1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 11 LARRY JAMES BROOKSHIRE, Case No. 2:23-cv-2000-JDP (P) 12 Plaintiff, ORDER; FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 13 v.
14 SACRAMENTO COUNTY MAIN JAIL, et al., 15 Defendants. 16
17 18 Plaintiff, an inmate at the Sacramento County Jail, alleges that defendants violated his 19 Fourteenth Amendment rights by using excessive force against him and failing to provide him 20 with adequate medical care. ECF No. 12 at 5, 6-8. After reviewing the third amended complaint, 21 I find that the excessive force claims against defendants Jason Carver and Gabriel Montano are 22 cognizable and should proceed. I find that the complaint fails to state a viable claim against any 23 other defendant. I will direct plaintiff to submit service documents for Carver and Montano and 24 recommend that his other claims be dismissed for failure to state a viable claim. 25 Screening Order 26 I. Screening and Pleading Requirements 27 A federal court must screen the complaint of any claimant seeking permission to proceed 28 in forma pauperis. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e). The court must identify any cognizable claims and 1 dismiss any portion of the complaint that is frivolous or malicious, fails to state a claim upon 2 which relief may be granted, or seeks monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such 3 relief. Id. 4 A complaint must contain a short and plain statement that plaintiff is entitled to relief, 5 Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2), and provide “enough facts to state a claim to relief that is plausible on its 6 face,” Bell Atl. Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 570 (2007). The plausibility standard does not 7 require detailed allegations, but legal conclusions do not suffice. See Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 8 662, 678 (2009). If the allegations “do not permit the court to infer more than the mere 9 possibility of misconduct,” the complaint states no claim. Id. at 679. The complaint need not 10 identify “a precise legal theory.” Kobold v. Good Samaritan Reg’l Med. Ctr., 832 F.3d 1024, 11 1038 (9th Cir. 2016). Instead, what plaintiff must state is a “claim”—a set of “allegations that 12 give rise to an enforceable right to relief.” Nagrampa v. MailCoups, Inc., 469 F.3d 1257, 1264 13 n.2 (9th Cir. 2006) (en banc) (citations omitted). 14 The court must construe a pro se litigant’s complaint liberally. See Haines v. Kerner, 404 15 U.S. 519, 520 (1972) (per curiam). The court may dismiss a pro se litigant’s complaint “if it 16 appears beyond doubt that the plaintiff can prove no set of facts in support of his claim which 17 would entitle him to relief.” Hayes v. Idaho Corr. Ctr., 849 F.3d 1204, 1208 (9th Cir. 2017). 18 However, “‘a liberal interpretation of a civil rights complaint may not supply essential elements 19 of the claim that were not initially pled.’” Bruns v. Nat’l Credit Union Admin., 122 F.3d 1251, 20 1257 (9th Cir. 1997) (quoting Ivey v. Bd. of Regents, 673 F.2d 266, 268 (9th Cir. 1982)). 21 II. Analysis 22 Plaintiff alleges that on May 31, 2023, he arrived at the Sacramento County Jail after 23 undergoing a procedure at the Mercy San Juan Hospital. ECF No. 12 at 5. He claims that 24 defendants Carver and Montano were responsible for transporting him and, in doing so, used 25 restraints that exacerbated known injuries to his wrist and back. Id. Plaintiff has checked the 26 form box characterizing these allegations as excessive force, id., but they can also be 27 characterized as denial of adequate medical care. Regardless, plaintiff’s allegations fall under the 28 Fourteenth Amendment insofar as he appears to be a pre-trial detainee. See Pierce v. Cnty. of 1 Orange, 526 F.3d 1190, 1205 (9th Cir. 2008). These allegations are, for screening purposes, 2 cognizable and should proceed. 3 Plaintiff’s other claims should be dismissed. He alleges that a number of unidentified 4 deputies and medical staff at the Sacramento County Jail ignored his medical complaints in 5 violation of policy. ECF No. 12 at 6-8. Even assuming this claim is sufficiently related to the 6 allegations against Carver and Montano to proceed in the same suit, plaintiff has failed to identify 7 any individual members of the jail medical staff who violated his rights. Instead, he has sued 8 Sacramento County, the jail itself, and Adult Correctional Health. There is no allegation that any 9 policy or custom implemented by these entities was responsible for the violation of plaintiff’s 10 rights. Instead, plaintiff alleges that staff failed to give him timely medical care and ignored signs 11 that his wounds were infected. Id. at 7-8. Again, however, none of the offending staff members 12 are identified. 13 This case has been pending at the screening stage for more than a year, and this is 14 plaintiff’s third amended complaint. I find that further opportunities to amend are unwarranted. 15 Plaintiff shall submit service documents for his Fourteenth Amendment claims against Carver and 16 Montano. His other claims should be dismissed. 17 Accordingly, it is ORDERED that: 18 1. Plaintiff may proceed with the Fourteenth Amendment claims against Carver and 19 Montano deemed cognizable in this order. 20 2. The clerk of court shall send plaintiff a USM-285 forms, a summons, a Notice of 21 Submission of Documents form, an instruction sheet, and a copy of the complaint filed August 22 14, 2024, ECF No. 12. 23 3. Within thirty days from the date of this order, plaintiff shall complete the attached 24 Notice of Submission of Documents and submit the completed Notice to the court with the 25 following documents: 26 a. one completed summons for the defendants; 27 b. two completed USM-285 forms; and 28 c. three copies of the signed August 14, 2024 complaint. 1 4. Plaintiff need not attempt service on defendant and need not request waiver of 2 | service. Upon receipt of the above-described documents, the court will direct the U.S. Marshals 3 | Service to serve the above defendant pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4, without 4 | payment of costs by plaintiff. 5 5. The failure to comply with this order may result in dismissal of this action for 6 | failure to prosecute. 7 6. The Clerk of Court shall assign a district judge to this action. 8 Further, it is RECOMMENDED that plaintiff's claims against defendants Sacramento 9 | County, Sacramento County Jail, and Adult Correctional Health be dismissed for the reasons 10 | stated in the above findings and recommendations. 11 These findings and recommendations are submitted to the United States District Judge 12 | assigned to the case, pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(). Within fourteen days of 13 | service of these findings and recommendations, any party may file written objections with the 14 | court and serve a copy on all parties.
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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 11 LARRY JAMES BROOKSHIRE, Case No. 2:23-cv-2000-JDP (P) 12 Plaintiff, ORDER; FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 13 v.
14 SACRAMENTO COUNTY MAIN JAIL, et al., 15 Defendants. 16
17 18 Plaintiff, an inmate at the Sacramento County Jail, alleges that defendants violated his 19 Fourteenth Amendment rights by using excessive force against him and failing to provide him 20 with adequate medical care. ECF No. 12 at 5, 6-8. After reviewing the third amended complaint, 21 I find that the excessive force claims against defendants Jason Carver and Gabriel Montano are 22 cognizable and should proceed. I find that the complaint fails to state a viable claim against any 23 other defendant. I will direct plaintiff to submit service documents for Carver and Montano and 24 recommend that his other claims be dismissed for failure to state a viable claim. 25 Screening Order 26 I. Screening and Pleading Requirements 27 A federal court must screen the complaint of any claimant seeking permission to proceed 28 in forma pauperis. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e). The court must identify any cognizable claims and 1 dismiss any portion of the complaint that is frivolous or malicious, fails to state a claim upon 2 which relief may be granted, or seeks monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such 3 relief. Id. 4 A complaint must contain a short and plain statement that plaintiff is entitled to relief, 5 Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2), and provide “enough facts to state a claim to relief that is plausible on its 6 face,” Bell Atl. Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 570 (2007). The plausibility standard does not 7 require detailed allegations, but legal conclusions do not suffice. See Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 8 662, 678 (2009). If the allegations “do not permit the court to infer more than the mere 9 possibility of misconduct,” the complaint states no claim. Id. at 679. The complaint need not 10 identify “a precise legal theory.” Kobold v. Good Samaritan Reg’l Med. Ctr., 832 F.3d 1024, 11 1038 (9th Cir. 2016). Instead, what plaintiff must state is a “claim”—a set of “allegations that 12 give rise to an enforceable right to relief.” Nagrampa v. MailCoups, Inc., 469 F.3d 1257, 1264 13 n.2 (9th Cir. 2006) (en banc) (citations omitted). 14 The court must construe a pro se litigant’s complaint liberally. See Haines v. Kerner, 404 15 U.S. 519, 520 (1972) (per curiam). The court may dismiss a pro se litigant’s complaint “if it 16 appears beyond doubt that the plaintiff can prove no set of facts in support of his claim which 17 would entitle him to relief.” Hayes v. Idaho Corr. Ctr., 849 F.3d 1204, 1208 (9th Cir. 2017). 18 However, “‘a liberal interpretation of a civil rights complaint may not supply essential elements 19 of the claim that were not initially pled.’” Bruns v. Nat’l Credit Union Admin., 122 F.3d 1251, 20 1257 (9th Cir. 1997) (quoting Ivey v. Bd. of Regents, 673 F.2d 266, 268 (9th Cir. 1982)). 21 II. Analysis 22 Plaintiff alleges that on May 31, 2023, he arrived at the Sacramento County Jail after 23 undergoing a procedure at the Mercy San Juan Hospital. ECF No. 12 at 5. He claims that 24 defendants Carver and Montano were responsible for transporting him and, in doing so, used 25 restraints that exacerbated known injuries to his wrist and back. Id. Plaintiff has checked the 26 form box characterizing these allegations as excessive force, id., but they can also be 27 characterized as denial of adequate medical care. Regardless, plaintiff’s allegations fall under the 28 Fourteenth Amendment insofar as he appears to be a pre-trial detainee. See Pierce v. Cnty. of 1 Orange, 526 F.3d 1190, 1205 (9th Cir. 2008). These allegations are, for screening purposes, 2 cognizable and should proceed. 3 Plaintiff’s other claims should be dismissed. He alleges that a number of unidentified 4 deputies and medical staff at the Sacramento County Jail ignored his medical complaints in 5 violation of policy. ECF No. 12 at 6-8. Even assuming this claim is sufficiently related to the 6 allegations against Carver and Montano to proceed in the same suit, plaintiff has failed to identify 7 any individual members of the jail medical staff who violated his rights. Instead, he has sued 8 Sacramento County, the jail itself, and Adult Correctional Health. There is no allegation that any 9 policy or custom implemented by these entities was responsible for the violation of plaintiff’s 10 rights. Instead, plaintiff alleges that staff failed to give him timely medical care and ignored signs 11 that his wounds were infected. Id. at 7-8. Again, however, none of the offending staff members 12 are identified. 13 This case has been pending at the screening stage for more than a year, and this is 14 plaintiff’s third amended complaint. I find that further opportunities to amend are unwarranted. 15 Plaintiff shall submit service documents for his Fourteenth Amendment claims against Carver and 16 Montano. His other claims should be dismissed. 17 Accordingly, it is ORDERED that: 18 1. Plaintiff may proceed with the Fourteenth Amendment claims against Carver and 19 Montano deemed cognizable in this order. 20 2. The clerk of court shall send plaintiff a USM-285 forms, a summons, a Notice of 21 Submission of Documents form, an instruction sheet, and a copy of the complaint filed August 22 14, 2024, ECF No. 12. 23 3. Within thirty days from the date of this order, plaintiff shall complete the attached 24 Notice of Submission of Documents and submit the completed Notice to the court with the 25 following documents: 26 a. one completed summons for the defendants; 27 b. two completed USM-285 forms; and 28 c. three copies of the signed August 14, 2024 complaint. 1 4. Plaintiff need not attempt service on defendant and need not request waiver of 2 | service. Upon receipt of the above-described documents, the court will direct the U.S. Marshals 3 | Service to serve the above defendant pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4, without 4 | payment of costs by plaintiff. 5 5. The failure to comply with this order may result in dismissal of this action for 6 | failure to prosecute. 7 6. The Clerk of Court shall assign a district judge to this action. 8 Further, it is RECOMMENDED that plaintiff's claims against defendants Sacramento 9 | County, Sacramento County Jail, and Adult Correctional Health be dismissed for the reasons 10 | stated in the above findings and recommendations. 11 These findings and recommendations are submitted to the United States District Judge 12 | assigned to the case, pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(). Within fourteen days of 13 | service of these findings and recommendations, any party may file written objections with the 14 | court and serve a copy on all parties. Any such document should be captioned “Objections to 15 | Magistrate Judge’s Findings and Recommendations,” and any response shall be served and filed 16 | within fourteen days of service of the objections. The parties are advised that failure to file 17 | objections within the specified time may waive the right to appeal the District Court’s order. See 18 | Turner v. Duncan, 158 F.3d 449, 455 (9th Cir. 1998); Martinez v. Yist, 951 F.2d 1153 (9th Cir. 19 | 1991). 20 IT IS SO ORDERED. 22 ( q Sty - Dated: _ January 13, 2025 ow—— 23 JEREMY D. PETERSON UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
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1 2 3 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 4 FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 5 6 LARRY JAMES BROOKSHIRE, Case No. 2:24-cv-2000-JDP (P) 7 Plaintiff, NOTICE OF SUBMISSION OF 8 DOCUMENTS v. 9 SACRAMENTO COUNTY MAIN 10 JAIL, et al., 11 Defendants. 12 13 14 In accordance with the court’s Screening Order, plaintiff must submit: 15 1 completed summons form 16 2 completed forms USM-285 17 3 copies of the August 14, 2024 complaint 18 19 20 _________________________________ 21 Plaintiff 22 Dated: 23 24 25 26 27 28