DEBORAH K. CHASANOW, District Judge.
Presently pending and reading for review in this civil rights case are: (1) a motion for summary judgment filed by Defendants Montgomery County Police Department, et al. (Paper 35) and (2) a motion to modify the scheduling order and extend time to respond to Defendants' motion for summary judgment (Paper 39). The issues have been fully briefed and the court now rules pursuant to Local Rule 105.6, no hearing being deemed necessary. For the reasons that follow, Defendants' motion for summary judgment will be granted in part and denied in part and Plaintiff's motion to modify the scheduling order will be denied.
The following facts are undisputed. As of October 2006, when the events relevant to this case occurred, Plaintiff Melissa Dent was a resident of Gaithersburg, Maryland. Defendants are the Montgomery County Police Department, Officer Adam Siegelbaum, Officer Kimberly Wilson, Officer John Mullaney, and Officer Jennifer Phoenix.
On October 7, 2006, Officers Siegelbaum, Wilson, Mullaney, and Phoenix (the "Officers")
Nearly all of the remaining facts are in dispute.
The Officers report the following facts: The Officers were dispatched to Plaintiff's house for a "suicide in progress." (Paper 35, Ex. 1, No. 4, 7). The Officers observed beer and pill bottles lying around the home. (Id.). When the Officers arrived, they observed that Plaintiff had red, watery, bloodshot eyes and spoke in slurred speech. (Paper 35, Ex. 5, at 28). The Officers asked Plaintiff how many pills she had taken and she gave varying responses to the question, eventually responding that she had taken the "whole fucking bottle." (Paper 35, Ex. 1, No. 4). The Officers pleaded with Plaintiff for her to go with them for an emergency evaluation petition at the Shady Grove Adventist Hospital. (Paper 35, Ex. 1, Nos. 4, 7; Ex. 2; Ex. 3, No. 4; Ex. 4). Plaintiff refused to go with the Officers. Plaintiff became violent, combative, and agitated. (Paper 35, Ex. 1, Nos. 4, 7, 22; Ex. 2, Nos. 4, 22). The Officers were concerned about Plaintiff's health and safety and thought she had ingested drugs and alcohol. (Paper 35, Ex. 1, No. 7). The Officers thought that an overdose effect might occur. (Id.).
The Officers told Plaintiff that they needed to handcuff her and take her to the hospital. (Paper 35, Ex. 2, No. 4). Plaintiff swung her lit cigarette at Officer Siegelbaum. (Paper 35, Ex. 1, No. 7). Officer Mullaney tried to grab Plaintiff's left arm for handcuffing, and Plaintiff actively resisted, kicked, and tried to bite the Officers. (Paper 35, Ex. 1, No. 7; Ex. 2, No. 4). The Officers instructed Plaintiff to stop resisting, calm down, and give them her hands. (Paper 35, Ex. 1, No. 7; Ex. 2, No. 4; Ex. 3, No. 4). Plaintiff responded with more physical resistance. (Paper 35, Ex. 1, No. 4; Ex. 2, No. 4; Ex. 3, No. 4; Ex. 4, No. 4). The Officers warned Plaintiff that she needed to cooperate or she would be Tased. (Paper 35, Ex. 3, No. 4). Officer Mullaney attempted to handcuff Plaintiff's left arm, Officer Siegelbaum attempted to handcuff her right arm, and Officer Wilson attempted to control Plaintiff's kicking legs. (Paper 35, Ex. 1, No. 7; Ex. 2, No. 4; Ex. 3, No. 4). Plaintiff kicked Officer Wilson in the inner thigh and bit Officer Siegelbaum. (Paper 35, Ex. 3, No. 4; Ex. 1, No. 16). Officer Wilson radioed for further backup. (Paper 35, Ex. 3, No. 4). Officer Siegelbaum and Officer Wilson Tased Plaintiff so that
Emergency fire and rescue personnel were on the scene, but it was decided that Plaintiff would be transported to the hospital in the police cage car because of Plaintiff's violent behavior. (Paper 35, Ex. 2, No. 8; Ex. 3, No. 8). The Officers asked the fire and rescue personnel what symptoms of overdose they should watch for during transport and were warned about possible complaints of chest pain. (Paper 35, Ex. 2, No. 8). In route to the hospital, Plaintiff complained of chest pains. (Paper 35, Ex. 1, No. 8; Ex. 2, No. 8). Officer Siegelbaum pulled the car over at a fire station so Plaintiff could be transferred into an ambulance for the rest of the ride to the hospital. (Paper 35, Ex. 1, No. 18; Ex. 2, No. 18). Officer Mullaney rode with Plaintiff in the ambulance. (Paper 35, Ex. 1, No. 8; Ex. 2, No. 8). Officer Phoenix prepared an emergency evaluation petition and Plaintiff was evaluated at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital. (Paper 35, Ex. 8). Plaintiff's blood alcohol level was .284. (Paper 35, Ex. 9, at 7). Plaintiff was transferred to Potomac Ridge Behavioral Health, where she was admitted for three days. (Paper 35, Ex. 10).
Plaintiff's version of the facts is strikingly different. Plaintiff reports the following facts: On October 7, 2006, Plaintiff drank approximately four beers during the day in the company of two of her neighbors. (Paper 43, Ex. A ¶ 3, 4; Ex. C ¶ 3). That day, Plaintiff's children were at Ms. Gorham's home. (Paper 43, Ex. A ¶ 4; Ex. B ¶ 1). Plaintiff decided to go to bed early, and took one or two sleeping pills. (Paper 43, Ex. A ¶¶ 6-7). Before Plaintiff went to sleep, she called Ms. Gorham to make sure that everything was set for Plaintiff's children to stay overnight at the Gorhams' home. (Paper 43, Ex. A ¶ 9; Ex. B ¶ 2). Plaintiff told Ms. Gorham to tell Plaintiff's children that she said goodnight and that she loved them. (Paper 43, Ex. A at ¶ 11; Ex. B ¶¶ 2-3). Ms. Gorham expressed that Plaintiff sounded loopy or drowsy. (Paper 43, Ex. A ¶ 10; Ex. B ¶ 3). Plaintiff indicated that she was fine and that her sleeping pills made her drowsy. (Paper 43, Ex. A ¶ 10).
Shortly thereafter, Ms. and Mr. Gorham decided to check on Plaintiff to make sure that she was okay, so they let themselves into her house with a key. (Paper 43, Ex. A ¶ 13; Ex. B ¶ 4). Plaintiff was in her room, and Ms. Gorham asked Plaintiff to come downstairs and sit on the couch; she did so and began to smoke cigarettes. (Paper 43, Ex. A ¶ 14; Ex. B ¶ 5). There were no beer or pill bottles lying around the home. (Paper 43, Ex. A ¶ 37; Ex. B ¶¶ 12-13). Ms. Gorham called 911 and asked for an ambulance. (Paper 43, Ex. A ¶ 16; Ex. B ¶ 6). Ms. Gorham told the dispatcher that Plaintiff sounded a bit loopy and that she had taken a couple of pills. (Id.). Ms. Gorham told the dispatcher that Plaintiff was not suicidal. (Paper 43, Ex. B ¶ 7). Ms. Gorham reported that Plaintiff seemed alert. (Id.). The 911 dispatcher said that an ambulance would be sent to Plaintiff's house. (Id.).
About ten minutes later, Officer Siegelbaum arrived. (Paper 43, Ex. A ¶ 17; Ex. B ¶ 9). Officer Siegelbaum repeatedly questioned Plaintiff and Ms. Gorham and accused Plaintiff of attempting suicide. (Paper 43, Ex. A ¶¶ 18-24; Ex. B ¶¶ 10-11, 17). Plaintiff told Officer Siegelbaum that she had taken one or two pills. (Id.). Officer Siegelbaum told Plaintiff that she would be taken to the hospital. (Paper 43, Ex. A ¶ 26). Plaintiff did not want to go to the hospital in the custody of a police officer. (Id.). Officer Siegelbaum continued to tell Plaintiff that she had attempted suicide and question her about the number of pills she took. (Paper 43, Ex. A ¶¶ 18-24; Ex. B ¶¶ 10-11, 17-18).
Plaintiff reports that Officers Siegelbaum and Mullaney picked or dragged her up off the couch and slammed her face down on the floor. (Paper 43, Ex. A ¶¶ 40, 43-44; Ex. B ¶ 22). Officer Mullaney drove his knee into Plaintiff's back and grabbed her left arm and twisted it behind her back, and told her that he would break her other arm if she did not give it to her. (Paper 43, Ex. A ¶¶ 44-45; Ex. B ¶¶ 23-24). Officer Siegelbaum drove his knee into Plaintiff's and into her eye, causing it to become severely black and blue and swell shut. (Paper 43, Ex. A ¶¶ 46, 53; Ex. B ¶ 23; Ex. E). Officers Siegelbaum and Wilson proceeded to Tase Plaintiff several times on her back. (Paper 43, Ex. A ¶¶ 47-48; Ex. B ¶¶ 22-24). Plaintiff had twelve Taser burn wounds on her back. (Paper 43, Ex. F). Ms. Gorham pleaded with the officers to stop, and Officer Phoenix threatened to Tase Ms. Gorham. (Paper 43, Ex. A ¶ 50; Ex. B ¶ 25). Plaintiff had trouble breathing. (Paper 43, Ex. A ¶ 54).
Officer Siegelbaum led Plaintiff out of her home in handcuffs. (Paper 43, Ex. A ¶ 55; Ex. B ¶ 26; Ex. C ¶ 10). Plaintiff asked if she would be taken to the hospital, and Officer Siegelbaum responded that she would after he finished his paperwork. (Paper 43, Ex. A ¶ 56). Officer Siegelbaum placed Plaintiff in his patrol car, later stopped and placed her on a curb, and finally placed her in an ambulance that took her to the hospital. (Paper 43, Ex. A ¶ 57; Ex. C ¶ 10).
On April 14, 2008, Plaintiff filed a complaint in this court, which alleged deprivation of her civil rights and gross negligence against certain police officers and Montgomery County. (Paper 1). Plaintiff filed an amended complaint and later, on July 23, 2008, a second amended complaint. (Papers 8 and 14). Discovery ended on August 7, 2009. On September 8, 2009, Defendants filed a motion for summary judgment. (Paper 35). On October 15, 2009, Plaintiff filed a motion to modify the scheduling order and extend time to respond to Defendants' motion for summary judgment. (Paper 39).
Defendants have moved for summary judgment pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56. It is well established that a motion for summary judgment will be granted only if there exists no genuine issue as to any material fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. See Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(c); Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 91 L.Ed.2d 265
When ruling on a motion for summary judgment, the court must construe the facts alleged in the light most favorable to the party opposing the motion. See Scott v. Harris, 550 U.S. 372, 127 S.Ct. 1769, 1774, 167 L.Ed.2d 686 (2007); Emmett, 532 F.3d at 297. A party who bears the burden of proof on a particular claim must factually support each element of his or her claim. Celotex Corp., 477 U.S. at 323, 106 S.Ct. 2548. "[A] complete failure of proof concerning an essential element... necessarily renders all other facts immaterial." Id. Thus, on those issues on which the nonmoving party will have the burden of proof, it is his or her responsibility to confront the motion for summary judgment with an affidavit or other similar evidence in order to show the existence of a genuine issue for trial. See Anderson, 477 U.S. at 254, 106 S.Ct. 2505; Celotex Corp., 477 U.S. at 324, 106 S.Ct. 2548. "A mere scintilla of proof, however, will not suffice to prevent summary judgment." Peters v. Jenney, 327 F.3d 307, 314 (4th Cir.2003). There must be "sufficient evidence favoring the nonmoving party for a jury to return a verdict for that party." Anderson, 477 U.S. at 249, 106 S.Ct. 2505. "If the evidence is merely colorable, or is not significantly probative, summary judgment may be granted." Id. at 249-50, 106 S.Ct. 2505. (citations omitted).
Plaintiff's second amended complaint alleges that the Officers violated Plaintiff's Fourth Amendment rights by using excessive force against her and by forcing her go to the hospital for an emergency evaluation. Defendants argue that the Officers had probable cause to transport Plaintiff to the hospital for her own safety and that none of the officers used excessive force against her.
Defendants liken this case to three cases considered by the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit that address detentions for emergency evaluation. See S.P. v. City of Takoma Park, 134 F.3d 260 (4th Cir.1998); Gooden v. Howard Cnty., Md., 954 F.2d 960 (4th Cir.1992); Vanderwaart v. Baltimore Cnty., Md., 836 F.2d 548 (Table), No. 87-2067, 1987 WL 30227, *1 (4th Cir.1987). Defendants note that it was reported to the Officers that Plaintiff had attempted to take her own life and the Officers saw empty beer and drug bottles in her home; as such, they thought she had the wherewithal to commit suicide. Defendants assert that "[b]ased on their training, investigation and observations, the officers reasonably believed Plaintiff had a mental disorder, and that there was a clear and imminent danger of her doing bodily harm to herself." (Paper 35, Attach. 1, at 13). Defendants also argue that they are entitled to immunity for their actions under Md.Code Ann., Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-623.
Additionally, Defendants argue that the force used by the Officers was reasonable. Defendants assert that (1) Officer Phoenix had no hands-on contact with Plaintiff, (2) Officer Mullaney's physical contact with Plaintiff was limited to him grabbing her left arm and attempting to handcuff her, (3) Officer Siegelbaum's physical contact with Plaintiff was limited to grabbing her
Plaintiff counters that Defendants did not have probable cause to detain her for an emergency evaluation and that the force used against her was excessive. Plaintiff argues that, after talking with her and her friends, the Officers had no reason to believe that she had a mental disorder or that she was a danger to herself or others. (Paper 43, Attach. 1, at 11). Plaintiff also contends that Defendants are not entitled to immunity for detaining her under Maryland law because they did not act "in good faith and with reasonable grounds." (Id. at 12). Plaintiff asserts that the cases that Defendants cite are inapposite because the plaintiffs in those cases had exhibited seriously psychotic or violent behaviour. Plaintiff instead likens this case to Bailey v. Kennedy, 349 F.3d 731 (4th Cir.2003), in which the Fourth Circuit found that officers did not have probable cause to detain the plaintiff for a psychiatric violation even though they had been informed that the plaintiff was suicidal. Id. at 740-41. Additionally, Plaintiff argues that the Officers used excessive force against her because (1) Officer Phoenix did not protest or attempt to stop the other Officers and threatened to Tase Ms. Gorham; (2) Officer Mullaney threw Plaintiff on the ground, kneed her, and assisted the other Officers in Tasing her; (3) Officer Siegelbaum dragged Plaintiff off of her couch, slammed her on the floor, kneed her in the back and eye, twisted her arms, and Tased her no less than six times; and (4) Officer Wilson bound Plaintiff and Tased her no less than six times. Plaintiff argues that summary judgment should be denied because of genuine disputes of material fact.
To prevail on a claim pursuant to Section 1983, a plaintiff must show that (1) the defendant deprived her of a right secured by the Constitution or the laws of the United States and (2) and the deprivation was achieved by the defendants acting under color of state law. Paul v. Davis, 424 U.S. 693, 696-97, 96 S.Ct. 1155, 47 L.Ed.2d 405 (1976). There is no dispute that the police officers' actions constituted state action.
The first issue is whether Plaintiff's Fourth Amendment rights were violated when the officers made Plaintiff the subject of a petition for an emergency evaluation. The Maryland Health—General Code provides:
Md.Code Ann., Health-Gen § 10-622. Furthermore, Md.Code Ann., Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-624 provides:
Section 5-623(b) also provides that "A person who in good faith and with reasonable grounds applies for involuntary admission of an individual is not civilly or criminally liable for making the application under
To seize an individual for an emergency medical evaluation, "an officer must have probable cause to believe that the individual posed a danger to herself or others before involuntarily detaining the individual." See S.P., 134 F.3d at 266.
In Bailey, 349 F.3d at 739, the Fourth Circuit explained:
Viewing the facts in the light most favorable to Plaintiff, it cannot be determined as a matter of law that the officers had probable cause to seize Plaintiff for an emergency medical evaluation. Although Defendants assert that they were dispatched for a "suicide in progress," Plaintiff presented evidence that Defendants were informed multiple times that Plaintiff was not suicidal. Ms. Gorham reported that she told the 911 dispatcher that Plaintiff was not suicidal. When the officers arrived at Plaintiff's house, Plaintiff was sitting calmly on her couch. Plaintiff asserts that she told each of the officers that she had not attempted suicide and was not attempting to commit suicide. Plaintiff also contends that she told the officers that she had only taken one or two sleeping pills. Plaintiff, Ms. Gorham, and Plaintiff's neighbor Christine Nitterhouse testified that pills and beer bottles were not strewn about Plaintiff's house. Defendants' version of the facts, of course, contradicts Plaintiff's account and calls into question whether Plaintiff was acting violently during their interaction with her. Defendants particularly rely on the fact that the 911 call was coded as a "suicide in progress." However, as in Bailey, "[w]ithout more, the 911 report cannot bear the weight that the officers would place on it. The law does not permit `random or baseless detention of citizens for psychological evaluations.'" Bailey, 349 F.3d at 740 (quoting Gooden, 954 F.2d at 968). There are genuine issues of material fact as to whether Defendants had probable cause for detaining Plaintiff for an emergency medical evaluation and, in regard to the state law immunity defenses, as to whether Defendants acted "in good faith and with reasonable grounds" to petition for an emergency evaluation or involuntarily admit Plaintiff to the hospital. Therefore, summary judgment will be denied on Plaintiff's Fourth Amendment claim that she was involuntarily detained and forced to go to the hospital for an emergency evaluation.
The second issue is whether, even assuming there was probable cause to detain Plaintiff, the officers used excessive force against Plaintiff. The Supreme Court of the United States has clarified that courts must use a standard of "objective reasonableness" to determine whether force used by police officers was excessive in violation of the Fourth Amendment. Graham v. Connor, 490 U.S. 386, 388, 109 S.Ct. 1865, 104 L.Ed.2d 443 (1989). The question is whether a reasonable officer in the same circumstances would have concluded that a threat existed justifying the particular use of force. Id. at 395, 109 S.Ct. 1865. "A reviewing court must make `allowance for the fact that police officers are often forced to make split-second judgments—in circumstances that are tense, uncertain,
There is a genuine dispute of material fact as to whether the force the officers used against Plaintiff was excessive. Plaintiff testified that she was not aggressive toward the officers and that she asked them to leave her home. Plaintiff recalls that the officers picked or dragged her off her couch and threw her to the floor, kneeing her in the back and eye before they used their Tasers on her at least six times.
On the other hand, the officers recount that Plaintiff acted with increasing levels of agitation and violence. Specifically, the officers testified that Plaintiff kicked Officer Wilson in the inner thigh and bit Officer Siegelbaum. The officers report that they warned Plaintiff that they would have to use their Tasers on her if she would not submit to being handcuffed and taken to the hospital.
The only officer who had no hands-on contact with Plaintiff was Officer Phoenix. Plaintiff asserts that Officer Phoenix threatened to Tase her friends, but the Gorhams are not parties to this suit. Because Plaintiff has not presented evidence that Officer Phoenix used force against her, Officer Phoenix entitled to judgment as a matter of law that he did not violate Plaintiff's Fourth Amendment rights by using excessive force against her. The remaining defendants, however, are not entitled to summary judgment as to Plaintiff's excessive force Fourth Amendment claim because there are genuine issues of material fact as to whether their actions were reasonable.
Plaintiff's complaint alleged that Defendants violated her Fourteenth Amendment rights when they displayed deliberate indifference to her medical needs and, according to her opposition brief, when the officers "attempted to rob Plaintiff of her liberty without legal justification ... and attempted to handcuff Plaintiff and drag her out of her home at night ...." (Paper 1 ¶¶ 22, 42, 62, and 82; Paper 43, Attach. 1, at 24).
Defendants assert that Plaintiff was not deprived of any Fourteenth Amendment right because the officers did not display deliberate indifference to her medical needs. (Paper 35, Attach. 1, at 19). Plaintiff contends that her Fourteenth Amendment claims are not limited to the officers' deliberate indifference to her medical needs, but also include the officers' deprivation of her liberty without legal justification. (Paper 43, Attach. 1, at 24).
The Fourteenth Amendment provides that no state "shall deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law." U.S. Const. Amend. XIV. The due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment "guarantees more than fair process" and "includes a substantive component that provides heightened protection against government interference with certain fundamental rights." Martin v. St. Mary's Dep't of Social Servs., 346 F.3d 502, 511 (4th Cir.2003). The core of substantive due process is to protect the individual against "arbitrary action of government." County of Sacramento v. Lewis, 523 U.S. 833, 845, 118 S.Ct. 1708, 140 L.Ed.2d 1043 (1998).
Plaintiff asserts that, after she was handcuffed, Officer Siegelbaum led her out of her home. Plaintiff asked if she would be taken to the hospital, and Officer Siegelbaum responded that she would after he finished his paperwork. Plaintiff has not presented evidence of how long she had to wait to be transported. Officer Siegelbaum placed Plaintiff in his patrol car, later stopped at a fire station when she complained of chest pain, and finally placed her in an ambulance that took her to the hospital. Plaintiff has not presented evidence that Defendants actually knew of and disregarded a substantial risk of serious injury to her or that they actually knew of and ignored her serious need for medical care. Therefore, Plaintiff has not presented sufficient evidence regarding deliberate indifference for a jury to return a verdict in her favor.
Additionally, as the Supreme Court explained in Graham v. Connor, 490 U.S. 386, 395, 109 S.Ct. 1865, 104 L.Ed.2d 443 (1989), there is no separate due process claim for excessive force claims:
All of Plaintiff's claims regarding the deprivation of her liberty due to the officers' actions of handcuffing her and taking her out of her home must be analyzed under the Fourth Amendment.
Therefore, summary judgment will be granted in favor of Defendants on Plaintiff's Fourteenth Amendment claims because she has not presented sufficient evidence for her deliberate indifference claim and her excessive force claims will be evaluated under the Fourth Amendment.
The doctrine of qualified immunity shields government officials "from liability for civil damages insofar as their conduct does not violate clearly established statutory or constitutional rights of which a reasonable person would have known." Harlow v. Fitzgerald, 457 U.S. 800, 818, 102 S.Ct. 2727, 73 L.Ed.2d 396 (1982). "Qualified immunity is `an immunity from suit, rather than a mere defense to liability; and like an absolute immunity, it is effectively lost if a case is erroneously permitted to go to trial.'" Scott v. Harris, 550 U.S. 372, 376 n. 2, 127 S.Ct. 1769, 167 L.Ed.2d 686 (2007) (quoting Mitchell v. Forsyth, 472 U.S. 511, 526, 105 S.Ct. 2806, 86 L.Ed.2d 411 (1985) (emphasis in original)).
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit set out the proper way to evaluate the separate Saucier issues:
Henry v. Purnell, 501 F.3d 374, 377-78 (4th Cir.2007) (footnotes omitted).
In considering the second prong of the Saucier framework, the key issue is whether the law at the time the events in question occurred "gave the officials `fair warning' that their conduct was unconstitutional." Ridpath v. Bd. of Governors
Plaintiff has met her burden for showing that the officers' conduct violated her Fourth Amendment rights, both as to her right to be free of excessive force and to not be seized for an emergency medical evaluation without probable cause. Defendants have not met their burden of proof to demonstrate they are entitled to qualified immunity. First, the law is clearly established that individuals have a right to be free from excessive force during the course of a seizure, Turmon v. Jordan, 405 F.3d 202, 206 (4th Cir.2005) (finding the "general right to be free from unreasonable seizures is as old as the Fourth Amendment"). It is equally well established that police may not use a Taser on a compliant adult. Second, Defendants have failed to demonstrate as a matter of law that Plaintiff's right to be free from seizure for an emergency medical evaluation absent probable cause was not clearly established at the time of the incident. Defendants do not explain why the right is not clearly established after the Fourth Circuit's opinion in Bailey, 349 F.3d at 731, decided in 2003. Therefore, summary judgment will be denied as to Defendants' qualified immunity claim.
Article 24 of the Maryland Declaration of Rights protects substantive due process rights and Article 26 protects the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures. The provisions are construed in pari materia with the Fourteenth and Fourth Amendments of the United States Constitution, respectively. See Canaj, Inc. v. Baker & Div. Phase III, 391 Md. 374, 424, 893 A.2d 1067 (2006); see also Carter v. State, 367 Md. 447, 458, 788 A.2d 646 (2002); State v. Smith, 305 Md. 489, 513-514, 505 A.2d 511 (1986), cert. denied, 476 U.S. 1186, 106 S.Ct. 2925, 91 L.Ed.2d 552 (1986). Summary judgment will be granted in favor of Defendants as to Plaintiffs Fourteenth Amendment claims so summary judgment will also be granted on Plaintiffs due process claims under Article 24.
Article 26 of the Maryland Declaration of Rights protects the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures.
Defendants argue that Plaintiffs evidence against Montgomery County is insufficient under Monell v. New York City Dep't of Soc. Servs., 436 U.S. 658, 98 S.Ct. 2018, 56 L.Ed.2d 611 (1978). (Paper 35, at 23-26). Plaintiff concedes that she cannot prove her municipal liability claim against Montgomery County without additional discovery. (Paper 43, Attach. 1, at 28). As discussed below, Plaintiff will not be permitted to conduct additional discovery. Therefore, summary judgment will be granted in favor of Montgomery County on Plaintiffs municipal liability claim.
Defendants move for summary judgment on Plaintiffs claim under Article III, § 40 of the Maryland Constitution because Plaintiff has not made any claim that her property was taken for public use. Plaintiff agrees to a dismissal of her Article III, § 40 claim. Therefore, Plaintiffs Article III, § 40 claim will be dismissed with prejudice.
Defendants move for summary judgment on Plaintiffs claim for punitive damages, asserting that she has no evidence that the officers acted with malice. (Paper 35, Attach. 1, at 30). Plaintiff counters that she has presented evidence that the officers acted in a hostile and violent manner without an objective basis for doing so. (Paper 43, Attach. 1, at 31).
Assuming that Plaintiff can establish entitlement to compensatory damages against the Defendant Officers, she may only recover punitive damages against them under Section 1983 if she can show their conduct "to be motivated by evil motive or intent, or when it involves recldess or callous indifference to the federally protected rights of others." Smith v. Wade, 461 U.S. 30, 56, 103 S.Ct. 1625, 75 L.Ed.2d 632 (1983). Similarly, under Maryland law, "[p]unitive damages are available against individuals upon a showing of actual malice." Robles v. Prince George's County, 302 F.3d 262, 273 (4th Cir.2002) (citing Bowden v. Caldor, Inc., 350 Md. 4, 23, 710 A.2d 267, 276 (1998)). Plaintiff has provided evidence that the officers unnecessarily restrained, kneed, and Tased her and forced her to go to the hospital in response to her denial of trying to commit suicide and her request for them to leave her home. Viewing the facts in the light most favorable to Plaintiff, there are sufficient disputes of material fact for the jury to decide the question of malice.
Plaintiff moves to modify the scheduling order to allow additional time for discovery.
(Paper 39, Attach. 2, at 2). Plaintiff notes that she was not able to retain new counsel until October 2009, in part because her former attorney would not give her the case file. (Paper 41, at 4-5). Plaintiff now asserts that her former attorney neglected to complete discovery and asks for discovery to be reopened so that she may retain experts to offer opinions as to (1) whether the force used by the officers was reasonable, (2) whether the training offered by Montgomery County was reasonable, (3) what are the appropriate police procedures in cases like this one, and (4) what are the methods, reasonableness, and appropriateness of Taser usage in this case. (Paper 39, Attach. 2, at 3).
Defendants respond that discovery should not be reopened and that Plaintiffs opposition to their motion for summary judgment was untimely. (Paper 40, at 3-4). Defendants contend that Plaintiff has failed to establish "excusable neglect" by her former attorney under Fed.R.Civ.P. 6(b)(1)(B). (Id. at 5).
Because the motion to extend time was filed after the deadline for Plaintiffs opposition brief had passed, Plaintiffs motion will be reviewed pursuant to Fed. R.Civ.P. 6(b)(1)(B). This Rule requires "excusable neglect" for a motion to extend time when the motion is made after the time for the moving party to act has already expired. "[I]nadvertence, ignorance of the rules, or mistakes construing the rules do not usually constitute `excusable neglect.'" Thompson v. E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., Inc., 76 F.3d 530, 533 (4th Cir.1996). While Plaintiff had ample time to find a new attorney and respond to Defendants' motion for summary judgment, Plaintiffs delay in responding did not prejudice Defendants.
Fed.R.Civ.P. 16(b) governs the modification of a scheduling order. District courts have broad discretion to manage the timing of discovery, Ardrey v. United Parcel Service, 798 F.2d 679, 682 (4th Cir. 1986), cert. denied, 480 U.S. 934, 107 S.Ct. 1575, 94 L.Ed.2d 766 (1987), and the only formal limitation on this discretion with respect to consideration of motions to amend scheduling orders is that the moving party demonstrate good cause. Fed. R.Civ.P. 16(b)(4). "Good cause" is shown when the moving party demonstrates that the scheduling order deadlines cannot be met despite its diligent efforts. Potomac Elec. Power Co. v. Elec. Motor Supply, Inc., 190 F.R.D. 372, 375 (D.Md.1999) (quoting Dilmar Oil Co., Inc. v. Federated Mut. Ins. Co., 986 F.Supp. 959, 980 (D.S.C. 1997), aff'd by unpublished opinion, 129 F.3d 116 (Table), 1997 WL 702267 (4th Cir.1997)).
The parties have briefed the issue of excusable neglect under Rule 6(b)(1)(b) instead of good cause under Rule 16(b). Nevertheless, Plaintiff had ample time to conduct discovery. The discovery deadline was extended twice, from December 8, 2008 to February 23, 2009 and later August 7, 2009. Plaintiffs former attorney propounded written discovery on all four officers and Montgomery County. Plaintiffs new counsel has not shown why Plaintiffs former attorney lacked diligence in conducting discovery. Plaintiff will not be allowed to conduct additional discovery and the scheduling order will not be modified. Therefore, Plaintiffs motion will be
For the foregoing reasons, Defendants' motion for summary judgment will be granted in part and denied in part and Plaintiff's motion to modify the scheduling order to allow further discovery will be denied. A separate Order will follow.
