena commanding the

production of documents from non-parties, and to service of the subpoena by the United States

Marshal. Fed. R. Civ. P. 45; 28 U.S.C. 1915(d). However, the Court will consider granting such

a request only if the documents sought from the non-party are not equally available to Plaintiff and

are not obtainable from Defendants through a request for production of documents. Fed. R. Civ. P.

34. A plaintiff wishing to make a request for the issuance of a records subpoena must file a motion

requesting the issuance of a subpoena duces tecum that (1) identifies with specificity the documents

sought and from whom, and (2) makes a showing in the motion that the records are only obtainable

through that third party. Plaintiff has not met any of these requirements and his motion is denied.

II. Order

For the reasons set forth herein, Plaintiff’s motions are HEREBY ORDERED DENIED. 

(Docs. 39, 40, 42, 44 and 48.)

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: February 4, 2010 /s/ Sandra M. Snyder 

icido3 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

3

Case 1:07-cv-01516-GBC Document 50 Filed 02/05/10 Page 3 of 3