Ruben Rivas Flores v. Jason Gonzalez, et al.

District Court, E.D. California·Decided January 13, 2026·No. 1:24-cv-00229·Unknown

Opinion

RUBEN RIVAS FLORES, No. 1:24-cv-00229-KES-CDB Plaintiff, TENTATIVE PRETRIAL ORDER v. JASON GONZALEZ, et al., Deadlines: Defendants. Motions in Limine Filing: May 12, 2026 Oppositions: May 26, 2026 Proposed Jury Instructions/ Verdict Form: May 19, 2026 Objections: May 26, 2026 Proposed Voir Dire: June 8, 2026 Trial Briefs: June 8, 2026 Trial Confirmation Hearing: June 8, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. in Courtroom 6

Jury Trial: June 16, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. in Courtroom 6 Estimated Trial Time: 3–4 days

On January 12, 2026, the Court conducted a final pretrial conference. Stephen A. King appeared as counsel for plaintiff; Michael Marderosian and Heather Cohen appeared as counsel for defendants. Having considered the parties’ pretrial statement and views, the Court issues this tentative pretrial order. This action is set for trial on plaintiff Ruben Rivas Flores’ claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 for unreasonable seizure and excessive force in violation of the Fourth Amendment. I. JURISDICTION/VENUE Jurisdiction is predicated on 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331. Venue is proper pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b) because all claims arose in Bakersfield, California, within the venue of this federal district. Jurisdiction and venue are not contested. The parties have requested a jury trial. The jury will consist of eight jurors. 1. The events giving rise to this litigation occurred on or about November 26, 2022 in the County of Kern. 2. At the time of this incident, Defendants Jason Gonzalez, Kayla Wainwright, Chase Hammons, and Jeffrey Martin were acting under the color of law and were in the scope of their employment as Officers with the City of Bakersfield. 1. Plaintiff identifies the following facts in controversy: a. Whether Plaintiff was lawfully seized and detained by Defendant Officers on November 26, 2022. b. Whether Plaintiff posed any immediate threat to the safety of Defendant Officers or others at the scene. c. Whether Plaintiff was actively resisting arrest or attempting to evade arrest by flight. d. Whether Defendant Officers used excessive and unreasonable force against Plaintiff in violation of the Fourth Amendment, including but not limited to: • Tackling Plaintiff to the ground without justification; • Striking Plaintiff with batons while he was on the ground and subdued; • Continuing to use force after Plaintiff was handcuffed and no longer posed any threat; • Kneeling on Plaintiff's neck and back while he was restrained. e. Whether Plaintiff identified himself as an Uber driver attempting to pick up a passenger and posed no threat to officers. f. Whether Plaintiff was attempting to defend himself from an attack by Casey Deandre Young Jr., who Plaintiff did not know. g. Whether Defendant Officers failed to investigate the situation or provide Plaintiff an opportunity to explain before using force. h. Whether Defendant Officers ignored Plaintiff's pleas for help and his statements that he was an Uber driver. i. Whether Defendant Officers used force in retaliation or with malicious intent rather than for any legitimate law enforcement purpose. j. Whether the force used by Defendant Officers was objectively unreasonable under the totality of circumstances known to the officers at the time. k. Whether Defendant Officers' actions violated Bakersfield Police Department policies and procedures regarding use of force, de-escalation, and duty to intervene. l. Whether Defendant Officers failed to render or summon timely medical aid for Plaintiff's injuries. m. Whether Defendant Officers falsified or misrepresented facts in their reports to justify their use of force. n. The full nature, extent, and permanency of Plaintiff's physical injuries sustained as a result of Defendant Officers' actions, including: • Right corneal abrasion; • Hairline fracture of right fibula; • Contusions, lacerations, and abrasions to his body; • Injuries to his neck, back, and extremities. o. The nature, extent, and permanency of Plaintiff's emotional and psychological injuries, including: • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); • Anxiety and depression; • Humiliation and emotional distress; • Fear of law enforcement; • Ongoing psychological treatment needs. p. Whether Plaintiff has suffered and will continue to suffer economic damages including lost wages, lost earning capacity, and medical expenses. q. The amount of general and special damages to which Plaintiff is entitled. r. Whether Plaintiff is entitled to punitive damages based on Defendant Officers' malicious, oppressive, or reckless conduct. s. Whether the City of Bakersfield maintained policies, customs, or practices that caused the violation of Plaintiff's constitutional rights, including: • Failure to properly train officers on use of force and de-escalation; • Failure to properly supervise officers; • Ratification of unconstitutional conduct through inadequate investigation and discipline. t. Whether the City of Bakersfield showed deliberate indifference to the constitutional rights of persons with whom its officers interact. u. Whether Defendant Officers are entitled to qualified immunity. 2. Defendants identify the following facts in controversy: a. Whether any Defendant wrongfully seized the Plaintiff; b. Whether there was probable cause to seize Plaintiff; c. Whether each or any Defendant is liable to Plaintiff for the use of unreasonable force in violation of the Fourth Amendment; d. Whether any force used was reasonable and necessary; e. Whether the use of force was in self defense or defense of others; f. Whether Plaintiff suffered any injuries and/or damages as a result of conduct by any Defendant; g. The nature and extent of any claimed injuries; h. The nature and extent of any claimed damages i. Whether Plaintiff can recover monetary damages from any Defendant; j. Whether Plaintiff can recover punitive damages from any Defendant; k. Whether any Defendant is entitled to qualified immunity; l. Whether Defendants can recover fees and costs for having to defend this matter. V. DISPUTED EVIDENTIARY ISSUES / MOTIONS IN LIMINE The purpose of a motion in limine is to establish in advance of the trial that certain evidence should or should not be admitted at trial. The Court will grant a motion in limine precluding use of evidence only if the moving party establishes that the evidence clearly is not admissible for any valid purpose. The Court does not encourage the filing of motions in limine unless they are addressed to issues that can realistically be resolved by the Court prior to trial and without dependence on other evidence which will be introduced by the parties at trial. In advance of filing any motion in limine, the parties shall meet and confer to determine whether they can resolve any disputes and avoid filing motions in limine. The parties shall exhaust efforts to resolve such evidentiary disputes prior to filing a motion in limine and shall include in any such motion a certification concerning their meet and confer efforts. The parties anticipate filing the evidentiary objections and/or motions in limine identified below. Any motion in limine shall be filed no later than May 12, 2026. The motion must clearly identify the nature of the evidence that the moving party seeks to have admitted or seeks to prohibit the other side from offering at trial. Any opposition to a motion in limine shall be filed no later than May 26, 2026. After reviewing the motions and any opposition briefs, the Court will notify the parties if a reply brief is necessary. As such, parties shall not file any reply briefs without court approval. The Court will also notify the parties if it will hear argument on any motions in limine prior to the first d

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Ruben Rivas Flores v. Jason Gonzalez, et al., (E.D. Cal. 2026).

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