Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-5_04-cv-04315/USCOURTS-cand-5_04-cv-04315-4/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 423
Nature of Suit: Bankruptcy Withdrawal 28 USC 157
Cause of Action: 28:1334 Bankruptcy cases and proceedings under title 11

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

SAN JOSE DIVISION

DEBRA LANGLOIS,

Plaintiff(s),

 v.

RONALD L. POSTELLE,

Defendant(s). /

NO. C 04-04315 JW 

FINDINGS OF FACT AND

CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

This case came on for trial to the Court sitting without a jury on referral as an adversary

proceeding from the Bankruptcy Court.

FINDINGS OF FACT

1. It is undisputed that Defendant Ronald L Postelle (“Postelle”) threw a "mason jar" which

hit Plaintiff Debra Langlois (“Langlois”) in her face. The issues in the adversary proceeding are the

state of mind of Defendant Ronald Postelle when he threw the jar and the amount of damages, if

any, suffered by Langlois. 

2. It is undisputed that on August 3, 2002, Postelle woke up angry at Langlois. He was

angry at Langlois because she was continuing to allow Brent Trumble to live in the home which

Postelle shared with the Langlois. Postelle's anger on August 3, was characteristic of a troubled

relationship between Langlois and Postelle. 

3. Most of the difficulties in their relationship centered around Postelle's excessive drinking. 

Indeed, as of August 2002, Langlois and Postelle were living separately because of Postelle's

physical abuse of Langlois when he is under the influence of alcohol. However, in their efforts to

Case 5:04-cv-04315-JW Document 29 Filed 01/25/06 Page 1 of 4
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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reconcile, Postelle was being allowed to stay in Langlois' home only on weekends. 

4. On August 3, 2002, Postelle's anger at Langlois and their living situation was so intense

that he started to throw household furnishings and furniture out into the yard. He was in a rage. 

5. Postelle tried to break the television set. His justification was that the items he was

destroying, including the television set belonged to him and he would rather break them than allow

Brent to continue to enjoy them. 

6. Langlois tried to stop Postelle from breaking the television set. She and Postelle wrestled

to the point of both falling to the floor. Postelle suffered scratches and bruises in the struggle. 

Langlois was successful in preventing Postelle from breaking the television set. 

7. With the anger and dispute still in progress, Langlois made a telphone call to her daughter

to tell her what was going on. 

8. Still upset, Postelle went into the kitchen and slammed some object down so hard onto the

stove top that it broke. 

9. At some point, Postelle picked up a mason jar which had been used as a coffee mug. 

While Langlois stood next to the fireplace talking on the telephone with her daughter, Postelle threw

the mason jar in the direction of Langlois and struck her in the face. The blow was so severe that it

cut her face, knocked her unconscious and caused her to bleed profusely. 

10. Postelle did not go to Langlois’ aid. Instead, he went into the bedroom. 

11. Meanwhile, hearing the commotion, and realizing that something had happened to her

mother on the other end of the telephone, Langlois' daughter called the police and asked them to go

out to Langlois' home. 

12. Eventually Postelle came out of the bedroom and saw Langlois bleeding. At about that

same time the police arrived.

13. There is a dispute in the evidence as to whether Postelle ever came to Langlois' aid. 

14. Postelle claims that when he threw the mason jar he was aiming at the television set and

that he accidently hit Langlois in the face. 

15. Langlois suffered personal injuries and incurred medical expenses in the sum of

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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$26,734.00. In addition, the Court finds that she is likely to incur future medical expense in the sum

of $53,000. 

CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

1. The Court finds that when Postelle threw the mason jar, Postelle was deliberately trying

to hit Langlois with it. His conduct was deliberate and with reckless disregard for the harm it might

cause to Langlois.

2. The Court does not believe Postelle's testimony. 

3. Postelle's version of his motive is inconsistent with his conduct. 

4. Although the television set was in the same room, it was on the opposite side of the

fireplace. The television set was low. He threw the jar high. 

5. Postelle admits that he was angry at Langlois. 

6. Postelle's conduct after he hit Langlois was inconsistent with the conduct of someone who

had accidentally hurt another person. His conduct was consistent with indifference. 

7. The Court's declination to give Postelle's version credibility is supported by the fact that

Postelle's rage blinded his judgment. 

8. The Court finds that Langlois suffered personal injuries and incurred medical expenses in

the sum of $26,734.00. In addition, the Court finds that she is likely to incur future medical expense

in the sum of $53,000. Langlois is entitled to be compensated for these expenses.

9. In addition to her medical expenses, Langlois is entitled to reasonable compensation for

pain and suffering associated with her injuries. The Court finds that the reasonable compensation

for pain and suffering is $75,000.00. 

10. No exemplary damages are awarded.

11. Accordingly, the Court awards judgment in favor of Plaintiff Debra Langlois against

Defendant Ronald Postelle in the sum of $154,734. 

Dated: January 25, 2006

04cv4315findings

/s/James Ware 

JAMES WARE

United States District Judge

Case 5:04-cv-04315-JW Document 29 Filed 01/25/06 Page 3 of 4
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT COPIES OF THIS ORDER HAVE BEEN DELIVERED TO:

Fernando V. Hernandez fvhlaw@pacbell.net

Mark Vincent Boennighausen mvb@hoganlaw.com

Thomas R. Hogan trh@hoganlaw.com

 USBC Manager-San Jose

US Bankruptcy Court

280 South First Street

Room 3035

San Jose, CA 95113

Arthur S. Weissbrodt

U.S. Bankruptcy Court

280 South First Street

Room 3035

San Jose, CA 95113

Dated: January 25, 2006 Richard W. Wieking, Clerk

By: /s/JW Chambers 

Melissa Peralta

Courtroom Deputy

Case 5:04-cv-04315-JW Document 29 Filed 01/25/06 Page 4 of 4