Magana v. County of San Diego

835 F. Supp. 2d 906, 2011 WL 6372774, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 145802
CourtDistrict Court, S.D. California
DecidedDecember 19, 2011
DocketCase No. 10-cv-1334-IEG (BGS)
StatusPublished
Cited by15 cases

This text of 835 F. Supp. 2d 906 (Magana v. County of San Diego) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, S.D. California primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Magana v. County of San Diego, 835 F. Supp. 2d 906, 2011 WL 6372774, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 145802 (S.D. Cal. 2011).

Opinion

ORDER DENYING MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT

IRMAE. GONZALEZ, Chief Judge.

This is a civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 brought by Bruno Magana for personal injuries and violation of constitutional rights by County of San Diego and its sheriffs deputies, Bogar Ortiz and Russell Ryan. Currently before the Court is Defendants’ motion for summary judgment. For the reasons set forth below, the Court DENIES the motion.

BACKGROUND

This case arises from an incident at the Jumping Turtle nightclub on April 18, 2009. Magana was 17 years old at the time, 5'4" tall, and weighed 125 pounds. He was a high school student and worked at a pet store in Oceanside. He was also a musician.

I. Magana’s version of the arrest

On April 18, 2009, at approximately 10:45 p.m., Magana was inside the Jumping Turtle nightclub attending a music show that permitted minors and adults alike. Magana’s boss was the lead singer of the headliner band that was playing. Earlier in the evening, Magana had placed his jacket/sweatshirt on the stage while he was helping the band set up.

According to Magana, suddenly someone announced that the show was over and everyone had to leave. Magana was part of the large crowd that began moving toward the exit. He was also moving toward his jacket, which was still on the side of the stage. As Magana stepped toward his jacket, Deputy Ortiz suddenly confronted him and told him he had to leave. Magana said he just needed his jacket and picked it up off the stage. As he did so, Deputy Ortiz grabbed his arm and yanked it up, while Deputy Ryan rushed up and grabbed Magana around the neck. Both deputies then dragged Magana out the door, to a walkway outside the front door.

Once outside, the deputies allegedly shoved Magana against a wall, with Magana’s face hitting the wall. Deputy Ryan then slammed Magana to the ground, face first, near the corner of the building. Magana’s face hit the corner of the building, fracturing his nose and causing lacerations to his face. After Magana’s face hit the ground, the deputies pulled his hands behind his back and handcuffed him. Magana alleges that by this time his face and head were bleeding profusely. While Magana was on the ground, Deputy Ryan continued choking him. Magana lost consciousness for some period of time. Magana was then walked/dragged to a police car by the deputies. At one point they stopped, and Deputy Ryan punched Magana in the face.

[908]*908Magana was placed in a police car and taken to the San Marcos sheriffs station until his mother arrived to pick him up. He was released from custody at that time. His mother took him to the hospital immediately. There it was determined that Magana suffered a fractured nose and a concussion. Several stitches were required to close the cut on the bridge of his nose. The fractured nose required surgery, which was performed several days later.

II. Deputies’ version of the arrest

Law enforcement officers arrived at the Jumping Turtle nightclub after the private security staff requested help dispersing the disorderly crowd. Although the officers were initially instructed to stand-by outside, they were eventually requested to enter the bar to make everyone leave. Many patrons were still inside the bar. Deputy Ortiz and Deputy Ryan positioned themselves near the stage and began instructing patrons to exit.

According to Deputy Ortiz, when he came in contact with Magana, he told Magana to exit the bar. Magana instead rushed at him and hit his left shoulder and back. Deputy Ortiz grabbed Magana’s right arm and Deputy Ryan immediately grabbed his left arm. Deputy Ryan also put Magana in a headlock in an attempt to apply the carotid restraint and escort Magana out of the bar. Magana was allegedly thrashing about as he was being escorted out of the building.

Once outside, Magana allegedly refused to comply with the deputies’ instructions to get on the ground, and as a result was taken to the ground when Deputy Ryan swept his legs. While falling, Magana hit his head against the fencing outside the bar. Once on the ground, Magana put his hands underneath him and continued to struggle. At one point, Deputy Ryan thought Magana was attempting to grab for his taser. As a result, Deputy Ryan shifted his weight and applied the carotid restraint, causing Magana to pass out for about three seconds. Magana was then handcuffed. The deputies then escorted Magana to the patrol car. While on their way to the vehicle, Magana began kicking at Deputy Ryan’s direction. Fearing Magana was going to assault him, Deputy Ryan struck Magana once in the right side of his face with his right fist.

III. Juvenile court proceedings

Several weeks after the incident, Magana was notified that he was being charged in juvenile court with a felony, Penal Code § 69 (resisting arrest by force), and a misdemeanor, Penal Code § 148. Magana alleges these charges were based upon false police reports submitted by the deputies. Magana appeared in juvenile court with his mother and a lawyer, and denied all charges and allegations. At a hearing on July 28, 2009, Magana was told that if he complied with several conditions requested by the judge, his case would be dismissed. Magana agreed to comply with the conditions and did so. This was an informal supervision contract pursuant to California Welfare and Institutions Code § 654.2. Six months later, Magana again appeared in juvenile court with his mother and the charges against him were dismissed in their entirety.

The juvenile court order included the following requirements and conditions: (1) Magana and his mother were required to report to the Probation Center for a contract compliance meeting with a review officer; (2) Magana and his mother were required to participate in counseling; (3) Magana was not allowed to leave home without his parents’ permission; (4) Magana was required to keep his school attendance and grades up; (5) Magana had to complete 40 hours of community service work; (6) Magana had to complete a Juve[909]*909nile Reckless Behavior (Anger Management) course; (7) Magana was placed on curfew, whereby he had to remain at his house between the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.; (8) Magana was ordered to stay away from club scenes; (9) Magana was ordered to write a letter of apology to Deputy Ortiz; (10) Magana was ordered to write a letter of apology to his parents; (11) Magana was ordered not to be at any location where alcohol was being consumed unless he was with a parent.

IV. Procedural history

Magana filed his Complaint on June 24, 2010, alleging six causes of action: (1) unlawful seizure and excessive force pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1988; (2) unlawful policies, customs, or habits pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983; (3) state law negligence; (4) state law battery; (5) state law false arrest; and (6) civil rights violations pursuant to California Civil Code § 52.1. Defendants filed their Answer on September 14, 2010. On September 29, 2011, Defendants moved for summary judgment on all claims. Magana filed an opposition, and Defendants filed a reply. The Court heard oral argument on Defendant’s motion on December 7, 2011.

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Bluebook (online)
835 F. Supp. 2d 906, 2011 WL 6372774, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 145802, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/magana-v-county-of-san-diego-casd-2011.