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HomeMy WebLinkAbout94-06887 1 J . -7 I , I 'J I (lj o ,./ ~ ~ 111 '!'lIB COURT OF COHMON PLBAS OP CmfBBRLAHD COON'l'Y, PBllHSTLVAHIA civil Action - Law Richard Dalai Plaintiff' V. Blaine L. Paulus, Melvin C. Dunlap, et al. Defendants No. 94-6887 Civil TerM I PRO Sll: ~INTIPP.S BXPBRT WITNESS INTBRROGATORIBS TO DB PENDANTS Plaintiff Richard Delai hereby propounds the following interrogator to be answered under oath within thirty days by Deputy Attorney Genoral Steven C. Gould, attorney tor Defendants, pursuant to the Pa.R.C.P. No.. 4005 and 4006. Defendants' ansvers shall be based on all infor~ation knovn to their attorneys, agents, employees or other representatives and contained in records or documents within their custody or control. Defendants are requested to supplement their ansvers without further notice from nov until the time ot trial in accordance vith Pa.R.C.P. No. 4007.41 1. State the fo11owincr with respect to each person you expect to call ae an expert witnesa at trial ot this easel a. State each person's full na~e, address, occupation and field ot expertiae, IN 'fIIB COURT OP COMMON PLEAS OF CUKDBRLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA Civil Action - Law Richard Delai plaintiff V. Blaine L. Paulus, Melvin C. Dunlap, et ale Defendants . No. 94-6887 Civil Term I . PRO SE I PLAIH'fIPP.S REOUEST POR COPIES OP PHOTOGRAPHS AND DOCUHBN'fS TO DIlPBHDANTS Pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. No. 4009, Plaintiff Richard Delai hereby requests that true and correct copies of the following documents and photographs be forwarded to the undersigned within thirty days after service of this request. 1. All Plaintiff's medical records maintained by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Department of Corrections (hereinafter DOC) from the time of his admittance to ths pennsylvania State Correctional system to the present. This should include all msdical and x- ray reports concerning injuries sustained in the accident of May 19, 1994, as vell as prior physical exams conducted by the DOC and any subsequent reports and medication charts. 2. Any and all DOC documents relating to tho movsment, handling and transportation of bulk food supplies from the lover storage areas of Camp Hill State Correctional Institute (hereinafter SCI) Kitchen II to the upper COOking areas of Kitchen II. This PAGE 2 This should includs any documents or manuals outlining procsdures or guidelines to be tollowed when moving bulk tood supplies by hand cart, electric jack or elevator, which wa. rendered inoperative during the riot ot 1989. 3. All documentation, including account sheets and Pennsylvcnia General Services appropriations, which involve tunds that were allocated by either the Federal or State Government to repair the elevator housed in the rear ot SeI Kitchen II, which was used prior to the 1989 riot to transport bulk tood skids trom the basement ot Kitchen II to the main kitchen area. 4. All seI institutional work orders or outside independent work contracts concerning the construction ot the ramp at the rear entrance ot Kitchen II which replaced to damaged elevator as the means to move tood supplies trom the lower .torage areas to the main kitchen area. This is to .peciticallY include all documentation relating to the altering ot the initial ramp railing by rounding the corner railing at the top ot the ramp, thereby leaving the exposed hole into which the Plaintitt tell. 5. All photographs and written descriptions ot the above- mentioned ramp and railing, both betore and atter the rail was altered and betore and atter the accident, including any recent physical inspections conducted by institution statt this year. 6. All seI institutional accident report torms relating to any inmate or Doe employee who sutter an accident on the above mentioned ramp, since the construction and utilization ot the ramp. This ie to specitically include the Plaintitt's accident IN THB COUR~ OP COKKON PLEAS OP CUHBBRLAKD COUNTY, PENNSYLYANIA Civil Aotion - Law Riohard Delai plaintitt V. Blaine L. Paulus, Melvin C. Dunlap, et al. Detendante No. 94-6887 Civil Term I I PRO SE I WRITTEN RBOUBS~ rOR S~A~EHENTS OP PARTIBS AX>> WITNBSSBS Pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. No.4003.4, Plaintitt Richard Delai requests to be immediatelY provided with a photostatic or like reproduction ot any atatements, whether written or recorded, prsviously made by the Detendants, any other party, or by any person who vas a witness to any ot the events ot this case. Such statements inr.lude any statements taken by any representative at the Defendants including their attorneys, consultants, surety or agents. It I do not receive within the next!! days the requested statements or a letter indicating that no such statements exist, a motion to the court under Pa.R.C.P. No. 4003.4 tor aD order co.pelliDg Jour prodaction of the.e .tate.enta and requa.tiny appropriate .anction. vill be forthco.lng. Datedl Richard Delai. PRO SE #DB-1982 P.O.Box 200 Camp Hill, PA 17001-0200 ".. .' e.... . "s"'.. e.... c' 'P' '.Y" '.. . I . . . ..: . .. . . . '. . . ,. " . ,',.' of .. I'. . '.. . . . I . ..' " .. .... " . '. ,', . ,'. '. . ., 10, . . . " . to 0.. . '. . t' ...f . . .' . .. '. . to ..:L.L.: .. ......L. :.... .... .. IllEGIBLE COpy ILLE IBLE C p IllEGIBLE COpy ".. .' E". . "S.".' E'" C' 0" , '.. .. . . . II . .. . . .' .' ... . . ' . . ....,. .. . ,t,.' II ',' I'. . . .' .... .. . ..' . . . . '. . . . . ,'. '. . . 1.10.. ". . .... "0 . '.. . '. . t' . .' II . . .' . of .:.... ..:L.L.;. .. ...:..L.;. ..... ,PV " . , SEP 3 1998{i< . IN !lIB CODll'l' 0' COIOION PLKAS 0' COHBBRLaIfD COmrr1' I P8IOfSYLYUlJI. Civil Action - Law Richard Delai No. 94-6887 civil Term Plaintiff V. Blaine L. Paulus, Melvin C. Dunlap, et al. Defendants pnJ'l'ION TO AHBND "02'10" rOR CONPLIAMCI PRO SE POa8UA~ TO PA...C.P. 4019 NOW comee the Plaintiff, Richard Delai, RI2~, and petitions this Honorabl. Court to amend his Motion For Compliance Pursuant to P..R.C.P. 4019. ID .upport thereor PlalDtlrr re.peatrul17 repre..nt. the following. 1. On August 17, 1998, Plaintiff filed a Hotion for Compliance with this Court s.eking, inter ll!A, answers to expert witne.. interrogatories, .tatements of parties and vitne..es and copies of photographs and document. relating to a "slip and fall" accident which occurred in the rear loading dock area of Camp Hill S.C.I. Kitchen lIon or about Hay 19, 1994. 2. On August 18, 1998, Defendants' attorney, Steven C. Gould, served response. to the above mentioned discovery reque.ts. (See BXHIBJ'l' -A-) 3. Defendants' offered a vague, general objection to providiny statements of parties and witnesses, apparently Claiming either . , . naS2 attorney-client or work product privilege. Defendants' objection ~ ~ include a de.cription of the nature of the .tatement. or communications not produced or disclosed, thus the Plaintiff is unable to as.es. the applicability of the privilege or protection asserted. Furthermore, Defendants' have not sought a confidentiality agrsement, nor asked this Court for a protective Order. 4. In re.ponee to Plaintiff's requeet for copies of photograph. and documents, Defendants' did provide sixteen photographs of ths ramp, railing and exposed hole. (ae. BXRIDIT .D.) Howevsr, with regard to Plaintiff's rsquest. tor hi. medical records and copies of the institution's accident report forms, Defendant'. objected, on the grounds that it violated inmats Handbook policy and was .conalder.d confidential dR. to .eaarlty aDd .af.ty r.a.ona at tbe Correctloaal .aclllt~.. (s.. .,5 of Defendant.' re.pon.. to requ..t for doau.ent., IXBIBIT .A.) Convers.ly, ths Defendants' response directed the Plaintiff to submit a ..pealflc requ..t to tbe appropriate Depart.ent per.oanel. (S.. ..1 & 6 .upra) As directed, Plaintiff submitted spacifio requssta to the institution's Food Service Manager, Facility Maintenance Manager and Health Caro Administrator on August 25, 1998(S.. IXBIDIT .C.) 5. Concerniny written descriptions of the ramp and railing where the accident occurr.d, documontation of funding for and repair. dona to the ramp area, and manuals or guidelines outlining the proceduree to be utilized vhon transporting bulk food supplies . PAGE 3 on the ramp, the Defendants' either denied pos....ion of the inform.tion or claim.d confidentiality, but stated that th.y -.111 p~OYlde coptee tr .0 ordered ~ the co~t.-. (s.. ..5 eup~.) While the Def.ndant.' did provide the name ot the originator of the withh.ld information, th.y didnot provide the gen.ral nature of the matt.r or to whom tho information had b.en imparted. Once again, the lack ot particularity of the Def.ndant.' Objection. pr.clud. the Plaintiff trom.....sing the applicability at the privilege or protection. 6. Plaintiff contend. that the Def.ndants' Objection. are in.utficient, due to a lack ot the rsquired particul.rity, to .u.tain the validity ot withholding the request.d intormation. Under Pa.R.C.P. 4006(.)(2), 4009(b)(2) ~ 4019, when the party objecting to diecovery tail. to meet it. burden of proof a. to the validity ot an objection, it is prop.r for thi. Court to order production of the reque.ted information. WHEREFORB, Plaintitf re.pecttullY reque.te that this Honorable Court di.mi.e the Defendants' objection. to Plaintiff'. di.covery request. and order that the D.fendants' r.lease to the Plaintift hi. m.dical records, inetitutional accident report forms, all documentation ot funding for and repair ot the ramp and railing and all written statement. of partie. or witn...... In the alternative, Plaintift r.qu..ts this Court to inspect any privil.ged document. in camera, to detar.ine the validity ot tha objection . " ..OUB8~ID ~8 AND S~ATIHIW!S rRON rOOD SI.VIC. P..SOWNIL 1) pur.uant to P....c.P. 4003.4, Plaintitt Richard Delai reque.t. to be i..ediately provided with a photo.tatic or like reproduction ot any etatement., whether vritten or recorded, by the Detendant., any other party, or by any per.on who va. a vitne.. to any ot the event. relating to the -.lip and tall- accident which occurred on Hay 19, 1994 in the area ot the rear loading ramp ot Kitchen II. 2) Pursuant to P....C.P. 4009, Plaintitt Richard Delai hereby reque.t. that true and correct copie. ot the tollowing docu.ent. and photograph. be provided to him within thirty day. atter .erviee ot thie reque.tl A. Any and all DOC documents relating to the movement, handling and traneportation ot bulk tood .upplie. trom the lower .torage area. ot Kitchen II to the upper COOking area. ot Kitchen II. Thi. .hould include any documente or manuals outlining procedurea or guideline. to be tollow.d when moving bulk tood .upplie. by hand cart, electric Jack or elevator. B. All documentation, including account .heets and penn.ylvania aeneral Services appropriations, which involve tund. that were allocated by either the Federal or state Government. to repair the elevator hou.ed in the rear ot Kitchen II, which was previou.1Y u.ed prior to the 1989 riot to tran.port bulk tood .kid. trom the base.ent ot kitchen II to the main kitchen area. C. All institutional work orders or outside independent work contracte concerning the con.truction ot the ramp at the rear entrance ot Kitchen II which replaced the damaged elevator a. the meana to move tood aupplie. trom the lower .torage area. to the main kitchen area. This i. to specitically include all documantion relating to the altering ot the initial ramp railing by rounding the corner ~ailing at the top ot the ramp, thereby leaving the expo.ed hole into which the Plaintitt tell. . . . R.OUISTID DOCUHBNYS rRO" FACILITY HAIWfINANCI PIRSONNBL 1) pur.uant to ...R.C.P. 4009, Plaintitt Richard D.lai hereby requeet. that true and correct copie. ot the tOllowing document. and photograph. be provided to him within thirty daye atter service ot thi. r.qu..t. A. All documentation, including account .heet. and Pennsylvania Oen.ral Servic.e appropriations, which involve tund. that w.r. allocat.d by .ither the F.deral or Stat. Government. to r.pair the elevator houeed in the rear ot Kitch.n II, which vae u..d prior to the 1989 riot to transport bulk tood .kid. trom the ba....nt ot Kitch.n II to the main kitchen area. B. All in.titutional work orders or out.id. indspendent work contract. conc.rning the con.truction ot the ramp at the r.ar .ntrance ot Kitchen II which r.placed the damaged elevator ae the means to move tood .upplies trom the lower .torag. area. to the akin kitchen area. Thi. is to .p.citicallY include all documentetion relating to the altering ot the initial ramp railing by rounding the corner railing at the top ot the ramp, thereby leaving the exposed hole into which the Plaintitt tell. C. All photograph. and vritten descriptions ot the above- mentioned ramp and railing, both betore and atter the rail wa. altered and betore and atter the accident, including any recent phy.ical in.pection. conducted by in.titution .tatt this year (998). D. All document. containing data compiled trom any t..ting, inepecting, .ea.uring, .urveying or photographing the abov.-mentioned ramp and railing area, which ie to include writing., drawing, graphs, charts and photographs. . " j,. e) ,I' I " " , , " I" ," cot , " " II' I il r " L' " " , , .I - . . ~ ~ ~ -, ~ ""'" ""--:" ." ,., tF\ - - ..r, .. ...' t ,,~ = . , . . Mr. Richard Delai Bu-l813 IN THE CXllJRl' OF CXM-OJ PlEAS FOR CU1BERlJIND v.s. Co., PENNSYIIVllNIA Mr. Blaine L. Paulul!I Mr. D.1nlap Defendants et al cmr~ ACl'lQl AT lJIW 00: 1'1/- t..i'j '/ f I j ORDER '!tIis a'day of Jlc.~ 19lfll, upon consideration of the I1'Oticn subnitted by the plaintiff, Mr. Richard lJelai Bu-l8l3, to proceed with his canplaint against the Defendants .in this case. It; is ordered that the rrotirn to proceed informa pauperis is granted. '!tie Plaintiff shall be permitted to proceed with this civil canplaint withoot payment or cost. ( Ad.. OF TIlE axJRT OF a:JoMltl PlEAS ERlAI'D Oll,i'ENlSYLVJ\II.'IA . Lr) en ,. ,. - "p- .' c_ <, ..... In - ", ... :", --, RICHARD DELhI, Plaintiff IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA CIVIL ACTION - LAW JURY TRIAL DEMANDED v. BLAINE L, PAULUS, MELVIN C. DUNLAP, et al., Defendants No. 94 - 6887 Civil Term ENTRY OF APPEARANCE TO THE PROTHONOTARY: please enter my appearance on behalf of the Department of Corrections' employees, Blaine L. Paulus and Melvin C. Dunlap, in reference to the above captioned action, RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: ERNEST 0, PREATE, JR. ATTORNEY GENERAL BY: 6- /21-../ Ll 9--LJJ G. MICHAEL THIEL DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL ATTY. 1.0. #72926 COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA OFFICE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL TORTS LITIGATION SECTION 15th FL. - STRAWBERRY SQUARE HARRISBURG, PA 17120 (717)783-1683 DATED: January 5, 1995 6. Denied. After reasonable investigation, the Commonwealth Defendant is without sufficient knowledge or information to form a belief as to the truth of these averments, 7. Denied. After reasonable investigation, the Commonwealth Defendant is without sufficient knowledge or information to form a belief as to the truth of these averments, 8. Denied. After reasonable investigation, the Commonwealth Defendant is without sufficient knowledge or information to form a belief as to the truth of these averments. WHEREFORE, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Corrections, respectfully requests that judgment be entered in its favor and against all other parties. NEW MATTER 9. The present action is controlled by the provisions of 1 Pa, c,S. !i2310 and Act No. 1980-142, set forth in 42 Pa. c.S. !i!i850l, et seq., which Acts are incorporated herein and pled by reference. The Commonwealth Defendant asserts all the defenses contained therein, 10. The Commonwealth party is immune from suit pursuant to 1 Pa. c.S. !i2310, and this action is not within any of the exceptions to immunity as set forth in 42 Pa. c.S. !i8522, and therefore this action is barred. 11. The Commonwealth Defendant invokes any and all common law defenses available to it pursuant to 42 Pa. C.S. !i8524. 12. The Commonwealth Defendant did not have notice, written or otherwise, of the allegedly dangerous condition, or in the alternative, if said notice was received, it was not received in sufficient time prior to the alleged accident for the Commonwealth Defendant to have corrected or to have warned the traveling public of the allegedly dangerous condition. 13, The Commonwealth party has immunity for any claims of apparent or ostensible agency, as immunity has not been waived for either of these classes of claims. 14. The Commonwealth party is immune from claims grounded upon negligence of independent contractors. 15. The Commonwealth Defendant had no duty with respect to the Plaintiff. 16. Should liability be found on the part of the Commonwealth Defendant, the amounts and types of damages recoverable in the present action are limited and controlled by 42 Pa. C.S. ~8528. 17. Plaintiff's injuries, as alleged, were caused by other persons or parties which were contributory and/or intervening, superseding causes of Plaintiff's alleged injuries. 18, The Commonwealth Defendant avers that if negligence is found to exist on its part, said negligence was not the proximate cause of Plaintiff's injuries. 19, If the accident occurred as alleged, then the condition complained of did not create a reasonably foreseeable risk of the accident or the injuries complained of. 20, Plaintiff'S knowing and conscious assumption of the risk led to the resulting injuries and is a bar to recovery. 21. The causal negligence of the Plaintiff is greater than any negligence on the part of the Commonwealth Defendant, and Plaintiff's recove=y is therefore barred, or, in the alternative, , ! '! ) ~ ." !r H-1 r-" () ~; " , "1 , , !1 " ! , "F . '~, I ~~ ';'!_ ')(11,1 I (I , " .\11 .., ! '. , 11 ,I ( , ~ 1 ; j ,_ !.. i I_lll j,!l'; C).1 ,l)R8"7' C1 \'i 1 Ti.-~r'llI PI ,Ii itl' Hi': ','\:1 (' 1>.. ' ',' 'I; II 11.;1 if! , d i \,I' il III T j" iJlJ{\~'lT:) C1..", T t., OF NEl'] t~l(lTTr::F: J; ! ('!\ f-'( ,j,' 1 1\' (ill U f l..< \~'J. TIIl.~t"~fL1r'L', I\U 't!.-. . ,j l\ il j',!" I! "I, I, 'I\i , " ! <II! UP , '1;',. (k~: I i \.'tJ. (I ,; ! , : , " I'! , '11 ) I I,i "tt IJ UOIL'r1 t: ~J whi cl, ',.LIL Fl 1: ill I !', ',' f;:r I ,; 1.;1 I !, \1 : I \ !' f-J ,\lld i ff I', 11Llt r.(.'quir'c~(! Lu "L'-- ,;!lill'1 11111',1 (IiI "I IVJ. ';1'\': FI1Ulll Fauci F.:\ir' ::1:]1 r\ . " "! "'''i .'1. (! 7711) top \; :11 .: Ill) . r: I i ~ li l ~, I I III n f ..-UJ. Nu r'c.'~JjJurl'.:.L! i;.> . \ 'Ij"" "ij \Ii;: ! 1\ .' . 'lli Ili I i I '(!. lir ,1\ (~, Ii I I'. ,J "II t) f L.,\\'J. !'-Iu r.f~'~pGll'.;..l! i ,-, ., ",;', '11'i.: 1.,,_1. 'iJIi ','1 T! \ ll, 1\\ j f.f 11-1 th i il\~--,L,~.\I-\l_ c.-.\'_;C I!,' , ;,Ii'; jl'" \)1" , , \:;1',." ',Il -:~ll pr.uvldl' d.: 11 " ,l.' lJr i U~ LI.l L11 (-' hi, ,iil .:f ; \'~ . ',\ , ,!'-: . -" , i_II J 1 ~'" ( , 1',!,' .,.i(.1;:',:,' .. , " r".'11lljt \,,1 .1:1' , , , , , , ,\ f--: !Iii !1'., 'r! :!; '..:"f ,_.,\\,'i. ~l(J /,...Q'uAOJ-/~ F\l L!I,~n'l1 Dc'l ai 'i lUI: --,'-,' ~ , . MR. RICHARD DELAI, I IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF Plaintiff I CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA I v. I CIVIL ACTION - LAW . . MR. BLAINE L. PAULUS, . . Defendant . NO. 94-6887 CIVIL TERM . AND NOW, thiB ORDER OF COURT \stLday of May, 1995, upon consideration of Plaintiff's attached "Motion for Inspection and Production of Documents and for Inspection and Production of Photographs and Physical Evidence," and there baing no indication in the motion that Plaintiff has served a request for production of documents in accordance with Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 4009 upon Defendant prior to requesting intervention by the Court, the motion is DENIED, without prejudice to Plaintiff's right to file a new motion if a request for production of documents has been served And not complied with. BY THE COURT, Richard Delai fBU-1813 P.O. Box 200 Camp Hill, PA 17001-0200 Plaintiff, Pro Se G. Michael Thiel, Esq. Deputy Attorney General Torts Litigation Unit 15th Fl., Strawberry Square Harrisburg, PA 17120 Defendant . ' ~ul :,-/, '1}II!" - c..-tUA-o ...l ' f' . C" I ' . J t I :;~. . Irc . . " , CF.RTIFICATR OF SERVICE This -;? day of /:)//?/ Y. 1995, I cnused to be served on the Defendants a copy of the forgoing Notion for production nnd inspection of docu- ments by serving a copy on their Attorney ~l1chnel Thiel Esq. Office of the Attorney General of Pennsylvnnia, Torts lltiglltion Section, Strnwberry Squnre, lIarrisburg. Pennsylvania 17120. ....:.- _ ~ ... -L--I"___ _" _();J;JJ r/~ . .. 2. The Plaintiff made a good faith attempt to engage in discovery to obtain whatever evidence he could to prepare for trial and or other procec,Jings that may araise in the future during the course of this litigation. The Plaintiff submitted written interrogatories and a request to the Defendants for the production nnd the inspection of records and documents. 3. The Plaintiff is not a Lawyer and is totally un- trained in any aspect of the Law and is untrained in legal procedures and practices. Apparently The Defendants are using the fact that the Plaintiff is untrained in the Law and Legal Procedures and or practices to advantage of the Plaintiff by not fully complying with the Plaintiff I s re- quest for production and inspection of documents. The Defendants in their answer to the Plaintiff's request for the Production and the Inspection of Documents are being evasive and are not providing the Plaintiff with all the Information and or production of the requested documenta- tion. The Plaintiff requested a copy all ~Iedical Records on file at the Camp IIi 11 State Prison relating to the inci- dent tha t occurred on Nay 19th, 1994. The defenants only provided documents for only two months. The Defendants refuse to provide copies of institutional work orders issued by the Prison which authorized the defendants to cut the railing back which exposed the large hole. -2- .. 4. The Plaint if f provide. Appended P-l and appended Plaintiff has requested other material that the believes to exist and the Defendants refuse to See: Copy of Written Interrogatories and answers hereto marked by reference Plaintiff's exhibit Hotion for Inspection und production of Documents hereto marked by reference Plnintiff's exhibit P-2. 5. The Plaintiff because of his incarceration as an inmate Justice would certainly require the appointment and the assistance of Counsel, because the Plaintiff in this case cannot conduct a proper investigation in this case on his behalf and because the Plaintiff is untrained in the Law and legal procedure the Plaintiff is not appro- priately capable of conducting a proper investigation regarding this instant case and does not know or understand legal research concepts or trial Court procedures. 6. Although, the Appointment of Counsel in a Civil case is not mandatory. The Court can request that a partic- ular attorney represent a indigent Priosner where the Interest of justice would certainly require said appointment of Court appointed Attorney. Wherefore, The Plaintiff request that this Honorable Court appoint Counsel in this case in the Interest of Justice /55/ (:~?l)jO., ~A " ~ " to ., INTERROGATORY TWO 2. Was the railing cut back or a portion of the railing removed as a result of a work order submitted by the Camp Hill State 'nst- itution or the product of work conducted by an independent Contrator, or other General contractor or Sub-Contractor or Corporation licensed in Pennsylvania to conduct such business. Not to the best of Defendant's knowledge. No records exist as to the design and construction of the railing. . ~ r , COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND I I 55: I NO: 94-cv-6887 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I, MR. RICHARD DELAI date, MARCH 6th. 1995 of said petition(s): , hereby certify that I have this , sent a true and correct copy Plaintiffq firqt <lEi'" nF intrrngtlltn1'"inc "PO" th~ D9f9a~apti' hy qprving R rnpy "pnn thAi... Attnrnl3Y in th" l'IIanlu,,' 1",t"I"lilt9A below. . by postage prepaid, first class mail to the below named and addressed: Mr. G. michael Thiel. ESQ. DeDutv Attornev General of Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General of Pennsylvania Torts Litigation section 15th floor. Strawberry Square, Harrisburg, Pa. 17120 q40/a~JJ CERTIFICATE OF SBRVICB I hereby certify that I am this day serving the fOregoing document upon the person(a) and in the manner indicated below: SERVICE BY FIRST CLASS MAIL POSTAGE PRRPAID ADDRESSED AS FOLLOWS: Richard Delia #BU-1813 P. 0, Box 200 Camp Hill, PA 17001-0200 , RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: ERNEST D. PREATE, JR. ATTORNEY GENERAL BY: i 11", I l. 1 G. MICHAEL THIEL DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL ATTY. I. D. #72926 , COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA OFFICE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL TORTS LITIGATION SECTION 15th FL. - STRAWBERRY SQUARE HARRISBURG, PA 17120 (717)783-1683 DATED: April \ '1 , 1995 ~ ! ;1 lJ"> en - ~': t: :c 0- .... rn ('J Iii,. , , " . .i:- '_ - I . l"'~ A- I" VI v . ~ RICHARD DELAI, Plaintiff IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA CIVIL ACTION - LAW v. BLAINE L. PAULUS and MELVIN C. DUNLAP, Defendants NO. 94-6887 CIVIL TERM AND NOW, t~ ORDER OF COURT this Z. t day of December, 1997, upon consideration of the attached Defendants' Petition for Judgment of Non Pros, it is hereby ordered and directed as follows: 1. A rule is issued upon Plaintiff to show cause why the Defendants are not entitl~d to the relief requested; 2. The Plaintiff shall file an answer to this motion within 20 days of this date; 3. The motion shall be decided pursuant to Pa. R.C.P. 206.7; 4. Depositions shall be completed within 45 days of this date; 5. Briefs shall be submitted within 70 days of this date, and the matter will be decided upon briefs. BY THE COURT, (M J tJesley 0 . Richard Delai, #BU-1813 P.O. Box 200 Camp Hill, PA 17001-0200 Plaintiff, Pro Se ~f-'-t...v ,,.,.,w.:ed ,;). J;I'fJ,'1. -!.t? . '. 'J , I '1 " .' .. , . . . " I , Steven C. Gould, Esq. Deputy Attorney General Office of the Attorney General Torts Litigation Section 15th Fl., Strawberry Square Harrisburg, PA 17120 Attorney for Defendants :rc lU:32 fA~ Tl; 21U O~T3 PYS510 1994-06887 Reference No.. 1 Filed......., I 12/06}19~4 caae ~e.. ...1 COMPLAINT Time..,., ....: ~ 4 Ju gme ... ...1 .00 ExeGut~Qn Date 8/88 8 0 Ju go 88ignedl OLER J WESLEY JR Sat/Dia/Gntd. . 1 I 00 JUilj Trial...! Hl~ er Court HI er court ....**....................................**..........* ........................ General Index Attorney Info DELAl RICHARD MR pLAINTIFF PRO SE CAMPHILL STATE PRISON fO BOX liDO CAMP HILL f^ 17001 0200 PAULUS ~LAINE L MR CAMPH~L STATE PRISON PO BO 00 CAMP ILL PA 17001 0200 DUNLAP MR ~aM&MIL~08TATE PRISON CAMP HILL PA 17001 0200 cumberland rounty Prothonotary'. Office paq. DELAI RlCHAllD MRCt~~) '~~~ulnatl~E L MR ET ilL 1 DEFF:NDAN'l' ~n~~GMQI~Rk~f M DEFENDANT TIIIEL G MICHAEL ....**............***......................................".................,- . Date EntrIes · ..........,...........................................................,......... 01/18/9!! 051 2195 05/15/95 COMPLAlN'l' - CIVIL ACTION IN FORMA PAUPERIS STATEMENT ORDER OF COURT BY JUDGE KEVIN A HESS CERTIFICATE or SERVICE ENTRY or APPEARANCE FOR BLAINE L PAULUS AND MELVIN C DUNLAP BY G MICHAEL THIEL DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENeRAL ANSWER AND NEW HATTER OF DEFENDANTS TO PLAINTIFF'S COMPLAINT DEFENDANT'S ANSWERS TO DEFENDANTS CLAIM OF NEW MATTER MOTION FOR INSPECTION AND PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS AND FOR INSPECTION AND PRODUCTION OF PHOTOGRAPHS AND PHYSICAL EVIDENCE ORDER OF COURT - IN RE MOTION FOR INSPECTION AND PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS AND FOR INSPECION AND PRODUCTION OF PHOTOGRAPHS AND PHYSICAL EVIDENCE - DENIED - BY JUDGE J WESLEY OLER JR - COPIES MAILED 5/1719!! 86/22/95 MOTION REQUESTING TilE APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL 6/28/9~ ORDER OF COURT - IN RE PLAINTIFF'S MOTION REQUESTING APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL - DENIED/- BY JUDGE J WESLEY OLER JR COPIES MAlLDED 6 29/95 09/07/95 ~~S~~~SDf~E~&^~~TIFF(S) FIRST SET OF INTERROGATORIES TO BE ANSWERED 10/19/95 APPEARANCE WITHDRAWN OF G MICHAEL THIEL ESO FQR DEFTS ENTRY OF APPEARANCE BY JAY W BTARK ESO FOR DEFTS .........***.................**................,..***.*~.*...*.......*..*..*.... . End of Ca.e Information · ..**......................................................................."... 12/06/94 n~n~n , '", , , ( " I , - 'I 1.-. I L I ,'-. (.:' I,' -' , : - , ,'.. , -. \ I , , , , , , c; : L", , , , ~ , , ,- , () \: .. . ... l2/29/95 Honorable Judge J. Wesley Oler, Jr. Cumberland County Courthouse 1 Courthouse Square Carlisle, PA 17013-3387 " , R.D. DeLai BU - 11lD P.O. Box 200 Camp Hill , PA 17001-0200 REI DeLai v. Paulus & Dunlap, No. 94-CV-6887 In June 27, 1995 you respectfullY denied my request for appointment of counsel in civil term above. Since that date I have not been able to secure counsel due to lack of money. More importantly, since that date you granted my request for production of documents pertaining to accident. The Security Department here failed to comply, and out right denied they had posession of items essential to my case 'which they infact have. IlcQrne up with document through the office in which I vork here. When theydiscovered this they arrested me, placed me in maxinuim security ( the hole ) confiscated my case work took the documentsessential to my case (accident report, ,dedication records etc. )then gave me my case paperwork back short. They pressured my inmate paralegal to back away from my case. I formally request reconsideration for appointment of counsel if you can't please put my case off until Jan. 99 when I'm due for release & will be in a ~osition to find counsel. CCI Clerk of Courts Respectfully . QD~ " 0;' , i\. li: i." I .' LUI-' l ~:! :' , , \" ' .. ~ i Lr'( /.-) r:.-,f (': \ tl\l. .. ell' . .' U L,.'; . 1..'J~ \' : , " ('l.~ ',:; u u' <J 12/29/95 Honorable Judge J. Wesley 01er, Jr. Cumberland County Courthouse 1 Courthouse Square Carlisle, P~ 17013-33B7 , . R.D. DeLai au - 11llJ P.O. Box 200 Camp Hill, P~ 17001-0200 REI DeLai v. Paulus & Dunlap, No. 94-CV-6BB7 In June 27, 1995 you respectfullY denied my request for appointment of counsel in civil term above. Since that date I have not been able to secure counsel due to lack of money. More importantly, since that date you granted my request for production of documents pertaining to accident. The Security Department here failed to comply, and out right denied they had posession of items essential to my case which they infact have. I come up with document through the office in which I work here. When theydiscovered this they arrested me, placed me in maxinuim security ( the hole ) confiscated my case work took the documentsessentia1 to my case (accident report, .dedication records etc. )then gave me my case paperwork back short. They pressured my inmate paralegal to back away from my case. I formally request reconsideration for appointment of counsel if you can't please put my case off until Jan. 99 when I'm due for release & will be in a position to find counsel. cc: Clerk of Courts Respectfully C1J)~~ ~~ 0. C IT; u; i:~ lJ l~ , i:, , .' (1,- (' .- . I.~. ~~: C"') 11:' ('. _~J , !ill U_' t . ~ ,- II. C.'" l ,,~-~ V-, (.J j'.,-,.;',". t,"-' c.",:,<'" , . " ',"'" :':\.;~'2~~~~:, : IN THE COUlt'tOF'COMMON PLEAS OF : CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA v. BLAINE L. PAULUS, MELVIN C. DUNLAP, et a!. Defendants : CIVIL ACTION - LAW : NO. 94-6887 CIVIL TERM CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I hereby certify that I am this day reserving the BriefofDefendants' in Support of Their Petition for Judgment of Non Pros and proposed Order upon the person(s) and in the manner indicated below: SERVICE BY FIRST CLASS MAIL POSTAGE PREPAID ADDRESSED AS FOLLOWS: RICHARD DELA!, #BU-1982 SCI-CAMP HILL P.O. BOX 200 CAMP HILL, PA 17001-0200 By: STEVEN C. OULD Deputy Attorney General ID #80156 Torts Litigation Section 15'" Floor, Strawberry Square Harrisburg, PA 17120 717-783-8035 - Direct Dial DATED: March 3, 1998 -- <;1' >~ ('- '. .ol i.:.: t~ .~ . I!J. 1 ~. ,c. ., , -j' \., ' (" I Lt,- , I J i; . ~ ,fi_ , .. , C. ) \J ,'.) . ',.-, ~ c- c:- C>o 4 ll() ...9 o l') (; ....!) - ~i\= :t ~~ . ~ Q,. f <>- "k -, On May 12, 1995, Plaintiff filed a motion to compel discovery.2 This motion was denied by order of court on May 15, 1995, because it did not appear that Plaintiff had requested the discovery from Defendants prior to filing the motion. Plaintiff filed a motion on June 22, 1995, requesting appointment of free counsel. This motion was denied by order of court dated June 27, 1995. On September 7, 1995, Plaintiff filed answers of the Defendants to a set of interrogatories propounded by Plaintiff. This filing was in contravention of Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 4002.1.3 With the exception of the filing of two praecipes for substitution of counsel on behalf of Defendants, no further activity appears on the docket until December 19, 1997. On that date, Defendants filed the petition for judgment of non pros sub judice. The basis for the petition was the lack of docket activity for a period in excess of two years. In response to Defendants' petition, the court issued a rule upon Plaintiff to show cause why the reliefrequested should not be granted.4 Plaintiff filed an answer to the petition, asserting that he had sent a letter to the writer of this opinion on December 29, 1995, with a carbon copy to the "clerk of court," requesting reconsideration of the court's earlier denial of his motion for appointment of free counsel. No record of this letter has been found in the court's office. Nor was such a letter apparently received for docketing by the prothonotary.' 2 This motion was entitled "Motion for Inspection and Production of Documents and for Inspection and Production of Photographs and Physical Evidence." 3 "Discovery material shal1not be filed unless relevant to a motion or other pretrial proceeding, ordered by the court or required by statute." Pa. R.C.P. 4002.1. 4 Order of Court, December 24, 1997. , In this regard, it may be noted that the clerk of courts in Cumberland County maintains criminal case files, whereas the prothonotary' s office is the repository for civil cases. It is doubtful, however, that a copy of a letter to a judge would be tile proper subject of a docket entry in either office. 2 DISCUSSION "[T]he question of granting a non pros because of the failure of the plaintiff to prosecute his action within a reasonable time rests with the discretion of the [trial c]ourt ...... Gallagher v. Jewish Hospital Ass 'n, 425 Pa. 112, 113, 228 A,2d 732, 733 (1967). As stated by the Pe isnnsylvania Supreme Court, a judgment of non pros may properly be entered when a party to the proceeding had shown a want of due diligence in failing to proceed with reasonable promptitude, and there has been no compelling reason for the delay, and the delay has caused some prejudice to the adverse party, such as the death of or an explained absence of material witnesses. James Brothers Lllmber Co. v. Union Banking and Trllst, 432 Pa.129, 132, 247 A,2d 587, 589 (1968). "[I]n cases involving a delay for a period of two years or more, the delay will be presumed prejudicial for purposes of any proceeding to dismiss for lack of activity on the docket." Penn Piping, Inc. v. Insllrance Co. of North America, 529 Pa. 350, 356, 603 A.2d 1006, 1009 (1992). In this regard, the proper focus is upon the docket, and it is the obligation of the plaintiff to monitor the docket. The court in Penn Piping was clear that it was referring to a two year time in which there was no activity on the docket. The court specifically stated "if the delay is for two years or more, the case may be dismissed for lack of activity on the docket." The rule set forth in Penn Piping is unambiguous and easy to apply. The trial court must look to the docket to determine if there is any indication of activity. It is the plaintiff's duty to move the case forward and to monitor the docket to reflect that movement. If there is no evidence of activity appearing on the docket for a period in excess of two years, wtder the standard of Penn Piping prejudice can be presumed. State of the Art Medical Products, Inc. v. Aries Medical, Inc., 456 Pa. Super. 148, 153, 689 A.2d 957,960 (1997) (emphasis in original) (citations omitted). Activity on the docket which is not of a substantive nature will not suffice to avoid the effect of the Penn Piping rule. See Collllra II. L & E Concrete PIIII/plng, Inc., 454 Pa. 3 " Super. 572, 577, 686 A.2d 392, 395 (1996). Substitutions of counsel, for example, are not the type of positive docket action which will constitute Penn Piping activity. ld An application of the foregoing principles to the record in the present case leads to the conclusion that the three-prong test for entry ofajudgment of non pros has been met. The Plaintiff has shown a want of due diligence in failing to proceed with reasonable promptitude, there has been no compelling reason for the delay, and prejudice is to be presumed from the more than two-year period of docket inactivity.6 For the foregoing reasons, the following order will be entered: ORDER OF COURT AND NOW, this 16th day of March, 1998, upon consideration of Defendants' Petition for Judgment of Non Pros, and for the reasons stated in the accompanying opinion, Defendants' petition is granted and Plaintiffs complaint is dismissed. BY THE COURT, /s/ J. Weslev Oler. Jt. J. Richard Delai #BU-1813 P.O. Box 200 Camp Hill, P A 17001-0200 Plaintiff, Pro Se Steven C. Gould, Esq. Deputy Attomey General Office of Attorney General--Torts 15th Floor -- Strawberry Square Harrisburg, PA 17120 6 In this regard, the court does not believe that a letter to a judge reiterating a request for appointment offree counsel in a civil case of this type, even were it to have been sent during the two-year period of docket inactivity, would represent the type of substantive action necessary to avoid the application of Penn Piping. 4 P.O. 2 Pro. on April 1, 1998 and received Detendant'. r.spon.e on April 18, 1998. 3. Petitioner now moves to amend the pending Petition to Open with the addition of the tollowing New Hattera. NO HA'l"fBR8 On April 2, 1998, one day atter the Petitioner tiled hi. Petition to Open Judgment ot Non Pro., the Penneylvania Supreme Court decided Jacob. V. nalloran, .upra, apecitically overruling Peftn plvlaa. IDa. Y. In.oraace Co. of Nor~h '--rica, 529 Pa. 350. 603 A2d 1006. (1992), and once again holding that a detendant .eeking a judgment of n2n ~ due to lack of docket activity beara the burden of Showing .ac~ual prejudice.. In the Jacoba opinion, Juetice Zappala explained. ....I~ ill .-- ry to ...._ pnjadlce-'" tile cIltIIl ........ , ill fne to.. I 4. ....- of ctaa1 pnjaUm...ID ~ ..... lID -*I:riq IIu oacan1Ill fGI:' a ~ of tw J'8DI. but tile dMf... "- L IIu DDt; 1oet; b18 abUl~J' to ~_te1J' pnfIlUW a 4Ief..... I~ __ lID eqa!tab18 ......... to M__ tile p1ahd;lff'. ~ -.1a1J due to tile V' rr of tt.. (21 PUf 416) The unanimoua Court said that it vae going back to the thr.e pronged teet ot J.... Bro~ber. C~DanY v. Union Banklna and Tru.~ eo.DaDY of DuBoI., 432 Pa. 129, 247 A2d 587 (1968). Furthermore, in a tootnote, the Court said tho new rulee vould apply .~o all pandlng c.... wb.re ~be I..a. ba. beeD pr...rv.d.. PIIGB J ClUtl&ly thl;l Jilcobu &L11in:J cCHlt.rolil ~htil Cillih. ~ '!ur.th:u. Tho U;il(undullts Ol;lVEl& clilim :wy OJctlllll Dreiu<lice io t.ta,,1& u&11/101l1 petition for lIun ~r~D, th~ir criuf in uu~port ot that ~~~i~1un, or I:nai& res;.oa..o 'Wo thiu l'lilt.1e10n...'" u.qu..st to upen t.hil judg..ent. rho D",lcnd::.nts raly solo1v on ehu ",ruioullI),i\;.iol\ o( ..r..judlult geeabii.hed by l;hn ~ pipino.1 duciu10n an" 'lj"ncitically """l:rulud ill Jacua. J\cuordin\,lly, thi.::: cuurt' Ii [,larch 16, lYIHI o~inioll dielllielling ..etitioner '. cOlllvlllint k,al:leu Its judglllenl: or .ww. ~ on Il tillll1l1lo1 ut ",rlil.ullud prajucHco llUr.UUlllJ!, tu thlo ~ Piuiou &Iuuly..ie. tllld..r 10111. 1,"10 rille r.nnO\,nl.llHl ill Jacobu, bu\.h tl.u Dcl:c.lldllll\a,' lintl thiw Court '. rol1allcu on f!I!D. PiDiua ie invalid. conversely, the Petitionor, both in hi. Briet in Opposition ot Detendants' petition tor JUdgment at Non Prall and in his Petition to Open Judgment, has alvay. maintainod that prejudice could not be preeumed in the inatant calle, becau.e the Detendante calle betore the Court vith -ancl.an hand.-. It i. interelltinl/ to Dote that the Jacoba Court alllo addr....d tha "unclean hands- doctrine and tound it to be a valid bar to a judgllent ot a2n nt2a. In hie briet, Petitioner cited the J.... Bro.. actual prejudice etandard and atatad that the DetendantB' reliance vae lIi.placed. Thull the Petitioner ha. ~roserved the iseue and it is incullbent upon this Court to reviev Ite Order at Diellieaal in light or Jacoba. P~14 Finally, in li~ht ot the complex procedural issues being raised by the Detendants, the Petitioner requesta that this Court appoint counsel to represent him in the future prosecution of this case. Counsel io ~enerally appointed upon a showin~ ot special circumstances indicating a likelihood ot substantial prejudice to the litigant, reBulting, tor example, trom hie probable inability to otherwise present the fact and legal issues to the court in a in complicated but ar~uably meritorious case. (se. gen.rallr S.1~b-BeY Y. Pe~.ock, 741 r2d 22, a~ 26, 3rd Clr. 1984) Theretore, if it appears that an indigent plaintiff with a claim of arguable merit is incapabl. ot presenting his or her case, serious conaideration should be given to the appointment of counsel. (Tabron Y. Orac., 6 .3d 147, 3rd Clr. 1993). Where, as here, the Detendants' have cho.en to tight the case on procedural technicalities rather than on the merits, appointment ot counsel is both appropriate and nece.sary. The record showe that the petitioner does not have the legal knowledge reQuired to bring this action to trial. In December of 199~, Petitioner .ent a letter to the Clerk of Courts advising ot his intention to delay prosecution ot this complaint. This Court noted in Its March 16, 1998 Opinion that. 1) the letter vas never docketed bocause .tbe pro~hoDotary'. offlc. I. ~h. r.po.l~orr for alyll c..... in Cumberland county, and 2) It I. doub~ful...th.~ . copr of . l.tt.r to . judge would be the proper subj.ct of . dock.t .D~rr In .Ith.r offlc... (3/16/98 Opinion, pg. 2, D. I. orl. COUll\' O' COIINOII !'LBAS OJ!' CUHBnLUD COUIIft, .IIIIISYLUIIJA Civil Act1gn - Law Richard Delli I PlIlnt.Uf I No. 9.-6887 Clvll Ter~ VII. I Bhine L. Pau1u., I Malvln C. Dun1a", at al., I PlO SI DefandanU I ...I.IID .'rA'rIH~ O' III JOaNA PlOP..la I~A~. I, 81chard Oe111, .tate under penl1tla. provided br 11 '..C... 14104 (un.worn fal.lt1catlon to authorltla.) thatl 1. On or about Deaeaber 8, 1994 tbe cu.ber1and County Court of co..on Plea. granted the petlt10ner lalve to procaad 14 tor.a DauDerl. .tatu.. 2. There ha. been no aub.tant1al chang a 1n .1 f1nanolal cond1t1on .1nce .uch dlta. 3. I a. unabla to pay tba fae. and ooat. of th1. action. ~yf, . (<.:: ,t (~ Oa tad I '1/1 1/? tJ 81chard Dalal, PRO 81 .100. 0' ..IYlCI I, 11cbard De1al, hereby certify that I a. thie day .erving the for.going docu.ent upon the pereon. and in the .enDar lndlcated be10v, whlch .ervice .atl.flee Local Court Rule.. Servlce b( Certlfied Hall tOI Iteven C. Oould Deputy Attorney Oenerll Torte Lltlgatlon .eotlon 15th .1., Strawberry Square Harriaburg, PA 17120 Clerk of Courte Cu_bertend County Court Hou.e 1 Courthou.e Square Cll'li.le, PA 17013 QOI"~~ Dltedl 1f/.27/ H.J' lichard Delll, PRO 81 Monday ^prillJ. 1998 _u.' """ "._........w.,.........."" 01....-_......."........ .......,..,.-......-1."..._ oIdw_poWoM...........dooo ..~""""""oI..J..Jxiolc.dc, I.J..J" I."".... C.. "Ntr1. A_... .. MIIti;a M--' I..... C., Pia c.. No. 96-0116lh _II, 199tI)Cooilll.J.(6 .-l- .7_ ' """ ~".....-I"""""...oud>o- ,..... IIIWII 5adalI, cbaaim11lMa .,.JaM __.ood",,_d>oI. leD,. oaI, II II .. baAd 10 be . ....Idm." ......,. _ a.... A-'-t.. c..-......u ~ . , ,.qc. No.I>I-<lI1l.... . 1;1998)~,J.(1:1.....)." .-....... ...... ' . ,." I' . 'llo priori.., 01. ""'bdd."..... who CJba.i.I.! I Judlmrac ....i1I1. propntJ' crned ." boo '-'-l1""""N IO"~"'" _......._....".....oIboolWwl .. "'"' k..... ..r",,... p<rioI """,*. od'" II U." 118 iod 11IO. MJJ... IlooI .J r,., c.. '" ,... Pia c.. No. ~720 lh s.p... ^fN I, 1998) ~ J, (20 .-l- .>'. . ." _u. """ , aec.uw I pIlraktaa', 'cvprl., tI ftCOnlI _ _.. J~ pJlDftlD I.t_ IDIW d. bat.,- limimDoo. 00 drb mUec. ................I....iod...........oI ........,__rioIuI......... of cbe Ilatt Ulllfllr Trade Prac:dcfI ud eo-a.n Pnlc<<Uoa tn. C.......,../,... c.II. Pia c.. No. PI-06}O (Pa. tomaaw. _ n. 199tI) Nori<k, I).; 1CdI<r.J-. olio- _uz,...u _7.. ,""" IcauM An 4-4 P<<"Woot In fonh DtW procedwa tupplan&lna Ifw old ftqWrtmroI lhIr adPl bl14 wm ro be paW wuU Itw dmt tll wCJ', dtcilion. ftw wCJ properl, ~bmriia.oIdwde.ttupuowhldl lbe Implorer', pb"lclan had opiDtd Ihu d.lmul bad fullr mou,td, If.,.,."" '*"'" . .._. C__ Nr-J U, PIC1 C. No. 96.0640 (PL Commw. Nan:h 1I.199tI_J.(II.....' _u. ,.",D 'I1w dJrnduII iNww lIC1C'd UI bid IUrb In rJuail1l 10 dcftod ill ia&wN, . al.hlchlb, ...- plliNaB'1 claim dw Iht niJhulub w ia cmpqea wm nqlipK in laiw., II) p"" _ IlIlI -..k up;lG plainriB' by trrmJ rI dw Di&h&dub"pIIIllClI.~~IJJ.III- ~1MIit S,.,J-M. Pies Cw No 98. 0691 (ill Pa. AUtd&)O, 1998(BttlMIr.J.(IJ .....' ._-..-:-~._-.~";:"~~:..:~ ,.' :.".....U'.... . P E. '~'X.-r:-~1'ltr..T~' S '1............c......3-0IGIT 170 I .~tr+~~.~ PLU 67672 09/21/98 =.sTATE: CORRIX1IONAL INSTITUTION }(W VHU MINI L14U l.IBRARY/POIIJ:!JZZ PO 80X 8837 , . AI1P HILL PA I70'lJ-8837 . t' ~.L.d.. + NelllJ alld Opillio/lS , . ilPpaia'Lea~s StuJtiJ'lilsVI~n,r..t,.".. Illgh court thro~sPenn Piping out .. BYHANKOREZLAK . :T'....: '.. '1 de~,rbeaae.... ".' ".....". oIIIIoUowWH~ ., The lm~.oilhededsl......',. .......................,.................. be underudlDl1cd. Couodcat CaICI"hayt., In a PlO'W'C aimed.t bril1linS ronalt~ b<<ri chrown out aUlomallcaJl, bcaUlol tmcy to the trlaJ coun', lhe tea,e tWO.1..n hue Jooe b, whbputlo', Suprnnl Cowt halluUld. trio ol dDCb;c'lCtlyiry. ADd plaJoulT.' law)'en... ~inionl that will brln, '.teplnl b,ye:llflue"d rcpnlcdl, dlAt Ihe, hln chanl" '0 the w.y dockcl lnaccl,hy I. bun dillSccu In punuina C&Ka b)' poi~~ handItd.. . '.' Il1IlO non-doclu1: .ui,il)'.euch.. diKOY~ 11w COUR Ihrew OUl ehe tn1 in P,.. cry or .hin ~ltmCC!'I,GCJoc1ac.iona!:_.': l Pi/i-,. I.. It laJllNM C.. .j A..k4. '29 I! All thm'opioiont conwned.fuOtOocft" fl. "0, 60] A..2d 1006 (1992). 1huin which the coun''\fJd cbe new na1et. COUtU bad UJtd'Cot ronaiderina.OQf1 proi .ould Ipply -to aU pcndi~ ~...hc";;. mOlioJU and lIdoplcd. much mote pain; ~he I"ue baa btin ~JYCId.. I:r:"...... ..'. eilf.frimdJ)' ,Wldud. 1 ". . . : i'lp d.e~~rr.n~~~ .l~ ~. .cal! ".boul~ b~j, ..",,:rh...~II&I..,.,~~..,~;,o\.ll~....9q ~h"'. "1,\,o~i,~;~...,PJAA~.'.rqo,,,lb~,: .. ., lonstt ,a prmuppuon ~ p~jiUUc~lTut I\; t~O~ ,..,J.1t ... PnB. ~4 \Q &he f~. . ~ " . EWO~'Clr del., l~ dockuacli'n, and pron. tc" o(J.wus B,,'~ ""'.,."'; ,'. ~n.,.'.J." ,~'.:/",' 1Ai' non-docket Inl.u, uo be con,Meled U.i,. !Jtldi.., ,II.; rr." C'.'tI~l'/ ;,NlWl '.""'~" "::~~'liIJ' lit. . when lookins'~ whtthcrthere hN betn I D.O,/,. ~~2.fF 1..29,. 2t1 ~~2d .~~! ,,~~,~"'r~.'.i~.~ "'.' ~.~ I 1II'"~ compcllin.rcuonforchcdelay.. . (1968): .' ..' '. . ' .1~"_"."~.~.H./~li.6i.~ 11lC docldolU appl, to CueI diunluaJ I: . Thele musl bf. I.tk .of,du,e diU.. .'~~.". I...'., . ,_ " . ~ .'~ !! on non proa mocion' or tClmlnalcd for .tnec on~bc rI the plaintiff In fail., . I", u,h.r d b J '11".' I " ---. loco! I I .. ...J ,,. . I'" .:.:....^..a"l ...( .. unln mo.. . 'Were Ie, u . nacUYl1y r.&nuer Net mpKmrnl~ 'Ina 1Q. " 'f' ~.....~-cpropt~~!'S _"~7...;...1."':''':'' :1"~,l>'L' '..jl under Rwe of Judici.1 Admlniten.llon cud~; . . . . " . 'T- f"" ,~.~..~.' ." 1901. . ; '~/l... t II' J: :.!,. The' plllntiff mull b~YC no Hlf11.'.. . In; th! br~~de~f: ru~i.n". J~(dl ~ Another kq upett to thc NUna' it pellina rruon for thr~ea)';.. ~., H.JIK.., PICS.~ No. 98.073' (p~ the .ugadon thai: dtfendanu will have ' elbc deity mwt cal:'SC actu.al'prel~;, I,AptU2.1998,)~~]. (~J paa~), dif . baN lime Inti", I cue tbrown QU1 on ~icc ~o ~ defendant..;.. 'j' -',. ,..hi.b, (OUCC thmt.. eM:l:t P~' rili." ~eQc a DOn proI mOlioo iCthcy did an,lhina t~ Ii The opioiOOJ, In which rhc coon ,.-u .- ',.. . c.;;..J. '.'~ I '''1''. .' Chll Pracllc. Toru ~ '1, . - Superior Cour(Cla~ifies' , . . . Rule on Verdict Challenges ..... Slip a~d Fall.. ',." . PJai!{Off$.,SUl'Yjp~.;_ ~ Summary Judgment; BYDAHIEu.EN.!lO~'. '''. '; oIIIIoUowW~ . , . p.......w~;iff;.i~.:h;; ':;;,;;;; '.ii;~;;;i faJl camhaYC ,unind ,umm&ry :jud,meric Ifur' I tbru~Jud,e COmmon Plcu CoU" ptnel ..Id it w.. up to jurln to decide If the hUh Ind ridset doctrine .ppUnlo their cutS. : Eo<h pWoliJl'. r.u ... oIk..,n, .~ by..... ood lee. but whcrhu lhe kJ,""'" .........wl oil ammIl, slIl'1"'J cvndicloo or M,Urcnce Jibe prop~tdQ'.~ ..... "I'l'/.jwy\Ode,iJ,.I\.._}Ild.. , . '_~~'I(tR BY MARY Eu.EN FOX 0111Io ulw W...~ .......................................... ,he .we Superior Cwn hu.nn1cd . heW uiaJ 10 I plaintiff.ho IIJC . wr. . dict of 001, '600 in her Inlluit ,..lnu Inolher d,iyer nen tbou8h her law)'tr Wlited unlil (lou.nill moriolu 10 duJlt"ae Iht ,ile 01 the nrdkl inutW of objtc1ina IIIrW. ' RCftnina 1M IrW iudar, LU..t Soprtior Coun pooII hu NIed 10 ""'" PJ.,Ji, PICS Cue No. 98-0701 (PI. Super'. Muth lO. 1'198) llu.lock.J. m .....l. d", IhI...;", tuIc It'! down in PI,u $I Kri.... (4) A.2d B68 (P.. Supet. 1m>, f'C\Iulrln..o objtuion " bdin the JUIY it diuniwd: did ~ ~I,' ~ ,hra.s.e. . .. . The pln<! Ird '" Jodi' J""Pb 'lfuJ.x,lc. I&id I line rI JXl'1.PiatI d<<iaiont bid Iimhcid IIw waiwr nail' 10 .itUllioru wbm chr Jury Jot con(win. jul)' InlUutlion, 'or .pcclaJ inttfTUguoon dw dw uial iWJf twld but rorm;tC\l.i( countCl had obj<<ttd., trial. ;.1, -AJ I wholt, we hive IUund cNr lhe raWl fU(haJ 1n PiatI doni)' eppropriau,. Hudock wrorc. .1n wtlil1 which d..lwy mWDIIrl ,ambi.!Jl:lUt,mdkt which an be UlCcd CO ". litigam', failure to ~wt d.. proper wonlln, clio jwy chuJe IlIIflC'CW infrtT'OptO(in..:, ' n.. ~ Coun olio mmrd che triol """"" ,., ..c.~!...J..'IIC'l.7 ,'_"""''''L:.. ~~_..,,-......~ 14 , PINNm"AN1A lAw Wwa. y 'MONDAV, APRIl-'ll, 1m ' While Slmplon lAid Ihllhouihl that Inconlillendn In lhe ui.1 (OUfU pl.yed . rule In lhe hi,h (0UIt'. BACKGROUND Of c.uss d<<lliOOl, &he laid me allO chou.hl il nI1ecc. 'nJ<<HI, Ihe hl,h C~" rnlyed U... ed .. concecn chit Jacobt'lI...uJc .,..Inll Hany and. Pacrici. m.ybe .ome ,ul.l IbUcnn, NUn. die nl., coUrt Ihi&Utd' PM cown wm win, non f('" """ nandatd to Kt iflhe U.UoplU pfUI and Rule 190110 were prejlidictd by lhe 2 II2.rat c:kl'lln .vold docket b.cklo,s. lhe wc, ..' "They m.y 'pp"f Zlp,p'I. added dv,. wu no rnaon 10 u an cuy ...) 10 clun conducun anaI)'I1I fat IIOOIhn de{cndanl, up lhe dacltel, bUI It Lrnd. Pytf,..Mtfadden, beClwc Ihe came lUll ,n. rtplt<<d by . bd'on lhe ~ whh -\&nClan hands.. compln lelll m.l- Accord,,,, 10 t~ opinion, Jacoo. wu r"dce "'lion," Simp- Injumlln . car acCident Invol~i", I vchl. IOn &aid, . :-de1O.wn41J ~ If.. ,l;I:tJlo~f~ filed . .11..... very, vel')' IncOfUillCnllhrou,h~ tompl.lnc. ...I~,.r!'3"~ !naJf,t:rf' ouc dvCommonwahh.. '. N~Paddett/ I~~ .g$CJ~;'f"" She said lhat In Eri, some jud,n wtre . dflYln,l~, car wh~.~dlonh ~ J!f' celli", dcfeNCcoulUt1 cofilr(otnonptDI. . miulon II lhe.elm. o( dwlc:ddlAl,ln H.fry McMuni,al, who rrptnenced AUIu,c 1987. , lhe drfendanr.ln /ttIri.., said lhe NIi!'4s . Due man chan c~ ~ lacer fyffe. pnn'ide ..oad fuidellnn. ,Ihal, ",Implify McFadden cnclfltd dlld", . d~poIlcion and clarify-lhe IUut, Ihac a (rltnd, and noc her, wu dovl", dw .Enry cur is dl((eunl,. h~ ..Id. ~all,ClfII\I' vehicle whhout wlr prrmh- -rtwn'.bttnlOmanrdilTmnllntcrprm. Non. ..... " ,; r',':'t~";'" .01 ciona of P,.. Pili., (rom caunry 10 coun. .1hr ItAtcmml craced I pDUlble unln. ry," " .uml mororial claJm .,.lnlt lhe iruum of .JI makn II 'lolI,her (or Ihr ddenl~ the'tthlcItJacoblw"ap.ucnanlnwhm wllh havln, 10 p'OY' chey were prcjll' the accldenc happened,lhe opinion Mid, diud,.'Nd'{lIn!J.I &aid. " ,,- }&(oba' lawyer whhdC't'W in $cpccmbrr 11w rulin,. provide both lIial couns 1991.nd new eounlCl ~..n 'pptU- .O&\lawym wjth mUlh moc1' "nnibillcy," .nee. There w.. Ih.n-. I'P In'dock" he lAid, . , 'ClIYlty (rom October 1991 to Oclober "1'",. Pili., didn', c1uif'y I1v luut, it 199). J~obI filed an ",dye IlIllJI unlfj. ~t muJdltd i1," McMunl,.I...id. radon In November 199) in taponM' co a . "(1M old mnd.,dldonn'l ""olnlae noelc. thalltw cue would be crcminacN CM .vt'fI,r li(rtirmof. caw" (otlack oflCcivlcy. J fy((..McP.ddcn .nd Ihe Halloranl NON.DOCKBT Acnvrn'. filed (or a non rro.ln Aptlll99-4, The PadDU ....hlche (lei chat non-dockrr coun .n!UN jud,menu 01 non proa in "civlly un b. conlid"ed is .ho Strctmbct 1994, -nutrml, impon.nl .. ' J&(~ ar,uN che UK lhouldl1'C h.ve "You han co be .ble to n.lutle whac ~ dllmlucd, uyloa che'UM cla.lm .... 11M' panlf1 have bttl1 doin.t Padrau .aid, . comprllln, ~ (~,Ihe deily, Chal ahc He .,rtN ..ilh s.im~n'. UltWT\tnt lhat had bttn dill,enl In punuln, htr Cut, ptn oIlhr rrub1em IIlhli P,.. P'/I., w" Ihlt lhe .dcfe.nd.nu had not .uffercd any J<<idN II . limt wlM'n,diKoyel)' .... on _ 1e,Iutl flIYJudlC' br'UulC the cue.... rady ',dvtbl.C1., ' , .'.' ....'.'.. . . . ror Hili and ,hac her (orm" I.w,., ..' ,.. . "I.'.' , 'I.imod,'.... IIrllo"..'I...,.. ..md.lo .. ",,",",Irllln 4'I'IIIII"r',"'" 'r'., .........1.......... , I <<; much Ih'l ,DC' on In uu, Ihac IIn'c n/lcacd on "wdod.... . , .Ahhou,h Ih. doc~tt proYldl'l.n empirical, ....lIy "rlll.ble crhcrlon co niUcr rnlew 01, c.... Ie it 100 ccudc . back 10 cllt lat In).." B,.,kJ (01 deter. mteh.nilm 10 dlltln,uilh cruly iRlCciv., mlnlna I( non proa II appropri,c~ .nd aid llaM cuct from acci.. ona whrrr activity IhaC noc only illhue no 10n,er . prt. I. not rcf1tcud on dw dock.n,. he wroce In "lImpclon o( prejudice af"r. cwo-year MMr"j .Duml...J deb)' In dockcc ICclvlry, buc che burden I, oJ . CUI it far coo ~ dc{cndanu In pnwl! t'kv welt Dreju. h.nh I ,nule d~ when ch. cue II -Z.W-Ia u.id lhe adoption 0/ dw pre. noc I(lu,Uy ,ul.. .wnptlon oJ prcjlidice under 1'.. Pili., buc WII mavin, W'U ".rroneow: b<<.we it Is -ioconli.- &Jowly fotwud.. rmc with IN wcll-nabliatwd nocion lhat Once ..ain. lhe lIheru.IY mUll .utTer hllm be(ore. ZIpp&lI rcftmd 10 cue IIdiamlacd fat lack olprolC'Cutlon" incen.lu.nci... Whll. h. s.ld he und"uood IhlC .mon, chI 111.1 deby'lln Iicl,llIon can nwc problt'1M (oc coun.... p-"i.1 Jd'cndann, Zlppala added chat .Ihe Nln b..h (or Ih. conc:crnin, the dimi...1 oJ CUC1 for lnac. coon'. ded.tun. civil)' rdln:1 policy COOCtfN which impU. .In rrant yan. mlny couns 01 com. CIte Ihe- iRl.rcIU o( both pl.lntiffl and moo pica hn. dnoclopcd cheir own ~i. dcfcndanl1.- tin ",ardin, which ICciyi1itt .... 10 lw -h II UMCnury co presume preju.Jicc fttordtd on che doduc,- ZtrraJa &aid, ~In beeaUN 1M defendanl it (ree 10 prnenl IOmI countkl, acdyicy Ihat wu (ormttl, evidence o( accUll pr.judice'- Z.pp.l. rtCorded 00 the dockn it no lon,,,. Thi. ~nlI' In hi. opinion, -In eUft ...here no ac.d. 10 .lac:k oJ unifurmiry In the 'Wll. ICllvll)' hat occumd (01 , prrlod iJ cwo callon riRult 1901 and allO In lhe ....1\11. DUc lhe defendant fiii'"noc &oIc hi oJjud.mcnuolnonprot, I 10 !JIlt . ,~~ ~I -W. fw1:her rccoanl.. thac IOIT'lt ICdyi. . ICfWI no ~- Jln whl(h a.rc beyond che conual of che nn . cue IOkly du. 10 fhe Puu.I' ~ plllnctr( can CIUIt . rt~t . . drl.y In proltcullon here II no 10,lc.1 dllclnccion rn....nocrcqUil'tdco btcWftn lhe twm aUIt'd 10 . defend.nt be dockntd . by dv pl.inrUf. del.y o/IWO ynn and ' - che hum cawed IQ . Mmdanc by . dellY ATI'ORNBY 0/ CWO rnn ICSI one day," RIlAcn Whal ..... behind 1M (oun', maan. ONS in,' Ap,..rrntly ic ..... IIIe di...nry In lhe M~y of dv '"~- w,y che nllt', nial COUIIS haye handled ney. InyolYCd In Ihe dell" In lili,"ion, whether II wu I non cun I.md lhe d<<1. rn- marion or . motion under. loc.1 Nle .1001..,,, .ianificanl, Imrwmnuin. Rule of Jlidiclal Admini.. Howner. IMy varied ctldon 1901. on wkallhry chou,hc AI ro1ntrd OUI In variou. .nicl" in ..... lhe coun'. mOIl. P,...,I..i" Ltrw WHJ/" ,Stc -Couru' v.tlon co Ihrow out Rnronw co Non Proa Mociona M.rked by ,.. Pili.'. lneon.luenc,. in Ihe M.rch 17. 1997 Some Ihou,hl It h,ue). f'Kn lhat: ml,hl 1C*d I Cllt' 10 be wu IIlconlluenc:ltt , dhmlucd (or inlcciylcy in on. counly .maRl the ni.1 couns, while olhcn ...id mI,hl hOC In .nother. che mutt wu conc:~ aboul lhe roui. "'Jhmo hat bcm .a.ck oJ cONi.,ency In bilhy of crulin, mon le.al m.lp,..cicc lhe klwer (OUIIS U 10 whecher che PR' cltiml and wllh lrial coum bci"l overly .umJ'lion I, <<-bumble .nd. If 10, ahat conctmrd aboul cleanl", Ihtirdockn.. cYre o( ~yidenn I. required.. Z.ppal. Jacob's .uon'lC'Y, Jowph Podrau, ...id MJd, ('IOinci", aul in . (oocnote IhaC C'Wfl che new lIandard wu "rall.cic, worbblr lhe SUf'Crlor Coun hat h.ued opinion. and hir." , . 1M conflict wilh neh OIhrr. ""This indi. -llhinle Ie I. . \'fry Il.nifiu.nl chaR.e ('aItI'to UllhalChe 'rrlkaljon oJ lhe J'lft'. co lhe ....,. we hand'" dw non pnlI h.ue; IUmrdon hat rnmd unworbb~. he IUd. , -"unherln(W, II would be UnfOfCUlll1t Podra" Mid Iw hadn'. IC'Cn 1000I\li.. co Ite cholf m,"C1' ...hleh h.n been trocles In lhe lrial coun.. cw.n.d (rom II.. doclut: dlJl' 10 d. ""ff' '.NOIt of It.. oplnionl 1'... 'nn hau In, of.jud,;nwnu 01 non I'fOIl"ClIrfWU" rl,ldly Irplltt{ Ihe cwo-yur prnumr' .uomry malpnctkeclllms.- cion,- Poorau laid," ',' . In S.." " l!fll'r. PICS c..~ No, 98. 'f hc lhe rruon rot che U7}7 CPa, ^rrill. 191)8) Zlrr-1e, J. (10 (h.n. ....1..COUtt. conc.tm I (1I,tI). che Surnme COlIn ruled .,alnll Imt were . limn Ih. rlalntlff., bUI ..id Ihe r",sonin, inor tc 11 CI C II IIdorud in)iIIti1. would .pply 10 cun di.. WOl.l CQI1\C' tier n I utm I ml.M\I .r"nulnt 10 loc.l rule' imrle. 1M ~t . MUlt.. , nwndn, Rule 01 Judici.1 AdminillBliol1 - Ilhlnk !lie (OU". d\&n81' il tllrrmcly 1901: imf'OlUl1l to J'f'Kcilionm Ihrou,houllhe And in Milt;.. .. lIiIIl"",., PICS Cue SIIle'- Mid Omni. Boyle, who n'11rnrnlr.J No, 98-07)6 (Pa, Arrill. 1998) Ztpplla. the ~AiOlifflln"I.".;.., J. (7 r-"n),the hi,h COO" rultd thai non. When ..ked ..hy Iv choulln Ihe (oun . duckrt acclyilY un be (omiJered when made 'uch . IWft'pin. chln,e in the I.w. Jud,,, .u lookinll at whtlh" . un Boyle "i'lied: "AI CH'I11I.umcnt tile JUI. .houlll bt tffminmd UOOct Rull' 1901 Of licn ICtmN 10 be mil)' (OlKernN willi dilmiucd on. non IlfDI n)OIion. dw "I' P,.. PI}i., .... brin, imerpmr.J. Un&kr r'lor u....l.w mull count only II .....nutin'. ~ olrrobleml,. (~uwd on OOcktllCli...ity. Kilhryn SimJ1fOO. ,,"oolilr.J In .mituI Z'rral. uld nan.d()t~tI ."ivi'y b,iri in ,\I",.. (or Ilw Ptnlllyl...nai. Blr I~.l~ ,4', ~~jdt',f'4 benUlt tlwre is 10: ~Ial~ ~~ !-,c~.~~ ~. :r!II1.:'~fI Non Pros . . c-;..I~,.,.I .. u,,.1. ... (or Alle,hen, CounlY, ..Id Ih. rulln,. wen .....ny t1,nlflClJlI: ." -T.lttn co,tCh", ch.y t1,nifiuntly chan,CCM Ilw,.W Mid, ' .' The problem wllh 1',.. Pili." ehe ..id. II chac II 1M 11mI'll w.. decided. diKovery .... on ehe doc:kn, -Now Ih. rulu haY' ch.n,ed; .h. ..Id, Boyle tdlOCd SlmplOR" commenu: "When P.. Pili., came OUI )'OU (ouId dock.. dlleov.ry. Thac'. no lon,er Iht cut: Doyle ~. .In .Ioe ri cou.ncitl you , CjV\'1 dockcc ,"ythin, n:cepl modona" On .... new ...ndatd, ~mpaon llid: "I 'Ihlnk chh II . much more rnUnlc 'flPIOICh 10 the ...y dw law II pncclccd, Ie donn'l ptt aceOlTlt')'l.,lIlnll ach blhn.. Som. ICCOmry. haye complained INI lhe 1',.. P.ili., lcandud made lawyerln, even mort adveruri,1 beUUM .ceofnt)'S weft leu liltely 10 IICcomodarf the ~1JtI1I (Of delll" (rom chelr opponcnra or "Crt 'mJ' hnitill1C tboul ....1'" (ot one 01 cheir own. lN.t ..... probably lOmewheft' on che . caun', mind, SimJ1lOl1Il1d, ., lhink IhtC che coon hu J'l'ICOlniwd Ihac Ihll could bt . problem .nd hu avoided the problem,. SimplOnaaJd, focus ON PiulvENnNo lIAcIu.oosl . "Th,,, I, no 'og/~" dl,tln~. tlon.b,'wun Ihll herm c.u..d III' d.l.nd.nl,by Ih. p','ntlll', d.,.y ollwo yu" .nd Ih, herm c,ulld 10" ~'I'nd.,jl by . dlll.y ~I Iwo , yu" ,," onll d.y; " ~. ." --.. .,. 'on'nusP""""I' PLW416 .Th. dO('k~c it \'Cry unrelllbl.,. he ..id. . '. Pod.... Nld non proo" pn>bobl, mon oIa problem in chi Nm couhcln lban Ie II In chin lilce Philadelphia ,hac have a cut' mar'llJ~mcnc pco,n.m. .' , . SilDJllOO ..reed lhal non proa II man of . pmblem in Nnl-lIer coundn bcawc whhouc t.cklo., lawy.n can han com. pin wa end find Ihey, ere achNllltd (ot trialln .iI wcdu, whcrcu In Phl1adclphla 01 Phnbw,h . trial ml,hc be 18 mooch. down lhe fOld. Thtt'i "pedall)' lroublf'o some In dtuaclona w~ you ha.... . plaJn. lilT with . horrcndouI injury, the IUd, ' .Nobody wanu to '0 to lrial .lx1lfC'dt.a Jler a complainc is filed.- Simpon aaid, 110wtYer, NcMunl,.1 ..Id Ie hun'l bccti mll<h of. probltm In Berlu Counry. "I'm nOI on. 10 witch Ihe clock.- MeNuni,aI u..id, fl1J1JlUl DIlBo\TBS 00)'1, lAid lhal whil., 1M Ihm Clift .hould c1.,lfr 1M 11111. .nd brln, IOme . uni(ormlcr 101M dlff.Rnl coun.cln, chc dcbatelln'cD'm'Y". . -'Ihlnk Iher. .re ,oln, Co be I 101 mOA' ....umen" 0Y'Ct pnjudi" and whal J.aub.wui....acuylry,. he taid, .J wonder If non prol moclon. .i. ,oln, 10 b. .1 common,. Do)'le 'Ald, add In, Ih'l he Ihou,he char .Iven Ih. chan,., dtfcnM '"orncya ml,hl be "11X:' unl co spend lime Ihi,acln, non pros mod.... '--..-f" .::--=-=--.:.:.':~..':':-:~f':'._'.~--' . . ~::-- ,a...nmPMlIAllIPLW4It. ",.. ; MONDAY,IAPRIL 11,1998 : .',." ',' , ,. ..... ,.' ':;'." .'. . .'ru..i..mVM1A L\WWIU:L'(. ",11 'In d" caN .11 whll"M pumwd thl tIM INCllYI()', Nlln, thlr whll.,,,", PJ1l., no Ih. d.(.ndlnu w.r; pnludlctd by Ind, f'orttill." claim. Ion,,, .ppll.., the de(end.nu "eu.b.. Kruflt,'.dNlh. "Quh. timpl" Ih. (off,oln, 'etord ~ .Id lhe IriaI roun. would hi.. II.Md. IMy had brrn Prt1ud. Iced b, tM om. \lte rhe de(endlnrt h.d lufY"ed tlmoY" thlt clle .(rom the c.lte,ofJ' o( , (0 .0.jMc~~(ld.f..m_I!,,, wh.th".th.., dcLqlndwcur."~"""",, ~.... "l')\,,~". . p"jud~thlMld, theShopd wmn'tenl!. mHCIIft IhAl dwruln 01 Judkiat admln- HIlI~.wi." pielu.!~b1I~'dtllt,~~':J.'h~'$hi(p.. 'UttBI,le'lnd'York._:.t1tdto.;~~rin" :t..:..',:.,m:o.,~,~"-~.,,..lttl'lliCln aH lJ}"I,~ to'tllml~tt (rom HOWC!"',' ~'1Ud Prfl"e.McPtddcn,~!,~ !/~~foimtd!nJ maJptllCtJ~ and cor. ~ r I And In Mm.., chtcourt~eddwl.rit1 ~Ihe 1,,,'m,1 bpp:&la ",Id. fAllw. haY' tnl!dedto.Mtr~'lt~1. "1'.. ..""',....n;.....p"'N'. n..all,thc. IIf October' 1991. A~' 100.' &hould"n'c ht~ IhroWn 0c:R Chail"" allnd, lodinted. ah, one oflhe clced lie. .' Pyfl'..McPaddcna d.llhocwlI~'.n,"d. H'ubpotna -:u l..~ on Au" 31, 1?~2,. Ind Mollll ~ulno. ~ult 1,.lnn J.m" con would be Inlufficient to ..In" thlt j i",dwidtntllJofchedriwfolcNftfUd. bul chen thm .....nc .ny dockn IlCClYlty Hmy HllCllnun.nd Inml OCM' dtfen. c.... (rom dhmll..1 (Of inactivlty,)'II chi CWIIIfNctI.~ faich which It directly rrlf.. . unll Oct. 2', 199' wben che coun d.nn .awe tNy had a comrrllln, m~. foc.1 pktW1' painred by chit mord II chat ..nl 10 th. d.la,ln proltCuclon (,om ordered. hrt,ln, on whelher ch, nit IOn for chi dtla,.' oJ red' lbe'c Iowl N . wbktt IIht _kt nllJ," hllIId."'1b aUow IhouJd be rnmlnated fot lnac1lvi()'. Ztrpala'uld chere w.. .In unusual . lC....JlfOC IOJ.' I I " COWl I her ra bcntfic (tot\'1 I dttt, whkh w In An Imponanl witn.... 0" K,up!r, Imaunc. o( acclvll, chll Wlln'l on, ch, dllpoai!IOR. , pan cnmd it Inequitable and will not be diM durin, Ih. Inacel,h" chi opinion dockn: the dcathofMarlno',l'in' acconwy . ~I'~pml idal ptn<<thl.....h .pl.o{ pmnlned,". . ....Nt. _ I 1;,"" I andllft'lhr'"rlacnnenlofch'fHond ~ClYI,Cltl~C.fC'Wl'mncrtw.c ,,,~. ; In S..". chi hl,h COUR tIJ1nnt'1i 1M Ztppltt ..Id che Shorn ,"rrn'c dill.. lUomri, di(J'ltulfin In obtalnl", the caw "fM/,.., lurn" ~. ~I., In docket Intcd.ri. Suptrlor Coun', drcitlon thrawln, OUI ,tnl In punuln. ch.lr cllr and dldn', flI. from lhe pmlout antlt1'at7. IhI cUI", cy chouah ~li'dn:umnanct: aJ~ .ttl.hc , DenMI and Shonna Shope', CUI ..alnu ..... a aood npl&nlldon for che dtla,. In 'IO( dtpO.hlon., ..ul,menl M.olllllon. be IRlufl1d/l\t. c Wu Ihtrtfon'an abUatol , Dr. 'If" e.,I. and York "o.ph.1 (or lIddidon, hf MId 1M t' coun Nd round .nd Icllphonr calla .cmlfyln'lht taM dilCmion to mml".Cf che C&M',. . I ' " , &. ' ..., . Letter to' the Edfto'r _.I.n,td._ Sttln, Ihlll(.'onl" cI... {n. 'luch coul'I"I.nd commlc!l).nl~ _hen. and man InclnM p,olf(udon, ' I. ~. .... ,.., w." n.wl, ,comm"Ud Ihoul, .(Ift cholcr la prtt.nrtd 10 U', II now, Ihe T,llIn.I" .hen chll 0.1.. icoad u.n ,.c..-.JIr-'.' nl.lIt I. alltM prOo~Ont rrqulrlt 10 .uandud.btt}-et II duldtd (01' .noc .uc. aber.tI. to Ih. pan, bOdtt,',ht poUII. ~ cI.mol\l~Ct lhe rtl~ wert tedclMI, I cumbln, 10 cf't mobl '.'. cl.nl' "nlhlw"l.. lowlfd ,.dudn, t a I J ludtd d . . I un"I... 11M miner ~ (01 hMI(: Ih. The IWWlpt(lfn of COUll'. pla,l", 10 crim, and rlddin, Ih. IInu. o( Ih. . d' ~ nc nd ... mrr I~n(rint IU~ 'Rluln. crlmet any lhel, own Indlcl. ihelr rudenhll1, tdltollanud hanhl, pltdlCon h,h.cl.,,~ look an .btupcl, Nt ,n. I 1m, . c.n mennl11M onl, Jl'C*lbl. qunllon then ..alNI Abraham. (RO( ro, the I1nl elm, . .. . . '. . I In.~lktll h J k I I I., II wholt dootlle, .hodld bl.m, 'In.hluot1nll, unpublhhed .rror): they " di~~n~th1i~ ~j~l!!~ Ii 7:d a.. I . IC .on .uppou". c I m mid" , nmf pi' . prlCl (ot declllonl lhey u", "nc t I~ u. ...h.lr own Inltrpn.\~!jdon ~! LI~I' cl~.4tI., 'If ;To tlmpllfy the ml~ctf antt connn. on ochfn, e,roncouI or nol II II tu, (Of Inl Inctnded (0 plOltCuCt . .MI on che chid b, AbnHam"1 .n Cnr tt ft.N Ini ou' namlnalion'meffi, 10 M o( ~ ~h~pre.. co'nllt Ihe lunn, 'OUIf 10 dtu, dnlm. Council leaden CUI IIlde ;nt ~~,,~tC~notnlllf1r~Tli. l1b"tdtt,'npt, and ai.nwactd allault, rnCItnhlp .pprobatlon, whlll'dllln,rn. Ih, wlllllnc"rlu o( chi ehlltnlln I..... If'tw~. t::nted ....cum n. anrlbuled tubttqurncl, 10 IhoIe 'fnl.,. uou.l, tlllmJn. mollvlllon In I hl.htr IQu,ln, ..(er ntl,hbo,hood., mff'tl, to '" ;nornert rl ,,"-{dr,, n~' :rf:.. In,lhls In'lcuubl, carl, ,.Ieur 0' I..ClUII. I punhh chtlpcMcal'. . ~..,?j~i:a~hi;&Ift'II~ .k.tn;jbP.frolr,..I~Stnale oprhl, .tllmlh.~ ~" . In,dttd., tltw.paper Itchl.et If' Sham.d, 100, wile Iholl .hcln, chaUen,,, (01 the .ery OffiCf h,ld b, -nurdbtl' orchOlt who ~rr. .e:c rrre H, llplfle Wilt( ,dleo,I.1 I.menu IC Ih. Iud,,, who. fntalln, Ihe Ic, .,Ip o( Abraham, chtttb, nmO'lln, .n, ..ndl. Ihl. Iud,., co wtnCUlf (orch Ind o~n hhhtno low qualicy of PhU.delr,hl. JUl. polldcalut'llIltJ', chootln, ptft)' (cally IY foe.... lau.htblt c1.im of din.need more to murder IndA ftpt. co ,.ndllill._,lu. 1)1elr h,pocrlt, 11 now pia n 10 It't, oyer Ih.l, ntWlt complntdllwom oath. obJecd'ilJ' and nrucnUtJ' oflnttml. Ind .pre'ad ~rnor. , ..:' II Ih., Itchew chI oppo,~unll' 10 ..' 1;(~~~~'WIlk~ lNc oI.,!MJ.f\lu''M1'.~AA.4 HoW'tftt', nrn u IMY ,ncmr.ed 10 Mullah Juuon. .~d hrr tuppon,n. n~ c!tt fl2nctrnpotllX.ijl6UJ;~n"""'t,tfftloril'" fuller 'Ih.n nand ra.i10r lunlfy Ind ..culp." che nom nit o( . hu, 'Jlptnlivtlr a"u1d c1dU'rhl.w o( c1f. .,ery Clmled I,u,m 1hty c1.lm 10 lhow IOlemn (IIIcht, nlw..a lud,m.nc In her prior tulln,., IndlIlCt. le.1I JUulflClllon (or chote abhor. cond""nln, h. n.wed worldn.. Thett tlnln Iud" undenc.nd u that tk'W 11m I mMfd cht .rf'umrnt--ftlc:ua..,.>>owner, I lhould nOle. chit ...hll. embracln, let panlcul.n... I. e., " , 'I..nll I L~..' lei thl(J L_ nen I( M..llth.Jack.on WCrt cotrtcc In "wo,kln. bolh lid" of ch, IIttn . join. much u .n,on., che compcllln, nttd co blc ,. WhcCf1UU1 . "'r."", 'I '10'\,'-1 ".her i,,'um.nu Iht~ndtni.bll .ubtr. In, nnllt todl" wlch theM 1::1. held Pp curcai! che wlolenc and Ih, d.n.troua. ame 10 C 'C)'!ctm 0 uti ce Clt Ij It, c.: ~ : 1 .' h I I I I fld II nticlwt ncutd itor tu.llfln' che mice,,-. 'Ilirnl crlmtt lollo..in, relt... a..u,. 10 Kornful ,ldlculr onl,)'Im .,1 .mon, u., W I e p,ac . m n, I . ()' t while c1.lml", co: to r,. , ..', \f ,~ ". edl, CUI a Ion. .nd darkrnln, .hldow L,nne,Abraham II rerlnl. p,in, .nd. co jUllice. chtl, obellanl bowt rcnC'Cced , If NI.ulah.Juluon Ilmt (0' nculpa. .. on ch, JUII!" .,lIem hltl(, I( nOI at cht 1I111 don not curn htf back on che mOl'll onl, (awnin. ..""Ice co che polhlcllnl. . cion. aomtoRf or IOInflhln. erMI e.rt. (ftl 0( rhl'lud.e. I Imperaclve ht, oalh dem.nd.., W. oUothc They eh.maelvr. art rh. very oJllt, "ar. .Ioutl,: Ie I. I m.un o( IndlfTertnct co Po, ,Uft . qu.~~lou. publ~c hit II lea.. ~prcl he,. hown'fr ,rod,ln.I" ee: lI.ch. bit o( lutein, ennuu,d al the pub.lIe on ..hcMt doonctp chi bur. lam,nted ttpft1edlr" Who !el ,hi' dIP. (a' her .p'lnclpled It.ndl Hen h . CNt ,UI,dian. on chel, IOlrmn oachll Nntt ) dm ultim."I, Ua, -whelM Imibuted , f:'OUt ~non ouc or Jam Now chac prolil. 1ft coul'I,e. .n unOlnthln, com. hu, 10 mln, owed .0 much 10 10 (ew , ra thi. Jud" l~lfiClll,. 0' rO che JUl." rh name .nd f." hlV, bttn f.UI on mhmenr. co oarh o( omce, which .hould, _ polirlciln.1 ' lie. ....cem 1Iltlf NUNtt and fI"" ha" IOme ollhow nln"t, Ih. publ c can. be hnnlly Ipplludtd by .lIlhaM who I 190" L\ I 5 ff . -,. . . r. d' III . Id I II I J I' m h Id ^b L. n ", ,clormtt nco n lellen. . .Ictlma: the pain I. nOI leuened b, noc.n w noc puc.t e "'IC" ove un ct. II 0 In 0 et, nn.m bill ed "Tb Sh ( h C' I "I . thl(dn, blame .ld.....y.l ' '".A qUhdons. ' .' chote commlcmtnc co ollh .nd due,' pu t, I .mf 0 cell ft, n I In .hlwt fftftC.I weary chl.nl1 .u(.. J( .n,chln., I~ p~bllc IIIY.n tn"I. emr the ttmpcln, lure of IC'Ctarlan poll. which he .~ttcrlbrd Phll.delphla pol~; (.n I"conlolabl,. the ".....no (f.er. .er Ilnowln, how ..tll, Ihll. accultd Ilet, " . . Iln II conupc .nd..conun..,' whtn . dan,erau. pttdlCO' I. relalN and con.,lered crimlnab wllked (rom .Thl. I. . muter o( no .mall conlt. Aprannrly III polltlul .ultlon nlll . 1fIl0ftJ chelr numLtn, co tI"" ..ain. thl. c~rcl'DOm. whfchfr chrou,h nlwcd qUlncel Ahhoulh. Wlrltl' ofl'tllOf\lln dw,lh In Ihe' hallwlY' of JUlllctl . co pilla" a'lln. no mllrer tM uli.n. Jwtlc. or enln. lud,f. Thul I. Junlcr oppa.lclon wIre proYlded b, her ene. "Whlc I. chf Ult o( luulcr.lf It dOltn'1 , mfnc 0( f.ull, whecher 10 ludiC 0' co ' chwanrd h)' rhote pdtcurln, at ou, tui\- mlfl, IhOle "lIon..onl, concltled Ihe hlmme, our a.hleld (0'. innocenc pro- CM iudlclal muccure Infl(. paiN de(fndcfI or JUICier, In delibr,. IlI,er crulh: chu Ihi. WII polhiet a' In rIel" ": '. . ',t,.. I( Nattl.h.Jlck.on would pa.. che lIel, ob(ulurln, whlrlpoolt o( ,mrl, wonc. Thtrt chtfn (0' a coul'I'fOu.ly prln. , b1lme off to'ch, judiclll ')'lIem, t~e Iheeo,ic. 1 Mlllllh.Jlckton..... c~ undld.r, or dpled dhulcc' .uo'ht, Lynne , .nd h" luppon,ncrrnlnl, ow.d In ^ tUle' qUflClbn here chan chi rhe rlny bolltt. balh Inudc and ouc o( Ab h I Th It who 10....lullin ull oblla.c1on 'Io.'poinr- out' th, .r...m.... "pted nomlnulon 0( Ihll jud,e, II chI elry council, (rom lhe loealtmolle.(jlled ra ~m 0 eq . ;. n"lII w,hleh compelled Ihe,ruU,..I, .ln~e.,il' C!( the judlclll I,uem luel(: 'Oom. ro Ihe ,ilded corrldou o( che I, It It(t, I.hould tll1y r~kllt~ .Idt. All i u'ndenco~ liY iTnifiHet ~.he and che, _htchtt L~hnt Abtlhlm would (allow nulon'. caphol, whutvtr rht conu.l. Phllld.lrhllnt thould ca ~ pride chal ; 'propolA to repair Ihe ,upro-tdf,."'d'm. ~h. fI'y and ..dunlu u'aln.1 o( In. rhtlorjc. chel, "unll, .Iecced choler WII ch, . I,ed U.IU"t. fallin, chu, ,h, .Iont Phllldelrhl"1 rolltical bOil", who Thel, ncraouHn.ry (ury -Iwtlled pre. whtn onel The bar and ,he couru , mWI tund II acculed! ,. , . ". rflUt de(jlnc" or trhfrhu the would c1l1ly btClule rhf)' Inltndtd co m.kr Ihould bt rellfvr'Lr,hlt . coutl.rou. . No luch ftmtdi.l1avrertlti'~~(la' br nue to htr ouh o( office. Ie It. Jhll D.A._ cheir lacke,; Ind the refuNd, public IInIRt hit reuorrd .n orc.'n , (rom .hh" nndidue or tupporrrn, a ctmplln,l, rur ~chn, 10 (ollow che u.ndln'Jnuud II Impcdlmenl whh unurr.ln hiner co cht Clul, h.llownl 1,lIIn, .nd rntalln. (allure: all w. plftJ Iin,. II chey dttittd; OIht!n do It hcr otch .nd htr tuff co r'orecc Ih, rradiclonlo(llw. ftulud werf chf mon .I.menu" rouclntl~, trlmuluirl, wldftprnd pub.....pubUc.rrom.. """,d.namrot mln~ o( 'liKht...in. co....rdice (0' probity and , dmlala wlchoalllluminarion. Thtrt was lie CJnlcltm.., . l crlmlnalt who Ihrftf Phll.d.lrhl.. ,nuCleutn. tomewh.c Ihe tlcllt~ry'l no nlden" of conum lhaC dan.trout .. Duc Lrnnt Abnh m chOle co (ollow Por ^~.rah..m, hu dtdln,ctd tritT, and 10ul(lhh chu che;t .re Indeed -Iomf . relonl wert r.ln.ed b, doltnl, co her OIch of omce. ro, which the Wit . wea" public, chcre 11100 much ClImt; . . . . . return. Ih.lr criminal cart.u uncll Icorchfd .nd YIlI(j~d, (requencly and. (0' chot.htwlri, co Iht rollllnllln', who are wlllin, ro ",Ylt(ll~ .che 1t"~CJ . ...In lfmted, a. m.", Wttt, but onl, wlch con.id'rtblt Ttnom. II cook an rhire II no rroblrm o( crimt, "CerC u o( jUlllu, rhll ometr 0 c . coun It alrft commiuln, newl, horrible crlmet. nu.ordinuYlmo~c -or cour..' Ind. rlefcion tim" "htn man, who tpenr m.de an Imperllnc conlfl~u~lon 10 Ihe ~ hec of chfM' unwarranted rclru. mo~1 problr, ro'trI~ b, ~, df'd.ioh;'~' ,tar' ,,1I1(,in, 'police Ind rrOlecucon, corpu. 0( our Amtllun judlCIII hilrory. II .. noc d,nl.d, no, cheir n~tnbtrt: a,llNr 1M J"I"' bouet. 1998 btln, ,he election relf, would Jarry Borl. onl, Ihe a..l,nm.nl or (.ull, 1Irht.1. " We tt.uluJ, .lamenr 1hf' ab.t'nu o( ".im to'~ inwf'llId In mOll Poliu Philltlrlrhil . Cmllu.Po\Gl"ZI PLW407 . . SLJI'I{I ,\\1 (()l'll{r Non ,.,.,. 0 Prooumptlon 01 Pnludlco YO. ~I P,.Judlce PMn PfpIng.1ncl. v. hun"", Co. "f _ AnIorlco, 10> A.2d loot (PL ''''~ hoe _.......... .JM;oN v. Ha/lotWR, 1'IC8 c... No. ... om(Po.AprlJI, '",I_J.I" _.~ In (onliduin. mOl ion. (or iud,mlnt o( _,",."C~.PWI' .no-loa,trHpl,'~r.:' \llImplloa~( ~r'Jl.ldlce adopted In '.. ; ,"'". but.-IIIw.l""'1Iook... .;"rl"< q,. ; ..1., h.. cau~.a .(~u.1 pttludlS!' ,I' lb. dcfmUn.. V.clfl'd ind rlm'andld, P1,h"l(( WII . p'''tn.'' In I uhicl. wlltn II .... InYOlftd in In ICcld'nI wilh ll'Iolhu ..hlcl.. Pl.ln,"f br(lu,hl lull -.piN<< 1M JWkRni, the OWntf ol,he ochtr ytbJel., AI w.1I u Lynda .,fr,.Nc',dd.n, who aM bel1ned .11 opcralin. 1M ~..' II 11M ,1m. o( lb. ledd,nl. On Nonmbtr 16, 1919. ,Imon cwo ,UU lod ,hhl mOl'uh. '("f ,h. nmpllinc .11 mad, .,Ut. Wc'add.n Idmiurd In d'poIilion IMe .ht ...n', optralin, ch, H,lIon"I' (If Il Iht drnt oIcht ""id.n,; ,.d"" I (r~ 0( hrn .It dri"in. Ih, ..hicl. whhouc ch, 1-1_150'.... ConICRI. hUowlll' '.Ip in doclut IKIi.jIY of o\'tr twO )'t.n, 'ylf,.Mcrldd,n (iln1 . ptlhion (0, 1M mlf)' of 'lud,mmr of _ /'W, .hlch lhe H.llonn. .allI join,d. 11w,.U(,II. lhe uL.! CDUIt .nund Iud.mrnr. 01._".., in fi,WlI 01 It" dt"nd"u" AIm the ui..! (0W1 denHd pl.inlitl". morion (or monJldcrallon, .he .ppnled. Th, Supertof Coun affitm~. nw Suprtm. Coun ,ranled plelnliff. pcli. IMIa (or 1110""" oI.ppnJ. In "achln, ch.it deci.ion.. Ih. 10." (DUtil ,,1I.d on ".. "'i.,. in which th, 5Yprtmr Cour~ held tMr.n abwnc, of dock- u a"i.ily fI( IWO or mor, ytln ... p"_ tum.d pr.judlcial 10 Ih. defend.nl. H","", &fief ,nlnln, Itv hluori...J "Iio- naLe wwftrlyin"IM .ntry of. j\kJ,m.nl 01 ... frII, .lon, .i,h 1M pnlbl.mt Ihll haft ,..ull.d (rom the 'prlineion of Ih. pft- .wnPCMla. d" Cowt d<<k1cd 10 abandon 1M fWO)'fU ~pitcn of ""judK.. The Cout1 fnIOMd thac -ie it WlllKtIMIJ co pet.urn, preJlWic. benw, Ih. def,ndllu it fru 10 pretenl nidt"" oIlC1ua1 prejudic.. In c.... when N IKli.it}' hu octum'lllW. pcriod 0( IWO ytan, bul the defendlAl hu not Iou hi. .blliry to ad.qual.ly pr.,." . d.(.nl., il .."... ho equit.bl. purpoM 10 di.miu Ih, plaintiffa c"' 1OI.ly dut 10 lbe pain,. 01 time:" .... . N~, in oNtl 10 dilmiu . nK (01 lMC- ti.ilY pun\WI1 to . d.f.nd.nt'. molion (", jud,mctu of...,..." . (oun mUll find: (I) . lack of dl>> dilil'fK.t on IIw pul of Ih. pwn- Ilff In (.lIin, to plocud wilh "lIon.bl. promplilud.; U) no compcllln, "..on fOf the delay; and U) Iblllhe dela, ClwN at..1 prejudice 101M d,(,ndanl. kIWI Ih. lIi.1 COUll ptnumed P"IU' die. III 1M Inltanl CUt, lbe coun rtmandrd lhe m'UtI fat. d.t.rminaltGn .. 10 wtltlher It" H.Uorant _relKlwJly pttjudieN br tM drl., In proltcution. Hllw.....,. Ih. CIIUft found 1"'" I "mlnd ... I)Q( n<<nauy .. 10 r)'fr.-Mchdden t.c.UM .he came brIM lhe COUll with W'lClran bandl. Accordin,: III lhe Cowl. her ~di~IY R,ardin, lhe idmlilY ollh. dll\'tt o( ,h. \'thicl, conullulU bad (.ilh whtch i, diftct!, "It\'lnl 101M J,Ia, III p101f(utlon (,0m which Ih. ....Iu "h.l. MONDAY, o\J'RIL 1l,IWI How:to Order A 'Pull- Text Case : : ~ ,p..'( ~. ~ PENNSYLVANIA INSTANT CASE'SERVICE PIC S " . Call 1-ll00.276.PICs (7427) . Rnler yo~r IIve-<llgll PIes Account Number, or.rollo~Jhe .Im- p1allUllUctlpp. ror Y9ur one. lime regl'lratlon. , '.' " . ~.nl.er a cll~nt .re(e~nc~ number (optional) 50 you can fUe' the e.pense !() your c1!,~.QI'l.nL.;... ,," . Rnler your p",remd'mode or dellvei-y. Fox (wllhln minute.), flnt-clGu malJ (p~ the same bu.lnes. day), Overnight mall (receive 11 Ihe nut bu.lne.. day) or Plck.up (qvanable wlthlnonahourdur(ngbu.lnci.. houn). '." ,. ....; ,,' . Rnl~r th~ ,iJ!:lIlgrt ~P(I;',s,';;..e N!,m,~~(. r?u,ry,d ..t,t~".l1e8\~nln8 'or ev~l)' case dlgcstln Pel1JUylvanlti Low wuk/y pO,d'in. L.i:a1 InleU,gencer. .:,.. ,~!." .l!ach easals $8 ror Ihe IIrst Ova page. and $1.25 ror every page thereafter ($8 minimum per opinion; no additional chorse,ror r.. delivery), Add $13 ror all overnight deliveries. . Only PIeS h.. the mOlt recent cout1 opinions from P~Dl1IytYanla couru. ' To .1I0w hu to ben.fic from I dtl., which .he In pili Ctraled lIinequiu.bl. and will not be permiued.- 1i.1J_.", PIC! Cut No. 98.Q7 U (Pit. April 2. 1998).nd S..,.... L,lt. PIC! Cut No. 98-(7)7 (Pit, April 2. 1998). th. Supreme Colin h.ld Ihat in d<<ldin, .helher a Cllt lhould be Ictmilllttd tot lack of doc:ktIIClI.. llY. tr,udl... o( whrther lhe illlal il befor. 1M COWl punUlllI co Rul, 1901 01. _",... mOl iOn, .he court IhoWd dtttrmine 1I1htrt wu(l)llackofdl>> dilJ,tftC'I on the pan: ol lhe pIalnriff", (2) no compcllin, maon lOt Ih. d.l." ""oJ UI "lUll pttjudlct 10 lbe d.(.n- danl. AI illUf here i. .htthtt IKtlyilttt lhat &n! IlOI rtRr<tN on 1M docket IhouId bI con- .id.m in dtcttminin, .Mlher a pl.inliff baa leI funh a comptlUn, lI'UOlI (OIlh. d.Ia" : Tht Counhttd Ihall'lllO-docktled IKliYit, m., be .umlncd in dtc'idin. .hether. com: pellinl rruon niUl (01 1M del." lPt Cowl .Kolniled tbar lhe 'GUIll of common pi," h.\'t l'U)'illi politi.. "Iudin. which ani.i_ Ii" It. to b. ncord.d on Ih. dock... Mortollt, -lOm. IClj.,i,in which.lI' beyond Ih. conlrol of the pl.inliff un ClUN del., in p"*Cution "I'" not rtquited 10 be dockel. tJr.)' lhe Coulllruoord. Wilh Rllud 10 tht inn.nl UU. the Coun (ound lhal cOtnptllinll ffUGII' giued (01 Iht d.I." .nd Itl., Ih. cri.1 \OUrt ih.uloft .bwtd'lu.dIlCltlionJn,dllmlllln. ,be UIe . ro, inlCtl.lty. :ipecil'iBII" dw dnlh 0( pl.in- lifT,' rinl attornty, Iht dilChatll' of pleinlilTl' I<<ond .1I0n", dIM' 10 plainurr,' pcrnption Ihat hi ..... not: mo.in, lhe c.... (orwud. .nd ona:ollll ullltment ntlollatlon., w~n con- . Po.R.J.A.l,ot0 Non-Doclullod AeIIv/1y IIMIno v, ~ I'fCS CIN No. ... .""(Po.~1, ''''I~'''J.(7 -~, ", .. In d<<JdIIl' a morion fat IlMf,mrnl of ... In' or urmin'lion punuanllo P.,1"-J.A. 1901. couru m.y clln.idu nlln.dock.l.d .C1i.il, in duuminin, .htlh.t . pl.inlilT baa oIf.rrd . (ompcllin, rn.wn (01 ,h. d.II,. . kfY'ttll'd and rtmandt-d. : . -: P1linlilT. brOUMhr luil 'M.inll dtftndant fat inju,i<< lIi,in, OUI o( anlulomobil. lCd- drnl. Mltr 'ppro.limlll.l, II monlh. of fiI- in, pl"din,. and conduct in, diKo"t}'. ,hut we,," no .nui<< on lhe dOo.ltu (or two ,"u .nd .on. d.,. unlil Ih. lIit! (OUrt fil.d . notie. o( IUmillJlion pw1\W1llo PI."-J.A. 1901 and . local NIt. Two monlhl afln Ih. nolie. WII inutd, IlI'W ccun,,1 (0' pl.intlrr, .n"red hi' appnnnc. &rid liItd a motion 10 prntnc Ittmlllluon, ., Pollowi", a hearin,. IM~lli.1 couy held Ihu pl.lntll'fi had fi,il,d II} ui.blhh (om. ptllin, '''lOn. (ot th. IWO ,tI,t of docktt inaCli.il, .nd otdtttd Iht CUt trrmm.ltd, The Suptliof Cowt affilmrd In Ih. comp.nion 'II" of )."j, " _ udu.d " ".dl"/". ,uWr"d 1M d.I., In docku.C1i.,ity,' ,. . '1" ~,~po~~J.eot.!~:~~~~.: it': ShtlPfl "'~.'" PlCS CMf~O> '.911rll'" ~;"''''I~ftJ!:Ii(lO:'' "'fIH~ Prejudice '0 Ih. d.f.nd",.. mUll lI, d,,,,,,,"U.IN blfoft . CUt un be ctfminalN p""Ulnl 10 P..R.j,A, 1901. or a 1",.1 .ul, promuJ.'led Ihtltundtt, Amtmtd, A(lIr lO.ulIlnin, . Ir, fraclUl. in .n 'Ulo. mobil. "dd,nl, plalntilt ... IIt.ud b, PUt, A. hili.. M.D. II York HOlpiul. PI.inlm lub"'lu.nrly fiI.d a m.dical m.l. pl'lCllc' IKlion ...inn 1!t,1.,and . ClIIpOra" n..Ii,.nu auion Yo,k. Pollowill, Ih. iUUlR" 01. .ubpotllJ. lhere .a. no IKliYllY on Ih. dockel for mot. lban Ihm ytat1, .brn Ih. trial COWl OlatlN the pani., 10 .ppett . (or. hntinll on whtllar Ih. CIII IhouId be Ittmantltd (or illlCliYilY, [)win, lhe pe.iod ofinfclllfity. an oithopldic ,u"ton who baJ .utnined pllincirr a("t Ea.I.', lilt,"", Nil' IIIUlI Ulflmlnl d~. Allhe (10M oIlht hearln" lhe trial COWl ,","Inalld lhe IKlion fur lack oIl(li.il)' put. .uanc to YOfk Count}' l.Dcal RUM V)(b). T1w Supttior CoUll .Uirm.d 'Ind, In 10 doioW. dntlmlncd Ihll brcaUM lhe "La! COUll h'tmi. MlN .he C... pwt\WIt.IO . locll ru1t. tlIM' ch&n 'Rttrln. a jud,mtnl 0I",;W, .hlt. ... no rwed 10 demollllnll pttl...dict 10 dw dtl.ndlnn, PI.inlilf IOUjhl,and ..... '1'IIIItd rni.w. '. n.. SlIp"m. Coull held lbal petjudict 10 lhe d.(.nJanlt mWI be .hown be(ott. nK un b. rttmln,"d puuu.nl 10 P....J.A. 1901. ",a local NI. promul",td dwmmd.t, A. nacho in anaI,.ln, .hether a 'III ,hould be Itfmineltd punuanl to lul. '9Dl,acowl mUll .ppl, lhe Ihm put Inl .pplinh., 10 a . dd'.nd.nc'. million for.. ,""II HI (orth in Ih. com,.nion CUI 01)."'... H.n..., PICS c... No. 98.(l733IP.. April 2. 1998), Appl,in, Ihr I'U 10 Ih. lieu 0{ Ihil CUt, Ih.'Court d'lttmintd Ih.1 Ittminulon _ ..'tlnled, In '0 rulin... Ihi COUll rejKtN . pl.lnlltJ'I&lilUmrnl Ihu dt(tndann' hilun 10 Ilm.I, product an .'", .ccoUllI.d (or m\Kh o( lhe Ihm,..., I., In docktllKliYiry. Th. CoUll .110 dttrrmlnedlhlc Ih. d.(.n. danll _1'1 prYjudict b, dalh oI.ch. onhopc. dic .uc..on "ho lIIamin.d pl.lnliff. SptclfKall,. dl>> 10 Ih. dOCloc'1 dalh. d.(.n. d.nll .." prn:llidtd (rol'll diKoYltin, Ih. findinjp of hit rumiRlllon. hi. opinion con- ",niOM liabilil', n""'lion and dlffttJ'1, .nd . the delaill oflhe hiliOf)' plOYidN IfI him by pl&.lnlift'. . I... .' ~; , . , . I '. ~ .I'~ I,', _ - II/ Public Em;.loy.. 0 AukJmobUe .." Accident 0 \lOvoroll". ~~':t. ~~o42PL(l.lI,' ,,,,or' " - .. ." . ....,Iw... , 1ndoio?I!IlY-t;4.of-/l<<!ir";" AmIrIca ff lI()Ion.,.lIutuII ~,; Co.. PICS Cae No. N4n. (p&' IIMt:/J ~', '"'1 c..u,1I, J. If ,.....~ An INur.n" CO."Ij' dilpult &litin, OUt ofanaulomobil. ICcjd.nl caUMd b, a lonm. man .mploy" ... IIcn'nntd br,abe Ian~t of lhe l",uAne. polici,. .1 i"uti Alher lhan Ih..ind.mnilY pro.ision. ot>lbi.'J~idt! ~.,"''''''. ' ;,.;<<"1-" .and, H.unltf...)'" wU'.acrlnil In hil up.dry".. ...olunl'" pr~n.hler (or I~. Ctnlu~o~lhipV~I'Ulf(lr Pi" Comp.n, whrn bl'"'fbtdr n"~~'M...jcIl,'~ Sulyn tlOUKf:'AI i:Jtt'IUn' Q/ .chi.cldtnt, Hun"r ... d.IYillj:~'~_biJiJi f.lhtt and inluud bY'lllirotllc'(iJ.'rUiuYi Inlunnu ComJ'l'ny, Th. filt compliny WII iruund by . C,./I...J..I',,.I(, ~ \n .,.. N \.:- ~L " I' ~_.... lIJ~; - !. ,\ ~ :'"; <.)' - '..) :"':~ ff(,1 - ?;' ",. ~~; ~_J )l . (' a' ,~ r J) (. \.1...l". '" ) :.~: ..,l .,..:....: u: ~: I.~'. . J\IJ r' .... -'l(}.. .,r'o \,.\. (,~ :~ ) r.J tY'I r.J the extent that portions of this paragraph could be construed as factual allegations, said allegations are specifically denied. 4. Admitted. It is admitted only that the Commonwealth Defendants complicd with Plaintiff's request and provided Plaintiff with copies of photographs. By way of further unswer, the Cornmonwealth Defendants affirmatively state that their Response to Plaintin's request for production of docurnents speaks for itself. By way of further answer, the Cornmonwealth Defendants incorpmalu by reference their Response, attached hereto as Exhibit "A". 5. Denied. It is specifically denied that the Commonwealth 1>efendnnts fulled to comply with Plaintiff's discovery request for the production of documents as sluled In I'lalnlilT's Amended Motion. To the contrary, the Commonwealth Defendants amrmatlvely stnle that In response to Plaintiffs request, the Comrnonwealth Defendants stated, "None In 1>efendnnts' possession." The Comrnonwealth Defcndant did not object to the pruduetlonofsuch documcnts. By way of further answer, the Cornmonwealth Dcfendants incorpurute by reference their Response, attached hereto as Exhibit "A". 6. Denied. The allegations set forth in paragraph 6 of PlalntUl's Amended Motion For Compliance constitute conclusions of law to which no responsive pleadlnllls required. To the extent that portions of this parugraph could be construed as fnclual nllegnllons, said allegations are specifically denied. By way of further answer, the Commonwealth 1>efendnnts incorporate by reference their Response, allached hereto as Jixhihll "A". 2 ARGUMENI I. RelellSe of Plaintiffs Medical Records The Plaintiff is incarcerated in the Departrnent of Correction, at Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. (hereinafter, "DOC"). In light ofPlaintitTs status as an inmate, additional procedures must be followed pursuant to DOC's policies regarding releasing ofinrnates' medical records. Instead of sending copies of medical records to inmates, they make medical records available for an inmate to inspect. In the Commonwealth Defendants' response to PlaintitTs discovery, the Cornrnonwealth Defendant informed Plaintiff that copies of his medical records would not be sent to him, but he would have access to his medical records. Plaintiff is fully aware of this procedure as evidenced by Plaintiff preparing the appropriate request form. In response to Plaintiffs request, Plaintiff was informed to contact Ms. Nancy Kurtz, R.N. Supervisor, to arrange to view his medical records. A copy of said rp.'1uest form is attached hereto as Exhibit "An and incorpomted herein by reference. II. Release of Institutional Accident Reports Forms In the Commonwealth Defendants' response to Plaintiffs discovery request regarding accident reports forms, Plaintiff was informed that any accident reports would be contained in PlaintitTs medical records. For the reasons stated above, Plaintiff was informed that copies of accident reports would not be sent to him, but instead, he would have access to such reports when he inspected his medical records. Plaintiff is fully aware of this procedure as evidenced by Plaintiff preparing the appropriate request form. In response to PlaintitTs request, Plaintiff was informed to contact Ms. Nancy Kurtz, R.N. Supervisor, to arrange to view his medical records. (See, Exhibit "A") 2 III. Documentation of Fundln!: for and Repair of the Ramp and Rallln!: If read in the light most favorably to Plaintiff, it could be construed that Plaintiff made a request for documentation of "funding for and repair of the ramp and railing". Such a request could exist in a liberal reading of paragraphs #3 and #4 of Plaintiff's Request for Copies of Photographs and Document. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in response to Plaintiff's request, the Commonwealth Defendants stated, "None in Defendants' possession". The Comrnonwealth Defendant did not object to the production of such documents as Plaintiff wants this Court to believe. The Commonwealth Defendants' response was proper pursuant to the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure. If such documents are discovered, they will be provided to Plaintiff. IV. Release All Written Statements of Parties or Witnesses To the best of the Commonwealth Defendants' knowledge, Plaintiff has been provided with aU written statements of parties or witnesses. It should be noted that the Plaintiff was informed that Special Investigator John Bruno, Investigator for the Office of Attorney General, conducted investigations and prepared reports frorn his investigation. These reports were prepared as a request of Steven C. Gould, Deputy Attorney General. The Plaintiff has never specificaUy requested the production of such reports, and therefore, the Comrnonwealth Defendants were not obligated to provided Plaintiff with same. Furthermore, the Commonwealth Defendant raised an objection that such reports rnay be part of attorney work product and, therefore, protected according to Commonwealth v. NoU, 662 A.2d 1123 (Pa.Super. 1995). 3 ~; '" ~": . ) r ) l'J : ..~ Ill. . , .- .. ~ l ,..." G.. ,J J":I , - , v. , r:;;' I ., ,... '. :j C.ll' l. . ::1. i-. C. Ij, e:: :5 Q e, (J RICHARD DELAI Plaintiff : IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF : CUMBERLAND COUNTY v. : CIVIL ACTION - LAW BLAINE L. PAULUS, MELVIN C. DUNLAP, Defendants :NO. 94 - 6887 Civil Term COMMONWEALTH DEFENDANTS' RESPONSES TO RULE TO SHOW CAUSE AND NOW, comes Defendants, Blaine L. Paulus and Melvin C. Dunlap, (collectively, "Commonwealth Defendants"), by and through their attorney, Steven C. Gould, Deputy Attorney General, and file this response to the Rule to Show Cause, and in support state as follows: FACTS I. On or about August 17, 1998, Cornmonwealth Defendants rnailed to Plaintiff responses to discovery requests. 2. On or about August 26, 1998, Defendants received Plaintiffs Amended Motion For Compliance Pursuant To Pa.R.C.P. 4019. (hereinafter, "Amended Motion"). 3. On Septernber 14, 1998, the Comrnonwealth Defendants received a Rule frorn this Honorable Court, requiring them to show cause why the relief requested in Plaintiffs Amended Motion should not be granted. 4. In Plaintiffs Arnended Motion, he is requesting that this Honorable Court enter an ordcr that the Cornmonwealth Defendants do the following: 1. Release Plaintiffs medical records; H. Release institutional accident report forms; HI. Release all documentation of funding for and rcpair of the ramp and railing; and IV. Relcase all written statements of parties or witnesses. (See, the "Whereforc" paragraph of Plaintiffs Arncnded Motion) t\RGUMENT I. Release of Plaintifrs Medical Records The Plaintiff is incarcerated in the Department of Correction, at Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. (hereinafter, "DOC"). In light of Plaintiffs status as an inmatc, additional procedures must be followed pursuant to DOC's policies regarding releasing of inmates' mcdical records. Instead of sending copies of mcdical rccords to inrnates, they rnake medical records available for an inrnate to inspect. In the Commonwealth Defendants' response to Plaintiffs discovery, the Commonwealth Defendant informed Plaintiff that copies of his medical records would not be sent to him, but he would have access to his medical records. Plaintiff is fully aware of this procedure as evidenced by Plaintiff preparing the appropriate request form. In response to PlaintitTs request, Plaintiff was informed to contact Ms. Nancy Kurtz, R.N. Supervisor, to arrange to view his rnedical records. A copy of said request form is attached hercto as Exhibit "An and incorporated herein by reference. II. Release of Institutional Accident Reports Forms In the Commonwealth Defcndants' response to PlaintitTs discovery request regarding accident reports forms, Plaintiff was informed that any accident reports would be contained in Plaintiffs medical records. For the reasons stated above, Plaintiff was informed that copies of accident reports would not be sent to him, but instcad, he would have access to such reports when he inspected his medical records. Plaintiff is fully aware of this procedure as evidenced by PlaintilTprcparing the appropriate rcquest form. In rcsponse to PlaintitTs request, Plaintiff was informed to contact Ms. Naney Kurtz, R.N. Supervisor, to arrange to view his medical records. (See, Exhibit "An) 2 Ill. Documentation of Fundln!: for and Repair of the Ramp and Ralllne If rcad in the light most favorably to Plaintiff, it could be construed that Plaintiff rnade a request for documentation of "funding for and repair ofthc ramp and railing". Such a rcquest could exist in a liberal reading of paragraphs #3 and #4 ofPlaintilrs Request for Copies of Photographs and Document. Notwithstanding thc foregoing, in response to PlaintilT's requcst, the Commonwealth Defendants stated, "None in Dcfcndants' possession". Thc Commonwealth Defendant did not object to the production of such documcnts as Plaintiff wants this Court to believe. The Cornmonwealth Defendants' response was proper pursuant to the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure. If such docurnents are discovered, they will be provided to Plaintiff. IV. Release All Written Statements of Parties or Witnesses To the best of the Comrnonwealth Defendants' knowledge, Plaintiff has been provided with all written statements of parties or witnesses. It should be noted that the Plaintiffwas informed that Special Investigator John Bruno, Investigator for the Office of Attomey General, conducted investigations and prepared reports from his investigation. These reports were prepared as a request of Steven C. Gould, Deputy Attorney General. The Plaintiff has never specifically requested the production of such reports, and therefore, the Commonwealth Defendants wcre not obligated to provided Plaintiff with same. Furthermore, the Commonwealth Defendant r~iscd an objection that such reports rnay bc part of attorney work product and, therefore, protected according to Cornrnonwenlth v. Noll, 662 A.2d 1123 (Pa.Super. 1995). 3 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I hereby certify that I am this day serving the foregoing document(s) upon the pcrson(s) and in the rnallner indicated below: SERVICE BY FIRST CLASS MAIL POSTAGE PREPAID ADDRESSED AS FOLLOWS: RICHARD DELAI #BU-1813 P.O. BOX 200 SCI - CAMP HILL CAMP HILL, PA 17001-0200 By: STEVEN C. GOU[; Deputy Attomey General Torts Litigation Section 15'h Floor, Strawberry Square Harrisburg, PA 17120 717-783-8035 - Direct Dial DATED: October 8, 1998 -.. C"l i::. tl' - ..:..' , ., ".-- ;':,.1 , UI~': - ~ ).. -' .I. f.1 1 ',' ,~. .. .\.,., .-' ('1(, (5' .) hf . p..i" \... . .~ j [1:\ . " \' c:.; ,\. ('.~ -' I,) (" I,)