Scott v. Livingston et al, No. 4:2009cv02588 - Document 31 (S.D. Tex. 2010)
Court Description: MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER 21 MOTION for Summary Judgment. Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment for failure to exhause as to plaintiff's claim for use of excessive force (Docket Entry No. 21) is DENIED. Defendants' Motion for S ummary Judgment for failure to exhaust as to plaintiff's remaining claims (Docket Entry No. 21) is GRANTED. Defendants are ORDERED to file a second motion for summary judgment regarding plaintiff's excessive force claim by NOVEMBER 2, 2010. Plaintiff is ORDERED to fle a response within thirty days after the date reflected in the motion's certificate of service.(Signed by Judge Keith P Ellison) Parties notified.(kstrouse, )
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I THE UN I N TED STATES DI STRI COU RT CT FO R THE SOUTH ERN DI STRI O F TEX AS CT H OU STON D I SI VI ON ROD RI LAK I SCOTT, CK RK Pli f ant CI I A CTI N O .1 09V L ON 4- 2588 A LFON SO CA STI LLO,etal, . De n nt. fe da s M EM O M N DU M O PI I N A ND O RD ER N O Pli if asaei t pr c e ngpr s a i or pau rs fldt ss cin antf, tt nmae o e di o e nd nf ma pe i, ie hi e to 1 3 l ws ta i tni Te sDe rme o Crmi lJ tc (C 98 a ui gans ne xa pa t nt f i na usie C TDCJ' e o e f r ' mpl ye s o ) volto ofhi cvi rghs fnd nt fldamoi frs i ains s i l i t.Dee a s ie ton o ummayj gme ba e o r ud nt s d n fiu et e a t( ke EntyNo. )t whihpli iffldars e( ke Enty alr o xh us Doc t r 21,o c antf ie epons Doc t r No. ) 29 . Ba ed onconsde a i oft m oton, her pons t r d, s i r ton he i t es e,he ecor andt a i bl l w , he pplca e a teCo t h ur GRANTSI PART a DENI I PART temoinfrs N nd ES N h to o ummayj gme , r ud nt a O RD ER S asf l nd olows. 1. FA CTUAL BA CK G R O UND AN D CLA I S M Scott v. Livingston et al Doc. 31 Pl i ifcom pl nst ,on J y 3, a ntf ai hat ul 2008, hie c i att Es eleU ni ofTD CJ, w l onfned he t l t he w aswr ongf l as a t d by pr s ofi r Beau Fi de ,Roc W es I ,and Cha li uly s ule i on fce s el r ky tI r se Hal i aus off ce i de ,and t a s ln e or nci nt hat uper s y ofi erf l t i er ne t s op t vior fc aied o nt ve o t he as a t He f rhe cl i st Fi de ,W es ,Hal,and ot rprs ofi r t n cons r s ul. u t r a m hat el r t l he i on fce s he pied Dockets.Justia.com t fl f s dici i r c ge agai thi f as a tng t ofi r ,a t ts r s y o ie al e s plna y har s ns m or s uli he fce s nd ha upe vi or ofk e s consr t a pr ot a unwdte polc ofus ng e t r t uc ed nd om ed n tn iy i xces i f c agai t sve or e ns of e satt Es e l Uni. H e s kscom pens or dam age f nder he t le t ee at y s. Def ndant a l get tpl ntf di e s le ha ai if dnot5l anyprs gre e ion i vanc f hecl i sr s es ort am aied i t i t ntl s t and m ove t s m arl di m i s t s l ui f f l e t e us . n he ns a aw ui, o um iy s s hi aws t or aiur o xha t Pl i i fas erst hef l a tm e y e a ntf s t hat uly nd i l xhaust sr m edi t ough t prs gre nce edhi e es hr he i on i va s tm . ys e I STA NDA RD O F REVI I. EW I d cdi amoinfrs n e i ng to o ummay ud me ,hedsrc c urmusdeemi wh t r r j g ntt itit o t t tr ne ehe t pl ngs, postons,a wer t i e r ores a adm i s onson fl t t rwih he eadi de ii ns s o nt r ogat i , nd si ie, oge he t t s mmayj gme e d n e s w t tt r i noge neis a t a ymaeilfc he u r ud nt vie c , ho ha hee s nui sue s o n tra a t a t tt movngpat i e ildt j dg n a amatro lw.FE R. V. 5 c . nd ha he i ry s ntte o u me t s te f a D. C1 P. 6() On etemo n p e e sap o rys ppo tdmoi frs mmayj g ntteb d n c h va t r snt r pel u re ton o u r ud me ,h ur e s fs t t non- ovantt s hit o he m o how wih s gnik a pr i evi e t exi t nce ofa t i f nt obatve denc he s e g n neis of tra fc. e ui sue maeila t Hamitnv S gu s fwur ,nc, 2F.d47 477( t Ci. lo . e e b r cI .23 3 3, 5h r 2 0. 00 ) 1 1 M O TI N FO R SUM M AR Y JUD G M ENT 1. O A. Exçe t Fom eClssveat m Def nda ss at t pl i iff ie t fl a grevance r r ng t us off c e nt t e hat a ntf a l d o ie ny i s ega di he e or e i i nc dentofJ y 3,2008. Pl ntf r pondst he exha t hi exces i f ce c a m by ul ai i f es hat us ed s sve or l i 2 flng a gr e nce on J y 5,2008,a t def nda sar l ng i s ng t t never ii i va ul nd hat e nt e yi n ayi hat hey r i d i. Thus t pa i ar i c pl e di a eem e ast exha ton. ece ve t , he rtes e n om et s gr nt o us i TheFit Ci c tCour ofAppeal hasr nty r vi ied a cl ii t quesi of fh r ui t s ece l e st nd arfed he ton how f aldit i cours a e t r ol exhaus i diput s eder srct t r o es ve ton s es uch as t s I D il v. hi . n lon Ro r t Fit Cic tconfr ed t td a l e t e ge s, he fh r ui m ha s iur o xhaus ' i an a fr atve def ns t t f t' s fi m i e e ha mus ber s and esa i he t ai ed tbls dbyt def ntpr s ofi i si as at i a es ton 1983 he enda i on fc al n t e nm t ec i lws t 5 F.d 26 27 7 ( t Ci. 0 .TheCo tf rhe hed t a : a ui. 96 3 0, 2- 3 5h r 201 ) ur u t r l h t A s a fnalm ater w e now pr de a bref s m ar ofhow di ti tcours i t , ovi i um y sr c t s houl a oach exhaus i ques i unde t PLRA. W he t def ndant d ppr ton tons r he n he e rie e ha to a a a fr tv dee e t j ges o dus lyr s le as s x usin s n fimaie fns ,he ud h ul ual e ov diput c s es oncer ng exhausi prort alow i t cas t pr ni ton i o l ng he e o oceed t t o he meis I t pli ifs vve s mma yj gme o e ha to t j e rt. f he antf ur i s u r ud nt n x usin,he udg m ay r s ve diput f ct conc ni e usi hol ng a evi i r e ol s ed a s er ng xha ton, di n denta y h ai i ne e sr The i t j e d tr ne ta t plitf ha e rng, f c s ay. n, f he udg eemi s h t he anif s e xhaus e a i sr tve r m edi ort thi orherf iur t exhaus s d t d dm nit a i e es ha s al e o t houl b e u e tec s ma pr e dt t meis On a pe lwh ntej ge e xc s d,h a e y oc e o he rt. p a, e h ud bel ha s rve asf cti r w ew ilr vi r i on exhausi denovo, ow s e d a fnde , l e ew ulngs ton bu wila c ptt j ges f ta c ncu ins unls t y ae ce ry t l c e he ud ' acu l o lso es he r lal eu oneouS. 1 ( iai nsa f o n t o te .Thus t sCo r wila r s tr td f nd n s mo in d. ct to nd o t o e mitd) ,hi u t l dd e s ss e e a t ' to f s mmayj gme tba e o f i et e h us. or u r ud n sd n al o x a t ur Pr s i a esar r quied t e us al a l bl a i sr tve r m edi prort i on nm t e e r o xha t 1 vaia e dm nit a i e es i o sln s ti f d r lc ur.J e v Boc ,5 U. 1 9,21 ( 007 . Pr pe e ha to i g ui n e e a o t on s . k 49 S. 9 7 2 ) o r x usi n r r t a prs rnotonl pur ue al avaiabl a equies hat i one y s l l e venuesofr i butalo c elef s ompl w ih y t a1a mi srtved a lne a dpr c d a r ls Woof dv Ngo,5 U. 81 8 93 1 d nitai e di s n o e url ue . dor . 48 S. , 9- 3 ( 06 A prs ne c n s tsy t e ha to r q r me tt y fln a un i l o 20 ) io r a not ai f he x usi n e uie n ç ii g n tmey r b ot m i epr edur l def tve adm i sr tve grevanc orappeal' f at83- Faiur he s oc aly ec i ni ta i i e .' #. 84. l e t exhaus i an afi m a i def ns and def nt be t bur ofpl ngandpr ng o ts fr tve e e, enda s ar he den eadi ovi t tpl ntf f l d t exhaus hi adm i s r i r m edi prort flng t sl w s t Jones ha ai if aie o t s nitatve e es i o ii hi a ui. , 549 U . a 216;D il 596 F. at272. S. t lon, 3d Ast pl ntf c ai f us ofe o ai ifs l m or e xces i f c def ndant he eas er,a pr de sve or e, e s r s t nd ovi pr b tves mmayj gme e ie eetbls ng,ha t yrc i dnog iv nc sfo o ai u r ud nt vd nc sa ihi t the e eve re a e r m pl i i fbet ee A ugus 28, a ntf w n t 2007,a Oct r6, nd obe 2008,a s fc l nonegrevi t nd pecii aly i ng he e e sve f r e i i ntofJ y 3,2 xc s i o c ncde ul 008. ( c tEn r No. ,p.7. Th y a g t t Do ke ty 21 ) e r ue ha pl i ifss e 1gr e nce fl on Oct r6,2008,compl ned onl t prs ofi a s a ntf t p i va ied obe ai y hat i on fci l had f ie t pr shi exce s ve f ce gr e nce fl d J y 5,2008.l r pondi t t a l d o oces s s i or i va ie ul n es ng o he gr e nceofO c obe 6, i va t r 2008, i on of i i si or edpl i ift tt i as i va f om prs fc al nf m a ntf ha herl tgr e nce r hi w asdat m edAugus 27, t 2007.Pl ntf ' e ui s e 2 greva ai if s ns ng t p i nce, ie O c obe fl d t rz8, 2008, r equesed a i tga i i o hi appar l m ipl ced glevance of J y 5,2008. 1 , t n nves i ton nt s enty s a i ul d. Exhi tA ,pp.5- Prs of i al r ponded t t r i tga i oft çm ipl ed bi 8. ion fci s es hat hei nvesi ton he t s ac grevance' cl m f i ' ai ound not ng t s hi o uppor pl ntf s alegaton t t he ha fl t t ai i f l i ha d ied he grevance. l Pl ntf ,on t ot ha r por st ,on J y 5,2008,whie i adm i s r i ai if he her nd, e t hat ul l n nitatve s ega i f l i t us off c i de , com pl t d a gaveas ep 1gr e ncet egr ton olow ng he e or e nci nt he e e nd t i va o of ende M i haelAr t pl ce i t gr e nce box. I hi afi vi atached t t f r c bor o a n he i va n s fda t t o he 4 r pons of e r Ar t s ii t the had pl ced pl ntf s gr e es e, f nde bor e tfed ha a ai if i vance i t Esele n he t l Uni' gre t s i vance box on J y 5,2008.Pl i ifs a est tt sgreva ha com pl ned of ul antf t t ha hi i nce d ai t exc sve f ce use by def nt Fi l and Hal on J y 3,2008.A r ' afi vi, he es i or d enda s e der l ul bor s fda t s mitdund rpe lyo pej r , o tttsp o tv s ub te e nat f ru y c nsiue r baie ummayj g nte de et t r ud me vi nc ha t gre nce w a fl he iva s ied. Bec e def ndant s aus e s how no r or ofs h grevance,butpl i i fand hi wines ec d uc i a ntf s t s s at t tt gr e ncew asc pl t a fl a genui is ofm a e i f ti r se as t e ha he i va om e ed nd ied, ne s ue t ral ac s ai d t whet rpl ntf exhaused hi adm i sr tve r edi s agans def nda sFi de a o he ai i f t s ni ta i em e i t e nt el r nd H a lr ga di t us off cei dent D ef nt f lt es a i h t t y a e e il t l e r ng he e or nci . enda s ai o t bls hat he r ntted o s mmay ud nt samatro 1w o t sis o e ha to Co e ue ty, fn nt' u r j gme a te f a n hi sue f x usin. nsq nl dee da s moin frs to o ummayj me ts e ng dimis lofpantf e c sie fr e cam a r udg n e ki s sa li ifs x e sv o c li s une used i DENI . xha t s ED B. Re ai ng Cl m s m ni ai I a dii t hi e c s i f r ec am, an ifr ie camsf ( )a s e v s r n d ton o s x e sve o c li pli tf a s s l i or 1 up r io y ofi e ' f iur t it r e a so t us o e e svef r e ( )a c ns r c a ng fc rs a l e o n e v ne nd t p he e f xc si o c ; 2 o pia y mo p io o fc r t fl f led s i i r c r s a d ( )t e c nsr c in a pr mo i n o rs n fi e s o ie as icpl y ha ge ; n 3 h o tu to nd o to f na a unwrten polcy by s n it i uper s y ofi r t alow t us of exc s ve f ce a ns vior fce s o l he e es i or gai t of e r . Def f nde s endant ar t pl i ifdi note us t e cl m s Be s gue hat a ntf d xha t hes ai . caus pl ntf e ai if r s no ge nei s ofm a e i f tr di exha ton oft ecl i s def nda sar aies nui s ue t r al ac egar ng us i hes a m , e nt e e ildt s mmayj me dimis lo t camsf fiu et e ha t ntte o u r udg nt s sa f he li or alr o x us. 5 A r vi ofpl ntf sgreva esa t che t hi r pons t t m oton f s e ew ai i f i nc ta d o s es e o he i or umm a y r j g nte e lnome inofheeot rcams Alho hhsse 1g iva eof tbe ud me r v as nto t s he li . t ug i tp re nc Oco r 16,2008,c ompl ned t ,W a de Casil çcons r 'w ih a s urt ofk ert S e s' ai hat r n tlo < pied' t ec iy t o d s' m wih hi m a l r us hi pr pe m e calteat e ,a de hi acc s t co t,t se t s i, ef e m o r di r m nt nd ny m es o urs he alegatonsdo note l i ncom pas t cl i sr s i t sl ui.Furhe ,t se 1gr e nce s he a m aied n hi aws t t r he t p i va wasr t r f S doc e ed a t pta i or a r s uton,'a no s e 2 gr e nce e u ned or ç no um nt tem t nf m l e ol i ' nd tp i va waspur ue s d. Dee a s s fnd nt'ummayj dg n e ie ee tbls st ie ilme tods sa of r u me t vd nc sa ihe her ntte n t imis l t e r nl ni cl nx f f iur t e hes e ai ng ai s or a l e o xhaus . A c di y,t m oton f s m a y t cor ngl he i or um r j g nti GRANTED a dt s rmani camsaedimis df rfiu et e ha t ud me s n he e e i ng li r s se o alr o x us. I . FA I RE TO EX H AU ST V LU Alh ghteCo r ha de e s tou h u t s nid ummayj me tdimis l pli ifse e sv r udg n s sa of antf' xc sie f c c a m f f l e t e us ,t exha ton is r ai ext nt The Fit Cicui' or e l i or aiur o xha t he us i s ue em ns a . fh r ts dec s on i D ilon diect t sCour t r ol diput f sc i i n li r s hi t o es ve s ed act oncem i exha ton whe e ng usi r plitf h ss vve s anif a ur i d ummayj gme o e a to 5 F.d 26 27 7 Whie r ud nt n xh usin. 96 3 0, 2- 3. l Diln a ho ie t sCo tt hol a e d ntayhe rng fne es y,t r c r i t lo ut rz s hi ur o d n vie ir ai c sar he e o d n he i t cas i s fc e l de oped t alow r ol i oft i s w ihouta evi i r nsant e s ufi i nty vel o l es uton he s ue t n denta y hea i rng. The bur den ofpr ng t af im a i def ovi he fr tve ense of f l e t exha t r a ns on aiur o us em i def nda s A s pr of non- usi def ndant s e nt . oof exha ton, e s how t t t di notr cei t ha hey d e ve he 6 r eva gr e nce ofJ y 5,2008. Pl ntf s st the s it t r eva greva el nt i va ul ai if how ha ubm ted he el nt i nce t ough anot of ende , ho pl ced i i t gr e ncebox on J y 5, hr her f r w a t n he i va ul 2008.Pl i ifs a e a ntf t t s t t bec e he r i ha , aus ece ved no r pons t t gr e nce,he s a f l up not on es e o he i va ent olowe Se e be 16,2008,addr s t tGreva pt m r es ed o d i nce Coor na or' N o r pons t t s not di t .' es e o hi e a ppear i t r d,nordo def nt ac s n he ecor enda s knowl edge t ti was e rr ei ha t ve ec ved. Pl ntf di notfl a s e 2 greva r di t J y 5,2008,s e 1greva ai if d ie t p i nce egar ng he ul tp i nce. H ei t ad fl d a he se 1griva on O ct ns e ie not r t p e nce ober6, 2008, pl ni t no ac i had com ai ng hat ton bee t n aken on hi J y 5,2008,s e 1greva s ul tp i nce.l t i gr e ncer pons ofOct n he r i va es e ober20, 2008, i on ofi a ssat t tt e wasno r or oft J y 5,2008,gr e nceand t t pr s fci l t ed ha her ec d he ul i va ha , $1 you haveagr e ncet tyou f lw asnotr ei a w or d s t sof i a 1 60. $f i va ha ee ec ved nd ke end hi fce n - ' 9 Pl ntf t n s it a se 2 gr e nce com pl i ng of t d ipl ced' orgi ai i f he ubm ted tp i va a ni he d s a ' i nal m greva i nce, ow hi h pr s ofi i l r ponded on D ec t c ion fc a s es ember2, 2008,t tt ri tgaton ha hei nvesi i f ound no s uppor f hi cl i ofaçm ipl ced'gr evance.Pl ntf s e t or s am ç s a ' i ai if ubs quenty fl t l ied he i t l ui on A ugus 11,2009. nsant aws t t 1 I TD CJgr evanc r gul i orpolci r r i at t f l ce t npr f i e e atons i es equie nm es o olow rai ocedur es whe a s e 1 grevanc i unac n tp i e s knowl d by prs of i s,def nt have nots edge ion fc al enda s o advi ed t Cour.N ordo t di put pl ntf ' ale ton t he s ntaf l - not t s he t hey s e ai if s l ga i hat e olow up e o l ai ifal o a t m pt t s pl ntf s te s o how e us i t ough t flng ofa t d se 1 g i nc xha ton hr he ii ype t p r eva e rga di t us off c i i . ( ke Enty No.20,Exhi t6. Anot ofen t d e r ng he e ore ncdent Doc t r bi ) her f der ype t gr e nce f r pl ntf a s a e t the w ine s d pl i tf pl e i i t greva e box on he i va o ai if nd t t s ha t s e a n i f ac t n he i nc M a c 6,2009. 1 ,Exhi t9. The g i va e a a i i t r cor i uns gne un oc s d, rh d. bi r e nc ppe r ng n he e d s i d, pr es e a untm e y,a doe not e nc ex us i nd i l nd s vi e ha ton. t grevance c di t i Se em ber2008 i rng i o t s at oft Jul 5,2008, he i oor na or n pt nquii nt he t us he y g:e vance. Furhe , t r beca epl ntf neverr ved ar pons t t diput sep 1greva e, us ai i f ecei es e o he s ed t i nc hi f l et Gl a s e 2 gre ncei ofno m om e .SeeRosa v. ites 336F.App' 424, s aiur o e t p i va s nt L tl , x 4 ( t Ci. 00 ( tngt tTDCJg va ep oc d r sr q iea imaet fl ase 28 5h r 2 9) noi ha de nc r e u e e ur n n t o e tp 2g iva ewihnffe nd y ofh rc it a aifcor tp o r s s ) Rahe, re nc ti ite a s te e ep of nunstsa t yse - ne epon e. t r t f t diput bef e t s Cour i w het de e nt have es a ihed t pl i if he ac ual s e or hi ts her f nda s t bls hat antf f l t fl a tm el sep 1grevance r ga di t exces i f c i i nt aied o ie i y t i e r ng he s ve or e nc de . H a ng ca ef l consde ed t r or as a w hol t Cour r ol t s f ual vi r uly i r he ec d e, he t es ves hi act diput i pl ntf f s e n ai ifs avorand fndst tpl ntf exha t hi adm i sta i r e esas i ha ai if us ed s ni r tve em di t hi e o s xces i f c cl m . Pl ntf has esabls d t he fl a greva on Jul 5, sve or e ai ai i f t ihe hat ied i nce y 2008,r r ng t us off ce,a t the s nta f l - r ega di he e or nd ha e olow up eque ti Se e be 2008 s n pt m r whe t gr e ncew e una wer d.Bec edef nda sdonotar t tpl ntf f l d n he i va nt ns e aus e nt gue ha ai i f aie t f l a esabls pr edur sr di una w e ed grevanc ,and t gre o olow ny t i hed oc e egar ng ns r i es he i vance pr edur t m s ves di not r quie pl ntf t s i a s e 2 gr e nce under t oc es he el d e r ai if o ubm t t p i va he cr um s a ic t nces def ndant f lt pr non- us i oft exces i f c cl i . , e s ai o ove exha ton he sve or e a m 8 V. C ON CLU SIO N The Cour O RDER S as f l t olows: Dee a s moin fr s mmay j g n fr fiur t e ha ta t f nd nt' to o u r ud me t o al e o x us s o pli tf ' c am f rus ofe e svef r e( c e En r a n ifs li o e xc s i o c Do k t tyNo. )i DENI 21 s ED. The Cour fndst tpl ntf exha t hi a i sr tve r m edi ast hi t i ha ai i f us ed s dm nit a i e es o s cl i f use ofe a m or xces i f ce. sve or 2. Dee da s moin fr s fn nt' to o ummay j g ntfr fiu e t e a ta t r ud me o alr o xh us s o pli ifsr mani cams( c t r antf' e i ng li Do ke EntyNo. 1 i GRANTED.Pli ifs 2 )s antf ' cl i sf f l et i e ve cons r a an unw rte polcypr otng a m or aiur o nt r ne, piacy, nd it n i om i t us ofexc s vef c ar D I I he e es i or e e SM SSED f f l e t e us . or aiur o xha t De e nt aeORDERED t fl as c d moin frs fnda s r o ie e on to o umma yj gme t r ud n r ga di e r ngpl i ifse a ntf xces i f c cl m byN O VEM BER 2,2010.Pl ntf sve or e ai ai if i O R DERED t fl ar pons t t m oton w ihi t ry da afe t dat s o ie es e o he i t n hit ys t r he e r l e i t m oton' c tfca e ofs r ce. Shoul def nt det r i efect d n he i s erii t e vi d enda s e m ne t t moinf rs ha a to o ummayj g nt l ia pr p it,h ymus a vie r ud me woudbe n p o rae te td s t Courtoft de e m i i w ihi f y da f om dat oft sor r. he hat t r naton t n ort ys r e hi de TH IS I AN I TER LO CUTO RY O RD ER . S N The Cl k w ilpr de c est t pari er l ovi opi o he tes. Si gned a H ous on,Texas,on t st 20t day ofSept t t hi he h embe ,2010. r W YVW KEI P.ELLI TH SON UN I TED STA TES DI STRI J GE CT UD 9
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