Rocky Dietz v. Hillary Bouldin

MEMORANDUM

Rocky Dietz appeals from a judgment awarding him $15,000 in damages for injuries stemming from an auto collision. We affirm.

1. Although Bouldin’s counsel violated the order in limine prohibiting mention of Dietz’s past methadone use, given the limited nature of the breach, and because the district court promptly issued a curative instruction, the district court did not abuse its discretion when it concluded the violation of its order was not prejudicial. See United States v. Randall, 162 F.3d 557, 559 (9th Cir.1998). Furthermore, the district court did not clearly err by concluding that Bouldin’s closing summation did not violate the order in limine prohibiting argument that Dietz was motivated by secondary gain. See Lasar v. Ford Motor Co., 399 F.3d 1101, 1115 (9th Cir.2005). Therefore, the district court did not abuse its discretion in denying Dietz’s motions for mistrial on either of these grounds. See id.

2. Because Dietz’s motion for summary judgment was denied based on a disputed issue of fact that was subsequently resolved at trial, we lack jurisdiction to review the denial. See Banuelos v. Const. Laborers’ Trust Funds for S. Cal, 382 F.3d 897, 902 (9th…