ALLISON CLAIRE, Magistrate Judge.
Plaintiff, a state prisoner proceeding pro se, has filed an action pursuant to 42 U.S. § 1983. Pending before the court are several motions brought by plaintiff: (1) a motion for a court order authenticating the exhibits attached to the complaint (ECF No. 63); (2) a motion for an order granting a subpoena duces tecum, production of documents and service of the subpoena by the United States Marshal on non-party Warden Gary Swarthout or an acting warden (ECF No. 76); (3) a motion to compel discovery (ECF No. 87), opposed by defendant Kiesz (ECF No. 89); (4) a separate motion to compel discovery (ECF No. 91), opposed by defendant Braunger (ECF No. 94) with a reply from plaintiff (ECF No. 100); and (5) a motion for appointment of counsel and to re-open discovery (ECF No. 111), opposed by defendant Kiesz (ECF No. 114).
Plaintiff brought this action against multiple health care providers and prison administrators. Claims and defendants were dismissed from plaintiff's original complaint with leave to amend. Upon the filing of a first amended complaint, three defendants were dismissed but service of the amended complaint was found appropriate as to thirteen defendants at California State Prison-Solano. ECF Nos. 14, 15, 17. Defendants thereafter brought a motion to dismiss (ECF No. 24), and on November 21, 2013, defendants Austin, Morgan, Mefford, McAlpine, Trujillo, Davis, Fleischman and Villanueva (de la Vega) were dismissed.
Defendants Fontillas and Froland then brought separate motions to dismiss on grounds of unexhausted administrative remedies, and, as to defendant Froland, also for failure to state a claim. ECF Nos. 36, 46. Plaintiff's claim against defendant Fontillas based on the November 24, 2010 interview was dismissed; the motion was, however, denied as to plaintiff's claim that Fontillas was deliberately indifferent to plaintiff's serious medical needs by failing to provide timely access to a primary care physician. ECF No. 97 (Order adopting in part the January 3, 2014 Findings and Recommendations, ECF No. 79). In addition, pursuant to the court's sua sponte screening obligations, plaintiff's claim that defendant Fontillas was deliberately indifferent to his serious medical needs by failing to ensure timely receipt of pain medication in March 2011was dismissed.
In sum, this action presently proceeds on plaintiff's claims that: (1) defendants Braunger and Kiesz were deliberately indifferent to plaintiff's medical needs relating to the delay in providing plaintiff with his prescribed medication; and (2) defendants Fontillas and Froland were deliberately indifferent to plaintiff's serious medical needs by failing to provide timely access to a primary care physician.
On November 11, 2010 at California State Prison-Solano (CSP-Sol), plaintiff received an emergency medical evaluation for a sports injury to his left shoulder and collarbone. Plaintiff was x-rayed and provided a shoulder brace, neck brace and pain medications, and a follow-up appointment with his primary care physician (PCP) was scheduled. Over the next several months, plaintiff was repeatedly thwarted in his attempts to be seen by his PCP and to receive the medication he required for his injury and for his chronic headaches, as well as treatment for an allergy-related rash that developed into sores. Plaintiff submitted numerous health care services request forms complaining of severe pain and unfilled prescriptions for Ibuprofen and allergy medications. In response to these requests, he was seen on several occasions by nurses who failed to ensure that he saw a doctor or obtained his medications. The details are as follows:
On November 24, 2010, defendant Registered Nurse (RN) Fontillas interviewed plaintiff in response to his request for medical assistance dated November 22, 2010. Fontillas reviewed plaintiff's vital signs but did not conduct a physical examination regarding the issues presented in plaintiff's medical request, which included back, chest and shoulder pain, a problem with a nerve in the neck, and difficulty sleeping. First Amended Complaint (FAC) (ECF No. 13) at 6. Instead, Fontillas stated: "You are already scheduled to see your PCP therefore, you can address your medical problems to the d[octo]r at that time." She also told him that if his situation became worse, he could submit another medical request form. Plaintiff informed defendant Fontillas that the Ibuprofen he had been prescribed for pain for an unrelated condition had not been provided by the prison pharmacy. Defendant Fontillas did not contact the pharmacy or take any other action at the time, releasing plaintiff back to his unit. Plaintiff's prescription was not delivered to him and he was not seen by the PCP, resulting in severe pain. As a result, on December 8, 2010, plaintiff submitted a second CDCR Form 7362 (request for medical assistance). FAC at 6-7, 24-25.
On December 10, 2010, plaintiff was interviewed by defendant RN Braunger, in an encounter that began and ended with Braunger's statement: "I checked and your Ibuprofen was given to you." At that point, plaintiff had been in extreme pain for about twenty-five days without even having the Ibuprofen which had been prescribed for a prior medical condition. Defendant Braunger did not provide any of the medical care needed. FAC at 6, 25.
On January 4, 2011, plaintiff submitted a CDCR Form 7362 to the CSP-Sol medical department requesting "kitchen clearance" for a job assignment and renewal of his prescribed Ibuprofen. On January 6, 2011, defendant RN Kiesz conducted a medical interview with plaintiff during which plaintiff requested assistance securing treatment for his shoulder injuries and receipt of his prescribed Ibuprofen. Defendant Kiesz responded that s/he saw nothing in plaintiff's medical file regarding any injury reports, and that pursuant to "our policy," only the request written on the (current) 7362 request would be addressed. No medical assistance for plaintiff's shoulder injury and pain was provided by this defendant. FAC at 7-8, 25-26.
On January 29, 2011, plaintiff submitted a standard form requesting his prescription medication but none was provided. Therefore, on February 10, 2011, he submitted another CDCR 7362 form to the medical department complaining that (1) his prescribed medications had not been delivered; (2) his shoulder pain was causing neck pain; (3) his untreated allergy rash had progressed to becoming sores. On February 14, 2011, defendant RN Froland interviewed plaintiff regarding this complaint. She resubmitted his medication prescription to the pharmacy by fax and told him: "You are already scheduled to see your PCP in a week. You can discuss your injuries further with him." Defendant Froland provided him no further medical assistance at that time.
Plaintiff remained in extreme pain, continued to have difficulty sleeping, experienced the spreading of itching sores, as well as pounding headaches. He did not receive his prescribed medications and submitted another CDCR Form 7362 about his medical complaints on March 20, 2011. ECF No. 13 at 9. Plaintiff claims that Froland's failure to conduct a physical examination, make a medical assessment, and notify the appropriate medical staff about the delay in plaintiff's receipt of his medication amounted to, inter alia, deliberate indifference.
On March 22, 2011, in response to the March 20th Form 7362, plaintiff was again interviewed by defendant Fontillas, who resubmitted plaintiff's medication prescription to the pharmacy by fax and also relayed the prescription to pharmacy personnel by phone in plaintiff's presence. Plaintiff received no other medical assistance at this time. Plaintiff alleges that he had gone without his prescription(s) for seventy-seven days at this point. He finally received his allergy medication on March 25, 2011 and received relief within two to three days after taking the medication. ECF No. 13 at 9-10.
Plaintiff has filed two motions to compel production of documents, the first with regard to defendant Kiesz (ECF No. 87) and the second directed to defendant Braunger (ECF No. 91). The requests for production of documents (RFPs) served upon these two defendants were identical. Plaintiff seeks compelled responses to all of his requests for production from defendant Kiesz, who provided no document production. Plaintiff seeks further production from defendant Braunger in relation to RFPs Nos. 1-7 and 9-11.
The scope of discovery under Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(b)(1) is broad. Discovery may be obtained as to "any nonprivileged matter that is relevant to any party's claim or defense — including the existence, description, nature, custody, condition and location of any documents or other tangible things and the identity and location of persons who know of any discoverable matter."
Where a party fails to produce documents requested under Rule 34 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the party seeking discovery may move for compelled disclosure. Fed. R. Civ. P. 37. The party seeking to compel discovery has the burden of establishing that its request satisfies the relevancy requirements of Rule 26(b)(1). The party opposing discovery then has the burden of showing that the discovery should be prohibited, and the burden of clarifying, explaining or supporting its objections,
Privileges are narrowly construed because they impede the full and fair discovery of the truth.
Defendant Kiesz responded to RFP No. 1 as follows:
ECF No. 87 at 1.
Defendant Kiesz asserts that she is no longer employed by the CDCR and lives outside of California. Kiesz Opposition (Opp.), ECF No. 89 at 2; Declaration of Shanan Hewitt in Support of Kiesz Opp. to Motion to Compel (MTC), ¶ 3. Plaintiff does not take issue with Kiesz's representation that she is not in possession, custody or control of the documents he seeks. Indeed, in his request to have a subpoena served on the warden for the same documents, plaintiff "stipulates" to this.
Defendant Braunger's Response:
ECF No. 91 at 9.
The Duty Statement produced by defendant Braunger is responsive to the request, and further production would be overbroad in relation to plaintiff's claim. The motion is denied on that basis, and the court need not reach the confidentiality and privilege issues asserted by the defendant.
Kiesz's response to RFP Nos. 1-5 and 7-11 is the same: she interposes objections, and goes on to assert that she is not in possession, custody, or control of the documents.
Defendant Braunger objects that the request is vague, overbroad, and unduly burdensome. She further objects that the request is compound as it seeks records "regarding training but also seeks records regarding policies, regulations, and procedures." ECF No. 91 at 9. As in her objections to RFP No. 1, defendant Braunger asserts that 15 CCR §§ 3450(d) and 3321 prohibit disclosure, and that her personnel records are protected by the qualified official information privilege, federal common law privilege, and state privacy statutes.
The documents produced by defendant Braunger are responsive to the request, and further production would be overbroad in relation to plaintiff's claim. The motion is denied on that basis, and the court need not reach the confidentiality and privilege issues asserted by the defendant.
Kiesz again interposes objections, and goes on to assert that she is not in possession, custody, or control of the documents.
Defendant Braunger objects on grounds of relevance, vagueness and overbreadth, noting inter alia that "the overbreadth of the request" might call for documents "deemed confidential . . . the disclosure of which would create a hazard to the safety and security of the institution and prison officials involved in medical care." ECF No. 91 at 11. Without waiving the objections "and assuming plaintiff seeks documents containing the policy, procedures, and practice in effect on December 10, 2010 for registered nurses working at California State Prison-Solano, regarding the examination of prisoners," defendant produced the following:
The court finds that defendant Braunger has properly construed the appropriate scope of the RFP, and that the documents produced are responsive. Plaintiff is correct that defendant fails to specify particular documents that implicate institutional security, safety, or privacy concerns. However, the request for production (insofar as it is potentially relevant to plaintiff's claims) does not call for any materials that would implicate those concerns or require ruling on any assertions of privilege. Defendant has not withheld any identified responsive documents on grounds of privilege or confidentiality.
Plaintiff also contends that the production is incomplete because prior to and during defendant Braunger's employment at CSP-Sol, there were "established medical policies, procedures, obligations and responsibilities" governing the defendant's actions related to plaintiff's medical care "including sick-call, evaluations, interviews, and subsequent/consequential treatment." ECF No. 100 at 3. Plaintiff identifies these documents as "Inmate Medical Services Policies and Procedures" or "IMSPP."
If plaintiff sought production of these IMSPP guidelines, it is unclear why he did not specifically request them. It is also unclear why, if such documents were freely distributed, they were not available to plaintiff outside of discovery. Nevertheless, the court will require that defendant Braunger provide copies of the IMSPP medical guidelines in effect during the relevant time period (from January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010), but only to the extent that they speak to procedures, policies or practices governing the appropriate response to an inmate's complaint of pain and request for prescribed medication that he maintains he has not received. The motion as to further production is otherwise denied.
Kiesz again interposes objections, and goes on to assert that she is not in possession, custody, or control of the documents.
Objecting that this request is duplicative of RFP No. 2, defendant also objects that it "is overbroad and unduly burdensome with regard to the scope of time." Finally, defendant objects on the same grounds raised in response to RFP Nos. 1 and 2, citing California Code of Regulations, title 15, §§ 3450(d) and 3321, the official information and federal common law privilege and privacy rights with regard to personnel files. Without waiving these objections, defendant references the production in response to RFP No. 2. ECF No. 91 at 11-12. This response is adequate for the same reason that Braunger's response to RFP No. 2 is adequate. No further production will be ordered.
Kiesz again interposes objections, and then asserts that she is not in possession, custody, or control of the documents.
Defendant objects that this request is duplicative of RFP No. 3, is overbroad, "unduly burdensome with regard to the scope of time," and seeks information irrelevant "to the claims and defenses in this matter and not likely to lead to the discovery of admissible information." ECF No. 91 at 12. Defendant objects that plaintiff's claim against her "only relates to the treatment she provided to plaintiff on December 10, 2010, and not `at all times defendant was employed at CSP-Solano.'"
Without waiving the objections, "and assuming plaintiff is seeking documents containing the policy, procedures, and practice in effect on December 10, 2010 for registered nurses working at California State Prison-Solano, regarding the examination of prisoners," defendant references the production made in response to RFP No. 3. ECF No. 91 at 12-13. The court's ruling here is the same as that regarding RFP No. 3: Defendant shall produce copies of the IMSPP medical guidelines in effect during the relevant time period (from January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010), but only to the extent that they speak to procedures, policies or practices governing the appropriate response to an inmate's complaint of pain and request for prescribed medication that he maintains he has not received. The motion as to further production is otherwise denied.
Defendant Kiesz responded as follows:
ECF No. 87 at 3.
The RFP is not irrelevant. The court is mindful that the claim against defendant requires proof of deliberate indifference, and other instances of alleged or actual substandard care would have no direct probative value regarding defendant's state of mind in responding to plaintiff. Defendant's general professional competence and past performance would be more relevant to a negligence claim, and negligence is insufficient as a matter of law to establish an Eighth Amendment violation.
Defendant Kiesz does not assert in response to this RFP, as she does to ten others, that she is not in possession, custody or control of any responsive documents. If defendant Kiesz is in possession of any grievances or complaints about the medical care she provided any inmate, she must redact the name(s) of any such inmate(s), along with any other identifying information including CDCR inmate number and birthdate, from the complaints and provide them to plaintiff within fourteen days. To this extent only, the motion is granted. In an abundance of caution and in anticipation that defendant Kiesz may assert that she does not have possession, custody or control of any such documents, plaintiff will also be permitted to subpoena the records of any such complaints.
Defendant Braunger objects on grounds of relevance, overbreadth, vagueness, and undue burden. Those objections are overruled for the reasons explained above. Defendant also asserts that 15 CCR §§ 3450(d) and 3321 prohibit disclosure, and that her personnel records are protected by the qualified official information privilege, federal common law privilege, and state privacy statutes. Additionally, she contends that "this request would violate other inmate's [sic] privacy rights under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act." ECF No. 91 at 13. Notwithstanding and without waiving the posited objections, defendant Braunger responds that she "is unaware of any formal or informal written complaints against her, and has no such complaints in her custody and control."
The official information privilege, as defendant Braunger concedes throughout her objections, is only a qualified privilege. It "must be formally asserted and delineated in order to be raised properly."
The party invoking the privilege must at the outset make a "substantial threshold showing" by way of a declaration of affidavit from a responsible official with personal knowledge of the matters to be attested to in the affidavit.
Defendant Braunger has not made the required showing. Nor has she demonstrated why redaction of the identities of any complaining inmates would not overcome third-party privacy concerns. However, this defendant denies awareness, custody or control of any written complaints. Accordingly, the court cannot compel production. The motion will be denied as to this defendant, but plaintiff will be permitted to subpoena redacted records.
Kiesz interposes objections, and then asserts that she is not in possession, custody, or control of the documents.
After positing her standard objections (relevance, overbreadth, burden, and instritutional security concerns), defendant produced those documents provided in response to RFP No. 3. The court agrees that this RFP is overbroad in light of the claim against defendant Braunger, and that the documents already produced encompass the responsive information that is reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence. The motion is therefore denied.
Kiesz again interposes objections, and then asserts that she is not in possession, custody, or control of the documents.
This RFP is at issue for defendant Kiesz only. In any event, plaintiff has received information responsive to this request, insofar as it is relevant to his claims, from defendant Braunger in response to RFP no. 3.
Kiesz again interposes objections, and then asserts that she is not in possession, custody, or control of the documents.
Defendant Braunger objects that this request does not encompass plaintiff's claim against her which relates only to the treatment she provided plaintiff on December 10, 2010. ECF No. 91 at 16. The undersigned finds that this request is not reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of relevant evidence related to Braunger. The objection is sustained and the motion is denied as to RFP No. 9.
Kiesz again interposes objections, and then asserts that she is not in possession, custody, or control of the documents.
After interposing objections and without waiving them, Defendant Braunger produces the documents referenced in response to RFP Nos. 3, 5, 7 and 8. California Business and Professions Code § 2725 is entitled "Legislative declaration; practice of nursing; functions." The response is adequate. Plaintiff's request for further production exceeds the bounds of relevance. The motion is therefore denied.
Kiesz again interposes objections, and then asserts that she is not in possession, custody, or control of the documents.
Objecting that this request is duplicative of RFP Nos. 2 and 4 and otherwise raising the same objections she raised in response to Nos. 2 and 4, Braunger produced same documents: a list of training courses and redacted copies of available "In-Service Training" sign-in sheets. ECF No. 91 at 17. Defendant Braunger is correct that this request is duplicative and no further production will be ordered.
Defendant Kiesz responded as follows:
ECF No. 87 at 6.
In opposition, counsel for defendant Kiesz declares that a copy of on-line documentation of defendant Kiesz California licensing has been located; the documentation has now been provided to plaintiff. Opp., ECF No. 89 at 6; Declaration of Shanan Hewitt in Support of Kiesz Opp. to MTC, ¶ 5 & Ex. B. The motion as to this request will be denied.
Plaintiff seeks a court order granting a subpoena duces tecum, production of documents, and service of the subpoena by the U.S. Marshal. ECF No. 76. Plaintiff requests that the court direct the U.S. Marshal to serve a subpoena duces tecum upon non-party Warden Gary Swarthout or any "acting" warden of CSP-Sol.
To summarize, in response to defendant Kiesz' assertion that she is not the custodian of the documents plaintiff seeks by his RFPs, "plaintiff stipulates" that none of the defendants are custodians of the discovery he seeks.
Plaintiff seeks copies of the following:
1. Defendants' "employment contracts" with CDCR/CSP-Sol showing their responsibilities and assignments from the date of the employment of each to the present;
2. Defendants' training records and the "training programs defendants attended, completed and received at CSP-Sol[]" related to their "occupational assignments, responsibilities, obligations, policies, regulations, procedures and practices," including any training documents or contracts with CDCR and CSP-Sol signed by defendants related to this request;
3. Any and all documents relating to the policies, procedures and practices in effect for CDCR and CSP-Sol medical nurses and staff from January 2011 through March of 2011 for the examination, evaluation and diagnosis of a prisoner in response to CDCR 7362 requests;
4. Any and all records of training provided to the defendants related to medical evaluation procedures and practices since the time of the employment of each with CDCR and CSP-Sol;
5. Any and all documents governing the defendants' obligations and responsibilities with regard to conducting medical interviews at CSP-Sol predicated on the submission of CDCR forms 7372 since being employed at CSP-Sol;
6. Any and all formal and informal written complaints (including but not limited to 602's) against defendants for inappropriate and/or negligent medical care;
7. Any and all documents relating to established written standards of care consistent with the objectives of the Department/Office of Health Care Services and community care standards at all times of the defendants' employment at CSP-Sol;
8. Any and all documents related to all established written CDCR and CSP-Sol policies and procedures in effect from January 2011 through April 2011 "depicting the safe and effective provision[] of quality nursing care;"
9. Any and all "documents and/or copy of established procedures, policies at CSP-Solano, that were in effect/operative from January 2011 through April 2011, that identifies defendant(s') approved classification to perform her/his assigned duties," referencing CSP-Sol D.O.M. § 91040.8.1 "nursing services procedure guidelines");
10. Any and all documents that related to defendants' "performance and duties in accordance to the scope and practices specified in the Business and Profession[s] Code [] § 2725;"
11. Any and all documents or records of defendants' training at CSP-Sol "relative to physical assessments, sick and urgent/emergent protocols (this request includes defendants' training in health care services, requested medical assistance by inmates, and prison triage assistance.);"
12. Any and all documents/records relating to each defendant's "license as a health care provider including but not limited to defendants' performance duties consistent with applicable licensing requirements to specific disciplines at CSP-Solano that were in effect during all times defendant(s) were employed at CSP-Solano." ECF No. 76 at 12-14.
The court must "issue and serve all process and perform all such duties" for a plaintiff proceeding in forma pauperis. 28 U.S.C.1915(d). Plaintiff, proceeding in forma pauperis, thus "is generally entitled to obtain service of a subpoena duces tecum by the United States Marshal. 28 U.S.C.1915(d)."
Because Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 45(b) requires personal service of a subpoena, "`[d]irecting the Marshal's Office to expend its resources personally serving a subpoena is not taken lightly by the court,'
The subpoena that plaintiff has submitted is defective inasmuch as it is not signed by the Clerk of the Court. Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 45(a)(3) requires that "[t]he clerk must issue a subpoena, signed but otherwise in blank, to a party who requests it. That party must complete it before service." Therefore, at the outset, a new subpoena, blank but signed by the Clerk of the Court, must issue to plaintiff. A subpoena may direct a non-party, pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 45, to produce documents or other tangible objects for inspection.
There has been no showing by plaintiff that he has not or cannot receive by way of discovery propounded upon defendants Fontillas and Froland the information he seeks by way of a subpoena duces tecum served on the warden. Plaintiff may, however, seek by way of a subpoena as to defendant Kiesz, the following:
1. Any documents at CSP-Solano setting forth defendant Kiesz' responsibilities in providing medical care to inmates, including any related training programs defendant Kiesz completed at CSP-Solano.
2. Any documents setting forth the policies, procedures, practices in effect for CDCR and CSP-Sol medical nurses from December 1, 2010 through March of 2011 for the examination, evaluation and diagnosis of a prisoner in response to CDCR 7362 requests.
3. Any and all documents governing the defendant Kiesz' responsibilities in conducting medical interviews at CSP-Sol predicated on the submission of CDCR forms 7372.
4. Any and all "documents and/or copy of established procedures, policies at CSP-Solano, that were in effect/operative from January 2011 through April 2011, that identifies defendant(s') approved classification to perform her/his assigned duties," referencing CSP-Sol D.O.M. § 91040.8.1 "nursing services procedure guidelines").
5. Any and all documents or records of defendants' training at CSP-Sol "relative to physical assessments, sick and urgent/emergent protocols (this request includes defendants' training in health care services, requested medical assistance by inmates, and prison triage assistance.)."
Plaintiff may include in the subpoena a request for, as to both defendants Kiesz and Braunger, any and all formal and informal written complaints (including but not limited to 602's) against defendants Kiesz and Braunger for inappropriate and/or negligent medical care. Production in response to this request will require redaction of all personal data identifying any complainant. Plaintiff will be provided a new subpoena form and must return it within 21 days, His amended subpoena must contain only the document requests as narrowed and set forth immediately above. Compliance with this order is required for the court to direct the U.S. Marshal to serve a subpoena duces tecum.
Discovery will be re-opened and the dispositive motion deadline re-set in order to accommodate issuance of the subpoena and responsive production of documents.
Plaintiff asks that the court issue an order authenticating all of the exhibits attached to his complaint. ECF No. 63. Plaintiff appended some 242 pages of exhibits to his original, superseded complaint. ECF No. 1. He apparently re-submitted those exhibits with the operative first amended complaint (which attaches about 237 pages of exhibits).
Authentication of documents is not the function of the court. Federal Rule of Evidence 901 provides examples to litigants of methods of authentication or identification of an item of evidence. Moreover, the court notes that both the original and amended complaints were verified. In considering any dispositive motion or opposition thereto in the case of a pro se plaintiff, the court will not require further or formal authentication of those exhibits that have been attached to a verified complaint.
Plaintiff's motion for an order authenticating exhibits attached to his complaint must be denied.
Plaintiff requests the appointment of counsel. The United States Supreme Court has ruled that district courts lack authority to require counsel to represent indigent prisoners in § 1983 cases.
The test for exceptional circumstances requires the court to evaluate the plaintiff's likelihood of success on the merits and the ability of the plaintiff to articulate his claims pro se in light of the complexity of the legal issues involved.
Plaintiff complains broadly that actions of unidentified CDCR employees have subjected him to "inappropriate delays" in this case with regard to obtaining photocopies, receiving legal mail, access to the law library access and to his medical and central files. Motion at 2, ECF No. 111. He claims that his legal books, legal research and notes and "evidentiary documents" have been confiscated illegally.
Plaintiff's record in this case, however, belies his expressed need for appointed counsel. As defendant Kiesz points out in opposition, this case does not present complex issues and plaintiff has showed himself quite capable of litigating it. Opposition at 2, ECF No. 114. Although plaintiff attempts to counter any contention that he is equal to the task,
Having considered the factors under
Plaintiff requests that discovery be re-opened and the Scheduling Order adjusted. The request will be granted in part. Discovery will be re-opened for purposes of the production ordered herein. The deadlines for discovery and dispositive motions will be reset to provide for the additional discovery here authorized.
For all the reasons set forth above, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED as follows:
1. Plaintiff's motion to compel production of documents from defendant Kiesz (ECF No. 87) is GRANTED IN PART as to RFP No. 6 only, and DENIED as to RFP Nos. 1-5 and 7-12. Defendant Kiesz shall provide within fourteen days a redacted copy (as set forth above) of any inmate grievance or complaint regarding the medical care she provided while she worked at CSP-Solano;
2. Plaintiff's motion for an order compelling defendant Braunger to produce further documents (ECF No. 91) is GRANTED IN PART as to RFP nos. 3 and 5, to the extent that defendant Braunger must within fourteen days provide copies, if any, of the IMSPP medical guidelines in effect from January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010, that speak to procedures, policies or practices governing the appropriate response to an inmate's complaint of pain and request for prescribed medication. The motion is DENIED in all other respects;
3. Plaintiff's motion for an order granting service of a subpoena duces tecum by the United States Marshal on non-party Warden Gary Swarthout or an acting warden (ECF No. 76) is GRANTED IN PART as to the documents specified in the body of this order. Plaintiff must within twenty-one days return the signed subpoena provided with this order, containing only the requests as narrowed by the court. Compliance with this order is required for the court to direct the U.S. Marshal to serve the subpoena duces tecum;
4. The Clerk of the Court is directed to provide plaintiff a signed but otherwise blank subpoena duces tecum form with this order.
5. Plaintiff's motion for a court order authenticating the exhibits attached to his plaintiff's complaint (ECF No. 63) is DENIED;
6. Plaintiff's motion for appointment of counsel (ECF No. 111) is DENIED;
7. Plaintiff's motion to re-open discovery and adjust scheduling order (ECF No. 111) is GRANTED IN PART as follows: The deadlines in the Discovery and Scheduling Discovery Order (ECF No. 75) are hereby vacated. Discovery is re-opened for the limited purposes specified in this order, and the deadline extended to October 31, 2014. The dispositive motion deadline is re-set for February 23, 2015.
