Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-azd-4_08-cv-00300/USCOURTS-azd-4_08-cv-00300-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 360
Nature of Suit: Other Personal Injury
Cause of Action: 28:1331 Federal Question: Other Civil Rights

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

Stephanie Clark, 

Plaintiff, 

vs.

City of Tucson; et. Al.,, 

Defendant. 

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No. CV 08-300-TUC-HCE

ORDER

The Magistrate Judge has jurisdiction over this matter pursuant to the parties’

consent. See 28 U.S.C. § 636(c).

Pending before the Court are: (1) Plaintiff’s Amended Motion for Partial Summary

Judgment (Doc. No. 91) (hereinafter “AMPSJ”); and (2) Defendants’ Motion to Strike a

Portion of Plaintiff’s Reply to Defendants’ Response to Plaintiff’s AMPSJ (Doc. No. 102).

For the following reasons, the Court denies Plaintiff’s AMPSJ and grants Defendants’

Motion to Strike.

I. PLAINTIFF’S ALLEGATIONS

Plaintiff has filed the instant action alleging: “breach of state and common law duties;

negligence; gross negligence, assault, assault & battery” (Count One); and “federal and state

civil rights violations” pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §1983 (Count Two). (Complaint, p.13 (Doc.

No. 1)) (capitalization omitted). Plaintiff’s claims arise from an encounter she had with City

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Plaintiff alleges she sustained “painful bone fracture(s) and ligament tears and injury

about her knee and upper leg, which will cause some permanent change and injury, and

probably [sic] disability and occupational impairment. Plaintiff ...suffered a painful fracture

of her leg and knee as a result of the beating from [Defendant Salcido]. Plaintiff...probably

will be left with a chronic pain condition in the knee and leg which was fractured.

Plaintiff...was required to have reconstruction surgery, with implantation of hardware into

her leg, to repair the injuries caused by...” Defendant Salcido. (Complaint, ¶27)

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of Tucson Police Department (hereinafter “TPD”) Officers Robbie E. Salcido and William

J. Gallego, resulting in “serious and permanent injuries to her knee and leg.”1

 (Id. at ¶ 13).

Plaintiff alleges that Defendant Salcido, inter alia, used excessive force during the encounter

“by violently kicking and striking the Plaintiff’s body with his leg and violently and brutally

causing her body to be hurled and thrown down into [sic] the ground...[with] excessive and

improper force....” (Id.).

II. PLAINTIFF’S AMENDED MOTION FOR PARTIAL SUMMARY

JUDGMENT

Plaintiff seeks a ruling “that a jury trial is not needed on...[the following] facts...” and

that the following factual assertions be ruled and determined as true facts for

the remainder of the case:

1) That Defendant Officer Salcido did not follow the Tucson Police

Department’s General Operating Procedures when he forced Plaintiff

Stephanie Clark from a standing position to a lying position on the

ground when while facing her he used his hands to push her off balance

and then placed one of his legs behind her right leg causing her to trip

and fall backwards onto the ground; and

2) That Defendant Officer Salcido’s use of force on Plaintiff Stephanie

Clark while facing her he used his hands to push her off balance and

then placed one of his legs behind her right leg causing her to trip and

fall backwards onto the ground caused Plaintiff Stephanie Clark to

experience a tear to her anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee.

(Plaintiff’s AMPSJ, pp. 1-2).

A. Factual Background

1. Introduction

The following is undisputed for purposes of Plaintiff’s AMPSJ. On October 8, 2008,

the date of Defendant Salcido’s deposition, Defendant Salcido was 30 years old and had been

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Plaintiff states in her Statement of Facts that Defendant Salcido “was employed by

the Tucson Police Department...for five years.” (Plaintiff’s Amended Statement of Facts

(Doc. No. 92)) (hereinafter “PSOF”) at ¶2 (citing PSOF, Exh. 1 at p.9 (Defendant Salcido’s

October 8, 2008 deposition transcript))). Defendant Salcido testified at his deposition as

follows:

Q.[Plaintiff’s Counsel]: And you’re employed by Tucson Police

Department. For how long?

A.[Defendant Salcido]: Be five years in February.

(PSOF, Exh. 1 at p.9). Thus on April 27, 2007, the date of the incident giving rise to this

action, Defendant Salcido had been a employed with TPD less than five years.

3

Defendant Salcido testified that “OCCS” was an acronym and he did recall what it

stood for. (PSOF, Exh. 1, pp. 28-29).

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working for TPD for four years.2 (PSOF, Exh. 1 at pp. 4, 9). On the date of his deposition,

Defendant Salcido was six feet tall and weighed 185 pounds. (Id. at p.58). Defendant

Salcido testified at his deposition that although he did not remember his exact weight on

April 27, 2007, the date of the events giving rise to this action, his “weight has stayed pretty

consistent.” (Id.). On April 27, 2007, when Defendant Salcido encountered Plaintiff, he was

on duty, driving a marked patrol car and in uniform. (Id. at pp. 59, 61; PSOF, Exh. 3 at

p.16). 

On April 27, 2007, Plaintiff was 25 years old, was five feet six inches to five feet

seven inches in height and weighed between 220-235 pounds. (Defendants’ Statement of

Facts (hereinafter “DSOF”), Exh. 8 at p.113; DSOF Exh. 10). 

It is also undisputed that in 2004 Defendant Salcido attended the Southern Arizona

Law Enforcement Training Center (hereinafter “SALETC”) and received training in the use

of force and various maneuvers and defense tactics regarding how to bring a subject down

to the ground. (PSOF, ¶¶4, 7, 12 (citing PSOF, Exh. 1, pp.11, 28, 32; see also DSOF at ¶¶4-

7, 12; PSOF, Exh. 2 at p. 116)). Defendant Salcido was taught a defensive tactic called

“OCCS”3

 in which the officer manipulates a subject’s hand and wrist to get the subject to

comply. (PSOF, Exh. 1, at pp. 28-29). Prior to his encounter with Plaintiff, Defendant

Salcido had successfully employed the OCCS tactic with other subjects. (Id. at p. 31). The

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OCCS tactic can be used from in front of or behind a subject and can be used on a subject

who has “a handcuff on.” (Id. at pp. 29, 31).

 It is also undisputed that TPD General Order 2043.1 provides:

Use without Training Prohibited

Except in cases of extreme emergency in which there are no viable

alternatives, no officer is permitted to use any empty hand control technique, intermediate weapon or restraint device of any type, or firearm, without first

being trained in the use of that technique, weapon or restraint device.

(PSOF, Exh. 9) (bold in original, italics added). 

It is also undisputed that TPD General Order 2043.2 provides in pertinent part:

Training Center, Training and Documentation

Except where otherwise indicated in these General Orders, all training of

officers on any empty hand control techniques, firearms, intermediate weapons

or restraint devices shall be approved and/or performed by the Training Center.

(Id.) (bold and italics in original).

Additionally, TPD General Order 2010 provides, in pertinent part: 

It is neither the policy of the Department, nor the intent of these General

Orders, that officers unnecessarily or unreasonably endanger themselves or

others. It is not possible for any written statement concerning an officer’s use

of force to cover all of the fact scenarios that may occur within an officer’s

tour of duty. Therefore, the use of force model discussed in General Orders

is recognized, and is to be used, as a general guide to using force when

necessary. Officers must understand that situations may occur in which the

escalation and/or de-escalation of resistance or aggression is sudden.

Consequently, an officer’s response may appropriately occur anywhere along

the force model, as long as the response is an objectively reasonable response

to the actual, or reasonably perceived, threat being presented by the subject.

(DSOF, Exh. 1). 

Defendant Salcido understands that TPD General Orders are “a book of set rules and

procedures that we abide by as officers.” (PSOF, Exh. 1 at p. 19; see also PSOF at ¶ 8,

DSOF at 8).

2. The Encounter

The reason why Defendant Salcido came into contact with Plaintiff on April 27, 2007

is in dispute. While the events as to how the encounter initially occurred are not necessary

to resolve the instant Motion, these events give context to the facts that the Court must

consider. Defendant Salcido’s version of events begins with his observation of a vehicle,

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Defendant Salcido was familiar with the area and had previously made arrests there.

(PSOF, Exh. 1 at p.59). He considered the area and, specifically, the apartments at 1525

South Woodland to be a “[h]igh crime rate area.” (Id.). He cited “prostitution, drugs, gang

members...” and one homicide “involving a very violent suspect” as the type of crime he

associated with that apartment complex. (Id.).

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later determined to be driven by Plaintiff, being driven without its headlights on. (PSOF,

Exh. 1 at p.59). Defendant Salcido saw the vehicle pull into a parking lot and park at an

apartment complex located at 1525 South Woodland.4

 (Id. at pp. 59-60). He decided to

“conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle.” (Id. at p. 60). According to Defendant Salcido, he

exited his “marked police unit. At that time I witnessed [Plaintiff] exiting her vehicle.” (Id.

at p. 61). As Defendant Salcido approached Plaintiff, Plaintiff, whose car door was still open,

immediately said “What do you want?” (Id. at p. 63). Defendant Salcido informed

Plaintiff that she had been driving without her headlights on and asked for her driver’s

license. (Id.). Plaintiff told him, “No, you can’t stop me” and she shut her car door. (Id.)

During that time, Defendant Salcido had smelled the odor of marijuana coming from inside

Plaintiff’s vehicle. (Id.). He asked again for her driver’s license and stated he had smelled

marijuana coming from her vehicle. (Id. at p. 64). Plaintiff “[s]tated no and began walking

away from...” him toward the apartment complex. (Id.). Defendant Salcido then “grabbed

her arm and informed her she was under arrest and...gave her verbal commands to put her

hands behind her back.” (Id.).

Plaintiff denies she was driving without her headlights on. (PSOF, Exh.4 at p. 49).

Plaintiff testified at her deposition that she had already exited her vehicle and was walking

toward the gate of the apartment complex when Defendant Salcido approached her and asked

for her identification. (Id. at pp. 54-55; (see also Id. at p. 62 “he pulled up after I had gotten

out of the car and was walking to the gate.”)). Plaintiff also testified that she did not respond

when Defendant Salcido asked for her identification. (Id. at pp. 54-55). Instead, she dialed

her brother’s number on her cell phone. (Id. at p. 55). 

From both Defendant Salcido’s and Plaintiff’s accounts, it is undisputed that at some

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Plaintiff testified at her deposition that her brother lived at the apartment complex and

she had come to pick him up. (PSOF, Exh. 4 at pp. 52, 100-101).

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point after Defendant Salcido and Plaintiff exited their vehicles, Plaintiff did not heed

Defendant Salcido’s request for identification and Plaintiff walked south toward the

apartment complex. (PSOF ¶43; PSOF, Exh. 1 at pp.63-64; DSOF, ¶ 43; PSOF, Exh. 4 at

pp.54-55) The parties also do not dispute the following facts. Plaintiff was walking away

from Defendant Salcido and toward the apartment complex “very fast.” (PSOF, ¶ 48; PSOF,

Exh. 1 at p.69; DSOF, ¶48; see also PSOF, Exh. 1 at p.68 (“It was a brisk walk.”)).

Defendant Salcido then grabbed Plaintiff’s left arm, informed her she was under arrest, and

ordered her to put her hands behind her back. (PSOF, ¶45; PSOF, Exh. 1 at pp. 64, 70;

DSOF, ¶ 45). When Defendant Salcido grabbed Plaintiff’s arm, Plaintiff’s back was to him.

(PSOF, ¶50; PSOF, Exh. 1 at p.70; DSOF, ¶50). Plaintiff did not stop walking when

Defendant Salcido grabbed her arm and instead she kept walking and “resisting... [p]ulling

away, screaming, saying, ‘F**k you. Leave me the f**k alone.’” (PSOF, ¶¶52, 54; PSOF

Exh. 1 at pp. 70-71; DSOF, ¶¶52, 54). 

Defendant Salcido testified that when he initially grabbed Plaintiff’s left arm, he

attempted to place her in the OCCS grip but that did not work because “[s]he pulled away

very violently and continued to resist....” (PSOF, Exh. 1 at p.96); however, Plaintiff testified

that although Defendant Salcido had a hold of her hand for 30 to 45 seconds, she did not feel

Defendant Salcido apply pressure to her fingers, wrist, hand or arm. (PSOF, Exh. 4 at pp.

115-116). Plaintiff flailed her arms about. (PSOF, ¶55; PSOF Exh. 1 at pp. 71, 74; DSOF,

¶55). Plaintiff testified that she used physical strength to keep her right arm away from

Defendant Salcido. (PSOF, Exh. 4 at p. 74). The parties agree that Plaintiff also“started

calling out a male’s name.” (PSOF, ¶57 (citing PSOF, Exh. 1 at p.72); DSOF, ¶57).

Defendant Salcido believed that Plaintiff was calling for people in the apartment complex.5

(PSOF, Exh. 1 at p.72). Defendant Salcido kept hold of Plaintiff’s left arm. (PSOF, ¶52;

PSOF, Exh. 1 at p.70; DSOF ¶52). As he was giving verbal commands, Defendant Salcido

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got out his handcuffs. (PSOF, ¶53; PSOF, Exh. 1 at p.70; DSOF, ¶53). Defendant Salcido

was able to place a handcuff on Plaintiff’s left wrist but when he ordered her to give him her

right arm, she refused, swore at him, and continued to pull away and resist his efforts to fully

handcuff her. (PSOF, ¶59; PSOF, Exh. 1 at pp. 72-73; DSOF, ¶59; see also PSOF, Exh. 4,

p. 66 (Plaintiff testified that she was not willing to give Defendant Salcido her right arm)).

Defendant Salcido testified that Plaintiff then “began to yell into the apartment complex for

reenforcements is what it sounded like to me.” (PSOF, Exh. 1 at p.73). Plaintiff testified that

she was “[s]aying help and screaming” and “calling for my brother.” (PSOF, Exh. 4, p. 77)

Defendant Salcido recalled that at some point during this time, Plaintiff was pulling

in the direction of a wall of the apartment complex and that she was facing toward the wall.

(PSOF ¶60;PSOF, Exh. 1 at pp. 88-89; DSOF, ¶60) Defendant Salcido did not recall whether

Plaintiff’s body ever came into contact with the wall or whether she was ever pinned against

the wall. (PSOF ¶61; PSOF Exh. 1 at p. 89; DSOF, ¶61). Plaintiff testified that Defendant

Salcido held her “up against the wall...” for approximately 30 to 45 seconds. (PSOF, Exh.

4 at pp. 114-116; see also Id. at pp. 82-83 (“I was against the wall...I got pulled away from

the wall...”)). According to Plaintiff, her thighs, stomach, chest, and face were up against the

wall. (Id. at pp. 114-115). 

Defendant Salcido testified that Plaintiff continued to flail her arms, resist, pull away

and call for reenforcements and that at some point she turned around to face him. (PSOF,

Exh. 1 at p. 74). Plaintiff testified that she physically struggled against Defendant Salcido.

(PSOF, Exh. 4 at p.81). Defendant Salcido testified that Plaintiff continued to call for

reinforcements and he “off-balanced her from the front and she basically...fell to the ground.”

(PSOF, Exh. 1 at p. 74; see also PSOF, ¶65; DSOF, ¶65; PSOF, Exh. 1 at p.73 (“She began

to yell into the apartment complex for reenforcements is what it sounded like to me....She

was yelling for reinforcements.”)). Defendant Salcido described the maneuver as follows:

“I had her left wrist obviously, and she was facing me, so at that time I held onto the left

wrist and just moved her shoulders and her body a 45-degree angle to off-balance her.”

(PSOF, Exh. 1 at p.75). Defendant Salcido testified that he “forced... [Plaintiff] to the ground

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to place her in handcuffs since she was not complying with my verbal commands or my

commands for her to place her hand behind her back and continued to resist me.” (Id. at

p.73). Defendant Salcido testified that he intended to take Plaintiff to the ground. (PSOF,

Exh. 1 at p. 78). 

Plaintiff testified that Defendant Salcido pulled her from the wall, counted to three,

and kicked her in the right knee using his left leg. (PSOF, Exh. 4 at pp. 82-83; see also Id.

at p.82 (“I was against the wall, I heard him counting when I got pulled away from the wall,

and I just heard a pop.”)). Plaintiff heard a pop, felt pain, and fell to the ground. (Id. at pp.

83-84). Plaintiff did not see Defendant Salcido kick her. (Id. at p.117).

Defendant Salcido denied counting to three during his entire encounter with Plaintiff.

(DSOF, Exh. 1 at p. 91). Defendant Salcido denied kicking any part of Plaintiff’s body with

his feet. (Id. at pp. 97-98).

Plaintiff also testified that she called for someone to come from the apartments

because she was outside alone with a police officer and she wanted other people to see what

was going on. (Id. at p. 78). 

When Defendant Salcido was asked at his deposition whether, after he off-balanced

Plaintiff causing her to fall to the ground, he fell to the ground as well, he responded that he

did not recall falling to the ground: “I wasn’t in a vulnerable position. That’s all I know. I

was taking control.” (PSOF, Exh. 1 at pp. 85-86).

Once Defendant Salcido had Plaintiff on the ground, Defendant Salcido placed his

“body weight and...[his] knee on...[Plaintiff’s] shoulder area...” and he was able to handcuff

her hands behind her back. (Id. at pp. 86-87, 98). After subduing Plaintiff, Defendant

Salcido called for backup assistance. (Id. at pp. 98-99).

Defendant Salcido testified that when Plaintiff was yelling for people, he believed she

was yelling for reenforcements and this caused him to fear for his safety. (Id. at p. 91). He

stated that the force he used 

was the minimal amount necessary to control the situation....At that time I had

to control the situation as fast as I could because reenforcements were coming

and I feared for my safety.

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(PSOF, Exh. 1 at p.92; see also Id. at pp.94-95 (“she was screaming, yelling for...a male

name to come....I feared for my safety because she was calling for reenforcements....”)).

Defendant Salcido further testified that he feared for his safety:

Because I’m familiar with that complex. I know there are violent criminals

living there. Not all of them, but there are. I know the area. I had worked it

for...approximately three years....Dealing with one person who was not

compliant with my commands and resisting arrest put me at a vulnerable

situation for another person to come out and assault me or kill me.

***

I’m familiar with the area. I’m familiar with people who have lived in that

complex. I know it’s a violent area. I know there are guns and weapons in

that apartment complex.

I know there are gang members. I know a lot of people in that area do

not have respect for authority. I was already dealing with someone who did

not have any respect for authority. I did not know whether or not the person

she was calling would have any respect for authority.

(Id. at pp. 94-95). Although Defendant Salcido did not know who Plaintiff was calling for,

it “did cross...[Defendant Salcido’s] mind...” that the person might be a gang member or

violent and this made him fear for his safety. (Id. at p. 96).

 According to Defendant Salcido, Plaintiff’s “reenforcements...” arrived when he had

Plaintiff controlled on the ground, but he was uncertain whether Plaintiff had been

handcuffed at that time. (Id. at p. 92). A man, whom Defendant Salcido later learned was

Plaintiff’s brother, “had an aggressive stance, was looking at [Defendant Salcido]..., and

began walking in [his]...direction.” (Id.). Plaintiff’s brother was not running but he was

walking at “faster than a normal pace.” (Defendants’ Supplemental Statement of Facts (Doc.

No. 106) (hereinafter “DSSOF”), Exh. 2 at p.19). Defendant Salcido commanded Plaintiff’s

brother to stay back but “[h]e continued to step closer.” (PSOF, Exh. 1 at p. 93). Defendant

Salcido took out his pepper spray and advised Plaintiff’s brother that if he came closer,

Defendant Salcido would use the spray. (Id.). Plaintiff’s brother heeded the command. (Id.).

Plaintiff testified that she saw her brother after Defendant Salcido sat her up from the

ground. (PSOF, Exh. 4 at p. 90). She does not know when her brother arrived. (Id.). 

Defendant Salcido also testified that several people came outside the complex whom

he believed were residents. (PSOF, Exh. 1 at p. 98). 

Defendant “Salcido testified that during the entire...encounter with [Plaintiff]...she

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Defendants state that “Officer Gallego arrived as a result of Officer Salcido

requesting a 1084-1018, which is a request for backup ASAP.” (DSSOF, ¶ 141 (citing Exh.

2 at p.15)). Defendant Gallego’s deposition is confusing on this point. Defendant Gallego

testified that he did not remember Defendant Salcido’s exact verbiage in calling for backup

but he believed Defendant Salcido said “I just need a 1084.” (DSSOF, Exh. 2 at p. 16; (“I

heard him pull a traffic stop and he said he had a 1084, and that’s when I rolled up on the–on

the incident there.”)). On the page cited by Defendants, Defendant Gallego testified that

1084 is a backup call “which is–I start my unit as a backup, or there’s 1084-1018 which

means I need someone ASAP.” (Id. at p.15). Defendant Gallego’s testimony is not clear as

to the precise time Defendant Salcido called for backup. However, Defendant Gallego’s

testimony minimally supports the inference that Defendant Salcido called for backup upon

first initiating the stop.

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never tried to hit him, kick him, or strike at him in any way, with anything.” (PSOF, ¶56

(citing PSOF, Exh. 1 at p.71); DSOF, ¶56).

Defendant Gallego arrived as backup6

 after Defendant Salcido was “already dealing

with–with Ms. Clark,” (DSOF, Exh. 7 at p. 16) in that Plaintiff was on the ground face down

and Defendant Salcido was “kind of kne[eling] down...[h] was grabbing her arm and putting

a handcuff on her.” (DSSOF, Exh. 2 at p.17). “And at this time he was asking me to make

contact with another male who was advancing towards him that he was telling to get back.

(Id. at p.16). The man “was saying...‘Oh, that’s my sister. What’s going on?”’ (Id. at p.

20). Defendant Gallego told him, “‘Hey, get back. We’ll let you know what’s happening

right now.’ And I guess it turned out to be her brother.” (Id. at p.16). Defendant Gallego

described Plaintiff’s brother as “a husky guy...maybe 200 or more...pounds” and five-feetseven or five-feet-eight in height. (Id. at p.18). Plaintiff’s brother complied with Defendant

Gallego’s verbal command to “go back...” (Id. at p.20).

For the past 27 years, eye-witness Kim Carson has lived near the apartment complex

where the altercation between Plaintiff and Defendant Salcido occurred. (PSOF, Exh. 3 at

p. 5). On that night, she went outside because she heard a woman screaming from the

direction of the apartments. (Id. at pp. 9-10). Ms. Carson, “decided to go out and investigate

to see what it is....[O]ur neighborhood has incidences that happen in it.” (Id. at p. 26). Ms.

Carson saw a policeman, i.e., Defendant Salcido, in uniform who “had a woman [i.e.,

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To Ms. Carson, it appeared that Defendant Salcido was using a technique that she has

used at her work as a teacher to restrain someone who is struggling: “You use your body as

leverage. And you use one of your legs between their legs. And you use your hip and your

thigh, and then you lift up. And then you sit down, and they sit down with you.” (PSOF,

Exh. 3 at pp. 17-18).

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Plaintiff] up against the wall....He had one of her arms, and I believe it was her left arm, and

he was trying to get her right arm. He was trying to handcuff her, and she was screaming that

she wanted her brother.” (Id. at p. 14). According to Ms. Carson, Defendant Salcido used

his body to hold Plaintiff against the wall “because she’s fighting him the whole time and

trying to get away from him.” (Id. at p. 15). Ms. Carson could hear Defendant Salcido

tell Plaintiff to stop struggling. (Id. at p. 16). She also heard Plaintiff screaming that she

wanted her brother. (Id.). When Plaintiff was against the wall, “[h]er face was facing

towards the crowd....” (Id. at p. 29). At some point, Ms. Carson saw the two come away

from the wall and continue to struggle out onto a graveled area. (Id. at p.17). Plaintiff

appeared to outweigh Defendant Salcido. (Id. at p. 18). Ms. Carson saw Defendant Salcido

was trying to place his right leg between Plaintiff’s leg “[a]nd it was kind of controlled, but

then they–they went over sideways.” 7

 (Id. at pp. 18; see also Id. at p. 35). According to Ms.

Carson, they fell to the ground at the same time but Defendant Salcido did not fall on top of

Plaintiff. (Id. at pp. 35-36). “He fell next to her. And if anything, she would have fallen on

him.” (Id. at p.36).

Ms. Carson testified that Plaintiff was “extremely agitated”, screaming

“continuously” “the whole time” and “fighting...” with Defendant Salcido. (Id. at pp. 19-21).

Ms. Carson also testified that

[a]t some point, and I don’t know when it was, people in the crowd, and I’m

assume–there was a crowd of people standing on the sidewalk. And a

gentleman advanced forward, and I’m assuming it was her brother, but that’s

only an assumption. And the police officer told him to get back, and the guy

went back....There was no aggression from the–the crowd, but I think the

police officer was fearful that there would be. 

(Id. at pp. 18-19).

Officer Paul Patterson, who is employed by TPD as an arrest and control tactics

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coordinator for SALETC and who trained Defendant Salcido at SALETC, testified that

Defendant Salcido received training for takedown maneuvers. (PSOF, Exh. at pp. 4, 10-11,

19-22). Defendant Salcido was not taught a takedown maneuver that involved tripping the

subject backwards. (Id. at p.115; see also Id. at p. 119 (explaining reasons why “we try not

to–to utilize those stepping motions and tripping techniques to make a takedown function.”)).

When Officer Patterson was asked about the specific takedown maneuver Defendant Salcido

employed with Plaintiff, Officer Patterson testified that the maneuver “[a]s a takedown, it is

not taught.” (Id. at p. 117). After hearing Defendant Salcido’s description of the maneuver

used with Plaintiff, Officer Patterson testified: “that’s not something that specifically was

trained in that order...There are components of everything that was in here that would fit

directly with a manner in which he was trained.” (Id. at pp. 127-128). 

Officer Patterson also testified:

There’s no way that myself as an instructor could spell out every possible set

of circumstances that they’re ever going to have to manage in the course of

their tenure as an officer.

So, although we can give them some guidelines and some basic

principles of what it is that they do and how that functions and we can give

them some techniques that will assist in those functions, it would be

impossible to say it would work every time under every condition under every

set of circumstances.

So, to that, we kind of–we–we’ve even used it as the ATW acronym of

anything that works. There comes a time when certain things happen in a

confrontation and you may go outside the basic guidelines of what’s written

specifically on this piece of paper in order to successfully resolve the—the

circumstances of that confrontation. And that is an accepted practice. 

***

Specifically what was said to Officer Salcido, I couldn’t quote. I would

venture to guess that it was very similar to what we do now. We still go under

that principle that if you have to do something to get somebody under control,

the big key is this: It has to be reasonable and it has to be based on the

circumstances at the time of the event.

(Id. at pp. 30-32).

Officer Patterson opined that, under the circumstances, Defendant Salcido did not

violate General Order 2043.1:

I don’t believe that Officer Salcido takes a tactic and applies it in an

inappropriate manner. His thought process is to perform a takedown. In the

course of the takedown, resistance is occurring. It’s a dynamic environment

where a lot of variables are changing....My opinion is based on the level of

resistance that Officer Salcido is encountering at this standpoint, which is an

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8

In a police report from that same date, August 12, 2005, Plaintiff’s description of the

altercation included that her boyfriend had “grabbed her shoulders...” and that she “twisted

her right knee and fell to the ground.” (DSOF, Exh. 11).

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individual is trying to get away from a detention and not exhibiting any

behaviors to aggressively attack him, and his intention is to get this person to

the ground in the form of a takedown, which is consistent with the manner in

which he was trained....In a training environment, we can show him all the

exact steps that say this, this, this, as it’s spelled out in the manual. But in a

real world environment, it won’t be all of those things. It can only be a kind

of–almost like a model that you can utilize, but you can’t say it will work 100

percent of the time in every set of circumstances.

But the nature of his response of utilizing that takedown to overcome

the resistance is appropriate. It’s consistent with the manner in which he was

trained and what he’s attempting to accomplish, which is get this resisting

subject on the ground and under control, especially in light of the other

circumstances that he has coming into play.

(DSOF, Exh. 3, pp. 34-36). Officer Patterson based his opinion on the assumption, that

Defendant Salcido placed his leg behind Plaintiff’s leg with the intent of tripping her. (Id.

at p. 36).

3. Causation

Plaintiff testified at her deposition that in 2003 or 2004 she injured her right knee and

was told by medical providers at that time that she had torn ligaments. (PSOF, Exh. 4 at pp.

20-21). She used a brace and crutches for a week and “then after that I was fine.” (Id. at

p.22; see also Id. at p. 23 (after two weeks Plaintiff was able to return to full mobility)). She

was also given pain medication. (Id. at p. 21). Plaintiff was in a car accident in 2003 and

was uninjured. (Id. at p. 25).

Defendants submit an Urgent Care Medical Record dated August 12, 2005 indicating

that Plaintiff presented with complaints of right knee pain. (DSOF, Exh. 12). Plaintiff

reported to medical providers that she had been in an altercation8

, she felt her right knee

“‘pop’ then pain, unable to bend.” (Id.) The diagnosis was knee sprain and Plaintiff was

prescribed Motrin, an ace wrap and crutches. (Id.).

In November 2006, Plaintiff was in another car accident and her right knee hit the

dashboard causing pain. (PSOF, Exh. 4 at pp. 25-26). She was seen at a hospital emergency

room and was told, after an x-ray, that “everything looked fine.” (Id. at pp. 26-27). She was

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9

Dr. Justesen’s record is admissible under the business records exception to the

hearsay rule. Fed.R.Evid. 803(6). See also United States v. Hall, 419 F.3d 980 (9th Cir.

2005). Plaintiff’s statements to Dr. Justesen concerning her injury were statements made for

the purpose of medical diagnosis or treatment, and are also hearsay exceptions. See

Fed.R.Evid. 803(4). Moreover, Defendants’ medical expert, Dr. Hess, in preparing his

report, reviewed Dr. Justesen’s report and Dr. Justesen’s report was discussed in Dr. Hess’

February 16, 2009 report and at length at Dr. Hess’ deposition. (See PSOF, Exh. 7 at pp. 10,

18-20, 40, 91-96; PSOF Exh. 8; see also PSOF, Exh. 7 at p. 3 (listing “UPH Clinic Progress

Note, 5/4/07” as an exhibit at Dr. Hess’ deposition)). Consideration of pertinent portions of

Dr. Justesen’s record serves to illuminate Dr. Hess’ testimony discussed infra. See In re

Paoli R.R. Yard PCB Litigation, 35 F.3d 717, 762 (3d Cir. 1994) (“[W]e think that evaluation

of the patient's medical records, like performance of a physical examination, is a reliable

method of concluding that a patient is ill even in the absence of a physical examination. It

is hornbook law that medical records are admissible for such a purpose-‘[a]s to hearsay

symptoms told by third persons, ..., where the information is that of an attending nurse or

physician having personal observation and an interest in learning and describing accurately,

there seems to be every reason for admitting testimony based in part on this.’ 3 John Henry

Wigmore, Wigmore on Evidence § 688(4) (Chadbourn ed. 1970).”). 

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released without a brace, crutches or medication. (Id. at p. 27). She was able to walk out of

the hospital. (Id.).

On April 27, 2007, Plaintiff did not see Defendant Salcido kick her before she went

to the ground. (PSOF, Exh. 4, p. 117). She felt pressure applied to her leg, “heard a pop”

and felt “a lot of pain.” (Id. at pp. 117-118). After being handcuffed by Defendant Salcido,

Plaintiff complained that her leg hurt and that she could not walk. (Id. at p. 95). Paramedics

were called. (Id.). Plaintiff was taken to Kino Hospital. (PSOF, Exh. 4, p.97; DSOF, Exh.

10).

According to a May 4, 2007 Clinic Progress Note by Scott Justesen, M.D., of

University of Physicians Healthcare (hereinafter “UPH”) Arizona Institute for Sports

Medicine, Plaintiff was informed by staff at Kino that x-rays “revealed a fracture along the

lateral knee.”9

 (DSOF, Exh. 10). She was placed in a knee immobilizer and “made

nonweightbearing and sent to...” Dr. Justesen for evaluation. (Id.). Upon initial review of

the x-rays, Dr. Justesen opined that “this may represent an old fracture....I explained to her

that I was not discounting that there was an injury to the knee; however, I was evaluating that

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10An avulsion fracture “occurs when a joint capsule, ligament, or muscle insertion of

origin is pulled from the bone as a result of a sprain dislocation or strong contracture of the

muscle against resistance; as the soft tissue is pulled away from the bone, a fragment or

fragments of the bone may come away with it.” Stedman’s Medical Dictionary, 686 (1995

26th ed.).

11Like Dr. Justesen’s report, Dr. Wild’s record is admissible under the business

records exception to the hearsay rule. Fed.R.Evid. 803(6). 

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this may not represent an acute fracture.” (Id.). Plaintiff told Dr. Justesen that one and onehalf to two years ago, she injured her right knee and there were torn ligaments. (Id.). She

was not seen by an orthopedic surgeon nor did she have any follow up. (Id.). “She stated

the knee got somewhat better....” (Id.). In reviewing the x-rays, Dr. Justesen saw evidence

of “a small chip of bone along the lateral knee near the fibula. However, the non irregularity

of the contours, i.e. smooth contour, to me represents this may be a possible old avulsion

fracture[10 ]versus an ossicle. There is also an irregularity through the proximal tibia which

appears to be old in nature. This may represent facile sear versus old previous injury.” (Id.).

On physical exam, Dr. Justesen noted that Plaintiff had limited mobility in that while she

could achieve full extension, she could “only flex to approximately 20 degrees.” (Id.) He

stated that “Lachman was difficult[]. However, I do not feel an unstable Lachman and there

does appear to be an end point....There is tenderness along the lateral joint line and lateral

knee. However, once again, this was performed at 20 degrees of flexion.” (Id.). Dr.

Justesen’s assessment was: “Right knee pain with possible internal derangement.” (Id.). 

On July 30, 2007, John J. Wild, M.D., of Tucson Orthopedic Institute Surgical

Facility, noted that clinical examination, x-rays, and MRI “verified [Plaintiff]...had an

A[nterior] C[ruciate] L[igament] tear with a probable locked medial meniscus.”11 (PSOF,

Exh. 5). On July 30, 2007, Dr. Wild performed “[a]rthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament

reconstruction utilizing patellar tendon, central third bone-tendon-bone, screw fixation with

titanium screws...[and] [a]rthroscopic partial lateral meniscectomy.” (Id.). Dr. Wild’s report

indicates that Plaintiff “was unfortunately involved in an altercation while she was working

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12Neither Plaintiff nor Defendants discuss this account of Plaintiff’s injury and/or

whether Dr. Wild was perhaps mistaken.

13Dr. Meaney submitted an affidavit wherein he stated that he wrote the November 4,

2008 letter. (See PSOF, Exh. 6).

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at Tucson Community Center when she was kicked, had a significant blow.”12 (Id.).

John A. Meaney, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon at Rincon Orthopedic Associates and

Plaintiff’s expert witness, examined Plaintiff on November 4, 2008. (PSOF, Exh. 6). In a

a November 4, 2008 letter to Plaintiff’s counsel, Dr. Meaney stated that he had:

reviewed [Plaintiff’s]...copious records and reviewed the police officer’s

description of how Stephanie was injured. The police officer said he broke her

plane of balance, and in fact was trying to do that, and this is consistent with

her injury. The mechanism of injury to Stephanie’s knee, to within a

reasonable degree of probability, caused the tears in the ligaments and the

cartilage in her knee.

(Id.).13

Defendant’s expert witness, orthopedic surgeon James Hess, D.O., of Desert Valley

Orthopedic Surgery, performed an independent medical examination of Plaintiff on February

16, 2009. (PSOF, Exh. 7 at p.4; PSOF, Exh. 8). According to Dr. Hess: 

[o]n 5-8-07, when she saw Dr. Andre McNulty, an E.R. doctor, it was noted

that the x-ray was interpreted as an old fracture in the lateral aspect of the

knee. On 5-4-07 when she was seen by Dr. Justeson [sic] at the Arizona

Institute for Sports Medicine there is mention in the history that she had a

previous knee injury 18-24 months prior to the 4-27-07 [sic]. She was told that

she had torn ligaments....The exam by Dr. Justeson [sic] at that time was not

conclusive for an ACL injury. Previous x-rays from an outside facility showed

an old avulsion fracture and his assessment was a chronic injury to the right

knee.

(PSOF, Exh. 8 at p.1).

When Plaintiff met with Dr. Hess, she told him that she was not sure “if the officer

kicked her or not....[S]he was wrestling with the officer. She was placed up against a wall

and then upon moving away from the wall she had a hand cuff on one hand, her other hand

was up in the air, and she plant [sic] and twisted the right knee. She felt a sudden pop and

immediate pain in the right knee.” (Id. at p.2). Dr. Hess’ “overall clinical impression is one

of a torn ACL right knee accompanied by a tear in the lateral meniscus of the right knee.”

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(Id. at p. 3). In his February 16, 2009 report, Dr. Hess raised the question “when did the

ACL tear occur?” (Id.). Although Dr. Hess thought Plaintiff’s report of a previous injury

to her right knee during the domestic altercation was important, he also noted that

[Plaintiff] states that she eventually totally recovered from that injury. You

would think if she had tore her ACL or had a significant tear in the lateral

meniscus that she would have some ongoing symptoms....Based on the way

she describes this injury and altercation with the police officer it is feasible

that she could have torn her ACL and torn the lateral meniscus. ACL injuries

are usually the result of either a plant/twist injury or a valgus type injury,

where somebody hits the lateral side of the knee causing the knee to buckle

inward. There appears to be some question about whether the officer actually

hit the knee. She states that she does not remember the officer hitting the knee.

(Id.). Upon learning that Plaintiff testified at her deposition that Defendant Salcido “did

actually kick the knee,” Dr. Hess stated that this “would be significant enough to cause this

injury.” (Id.). Dr. Hess concluded “that the ACL tear and the lateral meniscal tear are

directly related to the 4-27-07 injury.” (Id.). Based on the records he had as of February 16,

2009 and Plaintiff’s statements to him, it was his “opinion that the ACL tear and the lateral

meniscal tear are directly related to the 4-27-07 injury.” (Id.; see also Id. (Dr Hess stated that

it is medically probable that a single blow or a kick to the lateral side of the knee could have

caused the ACL injury. )). When Dr. Hess wrote his February 16, 2009 report, he had a June

2007 MRI but did not have access to x-rays taken in April of 2007. (Id.). 

In a May 6, 2009 letter, Dr. Hess indicated that he had reviewed the April 28, 2007

x-rays and upon such review, “[w]ith all things considered, it is difficult on these x-rays of

4-28-07 to state that this Segond fracture is new or old.” (PSOF, Exh. 8).

At his August 2009 deposition, Dr. Hess was asked:

Q. [Plaintiff’s counsel] So based upon the information that you reviewed

and your review of Ms. Clark, these records we talked about, it’s probable,

then, that the tear to her anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee occurred

during the altercation of April 27, 2007?

(PSOF, Exh. 7, p.11). Dr. Hess answered: “Correct.” (Id.). However, after hearing

Defendant Salcido’s description of the maneuver he used with Plaintiff, Dr. Hess testified

that “falling backwards is not really a classic–depending on the position of her leg, I mean,

it’s not a classic position you would think somebody would blow out their ACL....Again, a

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plant-twist is where you’re mainly concerned about this.” (Id. at pp. 16-18). When asked

by Plaintiff’s counsel “if a man stepped into a woman and put his leg behind her leg, pushed

her off balance at a 45-degree angle, she fell back and then twisted her knee in the process,

could that be a mechanism to cause an ACL tear in the knee?”, Dr. Hess responded “Yes.”

(Id. at p.18). Dr. Hess also testified that a kick to the knee would cause an ACL and

cartilage tear. (Id. at p.50).

As to an exact date of the ACL tear, Dr. Hess testified:

You’d think if somebody had a significant tear in the ACL in 2005 that she

would have probably had more trouble with it. Now, could she have had a

partial tear and then this subsequently went on to a full thickness tear, the 2007

threw her over the edge? Possibly. But I don’t know....[B]ased on the

information put in front of me here, seems like the 2007 is the most reasonable

time period that she sustained this.

(Id. at pp. 10-11). 

Dr. Hess also testified that the acute bone contusion that the June 2007 MRI showed

was not evidence that the injury to the knee occurred on April 27, 2007 because:

you could just tell that there’s bone swelling there, but you can’t put a date on

it. I mean, it’s acute meaning that, yeah, I mean–but it can’t–it can’t date the

ACL injury. You just know that when you see posterolateral bony edema,

that’s highly suspicious for anterior cruciate–you see that in the anterior

cruciate ligament tears. 

(Id. at pp. 38-39). In Dr. Hess’ opinion, this type of condition could exist for a few months

but not for years, therefore, the condition could not have lasted since the 2005 incident when

Plaintiff injured her right knee. (Id. at pp. 39-40). However, Dr. Hess opined that if Plaintiff

had an old ACL injury, a twist could result in “that bony edema.” (Id. at p.40 (“She has an

old ACL injury. Can you have a twist and get that bony edema from an old ACL tear?

Sure.”)). Dr. Hess also testified:

[T]here’s two years–a two year time period where-- as far as I’m aware, unless

you can show me some other records, where she didn’t see anybody. And you

would think that if she blew out the ACL, a heavy person like that and young

and active with a meniscal tear, she would have had–she would have had

something that would have brought her back into some urgent care or some

ER.

(Id. at p.93), after which came the following exchange between defense counsel and Dr.

Hess:

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Q. [defense counsel] But she’s a sedentary person.

A. [Dr. Hess] Nonatheletic, yeah.

Q. She may have a joint that is stable with an ACL

tear.

A. Yes.

Q. She may have a meniscus tear that’s

asymptomatic. She may have a shorter term

period–she’s taking 800 milligrams of ibuprofen

for a period of time.

A. Yeah, but how long? Don’t know.

Q. Don’t know.

A. Don’t know.

Q. She may have symptoms...that subside, and given

her activity level–and I can’t tell you what her

activity level was–...she may be asymptomatic

until a later event. That’s within medical reality.

A. That–sure. I can’t argue that. I cannot argue with

that, okay? But what’s put before me is, Doctor,

when did this ACL tear?...I’m not sure....If you

look at Justesen’s notes, he seems to think that it’s

an old lateral Segond fracture. Well, it’s possible.

I mean, but it’s–you just don’t know. I mean, the

new MRI, boy, you got some posterolateral

episode. You know something is going on, and

that’s very consistent with an ACL tear. But,

geez, is that–is that an aggravation of a preexisting condition, or was it all new?....[S]ure you

could have an ACL and not have a Segond

fracture, but when you do see that, you pretty

much know that ACL is out.

(Id. at pp. 93-95). 

B. Whether the Court Should Entertain Plaintiff’s AMPSJ

As set out supra at II., Plaintiff requests entry of partial summary judgment

concerning two facts: the first involving whether Defendant Salcido followed TPD general

operating procedure; and the second involving causation. (See Plaintiff’s AMPSJ, pp. 1-3;

Plaintiff’s Reply, p. 7 (“Plaintiff does not seek a ruling that Officer Salcido was negligent or

that he acted unreasonably. Plaintiff seeks a much narrower ruling that Officer Salcido did

not follow the TPD policy that he should have not have used use [sic] a takedown technique

that had not been taught to him in the SALETC police academy.”)).

Rule 56(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure provides that “[a] party claiming

relief may move...for summary judgment on all or part of the claim.” Fed.R.Civ.P.56(a). 

Rule 56(c) contemplates a motion seeking entry of judgment in favor of the moving party.

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Whereas, Rule 56(d)(1), captioned “Case Not Fully Adjudicated on the Motion”, provides:

Establishing Facts. If summary judgment is not rendered on the whole action,

the court should, to the extent practicable, determine what material facts are

not genuinely at issue. The court should so determine by examining the

pleadings and evidence before it and by interrogating the attorneys. It should

then issue an order specifying what facts--including items of damages or other

relief--are not genuinely at issue. The facts so specified must be treated as

established in the action.

Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(d)(1) (italics in original). “The purpose of Rule 56(d) is to limit the scope

of the trial by removing ‘sham issues from the case.’” Meschino v. International Telephone

and Telegraph Corp., 563 F.Supp. 1066, 1073 (S.D.N.Y. 1983) (quoting 10A Wright, A.

Miller & M. Kane, Federal Practice and Procedure, 457-59 (1983)) (denying relief where

the material facts identified by the movant “will have to be introduced in some form or

another at trial and are not contested, [thus,] a Rule 56(d) order establishing their existence

would neither remove ‘sham issues’ nor ‘limit the scope of the trial.’ We think it will be less

confusing for the jury if these facts are established at trial in the normal presentation of

evidence by both sides.”). “Rule 56(d) ‘allows a court to salvage some of the effort involved

in ruling on a failed motion for summary judgment by resolving issues of law and fact for

which a trial would not be necessary.’” Harris Technical Sales, Inc. v. Eagle Test Systems,

Inc., 2008 WL 343260, at * 9 (D.Ariz. Feb. 5, 2008) (quoting In re Hat, 2007 WL 2580688,

at *8 (Bankr.E.D. Cal. Sept. 4, 2007)). “‘The procedure was intended to avoid a useless trial

of facts and issues over which there was never really any controversy and which would tend

to confuse and complicate a lawsuit.’” Lies v. Farrell Lines, Inc., 641 F.2d 765, 769 n.3 (9th

Cir. 1981) (quoting 6 Moore’s Federal Practice, ¶56-20.(3.-2) (2d ed. 1976)). The Advisory

Committee Notes to Rule 56(d) are clear that the court has “open-ended discretion to decide

whether it is practicable to determine what material facts are not genuinely at issue.”

Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(d)(1) advisory committee’s cmt. (2007 Amd.); see also Hillis v. Heineman,

2009 WL 1357392, at *1 (D. Ariz. May 14, 2009). 

Herein, Plaintiff does not seek summary judgment on an entire claim. Instead, she

seeks “partial summary judgment” on two distinct issues: (1) whether Defendant Salcido

violated TPD General Operating Procedures; and (2) causation of Plaintiff’s ACL tear. (See

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Plaintiff’s AMPSJ). Plaintiff’s AMPSJ falls under Rule 56(d).

The District Court for the District of Arizona has acknowledged that there is a split

of authority whether a party can independently move under Rule 56(d) for partial summary

judgment on parts of a claim instead of filing a motion for summary judgment of a whole

claim:

It is less clear though whether a court “may make a determination under...Rule

[56(d)]... only after having been presented with a motion for full summary

judgment, having considered it, and having determined that it cannot be

granted[,]” or whether relief may be granted under that Rule where, as here,

a party has “fil[ed] an independent motion seeking adjudication of a particular

issue, rather than filing a motion for full summary judgment[.]” See [Hat, 2007

WL 2580688, at *8]. Indeed, “[t]here is a ... split of authority as to whether a

party can independently move under Rule 56(d) for partial summary judgment

on parts of claims.” Advanced Semiconductor Materials America, Inc. v.

Applied Materials, Inc., 1995 WL 419747, at *2 (N.D.Cal. July 10, 1995)

(citations omitted). 

Harris Technical Sales, Inc., 2008 WL at *9. The Harris court also noted that “‘Ninth

Circuit district courts have found independent requests for partial summary adjudication to

be appropriate where the fact or issue to be adjudicated is potentially case dispositive.’” Id.

(quoting Hat, 2007 WL 2580688 at *9). In deciding whether to permit an independent Rule

56(d) motion, district courts within the Ninth Circuit have also considered whether

significant time needed for trial would be saved by early resolution of an issue, thus

narrowing the issues to be litigated and conserving judicial resources. Compare, Id. at *10

(although issue was not potentially case dispositive, the court permitted independent Rule

56(d) motion because, among other things, “significant time needed for trial would be

saved... by early resolution of this issue....”) (internal quotations and citations omitted);

Advanced Semiconductor Materials, Amer., Inc., 1995 WL 419747 at *4 (“the purpose of

summary judgment is met when the summary adjudication of preliminary issues...helps to

focus the issues to be litigated, thus conserving judicial resources.”);Ajir v. Exxon Corp.,

1995 WL 261411 (N.D. Cal. May 2, 1995) (same); with Hillis, 2009 WL 1357392 at *1

(Arizona district court refusing to entertain independent Rule 56(d) motion where movant

failed to show that issue was “dispositive of any claim in the case...[or] that early resolution

of this issue would save significant time in the litigation or advance settlement of the case.”);

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Valerio v. Boise Cascade Corp., 80 F.R.D. 626, (N.D. Cal. 1978) (denying request for Rule

56(d) relief based on “isolated factual and legal issues...” because “‘Rule 56(d) does not

contemplate summary judgments on evidentiary matters en route to...’”entry of summary

judgment on all or part of a claim and “‘does not authorize the initiation of motions the sole

object of which is to adjudicate issues of fact which are not dispositive of any claim or part

thereof.’”) (quoting Moore’s Federal Practice, ¶56.20(3.-2) (2d ed. 1948)).

Plaintiff has also captioned her motion as one for partial summary judgment as

opposed to partial summary adjudication. See Harris, 2008 WL 343260 at *10 (finding

“problematic” independent Rule 56(d) motion wherein movant requests “partial summary

judgment as opposed to partial summary adjudication.”) (emphasis in original). The Ninth

Circuit has observed that although “‘[i]t is clear that Rule 56 authorizes a summary

adjudication that will often fall short of a final determination, even of a single claim[,]...the

term ‘partial summary judgment’ as applied to interlocutory summary adjudication is often

a misnomer.’” Lies, 641 F.2d at 769 n.3 (quoting 6 Moore’s Federal Practice, ¶56.20 (3.-2)

(2d ed. 1976)). This is so because a “partial summary judgment” is interlocutory, involves

adjudication of less than the entire action, and consequently does not purport to authorize a

final appealable judgment. Harris, 2008 WL 343260 at *11 (citation omitted). Moreover,

entry of “partial summary judgment” is subject to revision at any time before the entry of

judgment on the adjudication of all the claims, rights, and liabilities of all the parties. (Id.)

(citations omitted). The Arizona District Court has found that if a Rule 56(d) motion is

granted, “the more soundly reasoned approach is to grant partial summary adjudication, not

partial summary judgment. Proceeding in this way is consistent with the purpose of Rule

56(d) which is to “‘help[] focus the issues to be litigated, thus conserving judicial resources.”

Id. (quoting Advanced Semiconductor Materials Amer., 1995 WL 419747, at *4). 

Plaintiff has not specifically argued that her AMPSJ is appropriate under Rule 56(d).

The two issues she has identified in her AMPSJ are not case or claim dispositive. Nor does

Plaintiff discuss how trial would be impacted by an established finding that Defendant

Salcido failed to follow TPD general orders. With regard to constitutional claims of

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excessive force under section 1983, the Ninth Circuit has recognized that:

A Fourth Amendment claim of excessive force is analyzed under the

framework set forth by the Supreme Court in Graham v. Connor, [490 U.S.

386, 109 S.Ct. 1865 (1989)]. That analysis requires balancing the “nature and

quality of the intrusion” on a person's liberty with the “countervailing

governmental interests at stake” to determine whether the use of force was

objectively reasonable under the circumstances. [Id. at 396, 109 S.Ct. 1865.]

Determining whether a police officer's use of force was reasonable or

excessive therefore “requires careful attention to the facts and circumstances

of each particular case” and a “careful balancing” of an individual's liberty

with the government's interest in the application of force. Id.; see Deorle v.

Rutherford, 272 F.3d 1272, 1279-81 (9th Cir.2001). Because such balancing

nearly always requires a jury to sift through disputed factual contentions, and

to draw inferences therefrom, we have held on many occasions that summary

judgment or judgment as a matter of law in excessive force cases should be

granted sparingly. See, e.g., Liston v. County of Riverside, 120 F.3d 965, 976

n. 10[ (9th Cir.1997)] (citing several cases). This is because police misconduct

cases almost always turn on a jury's credibility determinations....Santos v.

Gates, 287 F.3d 846, 853 (9th Cir.2002).

Drummond ex. rel Drummond v. City of Anaheim, 343 F.3d 1052, 1056 (9th Cir. 2003); see

also Mattos v. Agarano, 590 F.3d 1082 (9th Cir. 2010) (the Fourth amendment does not

require that officers use the least amount of force necessary). The Drummond court pointed

out that although training materials and police department guidelines may be considered

when evaluating whether a particular use of force was reasonable, such materials and

guidelines are not dispositive. See Drummond, 343 F.3d at 1059. Therefore, whether

Defendant Salcido failed to comply with the TPD guideline is not dispositive of Plaintiff’s

section 1983 claim. Moreover, it is not clear how resolution of that issue would be

dispositive of any part of that claim.

Nor has Plaintiff addressed how a ruling that Defendant Salcido failure to comply with

TPD’s guideline would be dispositive of any part of her state claims. Granting Plaintiff the

benefit of the doubt, it is arguable that trial would be shortened by early resolution of this

issue.

Likewise, early resolution of the issue of causation would save significant time needed

for trial. Plaintiff’s request for a finding regarding causation “‘goes much further than

seeking...an adjudication of an issue of fact which would not be dispositive of an issue or

even part of an issue.’” Harris, 2008 WL 343260, at *10 (quoting Hat, 2007 WL 2580688,

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at *9). Moreover, Plaintiff’s resolution of the issue of causation will be dispositive of a part

of all of Plaintiff’s claims.

Although Plaintiff has not moved for full summary judgment, for the foregoing

reasons, the Court will allow Plaintiff’s independent motion seeking resolution of the issue

of whether Defendant Salcido failed to comply with TPD guidelines and the issue of

causation. See Id. 

C. Standard

The Rule 56(c) summary judgment standard applies to determinations of Rule 56(d)

motions. See Amdahl Corp. v. Profit Freight Sys., Inc., 65 F.3d 144, 146 (9th Cir. 1995);

Harris, 2008 WL 343260, at *11-*12 A grant of a summary adjudication motion is reviewed

de novo. Kendall-Jackson Winery, Ltd. v. E&J Gallo Winery, 150 F.3d 1042, 1046 (9th Cir.

1998) (citing Amdahl Corp., 65 F.3d at 146). 

Pursuant to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, a party may seek summary judgment

where there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that party is entitled to judgment

as a matter of law. Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(c)(2). Summary judgment is appropriate only when the

pleadings, discovery and disclosure materials on file, together with the affidavits, if any,

show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is

entitled to a judgment as a matter of law. Id.

The initial burden rests on the moving party to point out the absence of any genuine

issue of material fact. Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 323 (1986). Rule 56 places

no evidentiary burden on the moving party beyond that which is required to prevail at trial.

Id. The moving party need provide nothing more than a reference to those materials on file

in the case that support the movant's belief that there is an absence of any genuine issue of

material fact. Musick v. Burke, 913 F.2d 1390, 1394 (9th Cir. 1990). Once the moving party

has satisfied this initial responsibility, the burden then shifts to the opponent to come forward

with "‘specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial.’” Matsushita Elec. Indus.

Co. v. Zenith Radio, 475 U.S. 574, 587 (1986) (quoting Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(e) (emphasis

omitted)). A genuine issue of material fact exists “if the evidence is such that a reasonable

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jury could return a verdict for the non-moving party.” Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477

U.S. 242, 248 (1986). See also Celotex, 477 U.S. at 324 (the opponent must demonstrate

through production of probative evidence that an issue of fact remains to be tried.). The

opposing party need not establish a material issue of fact conclusively in its favor; it is

sufficient that “the claimed factual dispute be shown to require a jury or judge to resolve the

parties’ differing versions of the truth at trial.” First Nat’l. Bank of Ariz. v. Cities Serv. Co.,

391 U.S. 253, 288-89 (1968). The opposing party may not rest on mere allegations or denials

in its pleading but “must–by affidavits or as otherwise provided in...[R]ule [56]–set out

specific facts showing a genuine issue for trial.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(e)(2). Nor may the

opponent rely upon conclusory or speculative testimony to raise a genuine issue of fact to

defeat summary judgment. Anheuser-Busch, Inc. v. Natural Beverage Distrib., 69 F.3d 337,

345 (9th Cir. 1995). Summary judgment is appropriate “against a party who fails to make

a showing sufficient to establish the existence of an element essential to the party’s case, and

on which that party will bear the burden of proof at trial.” Thomas v. Douglas, 877 F.2d

1428, 1430 (9th Cir. 1989). See also Celotex, 477 U.S. at 322-23.

When resolving a motion for summary judgment, the “trial court can only consider

admissible evidence....” Orr v. Bank of America, 285 F.3d 764, 773 (9th Cir. 2002).

Moreover, at the summary judgment stage, the trial court is not to make credibility

determinations or weigh conflicting evidence; but the court is required to view all inferences

in the light most favorable to the non-moving party. Musick, 913 F.2d at 1394. The ultimate

question is whether the evidence "presents a sufficient disagreement to require submission

to a jury or whether it is so one-sided that one party must prevail as a matter of law."

Anderson, 477 U.S. at 251-52. The mere existence of a scintilla of evidence supporting the

non-movant's position will be insufficient; there must be evidence from which a fair-minded

jury could reasonably find for the non-movant. Anderson, 477 U.S. at 252. If the factual

context makes the non-movant's claim implausible, that party must come forward with more

persuasive evidence to support its claim than would otherwise be necessary. Matsushita, 475

U.S. at 587.

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 D. Analysis

1. Compliance with Arizona’s Notice of Claim Statute

In Arizona, persons who have claims against a public entity, or public employee, such

as Defendants, must file a claim with the person designated to accept service of process for

the entity within 180 days after the cause of action accrues. Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-821.01(A).

It is well established that state notice of claim statutes are preempted with respect to federal

civil rights actions, such as Plaintiff’s section 1983 claim. Felder v. Casey, 487 U.S. 131

(1988); Tryon v. Avra Valley Fire District, 659 F.Supp. 283, 284-85 (D.Ariz. 1986).

However, Plaintiff's state claims remain subject to Arizona's notice of claim statute. See

Tyron, 659 F.Supp. at 284.

Defendants argue that Plaintiff “never claimed, as required by ARS §12-821.01, that

the arresting officer, Mr. Salcido[,] tripped her or used some ‘takedown’ in a negligent

manner in violation of any standard or General Order of the Tucson Police Department.”

(Defendants’ Response, p. 4). Therefore, Defendants argue that any such claim is barred by

ARS §12-821.01. (Id.). 

Defendants raise this issue after expiration of the dispositive motion deadline but

proffer no reason to permit such an argument. However, Plaintiff does not argue that

Defendants’ defense is untimely raised. If the issue is one of subject matter jurisdiction, the

objection may be raised at any time. See Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(h)(3); Intercontinental Travel

Marketing, Inc. v. Federal Deposit Insur. Corp., 45 F.3d 1278, 1286 (9th Cir. 1994). This

District Court has noted, that “[t]he Arizona state courts’ decisions on point have not been

entirely consistent with regard to whether failure to comply with the statute deprives the

court of jurisdiction over the claim.” Nored v. City of Tempe, 614 F.Supp.2d 991, 994 n.3

(D.Ariz. June 26, 2008) (citing cases). Defendants have provided no argument or authority

to support the position that failure to comply with the notice of claim statute deprives this

Court of subject matter jurisdiction over Plaintiff’s state law claims. However, even

assuming arguendo that subject matter jurisdiction is at issue, Defendants still fail on the

merits of their argument.

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14The date of Plaintiff’s Notice is not evident from the exhibit submitted by

Defendants at DSOF, Exh. 9. In their Response, Defendants state that Plaintiff filed the

Notice of Claim on September 21, 2007. (Defendants’ Response, p.2).

Plaintiff testified at her deposition that she prepared the Notice of Claim

approximately six months after the incident. (PSOF, Exh. 4 at p. 47). She had notified

“Preapid Legal” about the incident and “was told this is one of the steps that I needed to

take.” (Id. at p. 48). She typed the Notice herself. (Id.).

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The notice of claim statute sets forth specific requirements for the content of the

claim:

The claim shall contain facts sufficient to permit the public entity or public

employee to understand the basis upon which liability is claimed. The claim

shall also contain a specific amount for which the claim can be settled and the

facts supporting that amount.

ARS §12-821.01(A) (2003). Moreover, "[a]ny claim which is not filed within one hundred

eighty days after the cause of action accrues is barred and no action may be maintained

thereon." Id. 

It is undisputed that Plaintiff filed a Notice of Claim with the City of Tucson regarding

the events of April 27, 2007.14 (DSOF, Exh. 9).

Defendants take issue with Plaintiff’s Notice to the extent that they claim that Plaintiff

failed to allege that Defendant Salcido “tripped her or used some ‘takedown’ in a negligent

manner in violation of any standard or General Order of...” TPD. (Defendants’ Response,

p. 4). 

In her Notice of Claim, Plaintiff described the events of her encounter with Defendant

Salcido. (DSOF, Exh. 9). In pertinent part, Plaintiff stated:

[O]fficer [S]alcido pulled me from the wall and told me to stop yelling your

[sic] going to jail I replied by calling my brothers [sic] name over and over I

herd [sic] [O]fficer [S]alcido count to three and then he kicked me in my right

knee with his left leg I felt a pop and feel [sic] down screaming after kicking

me [O]fficer [S]alcido was on my back with both of his knees on the ground

and he was still trying to retrieve my right arm at this point I had my right arm

was smashed on my chest due to the officers [sic] [S]alcidos [sic] weight....

***

I do plan to take action for the recklessness behavior and excessive force that

was displayed by Officer Salcido....

(Id. at pp.1, 3). Defendants also assert that Plaintiff alleged in her Complaint that she was

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violently kicked by Defendant Salcido but “[n]ow Plaintiff claims it was a take down, not a

kick, that Officer Salcido used and that said take down was wrong because his police

academy training did not include that specific take down method.” (Defendants’ Response,

p. 3). Defendants argue that Plaintiff cannot now “claim some sort of negligent takedown...”

because “she never filed a notice of claim on that issue.” (Id.). Nor has she amended her

complaint on that issue. (Id.). Plaintiff counters that her Notice of Claim is adequate.

(Plaintiff’s Reply, p.3). 

The notice requirements of ARS § 12-821.01 serve several important functions. They

allow the public entity the opportunity to investigate the claim and assess its liability, permit

the public entity the opportunity to attain a settlement and avoid costly litigation, assist the

public entity in financial planning and budgeting, and provide a procedure by which the

legislature will be advised of claims for which no payment has been provided. Backus v.

State of Arizona, 220 Ariz. 101, 106, 203 P.3d 499, 504 (2009) (en banc); Yollin v. City of

Glendale, 219 Ariz. 24, 28-29, 191 P.3d 1040, 1044-1045 (App. 2008)(citations omitted);

Vasquez v. State of Arizona, 220 Ariz. 304, 206 P.3d 753 (App. 2008) (citing Deer Valley

Unified Sch. Dist. No. 97 v. Houser, 214 Ariz. 293, 152 P.3d 490 (2007)); Howland v. State

of Arizona, 169 Ariz. 293, 299, 818 P.2d 1169, 1175 (Ariz. App. 1991) (discussing former

version of notice of claim statute). See also Tyron, 659 F.Supp. at 284. In light of these

purposes, “the notice of claim anticipated by the statute must at least contain enough

information to allow the state to intelligently ascertain these purposes so it can

conscientiously allow or disallow the claim.” Howland, 169 Ariz. at 299, 818 P.2d at 1175

(discussing former notice of claim statute). Therefore, in addition to a claim for a sum

certain, “at a minimum,...the notice of claim must also contain ‘an assertion of liability on

behalf of the State in regard to a specifically described event sufficient to allow the State to

investigate and determine its potential liability.’” Id. (quoting State of Arizona v. Brooks, 23

Ariz. App. 463, 466, 534 P.d 271, 274 (1975), disagreed with on other grounds by Pritchard

v. State of Arizona, 163 Ariz. 427, 432, 788 P.2d 1178, 1183 (1990)). In construing a prior

version of the notice of claim statute, the Arizona court found insufficient notice where the

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15At her deposition, Plaintiff testified that she did not see Defendant Salcido kick her

before she heard a pop, felt pain, and went to the ground. (PSOF, Exh. 4 at p.117-118). She

testified that she wrote in her Notice of Claim that Defendant Salcido kicked her in her right

knee. (Id. at pp. 82-83). When questioning her about her Notice of Claim, defense counsel

asked “And then he deliberately kicked you in the right knee?” and Plaintiff answered “Yes.”

(Id. at p.83). 

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plaintiff “gave no indication of any specifically described event, dates, or the nature of

plaintiff’s loss.” Howland, 169 Ariz. at 299, 818 P.2d at 1175. 

Plaintiff notified Defendants of the facts surrounding her encounter with Defendant

Salcido including the facts that Defendant Salcido kicked her15, her knee popped, and

immediately thereafter she fell down to the ground where Defendant Salcido placed both his

knees on Plaintiff’s back and handcuffed both her hands. (DSOF, Exh. 9). Defendants

attempt to draw a distinction between a claim that Plaintiff was kicked and fell to the ground

and a claim that Defendant Salcido was using some kind of unauthorized take down

technique when he allegedly used his leg in a manner that caused Plaintiff to fall to the

ground. Regardless, whether Defendant Salcido’s actions are characterized as a kick or a

take down, Defendants received notice of the alleged facts of Defendant Salcido’s actions

on which Plaintiff bases her claim. Plaintiff does not advance a cause of action solely reliant

on the issue whether Defendant Salcido’s actions violated TPD general orders. That

allegation and argument is merely a theory Plaintiff advances to establish her case which is

based on the facts contained in her notice. Plaintiff provided adequate notice of the facts

surrounding the incident and Defendant Salcido’s actions, in particular, to satisfy A.R.S. §

12-821.01.sufficient for Defendants to understand the basis upon which liability is claimed

and to assess their liability in light of Defendant Salcido’s actions. 

The analysis now turns to Plaintiff’s arguments in support of her AMPSJ.

2. Whether Defendant Salcido violated TPD’s General Order 

Plaintiff argues that Defendant Salcido had not been trained to use a backward

tripping technique and that TPD General Order 2043.1 forbids use of an empty hand control

technique by an officer when that officer has not been trained in such a technique, “[e]xcept

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16Plaintiff cites Ms. Carson’s testimony to support her contention that Defendant

Salcido had pushed Plaintiff up against the wall of the apartment building.

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in cases of extreme emergency, in which there are no viable alternatives....” (PSOF, Exh. 9).

Thus, according to Plaintiff, Defendant Salcido “did not follow the Tucson Police

Department’s General Operating Procedures when he forced Plaintiff...from a standing

position to a lying position on the ground when while facing her he used his hands to push

her off balance and then placed one of his legs behind her right leg causing her to trip and

fall backwards onto the ground.” (Plaintiff’s AMPSJ, pp. 1-2).

Defendants contend that Defendant Salcido did not violate TPD General Order 2043.1

and that he faced an extreme emergency in which there were no viable alternatives but to act

as he did. (Defendant’s Response, pp. 4-6). Defendants cite the following facts to support

their argument: (1) Plaintiff refused to submit to a lawful arrest and physically resisted the

arrest; (2) Plaintiff was yelling for her brother and others; and (3) Defendant Salcido was “in

fact confronted by a group of people who came out of the apartments in response to

Plaintiff’s call for reinforcements which caused him to fear for his safety.” (Id. at p. 6; see

also Id. at p.2 (Defendant Salcido “forced [Plaintiff]...to the ground so he could handcuff

her....He did so after a relatively protracted struggle with Plaintiff and while he had to ward

off people from the apartment building including Plaintiff’s (apparent) brother who

threatened to intervene and caused Officer Salcido to fear for his safety.”)). 

Plaintiff counters that this was not a case of an extreme emergency given that

Defendant Salcido had her pinned against the wall for 30 to 45 seconds16, he had affixed a

handcuff to her left wrist, had her left arm pinned behind her back, and he then pulled her

away from the wall, pushed her backwards and tripped her so that she would fall backwards.

(Plaintiff’s Reply, pp. 5-6). Plaintiff also argues that Defendant Salcido was not “at the same

time ‘warding off’ reinforcements...” in light of undisputed fact that Defendant Salcido did

not see reenforcements until after he had Plaintiff under control on the ground. (Plaintiff’s

Reply, pp. 5-6 (quoting Defendants’ Response, at p. 2)(emphasis in original)).

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Officer Patterson testified that Defendant Salcido was not trained in the specific

maneuver that he described using with Plaintiff. (PSOF, Exh. 2 at pp. 115, 117, 127-128).

Officer Patterson also testified that during training, there is no way that an instructor can

spell out every possible set of circumstances that the officers will encounter, “[s]o although

we can give them some guidelines and some basic principles of what it is that they do...we

can give them some techniques..., it would be impossible to say it would work every time

under every condition under every set of circumstances.” (PSOF, Exh. 2 at pp. 30-31).

Therefore, instructors also teach officers that “[t]here comes a time when certain things

happen in a confrontation and you may go outside the basic guidelines of what’s written

specifically on this piece of paper in order to successfully resolve the...circumstances of that

confrontation.” (Id.). For these situations, officers are taught “anything that works” but

“[w]e still go under the principle that if you have to do something to get somebody under

control, the big key is this: It has to be reasonable and it has to be based on the circumstances

at the time of the event.” (Id. at p.32). 

Plaintiff argues that Defendant Salcido used an empty hand control technique, i.e., a

takedown, which violated TPD General Order 2043.1 because Defendant Salcido was not

trained in the use of that technique. Plaintiff also argues that the situation did not fall within

the exception to that General Order because Defendant Salcido did not face a “case[] of

extreme emergency, in which there [were] no viable alternatives....” (PSOF, Exh. 9).

Neither Plaintiff nor Defendants cite any TPD General Orders or other materials

which define the term “extreme emergency” as used in General Order 2043.1. Nor do the

parties cite deposition testimony or other evidence as to Defendant Salcido’s opinion whether

he had viable alternatives to the actions he took. Plaintiff argues here that Defendant Salcido

could have kept her pinned against the wall until backup arrived. The parties have not cited

any portion of the record wherein Defendant Salcido was asked why he did not pin Plaintiff

to the wall until backup arrived.

The undisputed facts show that Defendant Salcido was familiar with the area where

he encountered Plaintiff, which he described to be a “[h]igh crime rate area.” (PSOF, Exh.

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1 at p. 59; see also Id. at pp. 94-95). He had previously made arrests in that area and he was

familiar with the particular apartment complex where he encountered Plaintiff. (Id.). He

cited prostitution, drugs, gangs, and one homicide “involving a very violent suspect” as the

type of crime he associated with that apartment complex. (PSOF, Exh. 1, at p.59). Ms.

Carson, when testifying that she went outside to investigate when she heard a woman

screaming, stated that “[o]ur neighborhood has incidences that happen in it.” (PSOF, Exh.

3, p.26).

It is not entirely clear on the record what time the encounter with Plaintiff occurred.

What is known is that it was dark enough to require headlights as Defendant Salcido testified

that his attention was drawn to Plaintiff’s vehicle because she was driving with her headlights

off, and Plaintiff maintains she was driving with her headlights on. (PSOF, Exh. 1 at p.59;

Exh. 4 at p. 49).

It is also undisputed that from the first moment Defendant Salcido requested Plaintiff

to give him her license, Plaintiff did not comply and continued walking away from Defendant

Salcido. (PSOF, Exh. 1 at pp. 63-64, 68-69; PSOF, Exh. 4 at pp. 54-55). Although

Defendant Salcido was able to affix a handcuff to Plaintiff’s left wrist, Plaintiff continued

to physically resist Defendant Salcido’s efforts to handcuff her other hand and to stop

her–she flailed her arms and pulled away. (PSOF, Exh. 1 at pp. 70-71). Defendant Salcido

testified that when he initially grabbed Plaintiff’s left arm, he “was attempting to place her

in the OCCS grip...” a technique which he had been trained to perform, but Plaintiff “pulled

away very violently and continued to resist, so,...it [i.e., the OCCS grip] did not” work. (Id.

at p. 96). Plaintiff also continuously screamed and such screams included calling for help

and calling a man’s name. (Id. at p. 91; PSOF, Exh. 3 at pp. 16, 19-21; PSOF, Exh. 4 at pp.

77-78). Although Defendant Salcido did not know at that time that the man’s name Plaintiff

was screaming was her brother’s name, he did believe she was calling for reinforcements and

he feared for his safety. (PSOF, Exh. 1 at pp. 73, 91, 94-95).

There is testimony from Plaintiff that at some point, after Defendant Salcido had

cuffed her left wrist, her thighs, stomach, chest and face were pressed against the wall of the

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apartment complex and that she was against the wall for approximately 30 to 45 seconds.

(PSOF, Exh. 4, pp. 83-84, 114-116). Ms. Carson also testified that Defendant Salcido used

his body to hold Plaintiff against the wall “because she’s fighting him the whole time and

trying to get away from him.” (PSOF, Exh. 3 at p.15; see also PSOF, Exh. 3 at p. 14

(Defendant Salcido had Plaintiff “up against the wall)). Although Defendant Salcido recalled

that Plaintiff pulled away from him in the direction of the wall, he did not recall whether

Plaintiff’s body ever came into contact with the wall or whether she was ever pinned against

the wall. (PSOF, Exh. 1 at p.89). Plaintiff and Ms. Carson agree that at some point, Plaintiff

and Defendant Salcido came away from the wall and struggled out onto a graveled area.

(PSOF, Exh. 4 at p. 82; PSOF, Exh. 3 at p. 17). 

Although Defendant Salcido was taller than Plaintiff, Plaintiff outweighed him by at

least 35 pounds if not more. (PSOF, Exh. 1 at p. 58 (on the incident date Defendant Salcido

was approximately 29 years old, six-feet tall and weighed approximately 185 pounds; PSOF,

Exh. 4 at p.113 (on the incident date, Plaintiff was five-feet-six to seven inches in height, and

weighed between 220-235 pounds); DSOF, Exh. 10 (on the incident date Plaintiff was 25

years old); see also PSOF, Exh. 3 at p.18 (Ms. Carson testified that Plaintiff appeared to

outweigh Defendant Salcido)). Although Plaintiff posits that Defendant Salcido could have

kept Plaintiff pinned to the wall until backup assistance arrived, the record is not clear as to

whether Defendant Salcido had sufficient control over Plaintiff during this time or that he

could have held her in this position for the time it would take for backup to arrive. Taking

Plaintiff’s and Ms. Carson’s testimony as true that Plaintiff at some point was pressed against

the wall, factual questions still persist as to whether Defendant Salcido had control of

Plaintiff sufficient to either subdue her or keep her in place to await the arrival of other

officers. 

Plaintiff also argues that Defendant Salcido was not faced with an extreme emergency.

(See Reply, pp. 4-6). Plaintiff points to Defendant Salcido’s testimony that reinforcements

arrived when he had Plaintiff on the ground. (PSOF, Exh. 1 at p. 92). Ms. Carson testified

that prior to Defendant Salcido taking Plaintiff to the ground, Plaintiff was pressed against

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the wall and Plaintiff’s “face was facing towards the crowd.” (PSOF, Exh. 3 at p. 29)

(emphasis added). Ms. Carson also testified that at some point after Defendant Salcido had

Plaintiff on the ground, a man emerged from the “crowd of people standing on the

sidewalk...[a]nd...advanced forward...[a]nd the police officer told him to get back, and the

guy went back...There was no aggression from the-the crowd, but I think the police officer

was fearful that there would be.” (Id. at pp. 18-19). 

Although Defendants cite Defendant Gallego’s testimony to support their assertion

that Defendant Salcido requested backup “ASAP” (DSSOF, ¶141 (citing DSSOF, Exh. 2,

p.15)), Defendant Gallego’s testimony does not support that assertion given his testimony

that Defendant Salcido’s call for backup did not include the code for “ASAP.” (See DSSOF,

Exh. 2 at pp. 15-16; see also discussion supra, at n.6). It is unclear when Defendant Salcido

called for backup. From Defendant Gallego’s testimony, it appears that this might have

occurred when Defendant Salcido initially stopped Plaintiff at the apartment complex parking

lot to approach Plaintiff about driving without headlights. (See DSSOF, Exh. 2 at p. 15 (“I

heard [Defendant Salcido] pull a traffic stop and he said he had a 1084....”)). Defendant

Salcido testified that he has “it documented that [he called for backup]...when I had Ms.

Clark in handcuffs.” (PSOF, Exh. 1, at pp. 98-99). It is not clear whether this is the same

call Defendant Gallego testified about. Defendant Gallego said he arrived when Defendant

Salcido was “putting a handcuff on...” Plaintiff. (DSSOF, Exh. 2 at p.17). If Defendant

Salcido is correct that he called for backup after he had Plaintiff on the ground and in cuffs,

then the “emergency” situation might have dissipated given that he had Plaintiff under

control at that point–in fact the question is whether an emergency existed necessitating the

maneuver that took her to the ground. If she was already on the ground, then he might not

have needed backup “ASAP.” It is also unclear whether Defendant Salcido had the capability

to call for backup when away from his car or whether he could make that call without use of

his hands which were engaged in the struggle with Plaintiff.

It is not entirely clear on the record when the crowd formed or the exact moment

Plaintiff’s brother arrived on the scene. It is clear that, in a quickly moving time period,

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17In Defendant Salcido’s words, he “was already dealing with someone who did not

have any respect for authority. I did not know whether or not the person she was calling

would have any respect for authority.” (PSOF, Exh. 1 at p. 95).

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Defendant Salcido was dealing with a subject who outweighed him, who did not heed his

commands, who physically resisted his attempts to control her, and who continuously called

for help in general and for one man in particular.17 Defendant Salcido testified that he

believed that Plaintiff was calling for reinforcements and this caused him to fear for his

safety, especially given the reputation of the apartment complex for its association with gang

members, at least one homicide, and other crimes. There is no showing that Defendant

Salcido knew at what precise moment, if at all, the man whom Plaintiff was calling for would

arrive, whether that man would be armed and/or be accompanied by others, and what that

man would or would not do to aid Plaintiff. Moreover, the fact that Plaintiff’s brother did in

fact comply with the defendant officers’ commands does not impact the analysis given that

how he would behave was an unknown at the time Defendant Salcido took Plaintiff to the

ground. The undisputed facts of record show that Defendant Salcido faced a volatile situation

which, at any moment could be compounded by the arrival of others to aid the already

physically-resistant Plaintiff. Drawing all reasonable inferences in Defendants’ favor as the

Court must on summary adjudication, the Court concludes that a fair-minded jury could

reasonably determine that under such circumstances Defendant Salcido feared for his safety

and that the encounter fell within the exception to TPD General Order 2043.1.

 Officer Patterson testified that he did not consider Defendant Salcido’s actions to have

violated General Order 2043.1 (DSOF, Exh. 3 at pp. 34-36). Officer Patterson acknowledged

that the steps Defendant Salcido employed in the maneuver used with Plaintiff was “not

something that specifically was trained in that order” but Defendant Salcido’s actions had

“components of everything that...would fit directly with a manner in which he was trained...”

(PSOF, Exh. 2, at p.127). 

Officer Patterson also testified that “in a real world environment...” the steps taught

at training are “like a model that you can utilize but you can’t say it will work100 percent of

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the time in every set of circumstances.” (DSOF, Exh. 3 at pp. 35-36). According to Officer

Patterson, given the circumstances, Defendant Salcido’s “response of utilizing that takedown

to overcome the resistance [was]...appropriate” and “consistent with the manner in which

he was trained and what he’s attempting to accomplish, which is to get this resisting subject

on the ground and under control, especially in light of the other circumstances that he has

coming into play.” (Id. at p.36). 

On the instant record, drawing all reasonable inferences in favor of Defendants as the

non-movants, a genuine issue of material fact exists as to whether Defendant Salcido violated

the TPD policy at issue. Consequently, Plaintiff’s request for summary adjudication of this

issue is denied.

3. Causation

Plaintiff alleges that Defendant Salcido’s:

wrongful actions...inflicted and caused Plaintiff... to experience painful bone

fracture(s) and ligament tears and injury about her knee and upper leg, which

will cause some permanent change and injury, and probably disability and

occupational impairment. Plaintiff ...suffered a painful fracture of her leg and

knee as a result of the beating from [Defendant] Salcido. Plaintiff...probably

will be left with a chronic pain condition in the knee and leg which was

fractured. Plaintiff...was required to have reconstruction surgery, with

implantation of hardware into her leg, to repair the injuries caused by...”

[Defendant] Salcido. 

(Complaint, ¶27). In her AMPSJ, Plaintiff requests that the Court rule that:

Defendant Officer Salcido’s use of force on Plaintiff Stephanie Clark while

facing her he used his hands to push her off balance and then placed one of his

legs behind her right leg causing her to trip and fall backwards onto the ground

caused Plaintiff Stephanie Clark to experience a tear to her anterior cruciate

ligament in her right knee.

(Plaintiff’s AMPSJ, p. 2).

In reversing a district court’s grant of a Rule 56(d) motion on the issue of causation,

the Ninth Circuit has observed:

Causation is generally a question of fact for the jury, unless “the proof is

insufficient to raise a reasonable inference that the act complained of was the

proximate cause of the injury.” Leaf v. United States, 588 F.2d 733, 736 (9 Cir.

1978) [abrogated on other grounds by Sosa v. Alvarez-Machain, 542 U.S. 692

(2004)]. Since the sufficiency of proof test involves a legal determination by

the court, proximate cause may be said to be a mixed question of law and fact,

which is generally sufficient to preclude summary judgment.

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Lies, 641 F.2d at 770.

The Arizona Supreme Court has stated that “as far as causation-in-fact is concerned,

the general rule is that a defendant may be held liable if his conduct contributed to the result

and if that result would not have occurred ‘but for’ defendant’s conduct.” Onitveros v.

Borak, 136 Ariz. 500, 505, 557 P.2d 200, 205 (1983) (finding that question of cause before

the court was a question of fact for the jury), superseded on other grounds by A.R.S. §4-312.

Arizona courts have “unvaryingly define[d]” proximate cause as “that which, in a

natural and continuous sequence, unbroken by any efficient intervening cause, produces an

injury, and without which the injury would not have occurred.” Robertson v. Sixpence Inns

of Amer., Inc., 163 Ariz. 539, 546, 789 P.2d 1040, 1047 (1990) (citations omitted). To prove

proximate cause, the plaintiff is not required to establish that the defendant’s breach of duty

definitively caused the plaintiff’s injury, “‘simply that the negligence increased the risk of

injury....’” Ritchie v. Krasner, 221 Ariz. 288, 297, 211 P.3d 1272, 1281 (App. 2009)

(quoting Thompson v. Sun City Comm. Hosp., Inc., 141 Ariz. 597, 607, 688 P.2d 605, 615

(1984)). Like the Ninth Circuit in Lies, the Arizona court has also observed that

“[o]rdinarily, the question of proximate cause is a question of fact for the jury. Only when

plaintiff’s evidence does not establish a causal connection, leaving causation to the jury’s

speculation, or where reasonable persons could not differ on the inference derived from the

evidence, may the court properly enter a directed verdict [for defendant].” Robertson, 163

Ariz. at 546, 789 P.2d at 1047 (citations omitted). See also Ritchie, 221 Ariz. at 297, 211

P.3d at 1281 (quoting Thompson, 141 Ariz. at 507, 688 P.2d at 615) (“‘The step from

increased risk to [the probability of] causation is one for the jury to make.’”). 

 Generally, where expert testimony bears on the issue of causation, “causation must

be shown to be Probable and not merely Possible...” and testimony that some other event

“‘could’ or ‘may’ have been the cause of the injury is insufficient.” Kreisman v. Thomas,

12 Ariz. App. 215, 218, 469 P.2d 107, 110 (1970). However, Arizona courts have relaxed

this “general rule concerning expert medical testimony and have sustained verdicts based

upon expert testimony as to the Possible cause, when there is sufficient additional evidence

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18At oral argument, Plaintiff’s counsel stated Dr. Meaney has examined Plaintiff and

has treated her to the extent that he prescribed medication for her.

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indicating the specific causal relationship.” Id. (citations omitted). This exception to the

general rule has been articulated as follows:

To establish the causal connection between an accident and injury, a Sine qua

non of liability, medical testimony as to the Possibility of such causal

connection, without more, is insufficient. But if there is medical evidence of

the possibility of the existence of the causal relationship together with other

evidence or circumstances indicating such relationship, the finding that the

accident caused the injury will be sustained.

Kreisman, 12 Ariz. App. At 110, 469 P.2d at 110 (quoting Coca-Cola Bottling Co. v.

Fitzgerald, 3 Ariz. App. 303, 306 413 P.2d 869, 872 (1966)). Moreover, 

[e]xpert testimony,...is not conclusive upon the trier of fact, even though

unimpeached and uncontradicted, since the trier may apply his own experience

or knowledge in determining how far to follow the expressed opinion.

However, this is subject to the general rule that the trier may not act arbitrarily

in disregarding uncontradicted and entirely probable testimony of witnesses

whose qualifications and judgment have not been discredited. 

Security-First Nat’l. Bank of Los Angeles v. Lutz, 322 F.2d 348, 355 (9th Cir. 1963). 

Plaintiff cites to a case on appeal from an Industrial Commission decision for the

premise that “[w]here causation is peculiarly within the knowledge of medical experts as in

heart attack cases, we must rely upon the opinion of medical experts to determine when an

accident has occurred and its cause.” McNeely v. The Industrial Commission of Ariz., 108

Ariz. 453, 455, 501 P.2d 555, 557 (1972). Because Plaintiff has the burden of proof on this

issue at trial, she must show that no reasonable trier of fact could find for Defendants. See

Calderone v. United States, 799 F. 2d 254, 269 (6th Cir. 1986); United States v. Four Parcels

of Real Property, 941 F.2d 1428, 1438 (11th Cir. 1991); Ekloff v. Rodgers, 443 F.Supp.2d

1173, 1176 (D. Ariz. 2006). Plaintiff asserts that her “treating and independent examining

doctors along with the Defendants’ own examining independent orthopedic specialist..., Dr.

Hess, hold the opinion that the Plaintiff did not have a pre-existing ligament tear and that her

ligament tear was caused by the altercation with Officer Salcido.” (Plaintiff’s Reply, p.8

(citing PSOF, ¶105-112 (which relates to testimony from Doctors Meaney18 and Hess)). Dr.

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Meaney is of the opinion that based upon his examination of Plaintiff, review of medical

records and Defendant Salcido’s description of the maneuver used to take Plaintiff to the

ground, “[t]he mechanism of injury to Stephanie’s knee, to within a reasonable degree of

probability, caused the tears in the ligaments and the cartilage in her knee.” (PSOF, Exh. 6).

Dr. Meaney’s opinion pertinent to this issue is stated in two sentences. (See Id.). He

provides no specific facts to support his opinion. “[I]n the context of a motion for summary

judgment, an expert must back up his opinion with specific facts.” United States v. Various

Slot Machines on Guam, 658 F.2d 697, 700 (9th Cir. 1981). 

Defendants’ expert, Dr. Hess, testified at the outset of his deposition that it was

probable the tear to Plaintiff’s ACL occurred during the April 27, 2007 incident with

Defendant Salcido. (PSOF, Exh. 8 at p.1). However, Defendants assert that Plaintiff’s prior

knee injury which occurred sometime between 2003 and 2005 is the cause of her ACL tear.

Defendants argue that: “Plaintiff fails to present evidence that there is a possibility that the

injury was a pre-existing condition.” (Defendants’ Response, p.6). It is unclear why

Plaintiff would bear the burden of “present[ing] evidence...” that she had a pre-existing

condition. 

Defendants further argue that “Dr. Hess is not sure that the April 27, 2007 incident

caused the ACL tear and Dr. Justesen thought it was an old injury.” (Id. (citing DSOF,

¶¶126-132)). Defendants, as the non-moving parties, need not establish a material issue of

fact conclusively in their favor. First Nat’l. Bank of Ariz., 391 U.S. at 288-89. Instead, “all

that is required is that sufficient evidence supporting the claimed factual dispute be shown

to require a jury or judge to resolve the parties’ differing versions of the truth at trial.” Id.

at 289. 

 Plaintiff testified that sometime in 2003 or 2004, she experienced a right knee injury

due to a domestic violence altercation and was told by medical providers that she had torn

ligaments. (PSOF, Exh. 4 at pp. 21-23). After a week or two using a brace and crutches and

pain medication, she was back to full mobility. (Id.). A 2005 medical record and police

report support the conclusion that the knee injury caused by the domestic violence event

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about which Plaintiff testified occurred in 2005. (DSOF, Exh. 11, 12). In 2005, Plaintiff was

diagnosed with knee strain, was given Motrin, and was released with crutches and an ace

wrap. (DSOF, Exh. 12). Plaintiff also testified that in November 2006 she went to an

emergency room after striking the dashboard with her right knee during a car accident.

(PSOF, Exh. 4 at pp.25-26). She was told that “everything looked fine” and was released.

(Id. at pp.26-27). There is no evidence that Plaintiff sought or received medical treatment for

her right knee during the intervening period from the 2006 event to the April 2007 event.

There is no medical record or opinion offered into evidence reflecting the exact date when

Plaintiff’s ACL tear was diagnosed after the April 2007 incident. In May 2007, less than one

month after the incident between Plaintiff and Defendant Salcido, Dr. Justesen’s review of

Plaintiff’s x-rays caused him to question “whether this may represent an old fracture.”

(DSOF, Exh. 10 (“the non irregularity of the contours, i.e. smooth contour, to me represents

this may be a possible old avulsion fracture....”)). Dr. Justesen was able to perform the

Lachman test and did not feel an unstable Lachman, although the test was “difficult[].” (Id.).

Yet, Dr. Justesen noted that Plaintiff did not have full mobility and his diagnosis included

“possible internal derangement.” (Id.) 

Dr. Hess, in addition to being unable to provide an exact date when Plaintiff was

injured (PSOF, Exh. 7, at p.10 ), also opined that it is within medical reality for Plaintiff to

have had a meniscus tear that was asymptomatic until a later event. (Id. at p.94).

Turning to the actual incident between Plaintiff and Defendant Salcido, Plaintiff

testified that Defendant Salcido kicked her in the right knee which caused her to hear a pop

and to fall to the ground screaming with intense pain. (PSOF, Exh. 4 at pp. 82-84, 117-118).

Dr. Hess testified that a kick to the knee would cause an ACL tear. (PSOF, Exh. 7, at p.50).

However, Defendant Salcido’s description of the maneuver did not include kicking Plaintiff

in the right knee (PSOF, Exh. 1 at pp. 82-84; see also PSOF, Exh. 7 at pp. 16-17 (quoting

PSOF, Exh. 1 at pp. 82-84)), Defendant Salcido denied kicking Plaintiff (PSOF, Exh. 1 at

pp. 97-98), and Plaintiff testified that she did not see Defendant Salcido kick her. (PSOF,

Exh. 4 at pp. 117-118). Moreover, witness Carson’s description of the maneuver she

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observed Defendant Salcido employ to take Plaintiff to the ground is consistent with

Defendant Salcido’s account. (PSOF, Exh. 3 at pp. 17-18). Despite Dr. Hess’ opinion that

a kick would have probably caused Plaintiff’s ACL tear, there is a dispute of fact as to

whether Defendant Salcido kicked Plaintiff as she claims.

Upon consideration of Defendant Salcido’s description of the maneuver he employed

with Plaintiff, Dr. Meaney, without explanation, reached the conclusion that “the tears in the

ligaments and the cartilage in...” Plaintiff’s knee were caused by same. (PSOF, Exh. 6).

However, after hearing Defendant Salcido’s description of the maneuver used with Plaintiff,

Dr. Hess testified “falling backwards is not a really classic...position you would think

somebody would blow out their ACL....” (PSOF, Exh. 7 at pp. 16-17). Instead, Dr. Hess

opined that “usually it’s a plant-twist kind of injury that you get it...or you get hit from the

side....” (Id. at p. 17; see also Id. at p. 18 (a “plant-twist is where you’re mainly concerned

about...” an ACL tear.)). According to Dr. Hess, “there seems to be some discrepancy here

on exactly where the leg is and where it was and falling backwards. And so, you know, it’s

not clear-cut as I see it.” (Id. at p.18). When asked: “if a man stepped into a woman and put

his leg behind her leg, pushed her off balance at a 45-degree angle, she fell back and then

twisted her knee in the process, could that be a mechanism to cause an ACL tear in the

knee?”, Dr. Hess responded, “Yes.” (Id. at p.18). In sum, examination of the record reflects

that in contrast to Dr. Meaney, Dr. Hess, upon hearing Defendant Salcido’s description of

the maneuver opined that “falling backwards is not really a classic–depending on the position

of her leg, I mean, it’s not a classic position you would think somebody would blow out their

ACL.” (Id. at p. 17). 

Precisely how Plaintiff came to the ground and the position(s) of her right leg during

that time is in dispute. Under these circumstances, the question of causation must be

addressed within the larger context of the physical movements involved in Plaintiff coming

to the ground which remain in dispute. In drawing all reasonable inferences in favor of

Defendants, the Court finds that genuine issues of material fact exist to preclude summary

adjudication of the issue of causation.

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III. DEFENDANTS’ MOTION TO STRIKE A PORTION OF PLAINTIFF’S

REPLY

Defendants have not disputed certain facts stated in Plaintiff’s Statement of Facts filed

in support of her AMPSJ. In her Reply to Defendants’ Response to her AMPSJ, Plaintiff

requests that some, but not all, of those facts which Defendants did not controvert should be

“deemed proven facts of the case.” (Reply, p. 2). Defendants object to this request and move

to strike the request from Plaintiff’s Reply. (Defendants’ Motion to Strike). Defendants

point out that the Rules of Practice of the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona

provide that facts “‘set forth in the moving party’s separate statement of facts shall, unless

otherwise ordered, be deemed admitted for purposes of the motion for summary judgment if

not specifically controverted...in the opposing party’s separate statement of facts.’” (Id. at

p.2 (quoting LR Civ 56.1(b)) (italics and underline in original). Plaintiff argues that

Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(d) allows for her request.

The facts that Plaintiff requests to have established for purposes of trial include a wide

range of information. The information concerns primarily: background information about

Defendant Salcido (his age, health condition, training) and portions of his deposition

concerning his encounter with Plaintiff; background information about Officer Patterson (his

training and experience, that he trained Defendant Salcido) and his testimony concerning

TPD General Orders 2043.1 and 2043.2; a description of the kind of car Plaintiff drove; how

Defendant Salcido described Plaintiff physically; select portions of Plaintiff’s description

of her encounter with Defendant Salcido; the majority of Ms. Carson’s testimony regarding

her eye-witness account of the encounter; Dr. Meaney’s background and opinion concerning

causation; and select facts from Dr. Hess’ report and testimony. (See Plaintiff’s Reply pp.

1-2 (citing PSOF, ¶¶ 1-8, 10-19, 35-36, 42, 56, 58, 61, 67-83, 85-92, 94-97, 99-111 (Plaintiff

characterizes these facts as based largely on testimony from Defendant Salcido); PSOF ¶¶

20 and 21 (Plaintiff characterizes these paragraphs as “simply re-stat[ing] one of the police

policies on use of force”); PSOF ¶¶ 22-32 (Plaintiff characterizing these paragraphs as

showing that Defendant Salcido was not trained in using a “backwards push and tripping

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technique as a takedown....”). 

Plaintiff never cited Rule 56(d) in her AMPSJ. Moreover, in her AMPSJ, Plaintiff

specified only two issues for resolution in her motion: Defendant Salcido’s alleged lack of

compliance with the TPD General Order and causation of the ACL tear. Instead, Plaintiff

waited until her Reply to request summary adjudication of additional facts. 

The standard for a Rule 56(d) motion is set out supra at II.B. Plaintiff has not argued

how or why the additional facts identified in her Reply are dispositive of any claim or part

thereof, how they would narrow the issues for trial, or how they would remove “sham

issues”. See Meschino, 563 F.Supp. at 1073 (denying Rule 56(d) request where movant did

not show granting 56(d) relief would remove sham issues or limit the scope of the trial). Nor

has she shown that an order deeming such facts as established would save significant time

in the litigation or advance settlement of the case. See Hillis, 2009 WL 1357392 at * 1

(denying request for rule 56(d) relief where movant failed to show that the issue was

“dispositive of any claim in the case” or that “early resolution of this issue would save

significant time in the litigation or advance settlement of the case.”). While it is true that

most, if not all of these facts will have to be introduced in some form at trial, “it will be less

confusing for the jury if these facts are established at trial in the normal presentation of

evidence by both sides.” Meschino, 563 F.Supp. at 1073. Defendants’ Motion to Strike a

Portion of Plaintiff’s Reply is granted.

IV. CONCLUSION

 For the foregoing reasons, the Court finds that genuine issues of material fact exist to

preclude summary adjudication of the two factual areas identified by Plaintiff in her AMPSJ.

The Court further finds that the additional facts upon which Plaintiff requests summary

adjudication in her Reply brief do not merit summary adjudication at this time.

Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that:

(1) Plaintiff’s Amended Motion for Partial Summary Judgment (Doc. No. 91),

which the Court construes as a motion for summary adjudication, is DENIED;

(2) Defendants’ Motion to Strike a Portion of Plaintiff’s Reply (Doc. No. 102) is

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GRANTED and Plaintiff’s request to establish facts additional to the two

identified in her Motion is stricken;

(3) the parties shall have until June 11, 2010 to lodge the Joint Proposed Final

Pretrial Order. The content of the Joint Proposed Final Pretrial Order shall

include, but not be limited to, that prescribed in the form of Joint Proposed

Final Pretrial Order attached hereto. Statements made shall not be in the form

of a question, but should be a concise narrative statement of each party's

contention as to each uncontested and contested issue; and

(4) the Pretrial Conference is SET for Thursday, July 15, 2010 at 9:00 a.m.. 

Following the Pretrial Conference, the Court will set the trial date and will

enter the Final Pretrial Order, incorporating the Joint Proposed Final Pretrial

Order and any additional instructions for trial preparation. 

DATED this 5th day of May, 2010.

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

,

Plaintiff, 

vs.

,

Defendant. 

)

)

)

)

)

)

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)

)

)

No. CIV -TUC-HCE

JOINT PROPOSED FINAL PRETRIAL

ORDER 

Pursuant to the Scheduling Order entered , following is the

Joint Proposed Final Pretrial Order to be considered at the pretrial conference.

A. COUNSEL FOR THE PARTIES

Plaintiff(s):

Defendant(s):

B. STATEMENT OF JURISDICTION

Cite the statute(s) that gives the Court jurisdiction, and whether jurisdiction is

disputed. 

(E.g.: Jurisdiction in this case is based on diversity of citizenship under Title 28

U.S.C. § 1332. Jurisdiction is (not) disputed.)

C. NATURE OF ACTION

Provide a concise statement of the type of case, the cause of the action, and the

relief sought.

(E.g.: This is a products liability case wherein the plaintiff seeks damages for

personal injuries sustained when he fell from the driver's seat of a forklift. The

plaintiff contends that the forklift was defectively designed and manufactured by

the defendant and that the defects were a producing cause of his injuries and

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damages.)

D. CONTENTIONS OF THE PARTIES

With respect to each count of the complaint, counterclaim or cross-claim, and to

any defense, affirmative defense, or the rebuttal of a presumption where the burden

of proof has shifted, the party having the burden of proof shall list the elements or

standards that must be proved in order for the party to prevail on that claim or

defense. 

(E.g.: In order to prevail on this products liability case, the plaintiff must prove the

following elements . . . )

(E.g.: In order to defeat this products liability claim based on the statute of repose,

the defendant must prove the following elements . . . )

E. STIPULATIONS AND UNCONTESTED FACTS

F. CONTESTED ISSUES OF FACT AND LAW

G. LISTS OF WITNESSES

A jointly prepared list of witnesses, identifying each as either plaintiff's or

defendant's and indicating whether a fact or expert witness, must accompany this

proposed order. 

A brief statement as to the testimony of each expert witness must be included.

H. LIST OF EXHIBITS

Each party must submit with this proposed order a list of numbered exhibits, with a

description of each containing sufficient information to identify the exhibit, and

indicating whether an objection to its admission is anticipated.

Exhibits should be marked according to instructions received from the court.

I. MOTIONS IN LIMINE

Motions in limine shall be filed and served upon each party with this proposed

order. Any opposition shall be filed and served within fourteen (14) days.

J. LIST OF ANY PENDING MOTIONS

K. PROBABLE LENGTH OF TRIAL

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L. FOR A BENCH TRIAL

Proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law shall be served and filed on each

party with this proposed order.

M. FOR A JURY TRIAL

Stipulated jury instructions shall be filed thirty (30) days before trial. Instructions

which are not agreed upon, and a concise argument in support of the instruction,

shall be filed and served upon each party thirty (30) days before trial. Objections

to the non-agreed upon instructions shall be filed and served upon each party

within fourteen (14) days.

N. CERTIFICATION

The undersigned counsel for each of the parties in this action do hereby certify and

acknowledge the following:

1. All discovery has been completed.

2. The identity of each witness has been disclosed to opposing counsel.

3. Each exhibit listed herein: (a) is in existence; (b) is numbered, and: (c) has

been disclosed and shown to opposing counsel.

O. ADOPTION

The Court may adopt this Joint Proposed Pretrial Order as the Joint Final Pretrial

Order.

DATED: ____________________

APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CONTENT

 Attorney for Plaintiff Attorney for Defendant

 

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