Player

BACKGROUND

The in limine order Appellants Frieman and Ivie were the attorneys of record for the County of Los Angeles in an underlying wrongful death action brought by the spouse and children of decedent Woodrow Wilson Player (Player). Player was shot and killed by Los Angeles County Sherriff’s Department deputies while attempting to flee during a felony stop following a 911 call from Player’s former girlfriend that he had pointed a gun at her and threatened to kill her. The plaintiffs in the underlying case filed a motion in limine seeking to exclude evidence concerning any of Player’s arrests or criminal convictions. On September 13, 2011, the trial court issued its tentative ruling excluding all such evidence without prior court approval. The tentative ruling provides in relevant part: “Information that Player was on parole is relevant, if a condition of the parole was that he not be in possession of firearms. The fact that he might have been charged with domestic violence is relevant, but even if such a charge was not filed or sustained Player’s carrying of a firearm may have violated parole and resulted in a return to jail/prison. Incarcerations, including potential…