Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_19-cv-00431/USCOURTS-caed-2_19-cv-00431-19/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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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

Plaintiff(s) Case Number

vs.

REQUEST FOR AUTHORITY TO INCUR 

Defendant(s)

PRO BONO COSTS

REQUEST OF PRE-APPROVAL PRO BONO EXPENDITURES 

Part I 

Complete this form and return it to the court with two copies for approval prior to incurring the 

cost for which reimbursement is requested.

I, attorney for plaintiff(s), declare as follows:

I was appointed to represent plaintiff(s) in the action on

Honorable

, by the 

, United States District/Magistrate Judge.

I believe that the following course of action is reasonably necessary to the prosecution of this 

action:

Counsel seeking reimbursement must support all claimed expenses by submitting invoices, receipts, or similar 

documentation. Without such documents, counsel will not be reimbursed. 

I have made reasonable inquiry and believe that the cost of this course of action will not exceed

the amount of $ . I, therefore, request that this court authorize the expenditure in an

amount not to exceed that stated above for the completion of this contemplated course of action.

I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.

Signed this day of ,20 , at , California.

______________________________________________

Attorney for the Plaintiff(s)

Case 2:19-cv-00431-TLN-AC Document 117 Filed 04/30/24 Page 1 of 5
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Case Number 

TO BE COMPLETED BY THE COURT

The following payments of costs have been previously requested and approved in this matter: 

Amount

Approved

Purpose Amount

Paid

___________________________________

United States District/Magistrate Judge

The above expenditure is ____XX______ Approved __________ Denied 

Or, 

__________ Good cause appearing therefore, the matter is set for discovery conference,

pursuant to rule __________, on ______________, at ____________, in Courtroom 

number ______.

Dated: ____________________ 

$11,975 Expert Witnesses (use of force) $0

$1,200 Deposition Shorthand Reporter $0

April 29, 2024

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BRIAN C. McCOMAS

California SBN 273161

The Law Office of B.C. McComas, LLP

PMB 1605, 77 Van Ness Ave., Ste. 101

San Francisco, CA 94102

Telephone: (415) 814-2465

Facsimile: (415) 520-2310

Email: mccomas.b.c@mccomasllp.com

Attorney for Plaintiff

MASA NATHANIEL WARDEN 

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

SACRAMENTO DIVISION

)

MASA NATHANIEL WARDEN )

)

 )

)

Plaintiff, )

)

v. )

)

)

)

COWAN, et al, )

)

Defendant. )

 )

___________________________________)

Case No. 2:19-cv-00431-TLN-AC

DECLARATION OF COUNSEL IN

SUPPORT OF PLAINTIFF’S EX PARTE

REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION OF

FEES AND EXPENSES FOR

INVESTIGATION SERVICES

The Honorable Judge Troy L. Nunley

I, Brian C. McComas, declare:

1. I am an attorney licensed to practice in the States of California and 

Idaho, and authorized to appear before the United States District Courts for the Northern,

Eastern, and Central Districts of California, and District of Idaho; the United States Court

of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; and the United States Supreme Court. I have also been

admitted to practice pro hac vice before the United States District Court for the District of

Nevada and the Montana Supreme Court and its Sentence Review Division. I own and

operate the Law Office of B.C. McComas, LLP.

2. I have been appointed by this Court to represent Plaintiff, Masa Nathaniel 

Warden. Doc #55. This is a pro bono appointment. Plaintiff alleges that the Defendants

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used excessive force in violation of the Fourth Amendment by shooting him more than a

dozen times while he laid on the ground without a gun. Docs #13, 15.

3. I am submitting this declaration because expert services will be necessary at

trial. Mr. Warden has been granted $13,175 previously for the services of Mr. Ditmars, Mr.

Defoe, Mr. Lopez, and Craigwood Reporting. I believe that the requested authorization of

additional funds for Mr. Ditmars’ is necessary. See General Order 558. I have done all

things possible to reduce the cost of the expenses sought herein.

PROPOSED INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES

4. Bill Ditmars is an investigator in Redding, California, familiar with the

Defendants in this case from prior investigations in criminal cases for the Public Defender.

Mr. Ditmars was previously authorized funds of $2,100 for 30 hours, which he has since

then used the hours to conduct interviews with witnesses. Mr. Ditmars also investigated

and reported on the area of the shooting. Mr. Ditmars has attended relevant proceedings in

state court involving one of the defendants. Mr. Ditmars will need additional funds

amounting to $750. This investigation is necessary to resolve conflicting accounts of what

occurred before, during, and after the shooting in this case. Mr. Ditmars will also offer

expert testimony at trial.

5. Mr. Ditmars is paid $75 per hour. I anticipate 10 hours of services during the

remaining discovery and investigation phase of the case. Accordingly, I am requesting

$750. 

CONCLUSION

6. I am submitting this request for further expenses for investigation services

because I believe that it is necessary to litigate this matter through trial. I have conferred

with the Pro Bono Panel and resource counsel in reaching that determination. I will request

authorization of additional expenses as necessary to present Mr. Warden’s case at trial.

7. In sum, I request authorization of $750 in fees and expenses for investigation 

services necessary to prepare for trial. If possible, not all of the funds requested for 

authorization will be expended. I will seek reimbursement only for actual

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expenses based upon complete documentation following the conclusion of the services of

Mr. Ditmars. I believe these services are necessary to competently represent Mr. Warden in

a manner that conforms with my ethical and constitutional obligations as his counsel.

I declare under penalty of perjury, as defined by the laws of California and 

the United States, that the foregoing is true and correct, and that this declaration was

executed in San Francisco, California.

Dated: April 18, 2024 /s/ Brian C. McComas 

BRIAN C. McCOMAS

 Attorney for Plaintiff

MASA NATHANIEL WARDEN

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