Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_13-cv-00589/USCOURTS-caed-2_13-cv-00589-6/pdf.json

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

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

LEON E. MORRIS,

Plaintiff,

v.

C. M. GREEN,

Defendant.

No. 2:13-cv-0589 JAM CKD P

ORDER

On February 13, 2015, defendant filed a motion to compel plaintiff to cooperate in a 

second deposition and to extend the discovery deadline to allow this deposition to take place. 

(ECF No. 38.) As plaintiff has not timely opposed the motion, the court considers it unopposed.

Having reviewed defendant’s motion and supporting papers, the court concludes that the 

factors of timeliness, good cause, utility, and materiality weigh in favor of granting the motion to 

compel plaintiff’s deposition. See CSC Holdings, Inc. v. Redisi, 309 F.3d 988, 992 (7th Cir. 

2002); Fed. R. Civ. P. 37(a)(3)(B)(i), 37(d)(1)(A)(i). At his January 22, 2015 deposition by 

defendant’s counsel, plaintiff was evasive and hostile. After concluding that it would be futile to 

continue questioning plaintiff about facts relevant to this case, defense counsel terminated the 

deposition. In short, plaintiff has not cooperated in discovery that is necessary to the furtherance 

of this litigation, which he initiated.

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Case 2:13-cv-00589-JAM-CKD Document 44 Filed 03/13/15 Page 1 of 2
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At this time, the court will deny defendant’s request for monetary sanctions, as plaintiff is 

an indigent prisoner. However, if plaintiff again refuses to subject himself to meaningful 

deposition, the court will consider the sanction of dismissing this action pursuant to Rule 37.

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that: 

1. Defendant’s motion to compel and extend discovery (ECF No. 38) is granted as 

follows: 

a. Within 21 days of the date of this order, defendant shall serve plaintiff with a notice of 

deposition. If plaintiff does not reasonably cooperate in his deposition on the scheduled date, the 

court will consider recommending dismissal of this action.

b. Defendants’ request for monetary sanctions is denied.

c. The discovery and dispositive motion deadlines in the Discovery and Scheduling Order 

(ECF No. 35) are hereby vacated.

d. The parties may conduct discovery until June 12, 2015. Any motions necessary to 

compel discovery shall be filed by that date.

e. All pretrial motions, except motions to compel discovery, shall be filed on or before 

September 19, 2015.

Dated: March 12, 2015

2 / morr589.mtc

_____________________________________

CAROLYN K. DELANEY

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 2:13-cv-00589-JAM-CKD Document 44 Filed 03/13/15 Page 2 of 2