1 2 3 4 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 5 DISTRICT OF NEVADA 6 * * *
7 FRANK LAPENA, Case No. 2:21-CV-2170 JCM (NJK)
8 Plaintiff(s), ORDER
9 v.
10 LAS VEGAS METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT, et al., 11 Defendant(s). 12
13 Presently before the court is the defendant’s—the Estate of Charles Lee—motion to 14 dismiss all claims against it. (ECF No. 98). Plaintiff Frank LaPena filed a response (ECF No. 15 100), to which the estate replied (ECF No. 104). 16 Also before the court is LaPena’s countermotion for leave to amend the complaint or 17 substitute the proper party. (ECF No. 101). The estate filed a response (ECF No. 105), to which 18 LaPena replied (ECF No. 106). 19 Finally, LaPena filed a motion to substitute party (ECF No. 131), which has also been fully 20 briefed. (ECF No. 140, 142). 21 Because the court grants the Estate’s motion to dismiss, LaPena’s motions are denied as 22 moot. 23 I. Background 24 At the heart of this case is an alleged decades-long conspiracy to wrongfully convict an 25 innocent man of murder. LaPena alleges over a dozen causes of action and names over a dozen 26 defendants. (See ECF No. 24). LaPena brings federal and state claims against Clark County and 27 28 1 various prosecutors and law enforcement allegedly involved in his wrongful arrest and conviction. 2 (Id.). The following allegations are taken from the first amended complaint. 3 In 1974, Hilda Krause was violently murdered in her Vegas home. (Id. at 12). LaPena 4 was arrested, charged, and convicted of her murder that same year. (Id. at 9). In the decades since 5 then, LaPena has maintained his innocence and attempted to exonerate himself through various 6 legal avenues. (Id. at 9–10). He was finally successful in 2019 when the Nevada Board of Pardons 7 granted him a general pardon, and he was later issued a Certificate of Innocence in 2021. (Id. at 8 11; ECF No. 39-10). 9 Charles Lee was the lead investigator at the time for Mrs. Krause’s murder. (ECF No. 24, 10 at 13). He was first employed by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and then by the 11 Clark County District Attorney’s Office. (Id.). LaPena alleges that Lee, along with others, 12 concealed exculpatory evidence, failed to properly investigate other leads, conspired to 13 maliciously prosecute him, and thwarted his later attempts to exonerate himself. (Id. at 19–27). 14 Lee died on August 22, 2018. (ECF No. 57-1; ECF No. 98, at 5). LaPena filed his 15 complaint on November 2, 2021—more than three years after Lee’s death—naming Charles Lee, 16 or in the alternative—the Estate of Charles Lee, as defendants. (ECF No. 1, at 5). The estate now 17 moves to dismiss all claims against it. (ECF No. 98, at 4–5). 18 II. Legal Standard 19 A court may dismiss a complaint for “failure to state a claim upon which relief can be 20 granted.” FED. R. CIV. P. 12(b)(6). A properly pled complaint must provide “[a] short and plain 21 statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief.” FED. R. CIV. P. 8(a)(2); Bell 22 Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 555 (2007). While Rule 8 does not require detailed 23 factual allegations, it demands “more than labels and conclusions” or a “formulaic recitation of the 24 elements of a cause of action.” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009) (citation omitted). 25 In Iqbal, the Supreme Court clarified the two-step approach district courts are to apply 26 when considering motions to dismiss. First, the court must accept as true all well-pled factual 27 allegations in the complaint; however, legal conclusions are not entitled to the assumption of truth. 28 1 Id. at 678–79. Mere recitals of the elements of a cause of action, supported only by conclusory 2 statements, do not suffice. Id. at 678. 3 Second, the court must consider whether the factual allegations in the complaint allege a 4 plausible claim for relief. Id. at 679. A claim is facially plausible when the plaintiff’s complaint 5 alleges facts that allow the court to draw a reasonable inference that the defendant is liable for the 6 alleged misconduct. Id. at 678. 7 The Ninth Circuit addressed post-Iqbal pleading standards in Starr v. Baca, 652 F.3d 1202, 8 1216 (9th Cir. 2011). The Starr court stated, in relevant part: First, to be entitled to the presumption of truth, allegations in a complaint 9 or counterclaim may not simply recite the elements of a cause of action, but must contain sufficient allegations of underlying facts to give fair notice and to enable 10 the opposing party to defend itself effectively. Second, the factual allegations that are taken as true must plausibly suggest an entitlement to relief, such that it is not 11 unfair to require the opposing party to be subjected to the expense of discovery and continued litigation. Id. 12 III. Discussion 13 The Estate argues that all claims against it must be dismissed because they are time-barred 14 under NEV. REV. STAT. § 11.275(1). (ECF No. 98, at 4). Section 11.275(1) provides that “no 15 action can be maintained against an estate” if (1) the defendant is deceased, (2) no letters of 16 administration have been issued, and (3) the action is commenced three years after the defendant’s 17 death. NRS 11.275. LaPena argues that his claims are not time-barred because they did not accrue 18 until he was declared innocent in 2021. (ECF No. 101, at 7). 19 LaPena alleges both state and federal claims. All of LaPena’s federal claims are brought 20 under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. (See ECF No. 24, at 32–39). Because Congress did not provide a statute 21 of limitations for Section 1983 claims, district courts apply the forum state’s limitations laws for 22 personal injury actions “except to the extent any of these laws is inconsistent with federal law.” 23 Jones v. Blanas, 393 F.3d 918, 927 (9th Cir. 2004). Where “state law provides multiple statutes 24 of limitations for personal injury actions, courts considering § 1983 claims should borrow the 25 general or residual statute for personal injury actions.” Owens v. Okure, 488 U.S. 235, 249–250 26 (1989). 27 The parties do not dispute that NRS 11.275(1) applies to all of LaPena’s claims against the 28 estate. (ECF No. 98, at 2; see ECF No. 100, at 7). The parties do not dispute that Lee is deceased 1 and that letters of administration had not been issued for the estate when the complaint was filed. 2 (ECF No. 98, at 2; ECF 100, at 2). The parties do not dispute that LaPena’s action was filed more 3 than three years after Lee’s death. (ECF No. 98, at 2; ECF No. 100, at 7). Based on a plain reading 4 of the statute, the claims against the estate are time-barred under section 11.275(1). 5 However, LaPena argues that the time limitation imposed by section 11.275(1) was 6 equitably tolled until his claims accrued when he was declared innocent, making his complaint 7 timely. (ECF No. 100, at 7). He is incorrect. Section 11.275 is a statute of repose, not a statute 8 of limitations. As such, it is irrelevant that his claims accrued years after Lee’s death, and equitable 9 tolling does not apply to save his claims against the Estate. 10 Statutes of repose mandate that “there shall be no cause of action beyond a certain point, 11 even if no cause of action has yet accrued.” CTS Corp.
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1 2 3 4 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 5 DISTRICT OF NEVADA 6 * * *
7 FRANK LAPENA, Case No. 2:21-CV-2170 JCM (NJK)
8 Plaintiff(s), ORDER
9 v.
10 LAS VEGAS METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT, et al., 11 Defendant(s). 12
13 Presently before the court is the defendant’s—the Estate of Charles Lee—motion to 14 dismiss all claims against it. (ECF No. 98). Plaintiff Frank LaPena filed a response (ECF No. 15 100), to which the estate replied (ECF No. 104). 16 Also before the court is LaPena’s countermotion for leave to amend the complaint or 17 substitute the proper party. (ECF No. 101). The estate filed a response (ECF No. 105), to which 18 LaPena replied (ECF No. 106). 19 Finally, LaPena filed a motion to substitute party (ECF No. 131), which has also been fully 20 briefed. (ECF No. 140, 142). 21 Because the court grants the Estate’s motion to dismiss, LaPena’s motions are denied as 22 moot. 23 I. Background 24 At the heart of this case is an alleged decades-long conspiracy to wrongfully convict an 25 innocent man of murder. LaPena alleges over a dozen causes of action and names over a dozen 26 defendants. (See ECF No. 24). LaPena brings federal and state claims against Clark County and 27 28 1 various prosecutors and law enforcement allegedly involved in his wrongful arrest and conviction. 2 (Id.). The following allegations are taken from the first amended complaint. 3 In 1974, Hilda Krause was violently murdered in her Vegas home. (Id. at 12). LaPena 4 was arrested, charged, and convicted of her murder that same year. (Id. at 9). In the decades since 5 then, LaPena has maintained his innocence and attempted to exonerate himself through various 6 legal avenues. (Id. at 9–10). He was finally successful in 2019 when the Nevada Board of Pardons 7 granted him a general pardon, and he was later issued a Certificate of Innocence in 2021. (Id. at 8 11; ECF No. 39-10). 9 Charles Lee was the lead investigator at the time for Mrs. Krause’s murder. (ECF No. 24, 10 at 13). He was first employed by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and then by the 11 Clark County District Attorney’s Office. (Id.). LaPena alleges that Lee, along with others, 12 concealed exculpatory evidence, failed to properly investigate other leads, conspired to 13 maliciously prosecute him, and thwarted his later attempts to exonerate himself. (Id. at 19–27). 14 Lee died on August 22, 2018. (ECF No. 57-1; ECF No. 98, at 5). LaPena filed his 15 complaint on November 2, 2021—more than three years after Lee’s death—naming Charles Lee, 16 or in the alternative—the Estate of Charles Lee, as defendants. (ECF No. 1, at 5). The estate now 17 moves to dismiss all claims against it. (ECF No. 98, at 4–5). 18 II. Legal Standard 19 A court may dismiss a complaint for “failure to state a claim upon which relief can be 20 granted.” FED. R. CIV. P. 12(b)(6). A properly pled complaint must provide “[a] short and plain 21 statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief.” FED. R. CIV. P. 8(a)(2); Bell 22 Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 555 (2007). While Rule 8 does not require detailed 23 factual allegations, it demands “more than labels and conclusions” or a “formulaic recitation of the 24 elements of a cause of action.” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009) (citation omitted). 25 In Iqbal, the Supreme Court clarified the two-step approach district courts are to apply 26 when considering motions to dismiss. First, the court must accept as true all well-pled factual 27 allegations in the complaint; however, legal conclusions are not entitled to the assumption of truth. 28 1 Id. at 678–79. Mere recitals of the elements of a cause of action, supported only by conclusory 2 statements, do not suffice. Id. at 678. 3 Second, the court must consider whether the factual allegations in the complaint allege a 4 plausible claim for relief. Id. at 679. A claim is facially plausible when the plaintiff’s complaint 5 alleges facts that allow the court to draw a reasonable inference that the defendant is liable for the 6 alleged misconduct. Id. at 678. 7 The Ninth Circuit addressed post-Iqbal pleading standards in Starr v. Baca, 652 F.3d 1202, 8 1216 (9th Cir. 2011). The Starr court stated, in relevant part: First, to be entitled to the presumption of truth, allegations in a complaint 9 or counterclaim may not simply recite the elements of a cause of action, but must contain sufficient allegations of underlying facts to give fair notice and to enable 10 the opposing party to defend itself effectively. Second, the factual allegations that are taken as true must plausibly suggest an entitlement to relief, such that it is not 11 unfair to require the opposing party to be subjected to the expense of discovery and continued litigation. Id. 12 III. Discussion 13 The Estate argues that all claims against it must be dismissed because they are time-barred 14 under NEV. REV. STAT. § 11.275(1). (ECF No. 98, at 4). Section 11.275(1) provides that “no 15 action can be maintained against an estate” if (1) the defendant is deceased, (2) no letters of 16 administration have been issued, and (3) the action is commenced three years after the defendant’s 17 death. NRS 11.275. LaPena argues that his claims are not time-barred because they did not accrue 18 until he was declared innocent in 2021. (ECF No. 101, at 7). 19 LaPena alleges both state and federal claims. All of LaPena’s federal claims are brought 20 under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. (See ECF No. 24, at 32–39). Because Congress did not provide a statute 21 of limitations for Section 1983 claims, district courts apply the forum state’s limitations laws for 22 personal injury actions “except to the extent any of these laws is inconsistent with federal law.” 23 Jones v. Blanas, 393 F.3d 918, 927 (9th Cir. 2004). Where “state law provides multiple statutes 24 of limitations for personal injury actions, courts considering § 1983 claims should borrow the 25 general or residual statute for personal injury actions.” Owens v. Okure, 488 U.S. 235, 249–250 26 (1989). 27 The parties do not dispute that NRS 11.275(1) applies to all of LaPena’s claims against the 28 estate. (ECF No. 98, at 2; see ECF No. 100, at 7). The parties do not dispute that Lee is deceased 1 and that letters of administration had not been issued for the estate when the complaint was filed. 2 (ECF No. 98, at 2; ECF 100, at 2). The parties do not dispute that LaPena’s action was filed more 3 than three years after Lee’s death. (ECF No. 98, at 2; ECF No. 100, at 7). Based on a plain reading 4 of the statute, the claims against the estate are time-barred under section 11.275(1). 5 However, LaPena argues that the time limitation imposed by section 11.275(1) was 6 equitably tolled until his claims accrued when he was declared innocent, making his complaint 7 timely. (ECF No. 100, at 7). He is incorrect. Section 11.275 is a statute of repose, not a statute 8 of limitations. As such, it is irrelevant that his claims accrued years after Lee’s death, and equitable 9 tolling does not apply to save his claims against the Estate. 10 Statutes of repose mandate that “there shall be no cause of action beyond a certain point, 11 even if no cause of action has yet accrued.” CTS Corp. v. Waldburger, 573 U.S. 1, 16 (2014). 12 Statutes of repose effectively prevent a cause of action from coming into existence, and they cut 13 off a defendant’s liability past a certain point in time. Id. This is because the purpose of such 14 statutes is to define the scope of a defendant’s liability. Id. at 16–17. Accordingly, “[s]tatutes of 15 repose are not subject to equitable tolling.” Somersett Owners Ass'n v. Somersett Dev. Co., Ltd., 16 492 P.3d 534, 539 (Nev. 2021). 17 Section 11.275 is a statute of repose because it “conditions the cause of action” on filing 18 suit before a cut-off date, rather than within a period following the discovery or accrual of an 19 injury. See FDIC v. Rhodes, 336 P.3d 961, 965 (Nev. 2014). Compare section 11.275 with another 20 time limitations statute, such as section 11.090, which provides that actions for “peaceable entry 21 upon real estate” must be commenced “within 5 years from the time when the right to bring such 22 action accrued.” NRS 11.090 (emphasis added). By contrast, no reference to an accrual date is 23 present in section 11.275, which simply mandates that no action may be maintained against an 24 estate for which letters of administration have not been issued if it is not commenced “within 3 25 years” of the defendant’s death. NRS 11.275. 26 The court will not read section 11.275 to mean more than it says. See Mack v. Williams, 27 522 P.3d 434, 446–47 (2022) (“Nothing is to be added to what the text states or reasonably 28 implies…That is, a matter not covered is to be treated as not covered.” (citations omitted)) 1 (advanced opinion). LaPena filed his complaint more than three years after Lee’s death. Section 2 11.275 clearly proscribes LaPena’s claims against the estate and they must be dismissed. Because 3 the court dismisses LaPena’s claims as time-barred, it does not address the parties’ other 4 arguments. 5 IV. Conclusion 6 Accordingly, 7 IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, ADJUDGED, and DECREED that the estate’s motion to 8 dismiss (ECF No. 98) is GRANTED. All claims against defendants Charles Lee and the Estate of 9 Charles Lee are DISMISSED with prejudice. 10 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that LaPena’s motions for leave to amend the complaint or 11 substitute the proper party (ECF Nos. 101, 131) be DENIED as moot. 12 DATED November 15, 2023.
13 __________________________________________ UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28