Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_05-cv-04045/USCOURTS-cand-3_05-cv-04045-9/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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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

TORRY SMITH, et al.,

Plaintiffs,

v.

CITY OF OAKLAND, et al.,

Defendants.

___________________________________/

No. C-05-4045 EMC

ORDER RE SPOLIATION

On November 20, 2007, the Court discussed with the parties whether evidence regarding

spoliation would be admissible and further whether an adverse inference instruction based on

spoliation would be appropriate. The Court held that Plaintiffs may, during their opening statement,

refer to the fact that the rifle was cleaned, thus making it unavailable for further testing by their

expert Mr. Barnett. The Court also held that Plaintiffs may elicit that same fact as part of the

presentation of their case to the jury. However, any attempt to elicit the additional fact that the

cleaning of the rifle violated policy or otherwise constituted spoliation will be subject to objection

by Defendants. The Court reserved ruling on whether such evidence will be admissible and whether

any adverse inference instruction will be given.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: November 21, 2007

_________________________ EDWARD M. CHEN

United States Magistrate Judge

Case 3:05-cv-04045-EMC Document 100 Filed 11/21/07 Page 1 of 1