Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_04-cv-00878/USCOURTS-caed-2_04-cv-00878-16/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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 Defendants have not filed a response to any of plaintiff’s discovery motions. Defendants 1

are advised that this court’s March 22, 2007 discovery order requires proper briefing of discovery

motions under Local Rule 78-230(m). 

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

CHARLES T. DAVIS,

Plaintiff, No. CIV S-04-0878 GEB DAD P

vs.

C/O KISSINGER, et al., ORDER

Defendants.

 /

Plaintiff is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis with this civil

rights action. Plaintiff has filed several discovery motions, including two motions for discovery

from a nonparty with requests for production of documents and two motions for leave to take

written depositions of nonparty witnesses. Plaintiff has also filed a motion seeking an order

compelling defendants’ counsel to take a settlement offer to his clients. 

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First, in plaintiff’s February 20, 2007 “motion for discovery upon a nonparty with

supporting request for the production of documents and things,” plaintiff requests, among other

things, “complaints” to show “habit, routine, custom, and practice of defendants ;” “115 Rules

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Violations Reports (RVRs) authored by each defendant ;” “criminal records ;” “settlement

agreements or court judgments; ”“personnel files of each of the defendants ;” and “reports that

are normative opinions, findings of fact, or evaluative reports that may show a habit, practice and

routine.” Plaintiff has not named the nonparty from whom he seeks this discovery. Moreover,

plaintiff has not demonstrated that the discovery he seeks is relevant to his claims or

unobtainable from parties to this action. Plaintiff’s request is also overbroad and does not appear

reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence. Accordingly, plaintiff’s

motion will be denied. 

Similarly, in plaintiff’s August 2, 2007, “motion for discovery upon a nonparty

with attached request for the production of documents & things,” plaintiff seeks discovery from

Banner Lassen Medical Center. Therein, plaintiff alleges that defendant Kissinger has claimed

that he sustained injuries to his right wrist as a result of plaintiff’s actions and was taken to and

treated at Lassen Medical Center. Plaintiff alleges that defendant Kissinger has placed his

medical condition in controversy and therefore has waived any privilege with respect to the

treatment of his injuries. Plaintiff argues that he is entitled to “access all medical documents

from Banner Lassen Medical Center” and requests the court to issue one USM-285 Marshal’s

form and one subpoena for production of documents. Again, plaintiff has failed to demonstrate

that the discovery he seeks is relevant to his claims or unobtainable from the parties in this

action. Plaintiff’s request is also overbroad and does not appear reasonably calculated to lead to

the discovery of admissible evidence. Accordingly, plaintiff’s motion will be denied. 

Plaintiff has also filed two motions to take written depositions of nonparties. 

First, in his July 5, 2007 motion, plaintiff requests a court order to allow him to take written

depositions from D.L. Runnels and Lieutenant Norlin. Plaintiff claims that complaints he filed

against the defendants were subject to a de facto policy pursuant to which supervisors used any

means necessary to cover up unconstitutional conduct. With respect to Runnels, plaintiff seeks

“complaints” from him to demonstrate that complaints filed by prison staff about other staff

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members or about inmates were treated differently than complaints filed by inmates about prison

staff. Plaintiff contends that the documents produced by Runnels will show that he was aware

that complaints by prisoners were not properly addressed. Likewise, plaintiff contends that

Norlin’s testimony needs to be perpetuated because he acted according to a de facto policy

whereby inmates, especially African Americans, were denied their requested friendly inmate

witnesses. 

On March 13, 2007, the assigned district judge adopted this court’s findings and

recommendations, recommending that claims five and eleven against defendant Norlin and

claims six and ten against defendant Runnels be dismissed due to plaintiff’s failure to exhaust

administrative remedies before bringing this action. (Findings & Recommendations filed Jan.

12, 2007 at 19-22 & 24-25.) As a result, defendants Norlin and Runnels were dismissed from

this action because there were no remaining claims against them. Plaintiff has not demonstrated

that the discovery he seeks from them is relevant to his remaining claims or unobtainable from

parties to this action. Moreover, plaintiff’s request is overbroad and does not appear reasonably

calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence. Plaintiff is advised that this court will

grant him leave to take written depositions only upon a substantial showing that the depositions

will lead to relevant probative evidence with respect to plaintiff’s constitutional claims. On the

present showing, the court does not find that the proposed written depositions would lead to the

discovery of probative evidence. Accordingly, plaintiff’s motion will be denied. 

Similarly, plaintiff seeks a written deposition from Dr. Rohlfing. Dr. Rohlfing,

plaintiff’s treating physician, diagnosed him as suffering from chronic wrist tendinitis and

determined that plaintiff’s condition was serious and required treatment. In addition, after two

CDCR employees allegedly tried to break plaintiff’s wrist through a tray slot, Dr. Rohlfing

diagnosed plaintiff with a sprained left wrist and aggravation of his tendinitis. Plaintiff contends

that Dr. Rohlfing’s written deposition is necessary to determine the extent of damages. Again,

plaintiff has not made a substantial showing that the requested written deposition will lead to

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 Plaintiff informs the court that his proposed settlement offer requested a single payment 2

of $25,000. 

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relevant probative evidence of plaintiff’s constitutional claims. Accordingly, plaintiff’s motion

will be denied. 

Finally, plaintiff argues that he mailed a proposed settlement and stipulated

agreement to defendants’ former counsel, William V. Cashdollar, and requested that he present

the offer to his clients. Five months passed without any response. Plaintiff sent Mr. Cashdollar 

a reminder of this offer on April 8, 2007. On May 3, 2007, plaintiff informed defendants’ new

counsel of the offer. Plaintiff contends that, despite giving defendants’ counsel reasonable time

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to respond, he has received no response to his offer of settlement. Plaintiff requests that the court

order counsel of record to communicate plaintiff’s settlement offer and provide a written

response from each of his clients. Plaintiff also requests that the court grant further relief the

court deems just, fair and necessary.

The court must not engage in efforts to coerce settlement of an action. Kothe v.

Smith 771 F.2d 667, 669 (2d Cir. 1985). “Courts do not have authority to compel parties to

settle their cases.” In re Joint Eastern & Southern Dist. Asbestos Litigation, 14 F.3d 726, 731 (2d

Cir. 19993). It is true, of course, that defendants’ counsel has an obligation to promptly

communicate to his clients “[a]ll amounts, terms, and conditions of any written offer of

settlement made to the client. . . ” Cal. Rules Prof’l Conduct 3-510. However, plaintiff has

made no showing that defendants’ counsel failed to present plaintiff’s offer to his clients. 

Plaintiff’s motion will be denied.

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

1. Plaintiff’s February 20, 2007 motion for discovery upon a nonparty with

supporting request for the production of documents and things is denied;

2. Plaintiff’s July 5, 2007 motion to take a written deposition upon a nonparty is

denied; 

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3. Plaintiff’s July 11, 2007 motion to take a written deposition upon a nonparty

and request for the production of documents and things is denied; 

4. Plaintiff’s August 2, 2007 motion for discovery upon a nonparty with attached

request for the production of documents and things is denied; and

5. Plaintiff’s May 8, 2007 motion to compel defendants’ counsel to take a

settlement offer to his clients is denied. 

DATED: August 13, 2007.

DAD:9

davi0878.wdep

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