ROBERT J. BRYAN, District Judge.
This matter comes before the Court on Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment. Dkt. 25. The Court has considered the pleadings filed regarding the motion, argument of counsel heard on August 1, 2013, and the remaining file.
This case arises from a series of tragedies. It was filed by two men who were convicted in 1993 of brutally raping a woman and spent 17 years in prison as a result. In 2010, deoxyribonucleic acid ("DNA") testing resulted in their exoneration. In this civil suit, they seek damages against Detective Donald Slagle, who was the head investigator of the crime, and against Clark County, Washington, Det. Slagle's employer, asserting that Det. Slagle and Clark County violated their constitutional due process rights and committed various state torts against them. Dkt. 1. In the pending motion, Det. Slagle and Clark County seek summary dismissal of the claims against them. For the reasons set forth below, the motion should be granted,
The body of the Order now follows.
The Court is mindful that at oral argument, Plaintiffs' motions to strike certain of Defendants' exhibits and attachments were granted. As a result, the following facts are gleaned from the remaining record which was provided by the non-moving party (including police reports, some of the testimony heard during the criminal trials, and deposition testimony taken for purposes of this litigation) and may or may not reflect all the facts and evidence that may be admitted at trial.
The following facts are taken from a March 17, 1993 interview of Kari Morrison by Deputy Prosecutor Robert Shannon, investigator Steven Teply, and victim advocate Janet Ragan. Dkt. 41-20.
On January 11, 1993, Kari Morrison was cleaning a home in La Center, Washington. Dkt. 41-20, at 3. She left the front door of the residence open so that she could retrieve cleaning supplies from her truck. Id. She began work around 9:30 a.m. Dkt. 41-20, at 3. After ten or fifteen minutes, two men broke into the home and attacked her. Dkt. 41-20, at 9. One man was blonde and large and the other was smaller with dark hair. Id. They had gloves on. Dkt. 41-20, at 9. A violent struggled ensued. Id. Ms. Morrison states that she got a better look at the dark haired attacker because the blonde attacker primarily stayed behind her and held her. Id., at 11. Eventually, the men dragged her to the kitchen, placed duct tape over her eyes, and tied both arms and one leg to the kitchen table. Id., at 13-15. The dark haired attacker cut a hole in her pants and raped her with a foreign object. Id., at 16-18. Ms. Morrison then heard tearing of something that sounded like a
DNA testing from samples collected at the hospital were consistent with Ms. Morrison and her then boyfriend. Dkt. 41-13, at 4.
According to his January 19, 1993 police report, Det. Slagle was dispatched to the scene around 10:30 a.m. Dkt. 41-21. He then went to the hospital and talked with Ms. Morrison right after she received medical treatment. Dkt. 41-21, at 3. At the hospital, she gave Det. Slagle the following descriptions of the men who had attacked her: "#1[w]hite, male, early to mid 20's, 5'10" tall, 170 pounds, dkt. bro. hair, dark eyes, medium complexion, ear length hair and long around the face" and "#2[w]hite, male, early to mid 20's, 6'1" tall, 210 pounds, shoulder-length, dirty blonde hair, very fair complexion with `pink' spots on the face, muscular." Dkt. 41-21, at 4. Det. Slagle reported that he contacted the homeowner and that nothing was missing from the residence. Dkt. 41-21, at 6.
The next day, Clark County Officer Jana Anderson interviewed Ms. Morrison, and together they created a composite sketch of the dark haired assailant. Dkt. 41-22, at 3-4. Ms. Morrison indicated she could not describe the blonde attacker well enough to draw a sketch of him. Dkt. 41-1, at 24. The composite of the dark haired assailant was circulated around the La Center area. Dkt. 42.
On January 13, 1993, Clark County Deputy Sheriff Todd Baker completed a supplemental report regarding the incident. Dkt. 42, at 2. The report stated that he took the composite to the La Center police department, and while there, talked with Reserve Officer Brent Murray. Id. Officer Murray told Deputy Baker that the composite looked like Alan Northrop. Id. Officer Murray also told Deputy Baker that Mr. Northrop had an associate named Steve Shade, who may resemble the second suspect. Id. Deputy Baker stated in the report that he found a similarity between Mr. Northrop's mug shot and the composite. Id. The report stated that the composite, mugs shots of both Mr. Northrop and Mr. Shade, and both men's criminal records were attached to the report. Id. The report also stated that Mr. Northrop was wanted on an outstanding misdemeanor warrant out of Cowlitz County. Id.
Det. Slagle testified at Mr. Davis's May 1993 criminal trial that he got a call from Officer Murray and was told that the composite looked like Mr. Northrop and that Mr. Northrop had an associate named Mr. Shade, who might meet the description of the second suspect. Dkt. 42-7, at 3-4. (In his February 17, 1993 supplemental report, Det. Slagle indicated that, on February 2, 1993, he "received information" that in Officer Murray's opinion, the composite drawing appeared to be of Mr. Northrop. Dkt. 42-1, at 2.) Det. Slagle reported that he had "received other anonymous
Sue Roth of the Clark County Sheriff's Office put together photographs of dark haired suspects, including a picture of Mr. Northrop, for Det. Slagle. Dkt. 42-2, at 3. The date on the back of those photographs was January 14, 1993. Id. She stated that although she doesn't remember specifically what happened in this instance, it is "fair to say" that she would have put them together based on a photograph that Det. Slagle gave her. Dkt. 42-2, at 4.
Det. Slagle testified at Mr. Davis's May 1993 criminal trial that Ms. Morrison was unable to identify any suspect (neither Mr. Northrop nor Mr. Shade) from those montages. Dkt. 42-7, at 4. He now acknowledges that he failed to include her non-identification of Mr. Northrop in any of his reports. Dkt. 41-1, at 8. Det. Slagle testified in Mr. Northrop's July 1993 trial that after Ms. Morrison was unable to identify Mr. Northrop in the photo montage, he decided to talk with Steve Shade. Dkt. 43-18, at 3.
Det. Slagle related in his February 17, 1993 supplemental report that he then found out that Mr. Shade was in custody at the Clark County jail and had him brought to the interview area of the sheriff's office. Dkt. 42-1, at 2. (Det. Slagle testified at Mr. Davis's trial, that after he saw Mr. Shade, he realized that he did not match the description of the second suspect, but knew that Mr. Shade knew Mr. Northrop and so still wanted to talk with Mr. Shade. Dkt. 42-7, at 5.) Det. Slagle reported in his February 17, 1993 supplemental report that he told Mr. Shade that they were investigating a rape in La Center and that several calls had reported that the composite drawing looked like Mr. Northrop. Id., at 2-3. Although Mr. Shade initially denied knowing anything about the rape, the report indicated that Mr. Shade stated that he had seen the composite in a tavern and he and his girlfriend thought the composite looked like Mr. Northrop. Id., at 3. The report further noted that Mr. Shade related that a little before he saw the composite, he saw Mr. Northrop. Id. Mr. Shade asserted that Mr. Northrop asked Mr. Shade if the cops had talked to him about Mr. Northrop. Id. Mr. Shade stated that he had not, and when he asked Mr. Northrop, "why?", Mr. Northrop did not answer. Id. Mr. Shade said that Mr. Northrop had a man with him named Larry Davis, who seemed nervous. Id. The report stated that Mr. "Shade was asked to describe Larry and his description was very similar to that given by the rape victim of the second suspect that had held her during the rape." Id. Mr. Shade also relayed that Northrop's girlfriend, Tawny, had a silver Toyota Celica. Id. Det. Slagle noted in the report that he had information that a "small silver car had been seen parked in the driveway where the rape occurred at approximately the same time the rape occurred." Id.
Det. Ed Kingrey, also assigned to work on the case, filed a supplemental report on February 4, 1993. Dkt. 42-6, at 3. He reported that he participated in the February 2, 1993 interview of Mr. Shade, and added that Mr. Shade noted that Mr. Davis, had "skin abnormalities on [his] face much the same as the victim had described in suspect #2." Id. Det. Kingrey reported
In his report of Ms. Morrison's February 2, 1993 identification of Mr. Davis in the photo montage, Det. Slagle stated that, after looking at all the pictures, Ms. Morrison pointed to photo #1 and said, "that's not him." She then pointed to numbers 2, 4, and 5 and said, "that's definitely not him." She then pointed to photograph number 6 and said "that's not him, but that's the one" as she pointed to number 3." Number 3 was the photograph of Larry Davis. Dkt. 42-8, at 2.
Ms. Morrison was deposed in this case and although she says that she doesn't remember how long it took her to identify Mr. Davis (and that it doesn't seem like it took that long now), she does not dispute that she testified in 1993 that it took her around 15 or 20 minutes to identify Mr. Davis from the photo montage. Dkt. 42-9, at 4. None of the police reports indicated how long it took Ms. Morrison to identify Mr. Davis.
Det. Slagle related in his February 17, 1993 report that he and Det. Kingrey went to a bar where they located Mr. Northrop on February 2, 1993. Dkt. 43-20, at 5. They arrested him on an outstanding warrant regarding other charges. Id. They told him they wanted to talk with him about an incident in the La Center area. Id. The report stated that at this point Mr. Northrop appeared to be "very upset and argumentative." Id. The detectives told Mr. Northrop that they had had calls identifying him as the man in the composite. Id. Mr. Northrop acknowledged that some of his friends "jokingly" told him it looked like him. Id. Det. Slagle reported that he told Mr. Northrop that he looked different from when the rape occurred, but did not tell him when it occurred. Id. Det. Slagle then noted that Mr. Northrop replied "Well I had my hair cut at least three times since then." Id.
In his February 4, 1993 supplemental report, Det. Kingrey reported that, on February 3, 1993, he asked Mr. Davis to come down to the police station and talk with them, which he voluntarily did. Dkt. 42-6, at 3. Det. Kingrey reported that Mr. Davis told them that he had been unemployed and stayed with Mr. Northrop in Woodland, Washington until January 22, 1993. Id. Det. Kingrey reported that Mr. Davis told them that "he was with Northrop on or about 1-11-93 and went to Woodland to get a case of beer at the A.M./P.M. Id. Mr. Davis said he was not sure what time it was but thought around nine-thirty to ten o-clock." Id. Mr. Davis denied being involved with the crime and agreed to take a polygraph. Id. According to Det. Kingrey, Mr. Davis's polygraph showed signs of deception and he was placed under arrest. Id., at 4.
In her deposition for this case, taken on May 14, 2013, Ms. Morrison testified that the Friday after she identified Mr. Davis in the photo montage (which was February 2, 1993, a Tuesday), a friend called her and told her they had arrested a Larry Davis for the crime. Dkt. 42-9 at 6-7. She was also told that Alan Northrop was an additional "name" they had. Dkt. 42-9, at 12. Ms. Morrison then called the jail and confirmed that a Larry Davis was in custody,
On March 11, 1993, a lineup was conducted which included Mr. Davis. Dkt. 42-13, at 2. Mr. Davis's attorney was present. Dkt. 42-13, at 2. Ms. Morrison viewed the suspects and then each repeated a line Ms. Morrison asserted that the blonde attacker had made during the attack. Id. According to Det. Slagle's report, Ms. Morrison acknowledged that she was having some difficulty identifying the suspect because of changes in his appearance, but that she believed it was number three; number three was Larry Davis. Dkt. 42-13, at 3. The report indicated that on a scale of one to ten (ten being the mostly likely that number three was the suspect), she was a seven or eight that number three (who was Mr. Davis) was the blonde attacker. Id. Det. Slagle noted in his report that he "noticed that Davis has cut his hair much shorter since he has been in custody that [sic] it was the day he was arrested. It also appeared to be darker that [sic] [Det. Slagle] remembered it during our last interview on 2-03-93 when he was arrested." Dkt. 42-13, at 4.
In her May 14, 2013 deposition, Ms. Morrison testified that on March 17, 1993, Dets. Slagle and Kingrey interviewed her again (after the Davis lineup, but before the Northrop lineup). Dkt. 42-9, at 15. During this conversation, Ms. Morrison stated that they told her that she did "o.k.," and "you did it," and "breathe" "[b]ecause [she] was a shaking mess and [she] didn't want to do [the Davis lineup]." Dkt. 42-9, at 16. She stated that they told her that they were going to go interview (or had just interviewed) someone they thought to be the dark haired suspect. Dkt. 42-9, at 16. Ms. Morrison said, "[t]hey said, we can't do anything with him because you haven't been able to ID him." Dkt. 42-9, at 17. She then stated that she thought Mr. Northrop "was in the photo laydown and [she] wasn't able to ID him on that, so the only alternative they have, it sounds like, is if [she] can ID him through a lineup. So that may be the next step, but they didn't know if they could get him in or what they were gonna do." Dkt. 42-9, at 17.
On April 5, 1993, another lineup was conducted, and this time included Mr. Northrop. Dkts. 42-5, at 8; 42-14, at 2. Detective Sergeant Craig Randall prepared a report which indicated that attorneys for the prosecution and defense were present. Dkt. 42-14, at 2. He reported that, with all the parties present, a viewing window was slid open and within ten seconds, Ms. Morrison turned away and, with an emotional reaction and "teared" voice, said that she did not need to look anymore. Dkt. 42-14, at 3. The report further stated that she was urged to be sure, and that she identified #4, which was Alan Northrop. Dkt. 42-14, at 3-4.
Mr. Northrop was arrested on April 7, 1993, for the burglary and rape of Ms. Morrison. Dkt. 28-16, at 2.
On April 26, 1993, Det. Slagle filed a supplemental report in which he stated that he and Det. Kingrey contacted Ms. Laila Siebold, one of the neighbors of the house where the rape occurred. Dkt. 41-19, at 3. Ms. Siebold told Det. Slagle that
The April 26, 1993 report also indicated that on April 19, 1993, Det. Slagle and Det. Kingrey talked with Mr. Hans Siebold, a neighbor, who told them that, around 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., he had been driving down their dead end road when he saw an older silver-colored Toyota Celica driving out of the area. Id., at 3. He reported that the passenger had "longer, dirty blonde hair" and that the driver had "dark, curly, bushy type hair." Id. Det. Slagle reported that he asked if Mr. Siebold could recognize either, and Mr. Siebold thought he could recognize the driver. Id. The report stated that Det. Slagle showed Mr. Siebold photographs taken in Cowlitz County of the lineup that included Mr. Northrop. Id. After looking at the photographs for a "short time," Mr. Siebold stated that "I can't be sure but, it really looked like number four." Id. Mr. Northrop was number four. Id. The report continued, "Mr. Siebold did say that his hair seemed much `fuller' around his face when he saw him in the car. It should be noted that the victim, Morrison, also said the suspect's hair seemed fuller and longer during the rape incident than it did during the lineup." Id., at 3-4.
Sheriff's Sergeant Craig Randal testified in his deposition for this case that the detectives in Clark County (there were six) worked closely together, and had a round table once a week to discuss their cases. Dkt. 42-5, at 3. Sgt. Randal recalled discussion of the 1993 rape of Ms. Morrison, and her identity as the victim. Dkt. 42-5, at 3. He testified that in 1993, in practice, they did not turn over evidence to the defense or prosecution that an individual who was a victim of a rape was being investigated for embezzlement, if the investigators "felt that [the victim] was credible about the incident." Dkt. 42-5, at 9. Sgt. Randall testified that although it was not a written policy, this was the "practice" in 1993, and it occurred in other cases as well. Id.
Mr. Robert W. Shannon, the prosecutor in both cases, testified in his deposition in this case, that he was unaware that Ms. Morrison was under investigation for embezzlement at the time of Mr. Davis and Mr. Northrop's trials. Dkt. 42-12, at 4. He did not remember turning any materials over to the defense regarding such an investigation. Id.
Det. Slagle testified that he did not personally deliver files to the prosecutor, but would refer the file to case management and they would make sure it got to the prosecutor's officer. Dkt. 41-1, at 22.
Mr. Davis was tried before a jury beginning on May 10, 1993, and convicted of first degree burglary, rape, and kidnapping. Dkt. 28-25. Mr. Davis was sentenced on July 9, 1993. Dkt. 28-25, at 30.
On June 25, 1993, Mr. Northrop's counsel interviewed Ms. Morrison. Dkt. 56, at 55. Mr. Northrop's counsel moved for a continuance of the trial date to allow counsel more time to review all the police reports (he discovered the week before he had only a third of them) and to hire
On July 6-8, 1993, Mr. Northrop was tried before a jury for first degree burglary, rape and kidnapping. Dkt. 42-12, at 4. He was convicted on all counts. Dkt. 28-28. Mr. Northrop was sentenced on September 14, 1993. Dkt. 28-27, at 24.
Both Mr. Davis and Mr. Northrop filed appeals with the Washington State Court of Appeals Division II. Dkts. 28-25, 28-26, 28-27, and 28-28. The trial court's judgment was affirmed. Id. Mr. Davis filed a petition for review with the Washington State Supreme Court (Dkt. 28-29); the petition was denied (Dkt.28-30). Mr. Davis also filed a Petition for Habeas Corpus in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington (Dkt.28-31) which was denied (Dkts. 28-34 and 28-35). Mr. Davis appealed the denial of his habeas corpus petition and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the district court's denial of the petition. Dkt. 28-36.
In 2004, the Innocence Project Northwest Clinic ("Innocence Project") requested that Clark County retest the DNA that had been collected during the investigation of the 1993 rape. Dkt. 43-1. Although Clark County refused to do so voluntarily, on January 31, 2006, the Innocence Project's motion to have the DNA tested was granted by the Clark County Superior Court. Dkt. 43-16, at 2-4.
In 2006, 2007 and 2009, the Washington State Patrol Laboratory in Seattle tested the DNA collected during the investigation of the 1993 rape of Ms. Morrison. Dkt. 41-9, at 2. The testing included DNA testing procedures that were not available in 1993. Id. DNA from an unknown male was found in the pubic combings. Id., at 6. Mr. Northrop and Mr. Davis were excluded as being the sources of this DNA. Id. DNA profiles from two unknown male individuals were found under Ms. Morrison's fingernails; Mr. Northrop and Mr. Davis were excluded as being the sources of this DNA. Id. DNA from an unknown male was also extracted from a cord used to tie Ms. Morrison up. Id, at 7. Mr. Northrop and Mr. Davis were excluded as being the sources of this DNA. Id.
In 2009, an independent laboratory, Orchid Cellmark, Inc., tested evidence from the incident. Dkt. 41-10. That lab concluded that the unidentified male DNA found in the pubic comb extract is consistent with one of the unidentified male's DNA found under Ms. Morrison's fingernails. Id., at 4.
In 2010, Mr. Davis and Mr. Northrop moved the superior court for new trials based on newly discovered evidence — that the DNA profiles that were found at the crime scene were not consistent with being from either Mr. Northrop or Mr. Davis. Dkt. 41-13. Their motion was granted on June 30, 2010, after a hearing on the merits. Id. The Clark County Superior Court's opinion stated that it "didn't reach the issue of the taint of the identification due to the overwhelming evidence of the DNA." Dkt. 41-13, at 6. On July 13, 2010, the State stipulated to dismissal of all charges without prejudice. Dkts. 41-17.
On March 8, 2013, a box of Det. Slagle's archived files ("archived box") was produced by Clark County, and although there is some confusion in the current record, it appears that this box had not been given to the Clark County Prosecutor's
Dkt. 42-10, at 2-3. Another hand written note dated January 13, 1993, stated: "possible rape suspects: 1) Joe West (Jesse) West dark haired." Dkt. 42-10, at 4. A hand written note entitled "La Center Rape Info." with the name "Joe Berry" and a phone number and address, the name "Pat Kahn" with a phone number, and the name "Jesse West (a symbol of some kind) Scott Grant on 26th Ave. work together, tree cutting & trimming both have drug problems used to drive brown pickup." Dkt. 42-10, at 5. This archived box included an application for protective order, dated February 12, 1991, that Ms. Morrison had filed against Richard Stratton (Ms. Morrison's ex-husband). Dkt. 42-10, at 6-9. Lastly, the archived box contained a three page document entitled "Larry Wayne Davis Followup [sic] Needed." Id. This document appears to be a list of things to do connected with the investigation including: interviewing the victim regarding prior activities in the North county area, contacting "Rod Peterson (Defendant supposedly stayed at his house on the night prior)," recontacting Northrop's girlfriend, recontacting Steve Shade, and "see[ing] if you can rule out boyfriend, associates, ex-husband, Richard Todd Stratton?" Dkt. 42-10, at 10-12.
An additional police report regarding the incident also surfaced during the discovery in this case; the Clark County Prosecutor was unaware of this report before it was produced in this case. Dkt. 42-12, at 7. That report stated that, on February 28, 1993, Clark County Officer Jana Anderson took an anonymous call from a man (now identified as Gregory Usery) who said that he had seen the composite drawing (which was of the dark haired attacker) that had been made in the criminal case. Dkts. 41-14 and 42-11. Mr. Usery reported that he recognized the man in the drawing as an acquaintance named Monte Ollom. Id. He reported that he knew Mr. Ollom because they used to work together and that he still saw him a few times a week. Id. Mr. Usery relayed that he thought Mr. Ollom was living with two other individuals, one of whom was believed to be a child molester. Id. The report stated "[r]efer this information to Detective Slagle for additional follow up." Dkt. 41-14, at 8. Officer Anderson stated that, after writing the report, she turned it into the records department (Dkt. 41-23, at 5-6) which was then supposed to file the report under the case number (Dkt. 42-5, at 16). She stated that she added the line regarding referral to Det. Slagle so that the sergeant in the records department would know to whom to send it. Dkt. 41-23, at 6.
Curtis Shelton, Mr. Northrop's defense attorney at the trial, stated that he was not given the report regarding Mr. Ollom.
Plaintiffs filed this case on August 25, 2012. Dkt. 1. They make federal claims against both Clark County and Det. Slagle for violation of their due process right to a fair trial under the 6th and 14th Amendments of the United States Constitution pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Dkt. 22. Plaintiffs assert state law claims against Clark County and Det. Slagle for negligence, against Clark County for negligent training, supervision, and retention and against Clark County and Det. Slagle for intentional infliction of emotional distress or "outrage." Id. Plaintiffs seek damages, including punitive damages, attorneys' fees, and costs. Id.
Defendants move for Summary Judgment, arguing that as to Plaintiffs' federal claims: 1) collateral estoppel precludes re-litigation of Plaintiffs' claims under Brady and the Fourteenth Amendment, 2) no Brady violation occurred as to the investigation of Ms. Morrison for embezzlement because Plaintiffs cannot show disclosure would change the outcome of the cases, 3) no Brady violation occurred as to Northrop in regard to the investigation of Ms. Morrison for embezzlement because the completed investigation was turned over to the Clark County Prosecutor's Office on June 14, 1993, three weeks prior to the Northrop trial, 4) no Brady violation occurred regarding the failure to report the precise date of the non-identification of Northrop because the jury discovered the real date in the Northrop trial during deliberation and Davis cannot show what impact the precise date of the non-identification of Northrop would have had on his trial, 5) Det. Slagle is entitled to qualified immunity as to the Brady violation related to the precise date of non-identification of Northrop, 6) no Brady violation occurred as to the "other suspects" because Plaintiffs cannot show that these suspects were linked to perpetration of the crime, 7) Det. Slagle is entitled to qualified immunity for the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment claims because there was probable cause to arrest both Plaintiffs, and 8) Plaintiffs' claims against Clark County should be dismissed because Plaintiffs cannot show that there is a policy, custom, or practice was in place that violated their constitutional rights, or that such a policy, custom, or practice caused their damages. Dkts. 25 and 51. As to Plaintiffs' state law claims of negligence, Defendants argue that: 1) there is no recognized cause of action for negligent investigation in Washington and so that claim should be dismissed, and 2) Plaintiff's state law claims are time-barred. Id. Mr. Davis and Mr. Northrop oppose the motion. Dkt. 50. Oral argument has been heard and the matter is ripe for decision.
This opinion will first address Defendants' arguments regarding the federal claims and then turn to the arguments on the state law claims.
Summary judgment is proper only if the pleadings, the discovery and disclosure materials on file, and any affidavits show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Fed. R.Civ.P. 56(c). The moving party is entitled
The determination of the existence of a material fact is often a close question. The court must consider the substantive evidentiary burden that the nonmoving party must meet at trial — e.g., a preponderance of the evidence in most civil cases. Anderson, 477 U.S. at 254, 106 S.Ct. 2505, T.W. Elect. Service Inc., 809 F.2d at 630. The court must resolve any factual issues of controversy in favor of the nonmoving party only when the facts specifically attested by that party contradict facts specifically attested by the moving party. The nonmoving party may not merely state that it will discredit the moving party's evidence at trial, in the hopes that evidence can be developed at trial to support the claim. T.W. Elect. Service Inc., 809 F.2d at 630 (relying on Anderson, supra). Conclusory, non specific statements in affidavits are not sufficient, and "missing facts" will not be "presumed." Lujan v. National Wildlife Federation, 497 U.S. 871, 888-89, 110 S.Ct. 3177, 111 L.Ed.2d 695 (1990).
"State law governs the application of collateral estoppel or issue preclusion to a state court judgment in a federal civil rights action." Ayers v. City of Richmond, 895 F.2d 1267 (9th Cir.1990) (internal citations omitted). Under Washington law, collateral estoppel requires that there be:
Schroeder v. Excelsior Management Group, LLC, 177 Wn.2d 94, 108, 297 P.3d 677 (2013) (internal quotation omitted). In Washington, collateral estoppel bars re-litigation of "issues actually litigated" and "necessarily decided" in a prior adjudication. City of Arlington v. Cent. Puget Sound Growth Mgmt. Hearings Bd., 164 Wn.2d 768, 792, 193 P.3d 1077 (2008).
The parties contest the first two requirements (as will be discussed below). The parties do not meaningfully contest the third requirement. As to the fourth requirement, under Washington law, "the injustice component is generally concerned with procedural, not substantive irregularity." Christensen v. Grant County Hosp. Dist. No. 1, 152 Wn.2d 299, 309, 96 P.3d 957 (2004) (internal citations omitted). Washington requires that the "party
Clark County and Det. Slagle argue that each of the Plaintiffs is collaterally estopped from re-litigating their due process claims based on overly suggestive identification procedures, their due process claims based on Brady violations regarding the failure to disclose the date of non-identification of Mr. Northrop in the photo montage, and failure to disclose the embezzlement investigation of Ms. Morrison. Dkt. 25. Each of these will be examined in turn.
"To determine whether an identification procedure violates a defendant's due process rights, a court must consider `whether under the `totality of the circumstances' the identification was reliable even though the confrontation procedure was suggestive.'" U.S. v. Drake, 543 F.3d 1080, 1088 (9th Cir.2008) (quoting Neil v. Biggers, 409 U.S. 188, 199, 93 S.Ct. 375, 34 L.Ed.2d 401 (1972)). The factors to be considered in the Ninth Circuit "include the opportunity of the witness to view the criminal at the time of the crime, the witness' degree of attention, the accuracy of the witness' prior description of the criminal, the level of certainty demonstrated by the witness at the confrontation, and the length of time between the crime and the confrontation." Id.
The County and Det. Slagle's motion (Dkt. 25) as to this claim should be granted and Mr. Davis should be barred from re-litigating this claim. The first two collateral estoppel requirements are met. Mr. Davis's current claim that the identification procedures violated his due process rights are issues identical to those raised in the criminal proceedings and resulted in a final judgment on the merits. In Mr. Davis's Opening Brief in his 1993 appeal to the Washington State Court of Appeals, Division II, he argued:
Dkt. 28-25, at 36-39 (internal citations to the record omitted).
In its decision affirming the conviction and sentence, the Washington State Court of Appeals, Division II, found that "[n]or is there merit to Davis's contention that the trial court should have granted him a new trial because the victim's identification of him is `suspect.' Davis has failed to show any error in the identification procedures." Dkt. 28-26, at 6. It further held,
Dkt. 28-26, at 7-8. Mr. Davis's due process claim regarding the identification procedures were "issues actually litigated" and "necessarily decided" in his first appeal of his conviction. City of Arlington, at 792, 193 P.3d 1077. Accordingly, the first two requirements are met, as is the third (uncontested) requirement of privity.
The fourth requirement, that application of collateral estoppel not work an injustice on Mr. Davis, has also been met. There is no evidence of a procedural irregularity. Christensen, at 309, 96 P.3d 957. There is no evidence that Mr. Davis did not have a "full and fair opportunity to litigate the issue in the first forum." Id. Mr. Davis is collaterally estopped from re-litigating his due process claim based on the procedures used to identify him.
As was the case with Mr. Davis, Mr. Northrop's claim that the identification procedures used violated his due process rights is barred. The first two requirements are met: In Mr. Northrop's 1994 appeal in the Washington State Court of Appeals, Division II, he argued in regard to the procedures used to identify him and Mr. Davis:
Dkt. 28-27, at 20 (internal quotations and citations to the record omitted). He continued,
Id., at 23-24. He urged,
Id. (internal quotations and citations omitted).
In their decision affirming Mr. Northrop's the conviction and sentence, the Washington State Court of Appeals, Division II, held that Mr. Northrop's line-up procedure was not impermissibly suggestive. Dkt. 28-28, at 8. His appeal for relief was denied. Id.
Accordingly, the first two requirements of collateral estoppel are met: the issues before the Washington State Court of Appeals, Division II are identical to those raised here and were finally decided. The third requirement is uncontested, and the last collateral estoppel requirement, that application of collateral estoppel not work an injustice on Mr. Northrop, has also been met. There is no evidence of a procedural irregularity or evidence that Mr. Northrop did not have a "full and fair opportunity to litigate the issue in the first forum." Christensen, at 309, 96 P.3d 957. Accordingly, Mr. Northrop is barred from re-litigating his due process claim based on the procedures used to identify him. The County and Det. Slagle's motion (Dkt.25) as to this claim should be granted.
A defendant's due process rights are violated "if the government fails to disclose evidence that is materially favorable to the accused." Youngblood v. West Virginia, 547 U.S. 867, 869, 126 S.Ct. 2188, 165 L.Ed.2d 269 (2006) (citing Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83, 83 S.Ct. 1194, 10 L.Ed.2d 215 (1963)).
Id., at 870, 126 S.Ct. 2188 (internal quotations and citations omitted). The obligation under Brady "is the obligation of the government, not merely the obligation of the prosecutor." United States v. Blanco, 392 F.3d 382, 393 (9th Cir.2004).
The County and Det. Slagle's motion as to this claim should be granted and Mr. Northrop should be barred from re-litigating this claim. Dkt. 25. The first two collateral estoppel requirements are met. Mr. Northrop's current claim, that his due process rights as defined in Brady were violated when the State failed to disclose the date Ms. Morrison was unable to identify him in the photo montage, is identical to that raised in the criminal proceedings and resulted in a final judgment on the merits. On August 10, 1993, Mr. Northrop filed a "Memorandum in Support of Defendant's Post-Verdict Motions" in which he argued that:
Dkt. 28-24, at 2-4. Mr. Northrop argued that the failure of both the prosecutor and the detectives to disclose that Ms. Morrison was unable to identify him in the photo montage three days after the rape was a violation of his due process rights under Brady v. Maryland. Id., at 5-11. Mr. Northrop's motion was denied. Dkt. 28-27, at 24.
On October 24, 1994, Mr. Northrop filed his brief in his appeal challenging his conviction and sentence in the Washington State Court of Appeals, Division II. Dkt. 28-27, at 2. As to the failure to disclose the date of Ms. Morrison's initial non-identification of him, he argued:
Id., at 19 and 42-44. In their decision affirming Mr. Northrop's the conviction and sentence, the Washington State Court of Appeals, Division II, rejected Mr. Northrop's argument that his constitutional rights were violated and that he did not receive a fair trial when the State failed to disclose the date that Ms. Morrison was not able to identify him in the initial photo montage. Dkt. 28-28 at 13. It held:
Dkt. 28-28, at 13-14.
Both the Clark County Superior Court and Washington State Court of Appeals, Division II considered and actually decided the identical issue Mr. Northrop raises here, so the first two requirements are met. As above, the parties do not contest that they are in privity, so the third requirement is met. Nor is there any evidence of procedural "irregularities" that would make collaterally estopping Mr. Northrop's claim unjust. The fourth collateral estoppel requirement is met. Accordingly, Mr. Northrop is barred from relitigating whether his Brady due process rights were violated when the State failed to turn over the exact date of the non-identification of Mr. Northrop in the photo montage.
Collateral estoppel does not bar Mr. Davis from asserting this claim. In arguing that Mr. Davis is collaterally barred from re-litigating this issue, Clark County and Det. Slagle point to Mr. Davis's pleadings filed regarding his direct appeal and habeas petition. Dkt. 25.
On September 16, 1993, Mr. Davis filed his Opening Brief appealing his conviction and sentence with the Washington State Court of Appeals, Division II. Dkt. 28-25. As to the identification of Mr. Northrop, Mr. Davis argues that the identification procedure used in the initial drawing of Mr. Northrop was flawed. Dkt. 28-25, at 36-37. His brief notes that "[o]nce [Mr. Northrop] was apprehended two photo laydowns of six photos each were prepared. [Ms. Morrison] could not select Alan Northrop from either laydown." Dkt. 28-25, at 36-37. Nothing further is raised. In their decision affirming the conviction and sentence, the Washington State Court of Appeals, Division II, did not discuss the issue. Dkt. 28-26.
The pleadings filed in regard to Mr. Davis's direct appeal do not address Det. Slagle's, or the County's, failure to disclose Ms. Morrison's failure to identify Mr. Northrop three days after the incident. Accordingly, these pleadings do not meet the first or second requirement under collateral estoppel.
Mr. Davis filed a Petition for Habeas Corpus in 1997. Dkt. 28-31, at 2. In his petition, he argued that:
Dkt. 28-31, at 11, (internal citations omitted). To the extent that Mr. Davis intended to raise the issue of Ms. Morrison's non-identification of Mr. Northrop three days after the incident as a violation of Mr. Davis's rights, no ruling on the issue was made. The Report and Recommendation on his petition stated that the only claim presented was that the pretrial identification of petitioner [Mr. Davis] in a photo montage and lineup was improperly suggestive. Dkt. 28-34, at 2. It does not make any decision on the issue of the late disclosure of the date of Ms. Morrison's initial non-identification of Mr. Northrop. Accordingly, there was no final decision on the merits on this issue, so the second prong under the collateral estoppel doctrine was not met. Mr. Davis is not barred from making this claim.
Neither Mr. Northrop nor Mr. Davis is collaterally estopped from arguing that his Brady rights were violated when the government failed to disclose that Ms. Morrison was being investigated for embezzlement at the time of the rape and trials. As to Mr. Northrop, the Defendants point to the June 8, 1998, Clark County Superior Court's denial of Mr. Northrop's motion for a new trial. Dkt. 25. The motion itself is not in the record, however, and the brief opinion issued by the court states that:
Dkt. 28-33, at 2-3. The events giving rise to the investigation of Mr. Morrison for embezzlement occurred before the rape and both trials. There is no showing that the issues raised here are identical to the issue discussed in this order or that the issue raised here was finally decided. Mr. Northrop is not collaterally barred from making this claim.
As to Mr. Davis, the second collateral estoppel requirement, a final judgment on the merits, is not met. Although in his Petition for Review to the Washington Supreme Court, he argued that the State violated his rights when it failed to disclose that Mr. Morrison was involved in four counts of theft before January of 1993 (Dkt. 28-29), his petition for review was denied by the Washington State Supreme Court without comment. Dkt. 28-30, at 2.
In order to state a claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, a complaint must allege that (1) the conduct complained of was committed by a person acting under color of state law, and that (2) the conduct deprived a person of a right, privilege, or immunity secured by the Constitution or laws of the United States. Parratt v. Taylor, 451 U.S. 527, 535, 101 S.Ct. 1908, 68 L.Ed.2d 420 (1981), overruled on other grounds, Daniels v. Williams, 474 U.S. 327, 106 S.Ct. 662, 88 L.Ed.2d 662 (1986). Section 1983 is the appropriate avenue to remedy an alleged wrong only if both of these elements are present. Haygood v. Younger, 769 F.2d 1350, 1354 (9th Cir. 1985), cert. denied, 478 U.S. 1020, 106 S.Ct. 3333, 92 L.Ed.2d 739 (1986).
Defendants in a Section 1983 action are entitled to qualified immunity from damages for civil liability if their conduct does not violate clearly established statutory or constitutional rights of which a reasonable person would have known. Pearson v. Callahan, 555 U.S. 223, 129 S.Ct. 808, 815, 172 L.Ed.2d 565 (2009) (quoting Harlow v. Fitzgerald, 457 U.S. 800, 818, 102 S.Ct. 2727, 73 L.Ed.2d 396 (1982)). Qualified immunity balances two important interests: the need to hold public officials accountable when they exercise power irresponsibly and the need to shield officials from harassment, distraction, and liability when they perform their duties reasonably. Harlow v. Fitzgerald, 457 U.S. at 815, 102 S.Ct. 2727. The existence of qualified immunity generally turns on the objective reasonableness of the actions, without regard to the knowledge or subjective intent of the particular official. Id. at 819, 102 S.Ct. 2727. Whether a reasonable officer could have believed his or her conduct was proper is a question of law for the court and should be determined at the earliest possible point in the litigation. Act Up!/Portland v. Bagley, 988 F.2d 868, 872-73 (9th Cir.1993).
In analyzing a qualified immunity defense, the Court must determine: (1) whether a constitutional right would have been violated on the facts alleged, taken in the light most favorable to the party asserting the injury; and (2) whether the right was clearly established when viewed in the specific context of the case. Saucier v. Katz, 533 U.S. 194, 121 S.Ct. 2151, 2156, 150 L.Ed.2d 272 (2001). "The relevant dispositive inquiry in determining whether a right is clearly established is whether it would be clear to a reasonable officer that his conduct was unlawful in the situation he confronted." Id. While the sequence set forth in Saucier is often appropriate, it should no longer be regarded as mandatory. Pearson v. Callahan, 129 S.Ct at 811. "The judges ... should be permitted to exercise their sound discretion in deciding which of the two prongs of the qualified immunity analysis should be addressed first in light of the circumstances in the particular case at hand." Id.
Clark County and Det. Slagle move to have two of the bases of the asserted Brady violations dismissed: that of the failure to turn over information about the investigation of Ms. Morrison for embezzlement and the failure to turn over the date of Ms. Morrison's nonidentification of Mr. Northrop. Dkt. 25. Their arguments will be addressed using the two pronged Saucier analysis where appropriate.
"A police officer's failure to preserve or collect potential exculpatory
Id. at 870, 126 S.Ct. 2188 (internal quotations and citations omitted). The obligation under Brady "is the obligation of the government, not merely the obligation of the prosecutor." United States v. Blanco, 392 F.3d 382, 393 (9th Cir.2004). Additionally, in the Ninth Circuit, a plaintiff asserting a Brady claim pursuant to § 1983 against officers "must show that police officers acted with deliberate indifference to or reckless disregard for an accused's rights or for the truth in withholding evidence from prosecutors." Tennison v. San Francisco, 570 F.3d 1078, 1088 (9th Cir.2009).
There are issues of fact as to whether Det. Slagle's failure to turn over information regarding the investigation of Ms. Morrison for embezzlement was a violation of Mr. Davis's and Mr. Northrop's due process rights. Information that Ms. Morrison was being investigated for embezzlement could, arguably, be used to impeach her, or to aid in discovering impeaching information. Washington Rule of Evidence 608. It was, therefore, evidence favorable to the defense. By 1990, at least, the Ninth Circuit had held "impeachment, as well as exculpatory, evidence falls within Brady's definition of evidence favorable to the accused." United States v. Marashi, 913 F.2d 724, 732 (9th Cir.1990) (internal quotation marks omitted). There are issues of fact as to whether the government failed to produce the information. Although Clark County and Det. Slagle argue that Det. Slagle was unaware of this investigation, and that the investigation was turned over to the prosecutor's office by the investigating officers (thus, they argue, satisfying the Sheriff's Office's Brady obligation), for the purposes of this motion, there is no evidence in the record of either of these facts. The prosecutor and the criminal defense attorneys for both men testified that they were unaware of this investigation. Further, there are issues of fact as to whether Mr. Davis and Mr. Northrop were prejudiced. That is, whether there is a "reasonable probability" that the results would have been different. Youngblood, at 870, 126 S.Ct. 2188. This is particularly true in light of the other uncontested Brady violations. For example, the failure to turn over the February 28, 1993 report regarding Monte Ollom as a possible suspect, and all the other evidence recently found in the archived box at the Sheriff's Office, including the evidence of other suspects, the application for a protective order against Ms. Morrison's exhusband, etc. In addition to those things, the allegedly undisclosed information that the victim was being
The Court notes that Clark County and Det. Slagle do not move for qualified immunity as to this claim. No further analysis under Saucier on this factual basis is necessary. The motion for summary judgment as to the failure to disclose the embezzlement investigation of Ms. Morrison as one of the bases for Mr. Davis and Mr. Northrop's due process claims should be denied.
There are issues of fact as to whether Det. Slagle's failure to disclose the exact date of Ms. Morrison's inability to pick Mr. Northrop out of the photo montage was a violation of Mr. Davis's clearly established due process rights under Brady. As stated above, Mr. Northrop is collaterally estopped from making this claim. This information could have been favorable to Mr. Davis's defense and should have been produced. Clark County and Det. Slagle argue that "it is hard to reason" how the precise date of non-identification of Mr. Northrop is material to Mr. Davis. Dkt. 25, at 16. However, Mr. Davis argues that there was no physical evidence linking him to the crime, and that he was only targeted because he was an associate of Mr. Northrop. Dkt. 50. He argues that evidence tending to create doubt about Mr. Northrop being the dark haired assailant also assists him. Id. There are also issues of fact as to whether the date of the non-identification was turned over to Davis's defense team (Clark County points out that there are dates on the back of the photos), and when the montage was turned over to the Prosecutor's Office. Dkt. 25. There are issues of fact as to what day the montage viewing actually took place (it is unclear from the record that Ms. Morrison actually viewed the montage on the day it was put together; the pictures were dated January 14, 1993). There are issues of fact as to whether Det. Slagle "acted with deliberate indifference to or reckless disregard for an accused's rights or for the truth." Tennison, at 1088. Lastly, there are issues of fact that the failure to disclose the exact date prejudiced Mr. Davis, such that there is a "reasonable probability" that the results would have been different. Youngblood, at 870, 126 S.Ct. 2188.
There are multiple issues of fact as to this Brady claim. Whether it would be clear to a reasonable officer in Det. Slagle's position that his conduct violated Mr. Davis's due process rights in the situation he confronted cannot be decided on this record. Tennison, at 1092. There are enough issues of fact as to this claim to require that the motion for summary judgment based on qualified immunity (Dkt.25) should be denied.
Clark County and Det. Slagle do not dispute that there was a failure to turn over the documents found in Det. Slagle's archived files or the February 28, 1993 report by Officer Anderson where Mr. Usery reported that he thought the man in the composite was Monte Ollom. Defendants argue that Plaintiffs here cannot show that they were prejudiced by the failure, because the evidence on other suspects may not be admissible because there was no link of those suspects to the crime.
Mr. Davis and Mr. Northrop properly point out that that the information does not have to be admissible to be exculpatory and that defense counsel may use evidence of other possible suspects for various reasons. Dkt. 50. As stated above, there are multiple issues of fact regarding this evidence, including what Det. Slagle knew and what he did about what he knew. It cannot be determined on this record that it would not be clear to a reasonable officer in Det. Slagle's position that his conduct violated Mr. Davis's and Mr. Northrop's due process rights. Tennison, at 1092. The motion for qualified immunity should be denied.
In order to set forth a claim against a municipality under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, a plaintiff must show that the defendant's employees or agents acted through an official custom, pattern or policy that permits deliberate indifference to, or violates, the plaintiff's civil rights; or that the entity ratified the unlawful conduct. See Monell v. Department of Social Servs., 436 U.S. 658, 690-91, 98 S.Ct. 2018, 56 L.Ed.2d 611 (1978); Larez v. City of Los Angeles, 946 F.2d 630, 646-47 (9th Cir.1991). "Official municipal policy includes the decisions of a government's lawmakers, the acts of its policymaking officials, and practices so persistent and widespread as to practically have the force of law." Connick v. Thompson, ___ U.S. ___, 131 S.Ct. 1350, 1359, 179 L.Ed.2d 417 (2011). "Under § 1983, local governments are responsible only for their own illegal acts. They are not vicariously liable under § 1983 for their employees' actions." Id., (citing Monell v. New York City Dept. of Social Servs., 436 U.S. 658, 692, 98 S.Ct. 2018, 56 L.Ed.2d 611 (1978)). "In limited circumstances, a local government's decision not to train certain employees about their legal duty to avoid violating citizens' rights may rise to the level of an official government policy for purposes of § 1983." Connick, at 1359. "A municipality's failure to train its employees in a relevant respect must amount to deliberate indifference to the rights of persons with whom the untrained employees come into contact." Id., at 1359-60. "`[D]eliberate indifference' is a stringent standard of fault, requiring proof that a municipal actor disregarded a known or obvious consequence of his action." Id., at 1360. "[W]hen city policymakers are on actual or constructive notice that a particular omission in their training program causes city employees to violate citizens' constitutional rights, the city may be deemed deliberately indifferent if the policymakers choose to retain that program." Id. A pattern of similar constitutional violations by untrained employees is "ordinarily necessary" to demonstrate deliberate indifference for purposes of failure to train. Id. "Without notice that a course of training is deficient in a particular respect, decision makers can hardly be said to have deliberately chosen a training program that will cause violations of constitutional rights." Id.
The Connick Court examined a failure to train claim based on the elected prosecutor's alleged failure to train his assistant prosecutors regarding their disclosure requirements under Brady. Id. In concluding that § 1983 liability did not lie, the Court held that four prior occasions that attorneys in his office committed Brady violations was insufficient to put him on notice that his office's Brady training was inadequate. Id.
In his deposition for this case, Sergeant Craig Randall, a supervisor, testified
Considering that this case involves police officers and not attorneys, there are issues of fact as to whether Clark County's failure to train regarding their officers on obligations under Brady at that time amounted to deliberate indifference to the constitutional rights of the individuals with whom they would have contact. Sgt. Randall's testimony, if viewed in a light most favorable to Mr. Davis and Mr. Northrop, could be construed as "pattern" of Brady violations and "demonstrate deliberate indifference for purposes of failure to train" under § 1983.
Even if Sgt. Randall's testimony is not sufficient to show a pattern, Plaintiffs point out that under Connick there is an exception to the requirement of a pattern: "single-incident" liability. Connick does hold that where the "unconstitutional consequences of a failure to train" is "so patently obvious that a city could be liable under § 1983 without proof of a preexisting pattern of violations." Id., at 1361. Although Connick found that "single incident" liability was not appropriate there because the individuals to be trained regarding Brady were attorneys, who had been to law school, taken the bar and were able to research Brady questions on their own, the Court noted that the same may not be true of the police. Id., at 1361.
There are issues of fact here as to whether the failure to train Det. Slagle and other county employees on their Brady obligations would result in unconstitutional consequences was "so patently obvious" that Clark County should be "held liable under § 1983 without proof of a preexisting pattern of violations." Id., at 1361. Moreover, to the extent that Plaintiffs assert a § 1983 Monell claim against Clark County for the supervision and retention of Det. Slagle, that claim is not addressed by this motion. Defendants' motion to summarily dismiss the due process claim against Clark County should be denied.
The above analysis is restricted to the federal claims and does not apply to the state law claims against Clark County.
Clark County and Det. Slagle move for dismissal of Plaintiffs' state law claims, arguing that they are barred by the statute of limitations, and that there is no recognized claim in Washington for negligent investigation. Dkt. 25.
Under RCW 4.16.080(2), Plaintiffs have three years to "commence" a personal injury action such as this one. In Washington, "[s]tatutes of limitations do not begin to run until a cause of action accrues." 1000 Virginia Ltd. Partnership v. Vertecs Corp., 158 Wn.2d 566, 575, 146 P.3d 423 (2006) (citing RCW 4.16.005). "In many instances an action accrues immediately when the wrongful act occurs." Id. "Usually, a cause of action accrues when the party has the right to apply to a court for relief." 1000 Virginia Ltd. Partnership v. Vertecs Corp., 158 Wn.2d 566,
Plaintiffs were sentenced in 1993 and did not bring this case until August 25, 2012. Dkt. 1. The statute of limitations bars all claims based on events occurring before August 25, 2009. The record contains various employment records of Det. Slagle. Dkts. 43-4-43-9. All of these records are dated before July of 2006 when Det. Slagle retired from the Clark County Sheriff's Office. Id. To the extent that any of Plaintiffs' state law claims are based on events occurring before August of 2009, including these records, they should be dismissed.
Plaintiffs argue that the statute of limitations did not begin to run until their convictions were invalidated in 2010. Dkt. 50. They assert that post conviction relief (that is proving themselves actually innocent) is a prerequisite to their negligence claim, so that element was not "susceptible to proof" until 2010. Id.
Plaintiffs' argument, is, however, contrary to Washington law. In Gausvik v. Abbey, 126 Wn.App. 868, 107 P.3d 98 (2005), the Washington State Court of Appeals Division II, held that a father's negligent investigation claim accrued for purposes of the statute of limitations when he was convicted and sentenced for child rape, not when his conviction was invalidated. The Gausvik Court considered and rejected the argument urged by Plaintiffs here — that proximate cause and injury could not be established under Washington law until invalidation of the conviction. Id., at 881, 107 P.3d 98. Unfair as this seems, it appears to be Washington law. The unfairness has been somewhat ameliorated with the adoption of Washington's Wrongful Conviction Compensation law, RCW 4.98.005, et seq., which became effective less than a month ago, on July 28, 2013.
Nor does RCW 4.16.190 bring Plaintiffs the relief that they seek. Under RCW 4.16.190, "[i]f a person entitled to bring an action mentioned in this chapter, except for a penalty or forfeiture, ... be at the time the cause of action accrued ... imprisoned on a criminal charge prior to sentencing, the time of such disability shall not be a part of the time limited for the commencement of action." Accordingly, under Washington law, the statute of limitations was only tolled until they were sentenced in 1993.
Plaintiffs point out that there was some evidence that they did not know of, or have reason to know of, and that was the contents of the archived box found in the Clark County Sheriff's Office that was not turned over to the Clark County Prosecutors and was only produced to the Plaintiffs on March 8, 2013. Dkt. 50. The contents of this box, found in the record at Dkt. 42-10, at 2-12, are hand written notes and other documents. Further, Plaintiffs state that they were unaware of the evidence of other suspect Monte Ollom until the report made about Mr. Ollom was turned over sometime in 2010. Dkts. 44, at 2 and 45, at 2. "In many instances an action accrues immediately when the wrongful act occurs, but in some circumstances where the plaintiff is unaware of harm sustained a literal application of the statute of limitations could result in grave injustice." 1000 Virginia Ltd. Partnership v. Vertecs Corp., 158 Wn.2d 566, 575, 146 P.3d 423 (2006). To avoid this,
To the extent that Plaintiffs' based their state law claims on evidence contained in Det. Slagle's archived box or on the report about Monte Ollom, as another suspect, they are not barred by the statute of limitations. Unlike all the evidence in Gausvik, Plaintiffs were unaware of when these "wrongful act[s] occurred." 1000 Virginia Ltd Partnership, at 575, 146 P.3d 423. That is, it was not until they began this litigation that they discovered the Defendants' failure to turn over the information contained in the archived box and in the report regarding Mr. Ollom. Not only that, but Plaintiffs had no reason to know of or attempt to discover the contents of the archived box or the report. They requested this type of information at their criminal trials and had no reason to think these documents were in existence. Accordingly, Plaintiffs' state law claims for intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, and negligent training, supervision, and retention, based on the evidence found in the archived box and the report regarding Monte Ollom, should not be dismissed as barred by the statute of limitations. To the extent that the state law claims are based on other factual predicates, they should be dismissed.
In their motion, Clark County and Det. Slagle argue that the claim for negligent investigation against Det. Slagle should be dismissed. Dkt. 25.
In Washington, a claim for negligence requires a showing of "(1) the existence of a duty to the plaintiff, (2) a breach of that duty, (3) a resulting injury, and (4) the breach as the proximate cause of the injury." Lowman v. Wilbur, 178 Wn.2d 165, 309 P.3d 387 (2013) (quoting Crowe v. Gaston, 134 Wn.2d 509, 514, 951 P.2d 1118 (1998)). Generally, a claim for negligent investigation does not exist in Washington because there is no duty owed to a particular class of persons. M.W. v. Dep't of Social & Health Serv., 149 Wn.2d 589, 601, 70 P.3d 954 (2003); Donohoe v. State, 135 Wn.App. 824, 142 P.3d 654 (2006); Rodriguez v. Perez, 99 Wn.App. 439, 443, 994 P.2d 874 (2000). An exception is recognized in Washington for child abuse cases because of a duty found in a state statute. M.W., at 601, 70 P.3d 954.
To the extent that Plaintiffs' negligence claims against Det. Slagle are negligent investigation claims, they should be dismissed. They have failed to show that he owed them an actionable duty. They are not alleging a negligent child abuse investigation occurred, and so cannot take advantage of the line of cases like M.W. or Rodriguez.
It appears that in connection with this claim, Plaintiffs discussed Robb v. Seattle, 176 Wn.2d 427, 433-34, 295 P.3d 212 (2013) at oral argument. They urged that "the Robb decision says that actions of commission, or actions of malfeasance as opposed to actions of nonfeasance are actionable against police officers."
In Robb, the issue was "whether the police owe a duty to protect citizens from the criminal acts of a third party where the police failed to pick up bullets from the ground near the scene of a Terry stop and one of the people detained but not arrested returned to the scene, picked up the bullets,
To the extent that they intended this argument to apply to a claim of negligent investigation against Det. Slagle, Plaintiffs make no reasonable showing that Det. Slagle owed them a duty under § 302 of the Restatement (Second) of Torts, i.e. that he is in some manner responsible for a third party's criminal conduct toward them. They fail to show that Robb stands for the proposition they urge. Robb does not discuss or in any manner rule on the tort of negligent investigation. Defendants' motion (Dkt.25) should be granted and the negligent investigation claim asserted against Det. Slagle should be dismissed.
Defendants further argue that the claim against Clark County for negligent training, supervision, and retention is derivative of the negligent investigation claim against Det. Slagle, and if that claim fails, so does the claim against Clark County. Dkt. 25.
In response, Plaintiffs argue that their claim against Clark County is not a derivative claim because as an employer, Clark County owed Mr. Davis and Mr. Northrop a duty to properly train, supervise, and retain employees "where an employer knows or should know that the employee represents a foreseeable risk of harm to third parties." Dkt. 50, at 18 (citing LaPlant v. Snohomish County, 162 Wn.App. 476, 478, 271 P.3d 254 (2011)). Plaintiffs argue that Clark County owed them a duty under the Restatement (Second) of Torts § 302(B) & 321 "because Det. Slagle's affirmative acts created a recognizable high degree of risk of harm." Id. (citing Robb v. Seattle, 176 Wn.2d 427, 433-34, 295 P.3d 212 (2013)).
Defendants' motion to dismiss Mr. Davis and Mr. Northrop's negligence claims against Clark County, based on Det. Slagle's negligent investigation, should be granted. Under Washington law,
LaPlant v. Snohomish County, 162 Wn.App. 476, 478, 271 P.3d 254 (2011). Clark County does not assert that Det. Slagle was acting outside the scope of his employment. Accordingly, to the extent that the Plaintiffs' claims are based on their assertion that Det. Slagle's investigation was negligent and that the County is vicariously liable for Det. Slagle's negligent investigation, the claim should be dismissed because there is no recognized tort for the claim of negligent investigation and so no vicarious liability for Clark County. See LaPlant, at 478, 271 P.3d 254. It is unclear the extent to which Plaintiffs make a claim for vicarious liability against Clark County based on other alleged acts of negligence by other county employees. In any event, there is no motion on such a claim.
Plaintiffs argue that they make claims against Clark County based on its independent duty to properly train, supervise, and retain its employees. Dkt. 50. Washington employers do have a limited duty to control an employee for the protection of third parties. Niece v. Elmview Group Home, 131 Wn.2d 39, 48, 929 P.2d 420 (1997) (holding "where an employee is acting outside the scope of employment, the relationship between employer and employee gives rise to a limited duty, owed by an employer to foreseeable victims, to prevent the tasks, premises, or instrumentalities entrusted to an employee from endangering others"). "This direct, independent duty can give rise to an action for negligent hiring, training, and supervision." LaPlant, at 478, 271 P.3d 254.
In order to make a claim against Clark County based on its independent duty to properly train, supervise, and retain its employees under Washington law, Plaintiffs must point to evidence that Det. Slagle (or other county employees) were acting outside the scope of their employment. Niece v. Elmview Group Home, 131 Wn.2d 39, 48, 929 P.2d 420 (1997). Plaintiffs fail to point to facts from which a jury could conclude that Det. Slagle did so, that he "step[ed] aside from [Clark County's] purposes in order to pursue a personal objective." Id. The motion to summarily dismiss the claim should be granted because Plaintiffs have not carried their burden.
Defendants' motion to summarily dismiss Plaintiffs' due process claims that the procedures used to identify them were impermissibly suggestive should be granted. These claims are barred by the doctrine of collateral estoppel. Mr. Northrop's Brady based due process claim related to the date Ms. Morrison failed to identify him in the photo montage is also barred by collateral estoppel and should be dismissed. To the extent that Plaintiffs' state law claims of intentional infliction of emotional distress,
It is not clear to the Court exactly which claims remain. Plaintiffs should, in the pretrial order, identify the claims remaining for each Plaintiff against each Defendant. In Plaintiffs' trial brief, they should set forth the elements of each claim, and a brief summary of the evidence to be offered in support of each element.
Accordingly, it is
Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment (Dkt. 25)
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•
The Clerk is directed to send uncertified copies of this Order to all counsel of record and to any party appearing pro se at said party's last known address.
This matter comes before the Court on Plaintiffs' Motion for Reconsideration of the Order on Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment. Dkt. 69. The Court has considered the pleadings filed regarding the motion, argument of counsel, and the remaining file.
The facts and procedural history are in the Court's Order on Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment (Dkt. 68, at 1-19) and are adopted here. The Court ruled on a portion of Plaintiffs' Motion for Reconsideration at the pretrial hearing, reserving the question of whether the prior Order should stand regarding the dismissal of Plaintiffs' state law claims for negligence against Clark County until after Plaintiffs filed a brief clarifying that claim. The brief has been filed and the motion for reconsideration is now ripe for decision.
In the original motion for summary judgment, Defendants moved to dismiss all the state claims, arguing first that they were barred by the statute of limitations. Dkts. 25 and 51. The motion to dismiss all state law claims as barred by Washington's statute of limitations was granted to the extent that those claims were based on events occurring before August of 2009. Dkt. 68. The prior Order noted, however, that there was an exception in Washington law to the application of the statute of limitations where a plaintiff did not know or have reason to know of facts to support their claim. Dkt. 68. The Order found that "Plaintiffs point out that there was some evidence that they did not know of, or have reason to know of, and that was the contents of the archived box found in the Clark County Sheriffs Office that was not turned over to the Clark County Prosecutors and was only produced to the Plaintiffs on March 8, 2013" and a report regarding another potential suspect, Monte Ollom, which was not turned over until sometime after this litigation began. Id. The prior Order found that to the extent that Plaintiffs based their state law claims on evidence contained in Det. Slagle's archived box or the other suspect evidence of the report about Monte Ollom, they are not barred by the statute of limitations because those facts were not known to Plaintiffs before 2009. Id.
The prior Order then went on to rule on the Defendants' second basis to seek dismissal of the Plaintiffs' state law negligence claims: that there is no recognized tort of negligent investigation in the state of Washington. Dkt. 68. The prior Order held that to the extent that Plaintiffs' claims are based on negligent investigation (whether as asserted against Det. Slagle or against Clark County) the motion should be granted and those claims dismissed. Dkt. 68. Further, the prior Order noted in regard to Plaintiffs' claim under Washington law for negligence against Clark County under the County's independent duty to properly train and supervise it's employees that:
Dkt. 68, at 48.
Plaintiffs now move for a reconsideration of the decision to dismiss their state law claim for negligence against Clark County. Dkt. 69. In clarification of their claim, in Plaintiffs' Trial Brief, Plaintiffs state that:
Dkt. 87, at 8.
Western District of Washington Rule of Civ. Pro. 7(h)(1) provides that: "[m]otions for reconsideration are disfavored. The court will ordinarily deny such motions in the absence of a showing of manifest error in the prior ruling or a showing of new facts or legal authority which, could not have been brought to its attention earlier with reasonable diligence."
To the extent that Plaintiffs' seek a reversal of the prior Order's dismissal of their state law claim for negligence as articulated in the response to the summary judgment motion, the motion for reconsideration should be denied. To the extent that Plaintiffs seek a clarification of the prior Order, the motion should be granted.
The rulings of the prior Order should be affirmed. As stated in the prior Order, to the extent that Plaintiffs intend to offer evidence in support of their negligence claim based on facts occurring before 2009, their claim should be dismissed as barred by the statute of limitations. That includes the prior Order's ruling regarding Det. Slagle's employment history. The prior Order's holding that "Plaintiffs' state law claims for outrage, negligence, and negligent hiring, training, supervision, and retention, based on the evidence found in the archived box and the report regarding Monte Ollom, should not be dismissed as barred by the statute of limitations" should also be affirmed. To the extent that the state law claims are based on other factual predicates, the decision dismissing them should be affirmed. This ruling does not, and was not intended to apply to evidence/factual predicates offered in support of the federal claims.
Further, to the extent that Plaintiffs' negligence claim against Clark County relates to Det. Slagle's investigation, the prior Order should be affirmed. Plaintiffs' current characterization of the claim appears to be an attempt to get around Washington law that does not recognize a claim for negligent investigation, and should be rejected. As stated in the prior Order, Washington does not recognize a claim for negligent investigation. In addition, the facts in support of this claim are barred by the statute of limitations. Moreover, the prior Order's holding that Plaintiffs must show that the Defendant acted outside the scope of their employment to maintain a claim against the County regarding its independent duty to properly
There has been substantial confusion regarding Plaintiffs' claims and the factual support for those claims. After reviewing Plaintiffs' Trial Brief, a point of clarification should be made. The prior Order did not, nor was it asked to, dismiss Plaintiffs' claims that Clark County was negligent for its employees' failure, as required under Brady, to disclose the contents of the archived box or the report regarding Monte Ollom. To the extent that Plaintiffs maintain a state claim for negligence against Clark County for the County's employees' failure to disclose the contents of the archived box or the report regarding Monte Ollom, that claim is still viable.
It is the Court's understanding that Plaintiffs case may proceed on the following four claims:
This Order does not mean to imply that there is, in fact, evidence in the record to support each element of each of the foregoing listed claims. The confusion surrounding the claims made has made it necessary to re-analyze the remaining claims based on the evidence produced at trial — If motions are made, at the conclusion of Plaintiffs' case, attacking the sufficiency of the evidence. —
Accordingly, it is
The reserved issue on Plaintiffs' Motion for Reconsideration/Clarification of the Order on Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment (Dkt. 69)
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The Clerk is directed to send uncertified copies of this Order to all counsel of record and to any party appearing pro se at said party's last known address.
