Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_09-cv-01354/USCOURTS-caed-1_09-cv-01354-4/pdf.json

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

---

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

U N ITED STATES DISTRICT COU RT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

KEVIN E. FIELDS,

Plaintiff,

v.

SUE HUBBARD, et al.,

Defendants.

 /

CASE NO. 1:09-cv-01354-LJO-DLB PC

ORDER DENYING MOTION TO

DISQUALIFY UNITED STATES

MAGISTRATE JUDGE DENNIS BECK

(Doc. 7)

Plaintiff Kevin E. Fields is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis in

this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. This action had been dismissed on October

5, 2009 for failure to obey a court order. On October 19, 2009, Plaintiff filed a motion for the

Court to vacate its order. On December 3, 2009, the Court granted Plaintiff’s request, reopening

the action.

Currently pending before the Court is Plaintiff’s motion, filed August 21, 2009,

requesting that the United States Magistrate Judge assigned to this case be disqualified pursuant

to 28 U.S.C. § 455(b)(1). Plaintiff contends that he intends to call Magistrate Judge Dennis Beck

as a witness regarding Fields v. Ruiz, et al., (E.D. Cal.), case No. 1:03-cv-6364-LJO-DLB PC. 

Plaintiff contends that Magistrate Judge Beck’s impartiality would be questioned and that he

would have personal knowledge of disputed evidentiary facts because Magistrate Judge Beck

presided over a telephonic hearing in Fields v. Ruiz on April 18, 2008. Plaintiff attaches a

transcript of that hearing.

1

Case 1:09-cv-01354-LJO-GBC Document 17 Filed 01/07/10 Page 1 of 2
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

The action Fields v. Ruiz, et al., proceed to jury trial, and on May 29, 2008, the jury

returned a verdict for the defendants, and judgment was entered in favor of the defendants. 

Plaintiff appealed. On December 30, 2009, the Ninth Circuit issued a memorandum affirming

the judgment.

Plaintiff fails to demonstrate how Magistrate Judge Beck’s impartiality is reasonably in

question. Plaintiff appears to suggest that because Magistrate Judge Beck presided over a

telephonic hearing in a completely different action, he has personal knowledge of disputed

evidentiary facts in this action. Plaintiff however points to nothing to support this. The Court

finds Plaintiff’s motion to be without merit.

Accordingly, it is HEREBY ORDERED that Plaintiff’s motion to disqualify United

States Magistrate Judge Dennis Beck is DENIED.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: January 7, 2010 /s/ Lawrence J. O'Neill 

b9ed48 UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

2

Case 1:09-cv-01354-LJO-GBC Document 17 Filed 01/07/10 Page 2 of 2