SAUNDRA BROWN ARMSTRONG, District Judge.
Plaintiffs Siehna Cotton and Martin Cotton, Sr., filed the instant survival and wrongful death action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 following the death of their father and son, Martin Cotton II ("Decedent"), respectively, who died on August 7, 2007 after being severely beaten by City of Eureka Police Officers Justin Winkle, Adam Laird, and Gary Whitmer. The First Amended Complaint alleged federal claims for, inter alia, excessive force, deliberate indifference to serious medical needs and interference with familial relations, as well as supplemental state law causes of action. Plaintiffs' claims against the City of Eureka ("the City") and the aforementioned officers in their individual capacity (collectively "Defendants" or "City Defendants"), proceeded to trial. On September 23, 2011, a jury returned a verdict for Plaintiffs and awarded $4,575,000 in compensatory and punitive damages.
The parties are presently before the Court on: (1) Defendants' Motion for Judgment as a Matter of Law, pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 50(b), or in the Alternative, Motion for a New Trial, pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 59; and (2) Defendants' Motion to Stay Enforcement of Judgment. Dkt. 256, 261. Having read and considered the papers filed in connection with this matter and being fully informed, the Court hereby DENIES both motions in their entirety. The Court, in its discretion, finds the motions suitable for resolution without oral argument. See Fed.R.Civ.P. 78(b); N.D. Cal. Civ. L.R. 7-1(b).
The following facts are taken from the testimony and evidence presented at trial and the record in this action. On or about August 9, 2007, the Decedent was involved in a fight with another individual, Kevin Healy ("Healy"), at the Eureka Rescue Mission ("Rescue Mission") in Eureka,
The officers observed the Decedent standing alone near a fence outside the Rescue Mission, though they made no effort to confirm his identity. Officer Winkle directed the Decedent to place his hands behind his back. The Decedent did not respond, and instead, remained motionless. Although the Decedent neither threatened the officers nor appeared to pose a threat to anyone else, Officer Winkle immediately sprayed Decedent directly in his eyes with pepper spray in a purported effort to "detain" him. In response to being sprayed, the Decedent raised his hands towards his eyes, at which point Officer Winkle quickly delivered a right knee strike to the Decedent's midsection and forcefully pulled him down to the ground.
As the Decedent lay face down on the cement on his side with his hands underneath his body, Officer Winkle delivered eight to nine additional full-force knee strikes to the right and left side of the Decedent's body and repeatedly used both hands to shove the Decedent's head onto the cement sidewalk. Though Officer Winkle denied striking the Decedent's head, eyewitness Louis Valente ("Valente") testified that he saw him use clenched "hammer" fists to strike the Decedent's head between five to ten times. Reporter's Partial Transcript of Proceedings, Sept. 14, 2011 ("9/14/11 RT") at 6:18-8:7, 13:14-14:6. Valente described the sound of Officer Winkle's fist hitting the Decedent's head as "bone against bone" and "fist against skull." Id. at 8:17-16. Witness Michael Gage ("Gage") also testified that he observed the officers deliver multiple blows to the Decedent's head.
At trial, Officer Laird testified that he also repeatedly hit the Decedent with his metal baton, and kneed and kicked him with his boots numerous times. Officer Whitmer, who arrived shortly after Officers Winkle and Laird, jumped out of his patrol car, ran up to the Decedent, and kicked him in his rib area. He also struck the Decedent with his baton, sat on top of the Decedent (who still was on the ground), and sprayed him with pepper spray only seven inches from his face. During the fray, Officer Whitmer dropped his baton, which was then retrieved by Officer Laird, who then used it to hit the Decedent. Officer Whitmer also continued to kick the Decedent. Although all officers attempted to characterize the Decedent as non-compliant, they conceded at trial that he was not using force against them and did not threaten them or attempt to flee. Witnesses Valente and Gage also testified that the Decedent was not resisting the officers.
Officer Stephen Watson was next to arrive. After making his way through the crowd that had gathered, Officer Watson was asked to place a spit mask on the Decedent. Officer Tim Jones then showed up. By that point, the Decedent was already handcuffed and had a spit mask over his face. To control the Decedent while he was being searched, Officer Jones used his nunchukus (a martial arts weapon consisting of two sticks connected by a short chain or rope) on the Decedent's forearm and wrists. Unlike the other officers, there was no evidence that Officers Watson or Jones struck the Decedent with their fists, knees or batons or had sprayed him with pepper spray.
Despite the significant amount of force applied by Officers Laird, Winkle and Whitmer against the Decedent, they failed to call for an ambulance, take him to the hospital or otherwise seek any medical attention
Decedent was not medically examined or treated while at the HCCF. The Decedent died in the sobering cell a few hours later. The County Coroner's autopsy report later concluded that the Decedent died of acute subdural hematoma (i.e., pooling of blood on the surface of the brain) caused by blunt force trauma. The coroner also noted bruising throughout the Decedent's body as well as internal hemorrhaging.
Plaintiffs filed the instant action against the City Defendants, as well as the County of Humboldt and certain of its correctional officers at the HCCF (collectively "County Defendants"), based on their respective roles in the underlying events. The First Amended Complaint filed on May 21, 2009, alleged eight causes of action for: (1) excessive force in violation of the Fourth Amendment; (2) deliberate indifference to serious medical needs in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment; (3) supervisory liability under § 1983; (4) assault and battery; (5) violation of California Government Code § 845.6; (6) wrongful death; (7) survival damages; and (8) interference with familial association in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment.
Trial was scheduled to commence on January 10, 2011, with the pretrial conference to take place on December 14, 2010. Dkt. 139. The parties filed thirty-three motions in limine, which the Court resolved in a written order filed on December 14, 2010. Dkt. 147. On the same date, the Court held a pretrial conference, at which time it urged the parties to resume their settlement discussions. To that end, the Court vacated the trial date and referred the matter to Magistrate Judge Bernard Zimmerman for a mandatory settlement conference. Dkt. 148, 149. The action did not settle, however. As such, the Court rescheduled the pretrial conference to September 6, 2011, and set a new trial date of September 12, 2011. Dkt. 161. Since the trial date was not scheduled to commence for several months, the Court issued a scheduling order granting the City Defendants and County Defendants leave to file motions for summary judgment beyond the law and motion cut-off date which had previously lapsed. Dkt. 162.
In accordance with the Court's scheduling order, the County Defendants filed a motion for summary judgment with respect to all claims alleged in the FAC. Dkt. 167. The City Defendants filed a motion for partial summary judgment. Dkt. 178. On August 31, 2011, the Court issued an Order granting in part and denying in part both motions. Dkt. 208. As to the City Defendants, the Court granted their motion with respect to the claims alleged
The pretrial conference proceeded as scheduled on September 6, 2011, at which time the Court again strongly encouraged the parties to continue their efforts to resolve the action short of trial. Dkt. 209. On September 9, 2011, the County Defendants notified the Court that they had reached a settlement with Plaintiffs. Dkt. 213.
On September 12, 2011, a jury trial commenced with respect to Plaintiffs' claims against the remaining City Defendants.
On September 21, 2011, after the close of testimony, Defendants made an oral motion for judgment as a matter of law under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 50(a) solely with respect to Plaintiffs' fifth claim under California Government Code § 845.6. The Court indicated that it would take the matter under submission. The Court denied the motion the next day. Dkt. 240, 241.
On September 22, 2011, the parties' respective counsel presented their closing arguments and the Court instructed the jury. Early the following afternoon, the jury reached a verdict in favor of the Plaintiffs. Special Verdict Form, Dkt. 245. The jury found that Officers Winkle and Laird, but not Whitmer, used excessive force against the Decedent, and that all three Defendants were deliberately indifferent to his serious medical needs and failed to obtain medical care in violation of California Government Code § 845.6. Id. (Questions 1, 2, 4). In addition, the jury found that all officers violated Plaintiff Martin Cotton Sr.'s constitutional right to familial association. Id. (Question 6). As to the City, the jury found that it failed to train its officers with respect to obtaining treatment for arrestees upon whom force had been inflicted, but that the City was not deliberately indifferent in its failure to train. Id. (Question 3). Finally, the jury found that all officers acted maliciously, oppressively and in reckless disregard of Plaintiffs and/or the Decedent's constitutional rights. (Question 7).
As for damages, the jury awarded $1,250,000 to Siehna Cotton as "[d]amages for any injury sustained by the decedent... before his death," and $2,750,000 in damages for "[d]amages for harm sustained by Plaintiff Siehna Cotton as a result of the death of Decedent ...." Id. (Question 5). The jury also awarded $500,000 to Martin Cotton Sr. on his familial association claim. Id. (Question 6). Finally, the jury imposed punitive damages against the officers, as follows: $30,000 against Officer Laird; $30,000 against Officer Winkle; and $15,000 against Officer Whitmer. Id. (Question 7). The Court entered final judgment in accordance with
On October 21, 2011, Defendants filed the instant Motion for Judgment as a Matter of Law, or in the Alternative, Motion for a New Trial. Dkt. 256.
Defendants contend that they are entitled to: (1) judgment as a matter of law or a new trial on the ground that the Court impermissibly allowed Plaintiff Siehna Cotton to recover survival damages based on the Decedent's pain and suffering leading up to his death; (2) a new trial based on "repeated misconduct of Plaintiffs' counsel" during trial; (3) a new trial based on the Court's "erroneous evidentiary rulings"; and (4) judgment as a matter of law or a new trial with respect to Officer Whitmer as to Plaintiffs' claim for deliberate indifference to serious medical needs. Defs.' Mot. at 1-2. The Court addresses these issues seriatim.
Motions for judgment as a matter of law are governed by Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 50. Rule 50(a) governs pre-verdict motions while Rule 50(b) applies to post-verdict motions. In the Ninth Circuit, a motion for judgment as a matter of law pursuant to Rule 50(b) is appropriate when the evidence permits only one reasonable conclusion, and that conclusion is contrary to that of the jury. Martin v. Cal. Dep't of Veterans Affairs, 560 F.3d 1042, 1046 (9th Cir.2009); Josephs v. Pacific Bell, 443 F.3d 1050, 1062 (9th Cir. 2006). All evidence must be viewed in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party, and the court must draw all reasonable inferences in that party's favor. E.E.O.C. v. Go Daddy Software, Inc., 581 F.3d 951, 961 (9th Cir.2009). "[I]n entertaining a motion for judgment as a matter of law, the court ... may not make credibility determinations or weigh the evidence." Reeves v. Sanderson Plumbing Prods., Inc., 530 U.S. 133, 150, 120 S.Ct. 2097, 147 L.Ed.2d 105 (2000). A jury verdict "must be upheld if it is supported by substantial evidence ... even if it is also possible to draw a contrary conclusion." Pavao v. Pagay, 307 F.3d 915, 918 (9th Cir.2002).
Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 59, a district court has the discretion to grant a new trial "for any reason for which a new trial has heretofore been granted in an action at law in federal court." Fed.R.Civ.P. 59(a)(1)(A). Because "Rule 59 does not specify the grounds on
Defendants contend that they are entitled to judgment as a matter of law under Rule 50(b), or alternatively, a new trial under Rule 59(a)(1), ostensibly because the Court erred in allowing Plaintiff Siehna Cotton to recover damages based on the Decedent's pain and suffering. They argue that the damages recoverable in a § 1983 survival action are limited by California's survival statute, Cal.Code Civ. Proc. § 377.34 ("§ 377.34"), which expressly disallows damages for pain and suffering. Plaintiffs counter that Defendants' motion is procedurally flawed because Defendants' failed to preserve the issue by raising it in a pre-verdict Rule 50(a) motion. They also contend that Defendants' arguments regarding the recoverability of damages for the Decedent's pain and suffering fail on the merits.
It is well settled that any arguments raised in a post-trial Rule 50(b) motion for judgment as matter of law must first have been presented in a pre-verdict Rule 50(a) motion. Go Daddy Software, 581 F.3d at 961. Consequently, a Rule 50(b) motion "is limited to the grounds asserted in the pre-deliberation Rule 50(a) motion." Id. The Ninth Circuit "strictly construe[s] the procedural requirement of filing a Rule 50(a) motion before filing a Rule 50(b) motion." Tortu v. Las Vegas Metro. Police Dep't, 556 F.3d 1075, 1082 (9th Cir.2009). Any challenges not presented in a Rule 50(a) motion are waived and cannot be presented in a Rule 50(b) motion. Id. at 1083 ("Failing to make a Rule 50(a) motion before the case is submitted to the jury forecloses the possibility of considering a Rule 50(b) motion.").
Defendants tacitly concede that their pre-verdict Rule 50(a) motion only addressed Plaintiffs' fifth claim under California Government Code § 845.6, and that it did not include any arguments regarding the applicability of § 377.34. Nonetheless, Defendants insist that they preserved this issue when "[it] was first raised in [D]efendants' motions in limine and again addressed following the close of evidence." Defs.' Reply at 2, Dkt. 266.
Defendants cite Reeves v. Teuscher, 881 F.2d 1495 (9th Cir.1989), which noted that "[Rule] 50(b) may be satisfied by an ambiguous or inartfully made motion for a directed verdict or by an objection to an instruction for insufficient evidence to submit an issue to the jury." Id. at 1498. In Reeves, however, the defendants attempted to move for a directed verdict at the close of evidence, but were unable to do so because the district court interrupted defendants and instructed them to renew the motion after the verdict — which they did. In contrast, Defendants were allowed to, and did, in fact, make a Rule 50(a) motion in which they chose to challenge Plaintiffs' fifth claim only. Thus, having failed to properly preserve the issue, Defendants have waived their right to seek judgment as a matter of law on the ground that Plaintiff Siehna Cotton impermissibly recovered damages based on the Decedent's pain and suffering.
The above notwithstanding, even if Defendants' Rule 50(b) motion were properly before the Court, Defendants' contention that the Court erred in allowing the jury to consider evidence of the Decedent's pain and suffering prior to death is without merit. As a general matter, "`Fourth Amendment rights are personal rights which ... may not be vicariously asserted.'" United States v. Struckman, 603 F.3d 731, 746 (9th Cir.2010) (quoting Alderman v. United States, 394 U.S. 165, 174, 89 S.Ct. 961, 22 L.Ed.2d 176 (1969)). "In § 1983 actions, however, the survivors of an individual killed as a result of an officer's excessive use of force may assert a Fourth Amendment claim on that individual's behalf if the relevant state's law authorizes a survival action." Moreland v. Las Vegas Metro. Police Dep't, 159 F.3d 365, 369 (9th Cir.1998).
To determine whether state law survival remedies are inconsistent with federal law, "courts must look not only at particular federal statutes and constitutional provisions, but also at the policies expressed in [them]." Robertson, 436 U.S. at 590, 98 S.Ct. 1991 (internal quotations and brackets omitted). The statute at issue here, 42 U.S.C. § 1983, has its origins in § 1 of the Civil Rights Act of 1871, which was enacted as part of the congressional response to the states' failure to prevent widespread racial violence committed by the Klu Klux Klan. See Ngiraingas v. Sanchez, 495 U.S. 182, 187-88, 110 S.Ct. 1737, 109 L.Ed.2d 163 (1990). The Act "was intended not only to `override' discriminatory or otherwise unconstitutional state laws, and to provide a remedy for violations of civil rights "where state law was inadequate," but also to provide a federal remedy `where the state remedy, though adequate in theory, was not available in practice.'" Zinermon v. Burch, 494 U.S. 113, 124, 110 S.Ct. 975, 108 L.Ed.2d 100 (1990) (quoting Monroe v. Pape, 365 U.S. 167, 173-74, 81 S.Ct. 473, 5 L.Ed.2d 492 (1961), overruled in part on other grounds by Monell v. New York City Dep't of Soc. Servs., 436 U.S. 658, 664-689, 98 S.Ct. 2018, 56 L.Ed.2d 611 (1978)).
The Supreme Court has emphasized that § 1983 is a "remedial" statute which is to be "broadly construed" to provide a remedy "against all forms of official violation of federally protected rights." Dennis v. Higgins, 498 U.S. 439, 444, 111 S.Ct. 865, 112 L.Ed.2d 969 (1991) (internal quotations omitted). "The policies underlying § 1983 include compensation of persons injured by deprivation of federal rights and prevention of abuses of power by those acting under color of state law." Id. at 590-91, 98 S.Ct. 1991; Hardin v. Straub, 490 U.S. 536, 539, 109 S.Ct. 1998, 104 L.Ed.2d 582 (1989) (identifying "§ 1983's chief goals" as "compensation and deterrence," and its "subsidiary goals" as "uniformity and federalism."). The twin goals of compensation and deterrence are furthered through compensatory damage awards. See Carey, 435 U.S. at 256-57, 98 S.Ct. 1042.
The seminal case addressing whether California survival remedies limit the damages recoverable in a § 1983 action is Judge Marilyn Hall Patel's decision in Guyton v. Phillips, 532 F.Supp. 1154 (N.D.Cal.1981), abrogated on other grounds, Peraza v. Delameter, 722 F.2d 1455 (9th Cir.1984). In Guyton, the plaintiff filed a § 1983 action for excessive force following the shooting death of her unarmed minor son by two City of Emeryville police officers. Following a court trial, Judge Patel ruled in favor of the plaintiff. With respect to the issue of damages, Judge Patel ruled that "California's survival statute, insofar as it excludes recovery for pain and suffering, is inconsistent
Id. at 1166-67. Though Guyton addressed California Probate Code § 573, which has since been repealed, Judge Patel later applied the same reasoning in Williams v. City of Oakland, 915 F.Supp. 1074 (N.D.Cal.1996), and concluded that California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.34's exclusion of damages for pain and suffering "is inconsistent with the purposes of section 1983 of the federal civil rights statutes." Id. at 1079.
Citing Guyton, the Seventh Circuit in Bell v. Milwaukee held that a state survival statute's limitations on recoverable damages is inconsistent, and hence, not controlling in a federal § 1983 action. 746 F.2d 1205 (7th Cir.1984), overruled on other grounds by Russ v. Watts, 414 F.3d 783 (7th Cir.2005). In Bell, siblings of the decedent brought a civil rights action under § 1983 against various city police officers involved in the shooting death of their brother. The defendants argued, inter alia, that Wisconsin law precluded the plaintiffs' recovery of survival damages on behalf of the estate. The district court disagreed and upheld the jury's award of $100,000 in loss of life damages to decedent's estate. The court of appeal affirmed, holding that Wisconsin's restriction on damages was inconsistent with § 1983's underlying goal of deterrence. Id. at 1239. In reaching its decision, the court explained that application of the state law limitation on damages "would result in more than a marginal loss of influence ... on the ability of § 1983 to deter official lawlessness if the victim's estate could not bring suit to recover for loss of life." Id. The court further noted that if plaintiff's recovery were thwarted by state law, "deterrence would be further subverted since it would be more advantageous to the unlawful actor to kill rather than injure." Id.
Notably, a majority of California district courts faced with the issue of whether § 377.34 precludes the recovery of pain and suffering damages in a § 1983 action have followed Guyton. See Guerrero v. County of San Benito, No. C 08-0307 PVT, 2009 WL 4251435, at *5 (N.D.Cal. Nov. 23, 2009); Hirschfield v. San Diego Unified Port Dist., No. 08cv2103 BTM(NLS), 2009 WL 3248101, at *4 (S.D.Cal. Oct. 8, 2009); T.D.W. v. Riverside Cnty., No. EDCV 08-232 CAS, 2009 WL 2252072, at *5-6 (S.D.Cal. July 27, 2009); Garcia v. Whitehead, 961 F.Supp. 230, 232-33 (C.D.Cal.1997). Other circuits and district courts addressing analogous state court survival statutes have likewise
Defendants urge the Court to follow a line of Eastern District of California decisions led by Venerable v. City of Sacramento, 185 F.Supp.2d 1128, 1132 (E.D.Cal. 2002), which have concluded that § 377.34's exclusion of damages for pain and suffering in survival actions apply to federal § 1983 civil rights actions. In Venerable, the district court first traced the history leading to the California legislature's enactment of § 377.34 and concluded that its exclusion of recovery for pain and suffering "represents a considered judgment as to the appropriate balance among a number of competing considerations." 185 F.Supp.2d at 1132. Without considering whether that limitation was inconsistent with the purposes of § 1983, the court then summarily rejected the reasoning expressed in Guyton and Williams, among other cases, that the exclusion of pain and suffering damages would place the defendant in a better position in cases where the victim dies and thereby undermine § 1983's goal of deterrence. Venerable, 185 F.Supp.2d at 1133. The court noted that "[i]n the absence of reliable empirical evidence to the contrary, the court declines to adopt the cynical proposition that law enforcement officers generally prefer to run the risk of inflicting death than of merely maiming a victim because death cuts off a claim for pain and suffering by the decedent." Id. Defendants also cite Provencio v. Vazquez, No. 1:07-CV-0069 AWI TAG, 2008 WL 3982063, at *12 (E.D.Cal. Aug. 18, 2008), which followed Venerable and noted that "[t]he deterrent purpose of Section 1983 is satisfied by the fact that Section 377.34 allows the estate to recover the punitive damages the decedent would have been entitled to recover had he survived." Provencio, 2008 WL 3982063, at *12.
The Court is unpersuaded by the reasoning set forth in Venerable and Provencio. In Venerable, the court focused on whether the California legislature had a "sound basis" for enacting § 377.34 and excluding damages for pain and suffering in survival actions. 185 F.Supp.2d at 1132. But California's rationale for limiting the damages recoverable in a state law survival action is entirely beside the point. As noted, the Supreme Court has instructed that the question of whether a state law's survival remedies are inconsistent with federal law requires the court to examine the "particular federal statutes and constitutional provisions" at issue as well as the "federal policy underlying the cause of action under consideration." Robertson, 436 U.S. at 590, 98 S.Ct. 1991 (internal quotation marks omitted, emphasis added). But instead of considering "§ 1983's chief goals of compensation and deterrence," Hardin, 490 U.S. at 539, 109 S.Ct. 1998, Venerable only considered the matter of deterrence and did not take into account the equally important goal of compensation, 185 F.Supp.2d at 1132-33. And even then, the court never explained how application of California's exclusion of pain and suffering damages in survival actions is consistent, if at all, with § 1983's goal of deterrence.
Nor is the Court persuaded by Provencio's unsupported assumption that the mere threat of punitive damages is sufficient to deter unconstitutional conduct by
At bottom, the Court finds that application of California's prohibition on the recovery of damages for pain and suffering in survival actions is inconsistent with § 1983. Had the Decedent survived, he indisputably would be entitled to compensation for the pain and suffering he endured as a result of Defendants' use of excessive force and deliberate indifference to his serious medical needs. Precluding such damages would plainly undermine § 1983's twin goals of compensation and deterrence. Similarly, eliminating pain and suffering damages in an action where the victim dies would also undermine the statute's subsidiary goals of uniformity and federalism, particularly since a potential damage award could vary significantly depending on the forum in which the action was filed. The Court thus concludes that, even if they had not waived the issue, Defendants are not entitled to judgment as a matter of law on the issue of Plaintiffs Siehna Cotton's recovery of survival damages based on the Decedent's pain and suffering.
In the alternative to their motion for judgment as a matter of law, Defendants contend that they are entitled to a new trial based on the allegedly erroneous introduction of evidence pertaining to the Decedent's pain and suffering. As set forth above, there was no error in allowing
An erroneous evidentiary ruling may serve as a basis for a new trial only if it "substantially prejudiced" a party. See Ruvalcaba v. City of Los Angeles, 64 F.3d 1323, 1328 (9th Cir.1995). In other words the movant must demonstrate that, "more probably than not," the evidentiary error "tainted the verdict." Harper v. City of Los Angeles, 533 F.3d 1010, 1030 (9th Cir. 2008). Here, Defendants speculate that evidence of the Decedent's pain and suffering impacted the entire verdict. Defs.' Mot. at 6. Beyond their vague and conclusory reference to "evidence of decedent's pain and suffering," id. at 3, however, Defendants never identify the specific evidence that they claim was erroneously admitted that allegedly necessitates a new trial. As such, Defendants have failed to carry their initial burden of demonstrating that there was an erroneous evidentiary ruling which "substantially prejudiced" them. See Ruvalcaba, 64 F.3d at 1328; e.g., Howard v. Nat'l R.R. Passenger Corp., No. C 05-4069 SI, 2007 WL 2854382, at *3 (N.D.Cal. Sept. 27, 2007) (denying motion for new trial where plaintiff claimed "character" evidence was improperly admitted, but failed to "cite any specific evidence that he claims was improperly admitted") (Illston, J.).
Defendants also have failed to demonstrate that they properly preserved their argument by establishing that they timely objected to the introduction of any evidence of the Decedent's pain and suffering. See Getz v. Boeing Co., 654 F.3d 852, 868 (9th Cir.2011) ("by failing to object to or otherwise challenge the introduction of the [evidence] in the district court, Plaintiffs have waived any challenge on the admissibility of this evidence."); People of Territory of Guam v. Gill, 61 F.3d 688, 693 (9th Cir.1995) ("Failure to make a timely objection constitutes a waiver of that objection."). In addition, it was Defendants, not Plaintiffs, who introduced critical evidence regarding the Decedent's pre-death suffering through the introduction of the surveillance recordings made of the Decedent while he was at HCCF which showed him in apparent physical distress. See Trial Sheet at 4, Dkt. 242 (video played during Officer Laird's cross-examination on 9/14/11). Since any alleged evidentiary error was invited, Defendants cannot legitimately claim that they are entitled to a new trial. See Larson v. Neimi, 9 F.3d 1397, 1401 (9th Cir.1993) (trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying motion for new trial where the alleged error resulted from the movant's conduct).
Even if Defendants had established that the admission of evidence relating to the Decedent's pain and suffering were improper, they have failed to show that a new trial is necessary or appropriate. The Special Verdict Form agreed upon by the parties segregated Plaintiff Siehna Cotton's survival damages based on her own loss from the Decedent's pre-death suffering. Special Verdict Form (Question 5). Defendants do not dispute that the Decedent's pain and suffering damages are "easily discernable from the verdict form," but surmise that the evidence and argument proffered on such damages "prejudiced the jury in deciding other issues in this case." Defs.' Reply at 5. Beyond these conclusory and speculative assertions, however, Defendants have made no showing that their introduction of evidence pertaining to the Decedent's pain and suffering tainted the verdict in its entirety. See Grisby v. Blodgett, 130 F.3d 365, 373 (9th Cir.1997) (speculative assertions are not enough to establish prejudice). Accordingly, the Court finds no merit to Defendants' alternative request for a new trial based on the introduction of evidence
Defendants next contend that they are entitled to a new trial based on Plaintiffs' counsel's alleged misconduct during trial. The Ninth Circuit's standard for granting a new trial based on attorney misconduct under Rule 59 is that "the flavor of the misconduct `must sufficiently permeate an entire proceeding to provide conviction that the jury was influenced by passion and prejudice in reaching its verdict.'" Doe ex rel. Rudy-Glanzer v. Glanzer, 232 F.3d 1258, 1270 (9th Cir.2000) (quoting McKinley v. City of Eloy, 705 F.2d 1110, 1117 (9th Cir.1983)).
The alleged misconduct consists of: (1) Plaintiffs' counsel's reference to the use of a spit mask and nunchukus during opening statements; (2) witness Valente's reference to the Rodney King incident; (3) Valente's reference to another "trial"; (4) Plaintiffs' counsel's mention of a "Fullerton" case during closing arguments; and (5) "inflammatory" remarks by Plaintiffs' counsel during closing arguments that the Defendants "beat" the Decedent. As will be discussed below, Defendants completely mischaracterize the record. In addition, none of the alleged misconduct, whether considered individually or in aggregate, persuades the Court that a new trial is either necessary or appropriate.
During his opening statement, Plaintiffs' attorney Dale Galipo provided an overview of the events that eventually led to the Decedent's death. In the course of that summary, he briefly mentioned that "[t]hey used nunchukus" and that a "spit mask [was] put on [the [Decedent]." 9/12/11 RT at 10:6-8. Defense counsel did not object to Mr. Galipo's statements. Instead, during her opening statement on behalf of Defendants, defense counsel Nancy Delaney first stated that "nunchukus are never used to strike Mr. Cotton," and then attempted to recite the Court's summary judgment ruling that the use of the nunchukus and spit mask, standing alone, did not amount to an unreasonable use of force. Id. at 21:19-22. Plaintiffs' counsel objected on the ground that references to the Court's prior rulings are improper during opening statements. Id. at 21:23-24, 22:7-8. The Court agreed, and pointed out that the purpose of opening statements is to convey what the evidence will show, and that the Court's rulings are not evidence. Id. at 23:12-24:7. Defense counsel thus agreed to limit her opening remarks accordingly. Id. at 24:8-9.
Defendants now assert that Plaintiffs' counsel's reference in his opening statement to the spit mask and nunchukus amounts to "misconduct." Defs.' Mot. at 6-7. Further, Defendants complain that the Court erred in refusing to give their requested "curative" instructions to the jury that the use of these items could not be considered in determining whether Defendants used excessive force and that the use of nunchukus and the spit mask was a reasonable use of force, as a matter of law. Id. These contentions are frivolous. Plaintiffs' counsel did nothing improper. As part of his summary of the events in question, counsel stated once during his opening statement that nunchukus and a spit mask were used on the Decedent. Counsel did not claim that the use of those items constituted excessive force nor did he even mention them in his closing argument. In any event, to the extent that Defendants were concerned about the mere mention of the nunchukus or spit mask, they should have filed a motion in limine and/or interposed a timely objection. Given defense counsel's failure to do so, Defendants have waived any claim of error or prejudice. See Getz, 654 F.3d at 868; Gill, 61 F.3d at 693.
For the above reasons, the Court further finds that there was no need for a "curative" instruction.
Prior to trial, the parties agreed that "no reference shall be made to well-publicized incidents involving purported police misconduct." Defs.' Mots. in Limine No. 4 at 5, Dkt. 127. Given the parties' agreement, which obviated the need for a court order, the Court denied as moot Defendants' motion in limine to exclude such references. Order re Mots. in Limine at 21, Dkt. 147. Defendants now complain that Plaintiffs' counsel violated their agreement when witness Valente, who personally observed the incident, allegedly "likened the circumstances here to the Rodney King incident during direct examination[.]" Defs.' Mot. at 8.
Sarmiento Decl. Ex. 1 at 8:12-15 (emphasis added).
Defendants assert that Valente's reference to Rodney King violated the parties' agreement to avoid referring to well-publicized cases involving police conduct. Because Defendants did not object the question nor to Valente's testimony which had been elicited, any claim of error based on the admission of his testimony has been waived. See Gill, 61 F.3d at 693. Their argument also fails on the merits. Despite Defendants' assertions to the contrary, Valente did not make a broad reference to the Rodney King matter. At most, he made single mention of that case in the course of explaining why he was shocked by what he observed. And even if Valente's remark were improper, there is no evidence that such testimony was inappropriately elicited by Plaintiffs' counsel or otherwise resulted in a verdict based on passion and prejudice.
As an ancillary matter, Defendants accuse Plaintiffs' counsel of engaging in misconduct as a result of Valente's testimony, which allegedly referred to his concern about the officers "getting off" in a "first trial." Def.'s Mot. at 8. Again, Defendants fail to provide any citations to the record, and as such, the actual basis of their argument, if any, is not entirely clear. Nonetheless, their argument appears to be based on direct testimony offered by Valente regarding his reasons for agreeing to testify as a witness:
9/14/11 RT at 10:13-12:1 (emphasis added). According to Defendants, Valente's testimony created the appearance that, as in the Rodney King case, there was a prior state court trial where the officers were acquitted, and therefore, jurors were led to believe that it was "now up to the federal system to `punish' the officers." Defs.' Mot. at 8. They further claim that the Court erred in refusing to allow Defendants to elicit testimony from other witnesses that there was no previous trial or give their proposed curative instruction stating that there was no prior trial. Id. at 8, 10.
As an initial matter, Defendants have waived any claim of error based on their failure to object to Valente's testimony when it was offered. See Gill, 61 F.3d at 693. Defendants also waived any error by failing to cross-examine Valente on this issue. See United States v. King, 552 F.2d 833, 844 (9th Cir.1976) ("[B]y failing to avail themselves of the opportunity to cross-examine the Government witnesses... the appellants ... gave up ... the right ... to object to future use of the testimony."). Defendants admit their failure to cross-examine Valente on this point, but assert that they did so intentionally so as not to draw further attention to the issue. Instead, Defendants contend that they should have been allowed to "impeach" Valente by establishing through testimony from other witnesses that there was no prior trial. However, having chosen not to cross-examine him, there was no foundation upon which to impeach Valente. See McConney v. United States, 421 F.2d 248, 251 (9th Cir.1969). Moreover, Defendants' claim that they decided against cross-examining Valente regarding his reference to another trial to avoid highlighting the issue is uncompelling given that the examination of other witnesses would have focused more attention on this entirely collateral issue. See Fed.R.Evid. 403. Defendants cannot have it both ways.
In the instant case, Defendants do not contend that the jury instructions, as a whole, were misleading or misstated the law. Rather, they insist that without the purported curative instruction, the jury was misled into believing that there was a prior trial and that Defendants would "get[] off" if they did not find in favor of Plaintiffs. Defs.' Mot. at 8. Setting aside the entirely speculative nature of such argument, Defendants' recourse was cross-examine Valente while he was on the witness stand. The proposed instruction was little more than a belated attempt by Defendants to rectify the error of their own strategic decision. In addition, Defendants ignore the fact that the proposed instruction would have likely confused and/or mislead the jury. Aside from Valente's stray remark, there was no other testimony, statement or comment regarding another trial. As such, the instruction would, after the close of testimony, likely have confused the jury regarding a tangential, immaterial matter and unnecessarily interjected factual questions regarding Valente's credibility to which no objection had been made.
Equally without merit is Defendants' contention that Plaintiffs' counsel improperly mentioned a police matter in Fullerton, California, during closing arguments. Defs.' Mot. at 8-9. In the course of arguing for the imposition of punitive damages, Plaintiffs' counsel made the following remarks:
9/22/11 RT at 7:17. Plaintiffs' counsel did not elaborate or provide any details on the Fullerton matter or mention it again during closing arguments.
Defendants did not object, claiming that "[a]t the time of closing arguments were made, [they] had no knowledge of the matter." Defs.' Mot. at 9. After trial, however, Defendants apparently learned that the Fullerton case involved a police officer who was criminally charged in the killing of a homeless man, and that published news reports regarding the case were available at or around the time closing arguments were made. Defs.' Mot. at 9; Kloeppel Decl. Ex. C, Dkt. 257. As such, Defendants now contend that opposing counsel violated their agreement to avoid mention of other well-publicized police brutality cases. Def.'s Mot. at 9. They further aver that mention of the Fullerton case was particularly prejudicial since both cases involved the beating of a homeless person. Id.
Defendants' arguments are meritless. As an initial matter, to the extent that Defendants took exception to Plaintiffs' counsel's remarks, defense counsel should have objected and sought appropriate relief from the Court. See Bird, 255 F.3d at 1145. In the absence of a timely objection, a new trial is warranted only if Defendants have shown a "plain or fundamental error" that calls into serious question "the integrity or fundamental fairness of the proceedings [at trial.]" Id. at 1148. Defendants have made no such showing, as their claim of prejudice is entirely speculative and unsubstantiated. Aside from briefly mentioning the Fullerton matter, Plaintiffs' counsel provided no details regarding the case. The fact that there may have been news reports available at or around the time closing arguments were made is inapt. The fact that defense counsel — who are much more likely to be aware of other high-profile police brutality cases — admittedly had "no knowledge" of the Fullerton matter suggests that it is highly unlikely that the average juror would know of the details regarding that case. In sum, the Court finds that Plaintiffs' counsel's bare mention of the Fullerton matter does not amount to misconduct nor does it warrant a new trial.
Finally, Defendants aver that Plaintiffs' counsel violated the Court's in limine order when he stated during closing arguments that the Decedent was "beat... into submission," 9/22/11 RT at 99:2, and used similar "inflammatory terms to describe the incident." Defs.' Mot. at 9.
The Court's in limine order was specifically directed at Plaintiffs' expert, Roger
In addition to seeking a new trial on the grounds of attorney misconduct, Defendants contend that a new trial is warranted based on the following allegedly erroneous evidentiary rulings: (1) permitting Plaintiffs to present evidence regarding the Decedent's pain and suffering; (2) disallowing other witnesses from testifying that there was no prior trial; (3) declining to give curative instructions in response to Plaintiffs' alleged "violations of agreements as to motions in limine" and the references to nunchukus and the spit mask; and (4) refusing to permit their expert Cameron to "provide expert testimony regarding the training of law enforcement officers as to risks of injury from trained tactics and appropriate evaluation of related medical care needs." Defs.' Mot. at 5, 6, 10. "A new trial is only warranted on the basis of an incorrect evidentiary ruling if the ruling substantially prejudiced a party." United States v. 99.66 Acres of Land, 970 F.2d 651, 658 (9th Cir.1992). The Court concludes that under this standard, the rulings which form the basis of Defendants' motion do not justify a new trial.
Defendants' first three arguments are the same as those which the Court has considered and rejected above. With respect to their fourth argument regarding Cameron, Defendants contend that they are entitled to a new trial on the ground that the Court improperly limited the scope of his opinions. At trial, Defendants sought to have Cameron accepted as an expert in three areas: (1) the use of force; (2) training police officers to identify when medical care is needed; and (3) identifying when an officer no longer needs to monitor the condition of a detainee. 9/16/11 RT at 57:11-15. Plaintiffs did not object to Cameron as a use of force expert, but did object to his being accepted as an expert as to the remaining subjects on the grounds they were beyond the scope of his expert disclosure report under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(a)(2). Id. at 59:14-16. The Court held a sidebar conference with counsel and granted Defendants the opportunity to establish that they properly disclosed him with respect to the two areas in dispute. Id. at 59:17-65:7. After reviewing Defendants' Rule 26
Rule 26(a)(2)(B) requires each party to identify any expert witness that it may call during trial. The disclosure must be accompanied by the expert witness's signed written report which discloses: (1) a complete statement of all opinions the witness will express and the bases and reasons for the opinions; (2) the facts or data considered by the witness in forming their opinions; (3) any exhibits that will be used to summarize or support their opinions; (4) the witness's qualifications, including a list of all publications authored in the previous ten years; (5) a list of all other cases in which, during the previous four years, the witness testified as an expert at trial or by deposition; and (6) a statement of the compensation to be paid for the study and testimony in the case. Fed.R.Civ.P. 26(a)(2)(B). A party must provide its expert witness disclosures "at the times and in the sequence that the court orders." Fed.R.Civ.P. 26(a)(2)(C). "Rule 37(c)(1) gives teeth to this requirement" by automatically excluding any evidence not properly disclosed under Rule 26(a), irrespective of the party's bad faith or willfullness. Yeti by Molly Ltd. v. Deckers Outdoor Corp., 259 F.3d 1101, 1106 (9th Cir.2001); e.g., Pickern v. Pier 1 Imports (U.S.), Inc., 457 F.3d 963, 969 n. 5 (9th Cir.2006) ("It is not an abuse of discretion to exclude a party's expert testimony when that party failed to disclose the expert report by the scheduling deadline and that party reasonably could have anticipated the necessity of the witness at the time of the deadline.").
In the instant case, Defendants do not dispute that their Rule 26 report failed to disclose Cameron as an expert in the areas of training police officers to identify when medical care is needed and identifying when an officer no longer needs to monitor the condition of a detainee. Rather, citing Lanard Toys Ltd. v. Novelty, Inc., 375 Fed.Appx. 705 (9th Cir.2010), Defendants argue that Plaintiffs cannot claim either prejudice or surprise resulting from Cameron's undisclosed opinions on the theory that they had the opportunity to depose him on these issues. Defs.' Mot. at 11.
The mere fact that Plaintiffs had the opportunity to depose Cameron before trial is of little moment. It is axiomatic that one of the purposes of Rule 26's disclosure requirement is to place the opposing party on notice of the expert's opinions to enable them to determine what areas to explore with the expert, as well as to determine whether to designate rebuttal experts. Given Defendants' failure to disclose Cameron's opinions relating to training, Plaintiffs had no reason to, and did not, expend time and resources in questioning him on undisclosed opinions. See Kloeppel Decl. Ex. B, Dkt. 257. Given these circumstances, the Court finds, as it did during trial, that Defendants' failure to disclose Cameron's opinions on the matters pertaining to training was neither justified nor harmless. The Court's limitation on
Lastly, Defendants argue that Officer Whitmer is entitled to judgment as a matter of law on Plaintiffs' claim for deliberate indifference to serious medical needs. Defs. Mot. at 12-15. They contend that because the jury found in his favor on Plaintiffs' excessive force claim, the verdict against him on the deliberate indifference claim necessarily is "inconsistent" and therefore must be set aside. Alternatively, Plaintiffs contend that Officer Whitmer is entitled to a new trial.
The fundamental flaw in Defendants' argument is that it ignores the legal distinctions between a claim for excessive force and a claim for deliberate indifference to serious medical needs. Allegations of excessive force are examined under the Fourth Amendment's prohibition on unreasonable seizures, and require a showing that the law enforcement official used objectively unreasonable force on the plaintiff. See Graham v. Connor, 490 U.S. 386, 394, 109 S.Ct. 1865, 104 L.Ed.2d 443 (1989). In contrast, a deliberate indifference claim, which is grounded on the Fourteenth Amendment, is shown where the official is aware of a serious medical need and fails to adequately respond. Simmons v. Navajo Cnty., Ariz., 609 F.3d 1011, 1018 (9th Cir.2010). Defendants cite to no authority in support of their contention that a finding of no liability on an excessive force claim compels the same finding on a claim for deliberate indifference to serious medical needs.
Defendants next assert that the jury lacked a substantial basis for its finding that Officer Whitmer was deliberately indifferent. Defs.' Mot. at 13. Specifically, they argue that Officer Whitmer did not witness the use of "force indicating any significant injury," did not observe any injuries on the Decedent and was not involved in transporting him to the HCCF. Id. However, Defendants' failure to bring a Rule 50(a) motion challenging the sufficiency of the evidence as to Officer Whitmer forecloses their ability to do so through a Rule 50(b) motion. Freund v. Nycomed Amersham, 347 F.3d 752, 761 (9th Cir.2003) ("A party cannot raise arguments in its post-trial motion for judgment as a matter of law under Rule 50(b) that it did not raise in its pre-verdict Rule 50(a) motion."). The Court further rejects Defendants' argument based on their failure to provide any citations to the record to support their conclusory assertions. See United States v. Rewald, 889 F.2d 836, 852 n. 7 (9th Cir.1989) (noting that the failure to provide citations to the record to support claim of error "would justify rejecting [appellant's] claim entirely.").
There was more than ample evidence and testimony presented at trial for the jury to find Officer Whitmer liable on Plaintiffs' deliberate indifference claim. Officer Whitmer testified that he witnessed the other officers repeatedly strike the Decedent with their batons and kick him as he lay on the ground. In addition, Officer Whitmer admitted — and other witnesses confirmed — that he kicked the Decedent and struck him with his baton. While the other officers restrained the Decedent on the ground, Officer Whitmer sprayed the Decedent directly in the face with pepper spray from a distance of only seven inches. Although aware of the considerable amount of force used against the Decedent, not once did Officer Whitmer bother to check on the Decedent's well-being or assess whether he required medical attention. Notably, Officer Whitmer conceded that a person subjected to the amount of force which the officers had used on Decedent may require medical attention beyond that which could be provided
The second motion before the Court is Defendants' motion to stay enforcement of the judgment pending appeal. Dkt. 261. Defendants first contend that they are entitled to an automatic stay of the judgment without a supersedeas bond under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 62(f). In the alternative, they request that in the event that Rule 62(f) is found inapplicable, that the Court waive the bond requirement. Finally, Defendants argue that if the bond is not waived that the Court set the bond amount based solely on the $75,000 punitive damage award. Plaintiffs challenge each of Defendants' contentions.
Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 62(a), a district court's judgment becomes final and enforceable fourteen days after judgment is entered. "At that time, a prevailing plaintiff is entitled to execute upon a judgment." See Columbia Pictures Tel., Inc. v. Krypton Broad. of Birmingham, Inc., 259 F.3d 1186, 1197 (9th Cir.2001). In general, to stay the execution of a judgment, the appellant must post a supersedeas bond. Fed. R.Civ.P. 62(d). "The stay takes effect when the court approves the bond." Id. The purpose of a supersedeas bond is to secure an appellee from a loss that may result from the stay. Rachel v. Banana Republic, Inc., 831 F.2d 1503, 1505 n. 1 (9th Cir.1987). "The posting of a bond protects the prevailing plaintiff from the risk of a later uncollectible judgment and compensates him for delay in the entry of the final judgment." NLRB v. Westphal, 859 F.2d 818, 819 (9th Cir.1988).
Defendants contend that they are entitled to a stay as a matter of right without a supersedeas bond under subsection (f) of Rule 62, which states:
Fed.R.Civ.P. 62(f) (emphasis added). Under this rule, a judgment debtor is entitled to a stay in federal court only if, under California law, (1) the judgment is a lien on the property of the judgment debtor and (2) the judgment debtor would be entitled to stay if the judgment were rendered in state court. Aldasoro v. Kennerson, 915 F.Supp. 188, 190 (S.D.Cal.1995).
The parties dispute whether the first prong of Rule 62(f), i.e., that "the judgment is a lien on the judgment debtor's property under the law of the state where the court is located," has been satisfied. Under California law, a judgment is not a lien unless and until such time as the creditor records the judgment in the county where the debtor's property is located. See Cal.Code. Civ. Proc. § 697.310(a) ("a judgment lien on real property is created under [California Code of Civil Procedure § 697.310] by recording an abstract of a money judgment with the county recorder.") (emphasis added); see also id. § 697.060(a) ("An abstract or certified copy of a money judgment of a court of the
Defendants urge the Court to disregard Aldasoro and its progeny, arguing that the "relatively minor action of recording or filing a judgment" to transform a judgment into a lien under California law does not foreclose application of Rule 62(f). Defs.' Reply at 3, Dkt. 272. Defendants cite Hoban v. Wash. Metro. Area Transit Auth., 841 F.2d 1157, 1158 (D.C.Cir.1988) and Smith v. Village of Maywood, No. 84-2269, 1991 WL 277629, at *1 (N.D.Ill. Dec. 20, 1991) which concluded that Rule 62(f) applies where the applicable state law provided that a judgment, once recorded, operated as a lien on real property of the debtor. Neither opinion, however, provides any legal analysis or cites any decisional authority to support this conclusion. In addition, neither decision addresses the plain language of Rule 62(f), which specifies that the debtor is entitled to a stay only where the "judgment is a lien ...." Fed.R.Civ.P. 62(f) (emphasis added); see Whittlestone, Inc. v. Handi-Craft Co., 618 F.3d 970, 973 (9th Cir.2010) ("Our interpretation of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure begins with the relevant rule's `plain meaning.'"). For these reasons, the Court finds neither decision persuasive.
Even if the judgment at issue constituted a lien against Defendants' property under California law, Defendants have not demonstrated that the second prong of Rule 62(f) has been met. Defendants rely on California Code of Civil Procedure § 995.220, which provides that:
Cal.Code Civ. Proc. § 995.220 (emphasis added).
Defendants are correct that § 995.220(b) relieves the City of the requirement to post a bond to secure a stay of a money judgment. See Whittier Redevelopment
Defendants further contend that even if the officers are not exempted from the bond requirement under § 995.220(b), only $75,000 of the judgment (i.e., punitive damages award) is attributable to them, and that the remaining $4,500,000 of the judgment would be automatically stayed under Rule 62(f). This argument incorrectly assumes that the $4,500,000 compensatory damage award was levied only against the City. To the contrary, the compensatory damage award was rendered against the City and the individual officers, who are jointly and severally liable for the judgment. See Hervey v. Estes, 65 F.3d 784, 792 (9th Cir.1995) (parties sued under § 1983 may be held jointly and severally liable for their actions). Thus, even if the City were exempted from the bond requirement under § 995.220(b), the officers remain potentially liable for the full amount of the damages awarded by the jury.
Defendants submit that if Rule 62(f) is deemed inapplicable that the Court waive the bond requirement on the theory that the City has sufficient resources to satisfy the judgment. District courts have "inherent discretionary authority in setting supersedeas bonds[.]" Rachel, 831 F.2d at 1505 n. 1. This includes the "discretion to allow other forms of judgment guarantee," International Telemeter, Corp. v. Hamlin International Corporation, 754 F.2d 1492, 1495 (9th Cir.1985), and "broad discretionary power to waive the bond requirement if it sees fit," Townsend v. Holman Consulting Corporation, 881 F.2d 788, 796-97 (9th Cir.1989). Generally, "the amount of the bond should be sufficient to pay the judgment plus interest, costs and any other relief (e.g. attorney fees) the appellate court may award." Christopher A. Goelz
The appellant has the burden to "objectively demonstrate" the reasons for departing from the usual requirement of a full supersedeas bond. Poplar Grove Planting & Refining Co., Inc. v. Bache Halsey Stuart, Inc., 600 F.2d 1189, 1191 (5th Cir.1979). A waiver of the bond requirement may be appropriate where: (1) "the defendant's ability to pay the judgment is so plain that the cost of the bond would be a waste of money"; and (2) "the opposite case, ... where the requirement would put the defendant's other creditors in undue jeopardy." Olympia Equip. Leasing Co. v. W. Union Tel. Co., 786 F.2d 794, 796 (7th Cir.1986). When determining whether to waive the supersedeas bond requirement, courts have examined the following criteria:
Dillon v. City of Chicago, 866 F.2d 902, 904-905 (7th Cir.1988) (internal citations and quotation marks omitted); United States v. Moyer, No. C 07-00510 SBA, 2008 WL 3478063, at *12 (N.D.Cal. Aug. 12, 2008) (noting that district courts within the Ninth Circuit "regularly use these factors") (Armstrong, J.).
Here, Defendants contend that through the self-insurance pool provided by Redwood Empire Municipal Insurance Fund ("REMIF") and the California Joint Powers Risk Management Authority ("CJPRMA"), the City has sufficient funds to pay the judgment. Clovis Decl. ¶ 2, Dkt. 261-1; Ferguson Decl. ¶ 2, Dkt. 261-3. The Court is not persuaded by Defendants' showing. While the representatives from REMIF and CJPRMA assert that there are no coverage issues, neither of them states that their respective funds will unconditionally satisfy the judgment in this action.
In any event, Defendants' ability to pay the judgment is but one of many factors the Court is to consider in connection with a request to waive a supersedeas bond. See Dillon, 866 F.2d at 904-905. Defendants' motion neglects to address any of the other Dillon factors, and the Court
Defendants argue that should the Court require a bond that the amount of such bond be for $75,000, the amount of the punitive damage award, on the ground that the REMIF and CJPRMA will cover any the remaining compensatory damages portion of the judgment. This argument fails for the reasons set forth above.
Plaintiffs request that the Court require a bond in the amount of 1.25 to 1.5 times the $4,575,000 judgment. Pls.' Opp'n at 6, Dkt. 270. Rule 62(d) is silent as to the required amount of a supersedeas bond. Fed.R.Civ.P. 62(d). "The predecessor to present [Federal Rule of Civil Procedure] 62(d), originally Civil Rule 73(d), had directed that the amount of the bond be computed by the district court to include `the whole amount of the judgment remaining unsatisfied, costs on the appeal, interest, and damages for delay, unless the court after notice and hearing and for good cause shown fixes a different amount or orders security other than the bond.'" Poplar Grove Planting and Refining Co., 600 F.2d at 1191. Although Rule 62(d) lacks similar language to its predecessor, "it has been read consistently with the earlier rule." Id. "Although practices vary among judges, a bond of 1.25 to 1.5 times the judgment is typically required." See Christopher A. Goelz & Meredith J. Watts, California Practice Guide: Ninth Circuit Civil Appellate Practice ¶ 1:168 (TRG 2011)). Accordingly, to stay execution of the judgment pending appeal, Defendants must file a supersedeas bond equal to 125% of Plaintiffs' $4,575,000 award, i.e., $5,718,750. See Am. Ass'n of Naturopathic Physicians v. Hayhurst, 227 F.3d 1104, 1109 (9th Cir.2000) (holding that district court acted within its discretion in ordering defendant to post a $30,000 bond to secure a $11,900 judgment).
For the reasons stated above,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:
1. Defendants' Motion for Judgment as a Matter of Law, or in the Alternative, Motion for a New Trial is DENIED.
2. Defendants' Motion to Stay Enforcement of Judgment is DENIED.
3. This Order terminates Docket 256 and 261, and supersedes Docket 295, which is stricken.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
