JENNIFER L. THURSTON, United States Magistrate Judge.
In this action, Plaintiff claims he suffered excessive force during an arrest. In the current motion, Defendants argue they are entitled to a grant of summary judgment because Plaintiff's entire complaint is barred. (Doc. 95) The evidence demonstrates that Plaintiff has suffered convictions of crimes that, if he was successful in the current action, would be undermined. Because he is not permitted to pursue this action without first demonstrating the criminal convictions have been set aside through direct attack, Defendants' motion for summary judgment, the motion is
On February 26, 2012, Kareem Muhammad suffered a broken arm during a scuffle with police officers. As a result of the incident, he was charged with being under the influence of a controlled substance in violation of California's Health & Safety section 11550(A), resisting, obstructing or delaying a peace officer in the performance of his duties in violation of Penal Code section 148(A) and assault on a peace officer in violation of Penal Code section 241(c). (Doc. 95-3 at 2 (Fact 1); Doc. 95-3 at 6; (Fact 7)).
During his criminal trial, Kareem Muhammad testified. (Doc. 95-3 at 5-6) (Fact 6
The officers involved in the incident testified as well. Officer Garrett testified that he saw Plaintiff leaving the service station and that he appeared unsteady, was "high-stepping," and appeared to be hallucinating. (Doc. 95-3 at 2 (Fact 2)) Officer Garrett observed that Plaintiff's muscles were rigid. Id.
Garrett testified that he approached Plaintiff and asked him to sit down but Plaintiff ignored him and continued walking. (Doc. 95-3 at 2 (Fact 2)) Garrett followed behind and ordered Plaintiff to sit down several times and, ultimately, Plaintiff sat. Id. During this time, Plaintiff appeared "fidgety" and was unable to sit still. Id. Garrett determined that Plaintiff was under the influence of drugs and decided to arrest him and attempted to place him in handcuffs. Id. When Garrett reached for Plaintiff's hands, Plaintiff tried to stand. Id. Garrett tried to prevent Plaintiff from standing by ordering him to remain seated, by grabbing his wrist and by pushing down on his shoulder. Id. Nevertheless, Plaintiff stood up, broke free and began running. Id. Garrett ran after Plaintiff and yelled orders for him to stop. Id.
Given Garrett's call for assistance, Officers Messick and Gavin arrived. (Doc. 95-3 at 3-5 (Facts 2-4)) Messick testified that he and Gavin arrived at the scene together. (Doc. 95-3 at 3-4 (Fact 3)) Messick saw Plaintiff running directly at him and Gavin. Id. Messick testified that Gavin got out of the patrol car and ordered Plaintiff to stop but he did not. Id. Messick gave chase and also ordered Plaintiff to stop but he did not. Id. Eventually, Messick reached Plaintiff and grabbed at his shoulders to try to stop him. Id. In response, Plaintiff turned toward him and swung a fist at Messick's face. Id. Messick dodged the blow and shoved Plaintiff. Id. This allowed Messick to get on Plaintiff's back and use his body weight to force Plaintiff to the ground. Id. Despite this, Plaintiff pushed up — in a push-up position — with Messick on his back in an attempt to throw Messick off. Id.
By this time, Gavin reached Messick and he too placed his body weight onto Plaintiff's back. (Doc. 95-3 at 3-4 (Fact 3)) Garrett then reached the group and used his body weight to try to stop Plaintiff from kicking. Id. Nevertheless, despite all three officers on Plaintiff's back, he continued
At the trial, a criminologist testified that Plaintiff's blood, taken at the time of the incident and which was tested at the lab, was positive for methamphetamine at one of the highest levels he had seen. (Doc. 95-3 at 5 (Fact 5)).
As to the Penal Code 148(A) charge, the court instructed the jury,
(Doc. 95-3 at 7-9 (Fact 9)) As to the charge related to assault on the peace officer brought under Penal Code section 241(c), the court charged the jury,
(Doc. 95-3 at 9-10 (Fact 10), emphasis added) After receiving these instructions and others, the jury deliberated and found Plaintiff guilty of all three charges. (Doc. 95-3 at 11 (Facts 11-13)).
The "purpose of summary judgment is to pierce the pleadings and to assess the proof in order to see whether there is a genuine need for trial." Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co. Ltd. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574, 587, 106 S.Ct. 1348, 89 L.Ed.2d 538 (1986) (citation omitted). Summary judgment is appropriate when there is "no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law." Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(a). In addition, Rule 56 allows a court to grant summary adjudication, or partial summary judgment, when there is no genuine issue of material fact as to a particular claim or portion of that claim. Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(a); see also Lies v. Farrell Lines, Inc., 641 F.2d 765, 769 n. 3 (9th Cir.1981) ("Rule 56 authorizes a summary adjudication that will often fall short of a final determination, even of a single claim ...") (internal quotation marks and citation omitted). The standards that apply on a motion for summary judgment and a motion for summary adjudication are the same. See Fed. R.Civ.P. 56(a), (c); Mora v. Chem-Tronics, 16 F.Supp.2d 1192, 1200 (S.D.Cal.1998).
Summary judgment, or summary adjudication, should be entered "against a party who fails to make a showing sufficient to establish the existence of an element essential to that party's case, and on which that party will bear the burden of proof at trial." Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986). The moving party bears the "initial responsibility" of demonstrating the absence of a genuine issue of material fact. Id. at 323, 106 S.Ct. 2548. An issue of fact is genuine only if there is sufficient evidence for a reasonable fact finder to find for the non-moving party, while a fact is material if it "might affect the outcome of the suit under the governing law." Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248, 106 S.Ct. 2505, 91 L.Ed.2d 202 (1986); Wool v. Tandem Computers, Inc., 818 F.2d 1433, 1436 (9th Cir.1987). A party demonstrates summary adjudication is appropriate by "informing the district court of the basis of its motion, and identifying those portions of `the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with affidavits, if any,' which it believes demonstrates the
If the moving party meets its initial burden, the burden then shifts to the opposing party to present specific facts that show there is a genuine issue of a material fact. Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(e); Matsushita, 475 U.S. at 586, 106 S.Ct. 1348. An opposing party "must do more than simply show that there is some metaphysical doubt as to the material facts." Id. at 587, 106 S.Ct. 1348. The party is required to tender evidence of specific facts in the form of affidavits, and/or admissible discovery material, in support of its contention that a factual dispute exits. Id. at 586 n. 11, 106 S.Ct. 1348; Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(c). Further, the opposing party is not required to establish a material issue of fact conclusively in its favor; it is sufficient that "the claimed factual dispute be shown to require a jury or judge to resolve the parties' differing versions of the truth at trial." T.W. Electrical Serv., Inc. v. Pacific Elec. Contractors Assoc., 809 F.2d 626, 630 (9th Cir.1987). However, "failure of proof concerning an essential element of the nonmoving party's case necessarily renders all other facts immaterial." Celotex, 477 U.S. at 323, 106 S.Ct. 2548.
The Court must apply standards consistent with Rule 56 to determine whether the moving party demonstrated there is no genuine issue of material fact and judgment is appropriate as a matter of law. Henry v. Gill Indus., Inc., 983 F.2d 943, 950 (9th Cir.1993). In resolving a motion for summary judgment, the Court can only consider admissible evidence. Orr v. Bank of America, NT & SA, 285 F.3d 764, 773 (9th Cir.2002) (citing Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(e); Beyene v. Coleman Sec. Servs., Inc., 854 F.2d 1179, 1181 (9th Cir.1988)). Further, evidence must be viewed "in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party" and "all justifiable inferences" must be drawn in favor of the nonmoving party. Orr, 285 F.3d at 772; Addisu v. Fred Meyer, Inc., 198 F.3d 1130, 1134 (9th Cir.2000).
Plaintiff lodged his fourth amended complaint on June 23, 2014 and it was ordered filed on August 20, 2014. (Doc. 81) This complaint raises claims under the Fourth Amendment for excessive force and unlawful arrest, assault, battery, false imprisonment, intentional infliction of emotional distress and civil rights violations under the Bane Act (Cal. Civ.Code 52.1). Id. at 1, 4.
In part, Plaintiff's fourth amended complaint is based upon a claim brought under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 for violation of the Fourth Amendment. (Doc. 81) Section 1983 "is a method for vindicating federal rights elsewhere conferred." Albright v. Oliver, 510 U.S. 266, 271, 114 S.Ct. 807, 127 L.Ed.2d 114 (1994). In relevant part, Section 1983 provides:
42 U.S.C. § 1983. To establish a Section 1983 violation, a plaintiff must show (1) deprivation of a constitutional right and (2) a person who committed the alleged violation acted under color of state law. West v. Atkins, 487 U.S. 42, 48, 108 S.Ct. 2250,
A plaintiff must allege a specific injury was suffered, and show causal relationship between the defendant's conduct and the injury suffered. See Rizzo v. Goode, 423 U.S. 362, 371-72, 96 S.Ct. 598, 46 L.Ed.2d 561 (1976). A person deprives another of a right "if he does an affirmative act, participates in another's affirmative acts, or omits to perform an act which he is legally required to do so that it causes the deprivation of which complaint is made." Johnson v. Duffy, 588 F.2d 740, 743 (9th Cir.1978). Here, Plaintiff asserts Messick violated his rights arising under the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution by using excessive force against him.
Plaintiff alleges that the defendants interfered with rights protected by the California Constitution and the Constitution of the United States in violation of California Civil Code § 52.1, known as the "Bane Act." (Doc. 81) The Bane Act provides a cause of action for interference "by threats, intimidation, or coercion" or attempted interference, "with the exercise or enjoyment by any individual or individuals of rights secured by the Constitution or laws of the United States, or of the rights secured by the Constitution or laws of this state." Cal. Civ.Code § 52.1(a); Venegas v. County of Los Angeles, 32 Cal.4th 820, 843, 11 Cal.Rptr.3d 692, 87 P.3d 1 (2004) ("Civil Code section 52.1 does not extend to all ordinary tort actions because its provisions are limited to threats, intimidation, or coercion that interferes with a constitutional or statutory right."). To prove a claim under 52.1, the plaintiff must demonstrate that the interference with the constitutional right was accompanied by an act of coercion. Jones v. Kmart, 17 Cal.4th 329, 334, 70 Cal.Rptr.2d 844, 949 P.2d 941 (1998) ("[S]ection 52.1 does require an attempted or completed act of interference with a legal right, accompanied by a form of coercion.")
In Bender v. County of Los Angeles, 217 Cal.App.4th 968, 977-978, 159 Cal.Rptr.3d 204 (2013), the court held that where an arrest is unlawful and excessive force is used, a claim is stated under California Civil Code section 52.1. However, courts are divided as to whether excessive force used while performing a lawful arrest implicate a violation of § 52.1.
Bender relied upon Shoyoye v. County of Los Angeles, 203 Cal.App.4th 947, 956, 137 Cal.Rptr.3d 839 (2012), which considered whether a Bane Act violation can be founded only on a constitutional violation which, in and of itself, is inherently coercive. In rejecting that this is sufficient to state a claim under the Bane Act, Shoyoye held, "[W]here coercion is inherent in the constitutional violation alleged ... the statutory requirement of `threats, intimidation, or coercion' is not met. The statute requires a showing of coercion independent from the coercion inherent in the wrongful detention itself." Id. at 959, 137 Cal.Rptr.3d 839.
In Rodriguez, the officers purposefully shot at a person they claimed was a gang member and who was reaching for a gun. Rodriguez, 819 F.Supp.2d at 943. However, in taking this action, Plaintiff was struck by a stray bullet. Id. Plaintiff asserted a number of claims including one brought under the Bane Act. Id. at 953. In granting summary judgment to the defendants, the Court concluded "that in order to maintain a claim under the Bane Act, the coercive force applied against a plaintiff must result in an interference with a separate constitutional or statutory right. It is not sufficient that the right interfered with is the right to be free of the force or threat of force that was applied." Id.
This Court is bound by the holding of Shoyoye because there is no "convincing evidence that the California Supreme Court would hold otherwise." Carvalho v. Equifax Info. Services, LLC, 629 F.3d 876, 889 (9th Cir.2010); see also Alvarez v. Chevron Corp., 656 F.3d 925, 932 n. 7 (9th Cir.2011) (a decision of a California Court of Appeal on issue of state law is binding on a federal court "because there is no California Supreme Court decision on point, and no indication that the California Supreme Court would disagree" with the Court of Appeal). Moreover, the language of the Bane Act belies a finding that unconstitutional acts without separate threats of violence, violence or coercion could constitute a claim. Therefore, where the arrest was lawful, there must be evidence of a separate act of violence, threats of violence or coercion along with the constitutional violation to constitute a Bane Act claim.
Plaintiff alleges he suffered an assault and battery. Under California law, an assault occurs when a person intended to cause a harmful or offensive contact, the plaintiff was placed in fear of a harmful or offensive touching, the injured party did not consent to the conduct and was harmed thereby. (Judicial Council Of California Civil Jury Instruction 1301) "The tort of assault is complete when the anticipation of harm occurs." Kiseskey v. Carpenters' Trust for Southern California, 144 Cal.App.3d 222, 232, 192 Cal.Rptr. 492 (1983). A battery by a peace officer occurs when the officer intentionally touches another and used unreasonable force to overcome resistance, the injured party did not consent to the use of force and the unreasonable use of force caused the party harm. (Judicial Council Of California Civil Jury Instruction 1305) However, a peace officer may use — or threaten to use — that degree of force needed to effect a lawful arrest or detention. Id.
For liability for a false arrest/false imprisonment
When a complaint seeks damages in a § 1983 action and a judgment in the plaintiff's favor would necessarily imply the invalidity of the plaintiff's criminal conviction based acts upon which the § 1983 is premised, the action is barred unless the plaintiff demonstrates the conviction has been reversed. Heck v. Humphrey, 512 U.S. 477, 486-487, 114 S.Ct. 2364, 129 L.Ed.2d 383 (1994). "In evaluating whether claims are barred by Heck, an important touchstone is whether a § 1983 plaintiff could prevail only by negating `an element of the offense of which he has been convicted.'" Cunningham v. Gates, 312 F.3d 1148, 1153-54 (9th Cir.2002) quoting Heck at 487 n. 6, 114 S.Ct. 2364.
Here, Plaintiff's complaint asserts that he was compliant at all times with the officers and that at all times Messick's use of force was excessive to the circumstance. (Doc. 81 at 2-3) Moreover, Plaintiff's testimony at his trial was consistent with his claims here. He testified related to the incident with the officers as follows:
(Doc. 95-4 at 35-38) Plaintiff testified also that Garrick and Gavin were not at the scene and their testimony claiming to have been there, were lies. (RT Vol. 1 at p. 253-263) Likewise, he testified that Messick lied about how he learned of the call from the radio transmission by Garrick and that Messick lied about how Plaintiff's arm was broken. Id.
It is important to note, however, that the jury verdict necessarily means that it found that Messick was making a lawful detention and/or arrest, he had probable cause to detain and arrest Plaintiff, Messick was lawfully engaged in his duties as a peace officer, Messick did not use excessive force during the incident and Plaintiff did not act in self defense when he assaulted Messick. (Doc. 95-3 at 9-10 (Fact 10), emphasis added).
Moreover, Plaintiff claims that all of Officer Messick's acts of force occurred despite that Plaintiff was always compliant and never resisted. In essence, Plaintiff alleges one continuous act of unlawfulness by Messick and one continuous act of lawfulness by the Plaintiff. Plaintiff does not claim that the conviction for assault on a peace officer and resisting arrest was based upon acts of resistance and assaultive conduct that are separate from the arrest itself. Indeed, Plaintiff's excessive force allegations are based on the exact same acts that were considered by the jury in the criminal trial, and these facts are not divisible from the facts alleged in the fourth amended complaint. Smith v. City of Hemet, 394 F.3d 689, 695 (9th Cir.2005) (quoting Smithart v. Towery, 79 F.3d 951, 952 (9th Cir.1996)). "[A] criminal conviction arising out of the same facts stands and is fundamentally inconsistent with the unlawful behavior for which section 1983 damages are sought, the 1983 action must be dismissed.'"
This case is similar to Beets v. County of Los Angeles, 669 F.3d 1038, 1043 (9th Cir. 2012) in which an officer used deadly force when the suspect backed a pickup truck toward the officer. The suspect's parents sued the officers and claimed that the officer used excessive force. Id. However, because the surviving suspect was convicted of aiding and abetting the decedent's assault on the defendant-officer and resisting arrest, the Court of Appeals determined that the § 1983 case was bared by Heck. Id. As in the case here, in Beets, there was one continuous act of criminal activity and no claim that there was a period of compliance during which the force was used. Id. The Beets Court observed,
Id. at 1043-1044. Beets relied upon Cunningham when it held,
Beets at 1044 quoting Cunningham v. Gates, 312 F.3d 1148 (9th Cir.2002).
Plaintiff does not dispute that he was convicted of the instant offenses or the elements of these offenses. Instead, he argues that he has appealed his conviction and is seeking to have the jury's determination reversed. (Doc. 99 at 7) He out-lines errors he believes occurred at the trial and argues that because the appeal remains pending, this case may go forward. Id. However, as Heck demonstrates, this Court lacks the authority to evaluate errors which may have occurred at the trial. Likewise, adopting Plaintiff's argument would turn Heck on its ear. The fact that the appeal remains pending means that this action is barred. "We think the hoary principle that civil tort actions are not appropriate vehicles for challenging the validity of outstanding criminal judgments applies to § 1983 damages actions that necessarily require the plaintiff to prove the unlawfulness of his conviction or confinement, just as it has always applied to actions for malicious prosecution." Heck at 893-894, 114 S.Ct. 2364.
Nevertheless, Defendants have requested
On the other hand, the fact that Plaintiff believes his convictions are minor is insufficient
Likewise, Plaintiff's state law claims are barred by Heck. In Yount v. City of Sacramento, 43 Cal.4th 885, 902, 76 Cal.Rptr.3d 787, 183 P.3d 471 (2008), the California Supreme Court extend the Heck bar to state causes of action. The Court held,
Therefore, for the reasons set forth above as to the § 1983 claim, the Court finds that Plaintiff's state law claim under the Bane Act is barred by Heck.
In addition, the claims for assault and battery are barred because Messick was authorized reasonable force to make the arrest. Yount, 43 Cal.4th at 898, 76 Cal.Rptr.3d 787, 183 P.3d 471 ["Hence, to the extent that Yount's section 1983 claim alleges that he offered no resistance, that he posed no reasonable threat of obstruction to the officers, and that the officers had no justification to employ any force against him at the time he was shot, the claim is inconsistent with his conviction for resisting the officers and is barred under Heck. (Thore v. Howe (1st Cir.2006) 466 F.3d 173, 180 [claim that the plaintiff had not committed an assault, and thus that the officer's use of force in response was excessive, was barred by plaintiff's assault conviction]; Swiecicki v. Delgado (6th Cir. 2006) 463 F.3d 489, 494-495; see generally McCann v. Neilsen (7th Cir.2006) 466 F.3d 619, 621 ["a plaintiff's claim is Heck-barred despite its theoretical compatibility with his underlying conviction if specific factual allegations in the complaint are necessarily inconsistent with the validity of the conviction"].)"]
The claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress likewise is barred because the jury expressly found that the officer's conduct was reasonable and, hence, cannot be found to be extreme and outrageous. Likewise, the claim for false arrest/false imprisonment is barred because the jury determined that the arrest/detention was lawful. Even a claim of negligence would be barred because the jury found that Messick acted reasonably.
This action in total is barred because, if Plaintiff was successful, it would imply the invalidity of Plaintiff's criminal convictions. Thus, the Court
IT IS SO ORDERED.
In any event, the Court finds the fact that he was facing up to a year in jail if convicted of any one of the offenses, was sufficient motivation for Plaintiff to fully defend against these charges. Moreover, review of the transcript makes clear that, indeed, he did defend against the claims that he failed to comply with the officers' orders or that he assaulted any of the officers.