Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_07-cv-00269/USCOURTS-caed-1_07-cv-00269-20/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

VINCENT C. BRUCE,

Plaintiff,

v.

JEANNE WOODFORD, et al.,

Defendants.

 /

CASE NO. 1:07-cv-00269-BAM PC

ORDER VACATING FINDINGS AND

RECOMMENDATIONS (ECF No. 77)

ORDER DENYING DEFENDANTS’ MOTION

TO DISMISS (ECF Nos. 37, 53, 59)

ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION

TO FILE SUPPLEMENTAL OBJECTIONS

AND MOTION FOR TEN DAY EXTENSION

OF TIME AND STRIKING PLAINTIFF’S

SUPPLEMENT TO WRITTEN OBJECTIONS

(ECF Nos. 60, 69, 113)

ORDER STRIKING FOURTH AMENDED

COMPLAINT (ECF No. 92)

THIRTY DAY DEADLINE

Plaintiff Vincent C. Bruce (“Plaintiff”) is a state prisoner proceeding pro se in this civil rights

action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. On March 6, 2007, Plaintiff consented to the jurisdiction of

the Magistrate Judge. (ECF No. 4.) On September 4, 2009, Defendants Adams, Clark, Frauenheim,

Hense, Lloren, Schottgen, Tripp, and Wan filed a motion to dismiss on the grounds that Plaintiff’s

claims are barred by the applicable statute of limitations. (ECF No. 37.) Defendants Fulks, Fields,

and Ward joined the motion to dismiss on May 24, 2010. (ECF No. 67.) On November 25, 2009, 1

Plaintiff filed an opposition to Defendants’ motion to dismiss, along with a motion requesting that

On December 15, 2010, an order issued dismissing Defendant Sanchez from this action for Plaintiff’s

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failure to effect service of process. (ECF No. 93.)

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the Court excuse Plaintiff’s late filing. (ECF No. 51, 52, 53.) On January 6, 2010, Defendants filed 2

a reply to Plaintiff’s opposition. (ECF No. 59.) 

On February 1, 2010, Plaintiff filed a motion requesting that the Court strike portions of

Defendants’ reply because it raised new arguments and further requested that the Court allow

Plaintiff to supplement his opposition with new arguments. (ECF No. 60.) On February 22, 2010,

Defendants filed an opposition to Plaintiff’s motion to supplement his opposition. (ECF No. 61.) 

On June 10, 2010, Plaintiff filed a motion for a ten day extension of time to file a reply to

Defendant’s opposition to his motion to file a supplement. (ECF No. 69.) 

On August 2, 2010, findings and recommendations issued recommending granting

Defendants’ motion to dismiss. (ECF No. 77.) On October 25, 2010, Plaintiff filed objections to the

findings and recommendations. (ECF No. 91.) On October 25, 2010, Plaintiff lodged a proposed

fourth amended complaint. (ECF No. 92.) Plaintiff filed an appeal of the district court order

denying his motion for a preliminary injunction with the Ninth Circuit on January 19, 2011. (ECF

No. 97.) On June 14, 2011, Defendants consented to the jurisdiction of the Magistrate Judge. (ECF

No. 104.) On November 11, 2011, the Ninth Circuit issued an order affirming the denial of

Plaintiff’s motion for injunctive relief. (ECF No. 112.) On March 22, 2012, Plaintiff filed

supplemental objections to the findings and recommendations. (ECF No. 113.) On March 28, 2012,

this action was reassigned to the undersigned. (ECF No. 114.) For the reasons set forth below, the

Court finds that Defendants’ motion to dismiss shall be denied.

I. Background

A. Plaintiff’s Claims

This action proceeds on Plaintiff’s third amended complaint, filed on March 16, 2009. (ECF

No. 19.) At the time of the events described in his complaint, Plaintiff was housed at the California

Substance Abuse Treatment Facility (“CSATF”). (Third Am. Compl. ¶ 1.) Plaintiff states that he

was elected as a member of the “Men’s Advisory Council” as an “inmate representative.” (Third

Am. Compl. ¶ 18.) The Men’s Advisory Council represents inmates by voicing concerns and

Plaintiff’s opposition was due on November 17, 2009, pursuant to an extension of time granted on October

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15, 2009. (ECF No. 43, 44.)

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complaints to the warden and other prison officials. (Third Am. Compl. ¶ 18.) On February 27,

2004, approximately six dozen inmates, including Plaintiff, engaged in a hunger strike in response

to restrictive policies that were implemented by prison officials between April 2002 and February

2004. (Third Am. Compl. ¶¶ 19-20.)

Plaintiff presented the inmates’ grievances to Defendants Fulks and Wan. Defendant Fulks

told Plaintiff that if the hunger strike did not end, there would be repercussions. (Third Am. Compl.

¶ 21.) Other inmates joined the hunger strike and local newspapers published articles about the

hunger strike and the inmates’ complaints. (Third Am. Compl. ¶ 23.) On February 29, 2004,

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Defendants Adams, Sanchez, Clark, and Fulks decided to “lock up” Plaintiff and limit access to the

media. (Third Am. Compl. ¶ 24.) Defendants Adams, Sanchez, Clark, and Fulks told the chairman

of the Men’s Advisory Council that Plaintiff and two other fasting inmates were being transferred

to Pelican Bay State Prison, the “most severe segregation unit.” (Third Am. Compl. ¶ 25.) Plaintiff

complains that a “SHU term” (segregated housing unit term) can only be given to an inmate that is

found guilty of serious misconduct. (Third Am. Compl. ¶ 26.) Plaintiff was charged with

“Conspiracy to Assault Staff and Orchestrating A Hunger Strike” and was placed in segregation. 

(Third Am. Compl. ¶ 27.) A few weeks later, Plaintiff was “exonerated” of the conspiracy to assault

staff charge but received a different disciplinary report for “Inciting A Hunger Strike.” (Third Am.

Compl. ¶ 28.) Plaintiff complains that there is no written rule prohibiting the participation in a

hunger strike. (Third Am. Compl. ¶ 33.) Plaintiff argues that he was placed in segregation and

charged with disciplinary violations in retaliation for Plaintiff’s history of filing grievances and

acting as a jailhouse lawyer. (Third Am. Compl. ¶ 34.)

Plaintiff was eventually found guilty of the disciplinary charge of “Inciting A Hunger Strike”

on February 3, 2005, by Defendant Fields. (Third Am. Compl. ¶ 39.) Plaintiff received a twelve

(12) month SHU term and was transferred to another prison. (Third Am. Compl. ¶ 42.) Plaintiff

contends that his transfer was in retaliation for his activities as an advocate serving on behalf of other

inmates. (Third Am. Compl. ¶ 43.) Plaintiff also contends that his confinement in disciplinary

Plaintiff’s third amended complaint alleges this date as February 29, 2008. (Third Am. Compl. ¶ 24, ECF

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No. 19.) The 2008 date is clearly a typographical error as Plaintiff was placed in segregation in 2004.

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segregation for over 56 weeks and the imposition of a 12 month SHU term constituted a deprivation

of a liberty interest protected under the Due Process Clause. (Third Am. Compl. ¶ 51.) Plaintiff

argues that his due process rights were violated because he was deprived of this liberty interest as

a punishment for conduct that was not clearly prohibited under prison rules. Plaintiff complains that

prison officials did not give Plaintiff reasonable notice that participating in a hunger strike was

sanctionable conduct.

Plaintiff also complains that when he was housed in segregation from February 2004 to April

2005, he was not given adequate clothing. (Third Am. Compl. ¶¶ 55-75.) Plaintiff alleges that the

thin clothing he was given was inadequate to protect him during periods of cold weather. (Third

Am. Compl. ¶ 58.) Plaintiff filed grievances about the inadequate clothing, but they were ignored

by Defendant Schottgen, Fields, and Adams. Plaintiff contends that the denial of adequate clothing

constituted cruel and unusual punishment prohibited by the Eighth Amendment.

On April 23, 2009, the Court screened Plaintiff’s complaint and found that Plaintiff stated

cognizable claims for relief under Section 1983 against: (1) Defendants Adams, Sanchez, Hense,

Ward, Clark, Fulks, Wan, Frauenheim, Lloren, Fields, and Tripp for retaliation against Plaintiff’s

exercise of his First Amendment rights; (2) Defendants Adams, Sanchez, Hense,Ward, Clark, Fulks,

Wan, Lloren, Fields, and Trip for violation of the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment;

and (3) Defendants Adams, Schottgen, and Fields for failing to provide Plaintiff with adequate

clothing in violation of the Eighth Amendment.

B. Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss

In their motion to dismiss, Defendants argue that Plaintiff’s claims should be dismissed on

the grounds that Plaintiff’s claims are barred by the applicable statute of limitations. (Defs.’ Not.

of Mot. and Mot. to Dismiss 1:21-24.) Defendants argue that the applicable statute of limitations

for Plaintiff’s claims is two (2) years. (Mem. of P. & A. in Supp. of Mot. to Dismiss 2:10-3:6.) 

Defendants note that Plaintiff filed this action on February 20, 2007, and, therefore, any claim based

on events occurring prior to February 20, 2005, is barred by the statute of limitations. (P. & A. in

Supp. of Mot. to Dismiss 4:4-6.)

With respect to Plaintiff’s due process claims, Defendants argue that the final disciplinary

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hearing was conducted on February 3, 2005. (P. & A. in Supp. of Mot. to Dismiss 4:18-21.) At that

hearing, Plaintiff was given a twelve (12) month SHU term and transferred to Pelican Bay. (P. &

A. in Supp. of Mot. to Dismiss 4:18-21.)

With respect to Plaintiff’s retaliation claims, Defendants argue that there are no allegations

in Plaintiff’s third amended complaint of any retaliatory act occurring after February 19, 2005. (P.

& A. in Supp. of Mot. to Dismiss 4:25-27.)

With respect to Plaintiff’s Eighth Amendment claims, Defendants argue that Plaintiff’s

claims should be limited to the time Plaintiff was confined in segregation after February 20, 2005. 

(P. & A. in Supp. of Mot. to Dismiss 5:1-13.) Plaintiff claims that he was confined in segregation

without adequate clothing between February 2004 and April 2005. (P. & A. in Supp. of Mot. to

Dismiss 5:2-3.)

C. Plaintiff’s Opposition

In his opposition, Plaintiff contends that his claims are not untimely because he was a victim

of a pattern of retaliation and harassment, and the statute of limitations period should not begin to

accrue until the retaliation and harassment stops. (Pl.’s Opp’n to Mot. to Dismiss; Decl. of Pl. 1.) 

Further, Plaintiff argues that the statute of limitations period should be tolled, and that Plaintiff

should be given an opportunity to present extrinsic evidence to support his tolling argument. (Opp’n

1.)

Plaintiff contends that Defendants’ actions constitute an ongoing campaign of retaliation, and

that the limitations period should not accrue until the retaliation stops. (Opp’n 3.) With respect to

his Eighth Amendment claims, Plaintiff contends that the deprivation of sufficient clothing was also

an ongoing constitutional violation, and that his claims should be regarded as timely. (Opp’n 4.)

Plaintiff also argues that the relevant statute of limitations should be tolled during the period

of time when Plaintiff was exhausting his administrative remedies. (Opp’n 4.) Plaintiff contends

that he filed appeals in November 2004 and March 2005 that took more than six (6) months to

exhaust. (Opp’n 4.)

Finally, Plaintiff argues that he should not be required to plead facts regarding the exhaustion

of his administrative remedies. (Opp’n 5.) Plaintiff also contends that he can support his claim for

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tolling of the limitations period with extrinsic evidence outside the pleadings, and the Court should

not rule on the statute of limitations issue on a motion to dismiss. (Opp’n 5.)

D. Defendants’ Reply

In their reply, Defendants argue that the continuing violation doctrine is not applicable to this

case, and Plaintiff’s claims are untimely. (Defs.’ Reply to Pl.’s Opp’n to Mot. to Dismiss 2:11-5:3.) 

Defendants contend that Plaintiff’s retaliation claims accrued on February 29, 2004. (Reply 2:13-

14.) Defendants argue that Plaintiff alleged that the decision to transfer Plaintiff to Pelican Bay and

be confined in the SHU was made on February 29, 2004. (Reply 3:7-10.) Defendants further argue

that the events after February 29, 2004, were merely the inevitable consequence of Defendants’

decision to retaliate against Plaintiff. (Reply 3:14-18.) Defendants also argue that the continuing

violation doctrine alluded to in Plaintiff’s opposition does not apply to this case, because it only

applies in instances of a systemic policy of discrimination. (Reply 3:19-4:18.) Defendants similarly

contend that the continuing violation doctrine does not applytoPlaintiff’sEighth Amendment claims

based on the lack of adequate clothing. (Reply 4:19-5:3.)

Defendants further argue that tolling does not save Plaintiff’s retaliation claims. (Reply5:13-

6:7.) Defendants contend that the administrative appeals referred to byPlaintiff concern only his due

process claim and his inadequate clothing claim. (Reply 5:8-12.) Defendants argue that the

exhaustion of those appeals does not toll the limitations period for his retaliation claims. (Reply 6:5-

7.) Defendants further argue that, irrespective of the applicability of tolling, “at least a portion of

Plaintiff’s Eighth Amendment claim is barred by the statute of limitations.” (Reply 6:8-24.)

Defendants also raise the new argument that Plaintiff failed to exhaust his administrative

remedies with respect to his Eighth Amendment claims. (Reply 7:1-8:23.) Defendants contend that

Plaintiff is required to file an appeal within fifteen (15) days of the event or decision that is the

subject of the appeal. (Reply 7:17-18.) Plaintiff filed his appeal related to his Eighth Amendment

claims on January 7, 2005. (Reply 7:14.) Defendants argue that Plaintiff failed to properly exhaust

his administrative remedies for anyclaim premised on the violation of Plaintiff’s EighthAmendment

rights that occurred prior to December 22, 2004, which is fifteen (15) working days prior to the date

Plaintiff filed his appeal. (Reply 8:19-23.)

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Finally, Defendants argue that the Court is not being asked to consider matters outside the

pleadings when ruling on their motion to dismiss, and it is therefore proper for the Court to rule on

their motion to dismiss. (Reply 8:24-9:25.)

II. Discussion

A. The Timing of Plaintiff’s Opposition

Plaintiff’s opposition to Defendants’ motion to dismiss was due on November 17, 2009. 

Plaintiff’s opposition was filed on November 25, 2009. (ECF No. 53.) Plaintiff filed a motion

requesting the Court to regard his opposition as timely filed. (ECF No. 51.) The Court will grant

Plaintiff’s motion and will regard the opposition as timely filed.

B. Plaintiff’s Motion to Strike Defendants’ Reply and Supplement His Opposition

On January 6, 2010, Defendants filed a reply to Plaintiff’s opposition. (ECF No. 59.) On

February 1, 2010, Plaintiff filed a motion requesting that the Court strike portions of Defendants’

reply because it raised a new theory of accrual, raised new defenses regarding Plaintiff’s failure to

exhaust, raised arguments and evidence regarding when Plaintiff filed his appeal regarding

inadequate clothing, and mis-characterized the California Department of Corrections (“CDCR”)

inmate appeals process. (ECF No. 60.) Plaintiff’s motion also requested permission to supplement

his opposition with new arguments regarding the accrual and tolling of the statute of limitations.

The Court finds that it is unnecessary to strike portions of Defendants’ reply. Defendants did

not raise a “new theory” regarding accrual. Defendants instead raised arguments in reply to

Plaintiff’s argument that the continuing violations doctrine applied to save his claims from the statute

of limitations. The purpose of a reply is to respond to Plaintiff’s opposition. Defendants’ arguments

regarding the tolling of Plaintiff’s claims is sufficiently related to Defendants’ statute of limitations

argument raised in their motion to dismiss. Plaintiff should have anticipatedDefendants’ arguments,

and Plaintiff fails to demonstrate that the issue requires further briefing from Plaintiff. Thus, the

Court will not strike Defendants’ arguments simply because they were not raised in their motion to

dismiss.

However, the Court notes that Defendants’ arguments regarding exhaustion could not have

been anticipated byPlaintiff, because Defendants did not raise the issue of exhaustion in their motion

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to dismiss. Generally, when a party raises an entirely new, unanticipated arguments in a reply, the

Court will give the opposing party an opportunity to file a surreply to respond to those arguments. 

However, as discussed below, the exhaustion argument, as it applies to the statute of limitations, will

not be considered in this order as it is more appropriately raised in a motion for summary judgment. 

Accordingly, Plaintiff’s motion to strike Defendants’ reply and to supplement his opposition will be

denied.

C. Statute of Limitations

Defendants argue that Plaintiff’s claims should be dismissed because they are barred by the

applicable statute of limitations. Although Section 1983 provides a federal cause of action, the Court

looks to the law of the State in which the cause of action arose to determine the length of the statute

of limitations. Wallace v. Kato, 549 U.S. 384, 387 (2007). Under California law, this period is two

(2) years. Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1.4

1. Accrual

Having established that the relevant statute of limitations for Plaintiff’s claims is two (2)

years, the Court must now determine when Plaintiff’s claims accrued. Although the Court looks to

state law to determine the applicable statute of limitations, “the accrual date of a § 1983 cause of

action is a question of federal law that is not resolved by reference to state law.” Wallace, 549 U.S.

at 388 (emphasis in original). “Under federal law, a claim accrues when the plaintiff knows or has

reason to know of the injury which is the basis of the action.” Lukovsky v. City and County of San

Francisco, 535 F.3d 1044, 1048 (9th Cir. 2008) (quoting Two Rivers v. Lewis, 174 F.3d 987, 991

(9th Cir. 1999)); Fink v. Shedler, 192 F.3d 911, 914 (9th Cir. 1999). Plaintiff filed this action on

February 13, 2007. Thus, any claim that accrued prior to February 13, 2005, is barred by the statute 5

The Court grants Defendants’ request and takes judicial notice that Plaintiff has been sentenced to a life

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sentence without the possibility of parole. (ECF No. 41.) Since Plaintiff is serving a sentence of life without the

possibility of parole, section 352.1, does not apply to further toll the statute of limitations. Cal. Civ. Proc. Code §

352.1 (West).

An inmate’s complaint is considered filed at the time he delivers it to prison authorities for mailing.

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Douglas v. Noelle, 567 F.3d 1103, 1107 (9th Cir. 2009). Plaintiff states that his complaint was placed in the mail on

or about February 13, 2007, but no later than February 15, 2007. (Opp’n 2, fn 1.) Construing the facts in the light

most favorable to the non-moving party, the date Plaintiff filed his complaint shall be February 13, 2007.

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of limitations.

Plaintiff’s only allegation regarding conduct that occurred after February 13, 2005, is the

allegation that between March 2004 and April 2005, DefendantsSanchez,Hense,Ward, Frauenheim,

Wan and Lloren conducted six to eight classification reviews where they retained Plaintiff in

segregation “as a pretext to keep Plaintiff in segregation for his filing of grievances. . . .” (Third Am.

Compl. ¶ 34, ECF No. 19.) A classification hearing that took place in April 2005 would have fallen

within the applicable limitations period. All other actions by Defendants are alleged to have

occurred prior to February 13, 2005. Defendants allegedly decided to lock Plaintiff up in response

to the hunger strike on February 29, 2004. Between February 29, 2004 and February 3, 2005,

Plaintiff was charged and re-charged with various disciplinary infractions, allegedly in retaliation

against Plaintiff’s First Amendment activities. Plaintiff was found guilty at the initial hearing of

Inciting a Riot, only to have the determination reversed several weeks later because of unspecified

procedural errors. In November 2004, Defendants Tripp, Wan, and Hense recharged Plaintiff with

Inciting a Riot. Ultimately, Defendant Fields found Plaintiff guilty on February 3, 2005, of “Leading

a Hunger Strike,” sentenced him to a twelve (12) month SHU term, and Plaintiff was scheduled to

be transferred to another prison.

2. Continuing Violations Doctrine

Plaintiff argues that the continuing violation doctrine applies to save his claims based on

conduct that occurred prior to February 13, 2005. The continuing violation doctrine is an equitable

doctrine designed “to prevent a defendant from using its earlier illegal conduct to avoid liability for

later illegal conduct of the same sort.” O’Loghlin v. County of Orange, 229 F.3d 871, 875 (9th Cir.

2000). To establish a continuing violation, a plaintiff must show “that the alleged . . . acts are related

closely enough to constitute a continuing violation.” DeGrassi v. City of Glendora, 207 F.3d 636,

645 (9th Cir. 2000) (quoting Green v. Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools, 883 F.2d

1472, 1480 (9th Cir. 1989)). However, the mere continuing impact from a past violation is not

actionable under the continuing violation doctrine. Knox v. Davis, 260 F.3d 1009, 1013 (9th Cir.

2001) (citing Grimes v. City and County of San Francisco, 951 F.2d 236, 238-39 (9th Cir. 1991)).

a. Retaliation Claim

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Plaintiff argues that the continuing violation doctrine applies such that the classification

review that occurred in April 2005 refreshes the statute of limitations for the retaliation claims based

on Defendants’ conduct that occurred prior to February 13, 2005. The Court rejects Plaintiff’s

argument. 

Plaintiff was notified about the charges filed against him as early as February 29, 2004. At

that time, Plaintiff was charged with Conspiracy to Assault Staff and Orchestrating A Hunger Strike,

placed in administrative segregation, and informed that he would be transferred to Pelican Bay State

Prison. (Third Am. Compl. ¶ 27, ECF No. 19.) Plaintiff was charged with Inciting a Hunger Strike

within a few weeks of February 29, 2004, and found guilty of “Inciting a Hunger Strike” at a

disciplinary hearing in August 2004. A few weeks later, the results of that hearing were rescinded

and Plaintiff was re-charged in November 2004. Defendant Fields conducted a second disciplinary

hearing on February 3, 2005, in which Plaintiff alleges he was charged and found guilty of Leading

a Hunger Strike. 

“The limitations period begins to run when the ‘discrete act’ adverse to the plaintiff occurs.”

Ngo v. Woodford, 539 F.3d 1108, 1109 (9th Cir. 2008) (quoting Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire &

Rubber Co., 550 U.S. 618, 127 S. Ct 2162, 2168 (2007)). The Court finds that Plaintiff’s retaliation

claim accrued on February 29, 2004, when Plaintiff was charged with Conspiracy to Assault Staff

and Orchestrating a Hunger Strike and placed in segregation. Plaintiff states that on this date

defendants had the Mens Advisory Counsel chairman tell the fasting inmates that Plaintiff was on

his way to Pelican Bay State Prison and would be receiving a SHU term. (Third Am. Compl. ¶ 25.) 

The statute of limitations for Plaintiff’s claims was not suspended for the entire time Plaintiff was

locked in the segregation because Plaintiff’s retention was merely the continuing impact from

Defendants’ alleged initial retaliatory decision to charge him with the disciplinary violation. 

Plaintiff’s complaint does not support the conclusion that the hearing held by Defendant Fields on

February3, 2005, or the classification committee hearings that periodicallytook placewhile Plaintiff

was held in segregation, were retaliatory acts that constitute a continuing violation. Defendants’

actions in recharging Plaintiff with the rule violation and retaining Plaintiff in segregation were

merely the continuing impact of the initial decision to charge Plaintiff regarding the hunger strike

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and lock Plaintiff in the SHU on February 29, 2004.

Moreover, even if each charge against plaintiff, from February 29, 2004 to February 3, 2005, 

for engaging in the hunger strike were considered an independent retaliation claim, each charge is

untimely. Each of the charges against plaintiff related to the hunger strike were brought before

February 13, 2005, and thus a retaliation claim on the charges would be untimely. The retaliatory

act was the charge against plaintiff, not the continued confinement in the SHU. 

Defendants correctly analogize the facts of this case to the facts in Knox v. Davis, 260 F.3d

1009 (9th Cir. 2001). In that case, Knox brought suit under Section 1983 after the California

Department of Corrections withdrew her legal mail and visitation privileges with respect to all

correctional facilities and inmates. The Ninth Circuit held that Knox’s claims accrued when she

received the letter from the California Department of Corrections notifying her that her privileges

were withdrawn. The Ninth Circuit held that the continuing violations doctrine did not apply and

that the limitations period did not restart every time Knox was denied visitation or mail privileges.

Similarly, in Delaware State College v. Ricks, 449 U.S. 250 (1980), the Supreme Court held

that the continuing violation doctrine did not save a plaintiff’s racial discrimination claim. Ricks

argued that he was denied tenure on the basis of his race and was later terminated from employment. 

The Supreme Court noted that when Ricks was denied tenure, he was subject to a “terminal” contract

to teach one additional year before the employment relationship would be terminated. The Supreme

Court held that the statute of limitations accrued when Ricks was notified that he would not receive

tenure, and the continuing violations doctrine did not restart the limitations period when Ricks was

terminated a year later.

Plaintiff had notice of all the facts necessary to allege his retaliation claim, including his

claim against Defendant Fields for the rehearing of the rule violation on February 3, 2005, when

Defendants allegedly retaliated against him on February 29, 2004. Since the statute of limitations

bars all claims that accrued prior to February 13, 2005, Plaintiff’s retaliation claim is barred by the

applicable statute of limitations unless equitable tolling applies to the claims, as discussed below.

b. Due Process Claim

Plaintiff alleges that within a few weeks of February 29, 2004, he was charged with Inciting

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a Hunger Strike, and in August 2004, he was found guilty of the charge. (Third Am. Compl. ¶ 35.) 

In November 2004, Plaintiff was recharged with Inciting a Hunger Strike. (Third Am. Compl. ¶¶

35, 36.) On February 3, 2005, Defendant Fields changed the charge to Leading a Hunger Strike and

found Plaintiff guilty. (Third Am. Compl. ¶ 39.) Plaintiff alleges that the regulation which he was

charged and found guilty of is vague as applied to him. 

Plaintiff’s due process claims regarding the regulation for Inciting a Hunger Strike accrued

in March 2004, when Plaintiff was first charged with Inciting a Hunger Strike. It was on this date

that Plaintiff knew that he had been charged under the regulation which he alleges is vague as

applied to him. Any further hearings regarding that specific charge that occurred were merely the

continuing impact from Defendants’ initial decision to charge Plaintiff with the rule violation. 

Plaintiff’s due process claim for the charge of Leading a Hunger Strike and against Defendant

Fields for acting as a biased hearing officer accrued on February 3, 2005, the date that Defendant

Fields conducted the rule violation hearing. Since Plaintiff did not file his complaint until February

13, 2007, his due process claims would be barred by the statute of limitations, unless equitable

tolling applies, as discussed below.

c. Conditions of Confinement

Plaintiff alleges that on at least thirty occasions he was denied adequate clothing and

subjected to extreme temperatures. On each of these occasions Plaintiff was subjected to the same

alleged unconstitutional conditions. These individual acts “are related closely enough to constitute

a continuing violation.” DeGrassi, 207 F.3d at 645. The Court finds that Plaintiff’s Eighth

Amendment claims that he was placed in segregation and denied adequate clothing beginning in

February 2004, do constitute a continuing violation, and therefore, Plaintiff had until April 2007 to

file his complaint. Plaintiff filed this action on February 13, 2007. Therefore, Plaintiff’s Eighth

Amendment claim was timely filed and is not barred by the statute of limitations. Defendants

motion to dismiss shall be denied as to Plaintiff’s Eighth Amendment claims.6

Defendants allege that Plaintiff has failed to exhaust administrative remedies as to his Eighth Amendment

6

claims. This was not raised in the motion to dismiss and will not be considered in this order. Defendants need to file

a motion to dismiss for failure to exhaust administrative remedies to address this issue.

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3. Tolling

Plaintiff correctly asserts that the statute of limitations should be tolled while Plaintiff

completes a mandatory exhaustion process. Brown v. Valoff, 422 F.3d 926, 935 (9th Cir. 2005). 

“In ruling on a motion to dismiss, a district court generally ‘may not consider any material beyond

the pleadings.’” Cooper v. Pickett, 137 F.3d 616, 622 (9th Cir. 1998) (quoting Branch v. Tunnell,

14 F.3d 449, 453 (9th Cir. 1994)). In determining if equitable tolling applies the court would need

to have evidence of Plaintiff’s efforts to exhaust his administrative remedies to determine the time

period to be tolled. The “fact-intensive test for equitable tolling is more appropriately applied at the

summary judgment or trial stage of litigation.” Cervantes v. City of San Diego, 5 F.3d 1273, 1276

(9th Cir. 1993). Plaintiff noted in his opposition that he filed administrative appeals twice, once in

November 2004 and once in March 2005, and that each appeal took over six (6) months to exhaust. 

Plaintiff argues that the time he spent exhausting his appeal would toll his claims and make them

timely. 

Plaintiff alleges furtherfacts concerning tolling in his motion to strike Defendants’ reply and

his reply to Defendants’ opposition to the motion to strike. Plaintiff argues that he can demonstrate

facts regarding his “multiple exhaustion of inmate appeals on retaliation.” (Pl.’s Mot. to Supplement

Opp’n to Dismissal and Mot. to Strike Portions of Defs.’ Reply to Opp’n; Decl. 4, ECF No. 60.) 

Plaintiff vaguely alleges “that there is other substantial and relevant evidence outside the complaint

that impacts accrual dates [and] tolling time periods. . . .” (Pl’s Mot. to Supplement 4, ECF No. 60.) 

Plaintiff also references a “citizen complaint” filed byhis fiancee. Plaintiff argues that the complaint

is somehow relevant to the issue of tolling. 

The subject matter of the two appeals Plaintiff filed is unclear. While it appears that Plaintiff

may be entitled to some period of equitable tolling, the Court finds that the issue is more

appropriately addressed in a motion for summary judgment. Defendants’ motion to dismiss shall

be denied, without prejudice, and Defendants may file a motion for summary judgment addressing

Plaintiff’s claims that he is entitled to equitable tolling.

III. Fourth Amended Complaint

On October 25, 2010, a fourth amended complaint was lodged. Under Rule 15(a) of the

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Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, a partymay amend the party’s pleading once as a matter of course

at any time before a responsive pleading is served. Otherwise, a party may amend only by leave of

the court or by written consent of the adverse party, and leave shall be freely given when justice so

requires. Fed. R. Civ. P. 15(a). In this instance, Plaintiff has previously amended his complaint, and

a responsive pleading has been received. Plaintiff has not received leave of the court or consent of

the adverse parties to file an amended complaint. Accordingly, Plaintiff’s fourth amended complaint

shall be stricken from the record.

IV. Conclusion and Order

The Court finds that Plaintiff’s retaliation claims accrued in February 2004 when Plaintiff

was first given notice of the disciplinary charges against him and placed in segregation pursuant to

those charges. Plaintiff’s due process claim regarding the rule violation for the vague regulation,

Inciting a Hunger Strike, accrued in March 2004, when the violation was charged. Plaintiff’s due

process claim for the vague regulation, Leading a Hunger Strike, and against Defendant Fields for

his conduct as a hearing officer accrued on February 3, 2005, when the rule violation hearing was

conducted. Plaintiff may be entitled to equitable tolling, an issue which is more appropriately

addressed in a motion for summary judgment. Finally, the Court finds that Plaintiff’s Eighth

Amendment conditions of confinement claims are continuing violations and are not barred by the

statute of limitations. 

Based on the foregoing, it is HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. The findings and recommendations issued August 2, 2010, is VACATED;

2. Plaintiff’s motion to have his opposition deemed timely is GRANTED;

3. Plaintiff’s motion to strike Defendants’ reply is DENIED;

4. Plaintiff’s motion to supplement his opposition, filed February 1, 2010, is DENIED,

5. Plaintiff’s motion for a ten day extension of time, filed June 10, 2010, is DENIED;

6. The supplement to Plaintiff’s opposition, filed March 22, 2012, is STRICKEN

FROM THE RECORD;

7. Defendants’ motion to dismiss, filed September 4, 2009, is DENIED, without

prejudice; 

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8. Plaintiff’s fourth amended complaint, lodged October 25, 2010, is STRICKEN

FROM THE RECORD; and 

9. Defendants shall file a responsive pleading within thirty days from the date of service

of this order.

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

Dated: April 24, 2012 /s/ Barbara A. McAuliffe 

10c20k UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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