Reaves v. Madden

Summary

The court granted defendants’ motion to compel discovery responses from a self-represented state prisoner who refused to identify witnesses during his deposition. The court ordered plaintiff to provide, within ten days, a declaration identifying each known witness and providing available identifying and contact information. The court warned that failure to disclose the information could result in exclusion of witness testimony.

Holdings

1. A party may move for an order compelling a witness to answer a question posed during a deposition, and defendants were entitled to seek such relief under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 37(a)(3)(B)(i).
2. The names, nicknames, locations, and contact information of witnesses known to plaintiff concerning the incident were discoverable, including witnesses plaintiff might call to provide unfavorable as well as favorable testimony.
3. A party's self-represented status is not grounds for refusing to produce discovery.
4. Failure to adequately disclose the ordered witness information may result in exclusion of the witnesses' testimony if plaintiff later attempts to introduce it.

Questions Presented

1. Whether defendants were entitled to an order compelling plaintiff to answer deposition questions and disclose information concerning witnesses to the incident.
2. Whether plaintiff's pro se status or desire to obtain counsel justified refusing to provide the requested discovery.

Disposition

other