Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-5_15-cv-04054/USCOURTS-cand-5_15-cv-04054-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Civil Rights Act

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STIPULATION AND [PROPOSED] ORDER TO STAY PROCEEDINGS 

PENDING OUTCOME OF CRIMINAL MATTER 

Case Number: 15-cv-04054-NC 

1286508.doc

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RICHARD DOYLE, City Attorney (88625) 

NORA FRIMANN, Assistant City Attorney (93249) 

ARDELL JOHNSON, Chief Deputy City Attorney (95340) 

SHANNON SMYTH-MENDOZA, Sr. Deputy City Attorney (188509) 

Office of the City Attorney 

200 East Santa Clara Street, 16th Floor 

San José, California 95113-1905 

Telephone Number: (408) 535-1900 

Facsimile Number: (408) 998-3131 

E-Mail Address: cao.main@sanjoseca.gov 

Attorneys for Defendants 

THE SEHAT LAW FIRM, PLC 

Cameron Sehat, Esq. (SBN 256535) 

18881 Von Karman Ave., Ste. 850 

Irvine, California 92612 

Telephone Number: (949) 825-5200 

Facsimile Number: (949) 313-5001 

E-Mail Address: cameron@sehatlaw.com 

Attorneys for Plaintiff 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

SAN JOSE DIVISION 

LEE DARNELL WATSON, 

 Plaintiff, 

 v. 

CITY OF SAN JOSE, a government entity; 

MATTHEW BRACKETT, individually; 

RYAN HANSEN, individually; RONALD 

HUGHES; and DOES 1-10, inclusive, 

 Defendants. 

Case Number: 15-cv-04054-NC 

STIPULATION AND [PROPOSED] 

ORDER TO STAY PROCEEDINGS 

PENDING OUTCOME OF CRIMINAL 

MATTER 

THE PARTIES BY AND THROUGH THEIR RESPECTIVE COUNSEL HEREBY 

STIPULATE AS FOLLOWS: 

1. Plaintiff’s Complaint alleges several causes of action arising from an incident 

occurring on or about October 1, 2014 in San Jose, California. Plaintiff alleges the 

Case 5:15-cv-04054-NC Document 27 Filed 02/17/16 Page 1 of 3
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STIPULATION AND [PROPOSED] ORDER TO STAY PROCEEDINGS 

PENDING OUTCOME OF CRIMINAL MATTER 

Case Number: 15-cv-04054-NC 

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Defendants used excessive force when taking him into custody. Plaintiff is currently facing 

criminal charges arising from this incident. 

2. Based on the grounds that the pending State criminal charges resulting from 

the arrest of Lee Darnell Watson are inextricably related to the causes of action in this civil 

action, the lack of prejudice and reduced burden to the parties, and in the interests of 

judicial economy and the public, the parties stipulate that the entire civil action be stayed 

for 90 days. See Keating v. Office of Thrift Supervision, 45 F.3d 322, 324-25 (9th Cir. 

1995); see also Federal Sav. & Loan Ins. Corp. v. Molinaro, 889 F.2d 899, 902 (9th 

Cir.1989). Specifically, the parties request that the court stay the entire civil action for a 90-

day period subject to an extension that will be based on information provided by Santa 

Clara County District Attorney’s Office or Plaintiff’s counsel in the criminal matter. 

The parties ask the court stay the proceedings for 90 days as Plaintiff’s state court 

criminal case is expected to resolve following the time not waived jury trial set for March 

20, 2016. It is anticipated that some form of resolution will occur no later than by April 29, 

2016. 

Dated: February 17, 2016 

Respectfully submitted, 

RICHARD DOYLE, City Attorney 

By: /s/ Shannon Smyth-Mendoza_______ 

SHANNON SMYTH-MENDOZA 

Sr. Deputy City Attorney 

Attorneys for Defendants 

Dated: February 17, 2016 THE SEHAT LAW FIRM, PLC 

By: /s/ Cameron Sehat _ 

 CAMERON SEHAT 

Attorney for Plaintiff 

Case 5:15-cv-04054-NC Document 27 Filed 02/17/16 Page 2 of 3
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STIPULATION AND [PROPOSED] ORDER TO STAY PROCEEDINGS 

PENDING OUTCOME OF CRIMINAL MATTER 

Case Number: 15-cv-04054-NC 

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I attest that Plaintiffs’ counsel has read and approved this document, and given 

consent to the filing of the same with the Court. 

Dated: February 17, 2016 

Respectfully submitted, 

RICHARD DOYLE, City Attorney 

By: /s/ Shannon Smyth-Mendoza_______ 

SHANNON SMYTH-MENDOZA 

Sr. Deputy City Attorney 

Attorneys for Defendants 

ORDER 

 Good cause appearing the Court orders the entire civil action is stayed for a 90-day 

period subject to an extension that will be based on information provided by law 

enforcement or Plaintiff’s counsel in the criminal matter. The parties are ordered to return 

to Court on ______________ at _____ a.m./p.m. 

Dated:________________ __________________________________ 

 HON. NATHANAEL M. COUSINS 

 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

Case 5:15-cv-04054-NC Document 27 Filed 02/17/16 Page 3 of 3