Clinton Spencer v. Jeffrey Sharp

487 F. App'x 424

• Court: Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
• Decided: November 20, 2012
• Docket: 11-15964
• Status: Unpublished

Opinion

MEMORANDUM **

Clinton Lee Spencer, an Arizona state prisoner, appeals pro se from the district court’s summary judgment in his 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action alleging deliberate indifference and negligence claims. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291. We review de novo, Toguchi v. Chung, 391 F.3d 1051, 1056 (9th Cir.2004), and we affirm.

The district court properly granted summary judgment on Spencer’s deliberate indifference claims because Spencer failed to raise a genuine dispute of material fact as to whether defendants knew of and disregarded an excessive risk to his vision and eye health, or whether defendants had any involvement in the alleged violations. See id. at 1057-58 (prison officials act with deliberate indifference only if they know of and disregard an excessive risk to an inmate’s health or safety; mere negligence or a difference of medical opinion is insufficient); Taylor v. List, 880 F.2d 1040, 1045 (9th Cir.1989) (“Liability under section 1983 arises only upon a showing of personal participation.... ”).

The district court properly granted summary judgment on Spencer’s negligence claims because defendants are immune under Arizona law. See Ariz.Rev.Stat. § 31-201.01(F) (“Any and all causes of action which may arise out of tort caused by the director, prison officers or employees of the department, within the scope of their legal duty, shall run only against the state.”); see also Carrillo v. State, 169 Ariz. 126, 817 P.2d 493, 498-99 (1991) (distinguishing Arizona tort claims from § 1983 claims).

Spencer’s contention that the district court did not provide sufficient time for discovery is unpersuasive because Spencer failed to request additional time for discovery or identify evidence that would have precluded summary judgment. See Chance v. Pac-Tel Teletrac Inc., 242 F.3d 1151, 1161 & n. 6 (9th Cir.2001) (grounds for granting additional time for discovery under Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(f)).

Spencer’s contention that the district court erred in considering new arguments raised in defendants’ reply brief is unpersuasive because the court considered Spencer’s sur-reply, in which he addressed the new arguments. Cf. JG v. Douglas Cnty. Sch. Dist., 552 F.3d 786, 803 n. 14 (9th Cir.2008) (new evidence presented in a reply should not be considered without giving the non-movant an opportunity to respond).

Contrary to Spencer’s assertion, the district court granted his motion to add exhibits in support of his motion for summary judgment.

We do not consider matters not specifically and distinctly raised and argued in the opening brief. See Padgett v. Wright, 587 F.3d 983, 985 n. 2 (9th Cir.2009) (per curiam).

Spencer’s request for appointment of counsel, set forth in his opening brief, is denied.

AFFIRMED.

** This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent except as provided by 9th Cir. R. 36-3.