Case: Beardslee v. Woodford

5:04-cv-05381 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California

Filed Date: Dec. 20, 2004

Closed Date: 2005

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Case Summary

On December 20, 2004, and inmate at the California State Prison at San Quentin filed a lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. Section 1983 against the California Department of Corrections in the U.S. District Court for the District of California. The plaintiff, who was scheduled to be executed by lethal injection, asked the court to enjoin the defendants from carrying out the execution, arguing that the lethal injection procedure inflicts unnecessary pain and torture in violation of his Eighth Amendment righ…

On January 7, 2005, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California (Judge Jeremy Fogel) denied the plaintiff the requested relief, holding that he brought the lawsuit in order to unnecessarily delay the execution. Beardslee v. Woodford, No. 04-5381, 2005 WL 40073. The plaintiff appealed. On January 14, 2005, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed the district court's decision and denied the plaintiff's request for a stay of execution, finding that the inmate had failed to establish a likelihood that he would be conscious during administration of the lethal drugs. Beardslee v. Woodford, 395 F.3d 1064 (9th Cir. 2005). The plaintiff appealed. On January 18, 2005, the U.S. Supreme Court declined the petition for certiorari. Beardslee v. Woodford, 543 U.S. 1096 (2005).

Donald J. Beardslee was executed on January 19, 2005 by lethal injection.

Summary Authors

Kristen Sagar (8/27/2007)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4180031/parties/beardslee-v-woodford/

Judge(s)

Fogel, Jeremy D. (California)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Attorney for Defendant

Anderson, Robert R. (California)

Engler , Gerald A. (California)

Gillette , Dane R. (California)

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Center, Habeas Corpus (California)

Judge(s)

Fogel, Jeremy D. (California)

O'Connor, Sandra Day (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Lubliner, Steven Samuel (California)

Attorney for Defendant

Anderson, Robert R. (California)

Engler , Gerald A. (California)

Gillette , Dane R. (California)

Lockyer, Bill (California)

Matthais, Ronald Stephen (California)

Other

Center, Habeas Corpus (California)

Project, California Appellate (California)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

5:04-cv-05381	Docket	Oct. 11, 2005	Oct. 11, 2005 Docket
1 5:04-cv-05381	Complaint	Dec. 20, 2004	Dec. 20, 2004 Complaint
23 5:04-cv-05381	Order Denying Motions for Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction and for Expedited Discovery	Jan. 7, 2005	Jan. 7, 2005 Order/Opinion 2005 WL 40073
05-15042	Appeal U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit	Jan. 14, 2005	Jan. 14, 2005 Order/Opinion 395 F.3d 1064
04-08157	Appeal Supreme Court of the United States	Jan. 18, 2005	Jan. 18, 2005 Order/Opinion 543 U.S. 1096

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Resources

Resources related to this case
Title	Description		External URL Date / External URL
Beardslee v. Woodford ACLU	An appeal was filed to halt the execution of Donald Beardslee, arguing that one of the drugs used in the procedure, Pavulon, would paralyze and leave him unable to signal if he was in pain, violating…	January 11, 2005	Jan. 11, 2005 https://www.aclunc.org/...

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4180031/beardslee-v-woodford/

Last updated June 1, 2026, 7:06 p.m.

Docket for: Beardslee v. Woodford

ECF Number	Date	Description	Link
	Dec. 20, 2004	CASE DESIGNATED for Electronic Filing. (db, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 12/20/2004) (Entered: 12/21/2004)	PACER
	Dec. 20, 2004	Received Plaintiff's Motion for Temporary Restraining Order: Preliminary Injunction, and order to Show Cause: Memo of points and Authorities in support thereof, by Plaintiff Donald J. Beardslee. (db, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 12/20/2004) (Entered: 12/21/2004)	PACER
	Dec. 20, 2004	Proposed Order re 8 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction MOTION for Order to Show Cause MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order by plaintiff Donald J. Beardslee. (db, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 12/20/2004) (Entered: 12/21/2004)	PACER
	Dec. 20, 2004	Proposed Order re 2 MOTION for Expedited Discovery MOTION to Compel Production of Documents by plaintiff Donald J. Beardslee. (db, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 12/20/2004) (Entered: 12/21/2004)	PACER
1	Dec. 20, 2004	COMPLAINT (Summons Issued); against Jeanne Woodford, Jill L. Brown ( Filing fee $ 150, receipt number 3367267.). Filed byDonald J. Beardslee. (ys, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 12/20/2004) Additional attachment(s) added on 1/6/2005 (gm, COURT STAFF). (Entered: 12/21/2004)	Clearinghouse
2	Dec. 20, 2004	MOTION for Expedited Discovery, MOTION to Compel Production of Documents filed by Petitioner Donald J. Beardslee. (db, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 12/20/2004) Additional attachment(s) added on 1/6/2005 (gm, COURT STAFF). (Entered: 12/21/2004)	RECAP
3	Dec. 20, 2004	Declaration of Steven S. Lubliner in Support of 2 MOTION for Expedited Discovery MOTION to Compel Production of Documents filed by PetitionerDonald J. Beardslee. (Related document(s) 2 ) (db, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 12/20/2004) Additional attachment(s) added on 1/6/2005 (gm, COURT STAFF). (Entered: 12/21/2004)	RECAP
4	Dec. 20, 2004	Administrative Application to file oversized motion for temporary restraining order: Preliminary injunction and order to show cause by petitioner Donald J. Beardslee. (db, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 12/20/2004) (Entered: 12/21/2004)	RECAP
5	Dec. 20, 2004	EXHIBITs in support of plaintiff's motion for temporary restraining roder, preliminary injunction and order to show cause: Volume 1 by petitioner Donald J. Beardslee.. (db, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 12/20/2004) Additional attachment(s) added on 1/6/2005 (gm, COURT STAFF). Additional attachment(s) added on 1/6/2005 (gm, COURT STAFF). (Entered: 12/21/2004) 1 Exhibit B View on PACER 2 Exhibit C-G View on PACER 3 Exhibit H View on PACER 4 View on PACER 5 Exhibit L-Q View on PACER 6 Exhibit R View on PACER 7 Exhibit S-T View on PACER	RECAP
6	Dec. 20, 2004	EXHIBITS in support of plaintiff's motion for temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction and order to show cause: Volume 2 by Plaintiff Donald J. Beardslee.. (db, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 12/20/2004) Additional attachment(s) added on 1/6/2005 (gm, COURT STAFF). Additional attachment(s) added on 1/6/2005 (gm, COURT STAFF). (Entered: 12/21/2004) 1 Exhibit U page 42-85 View on PACER 2 Exhibit U page 86-129 View on PACER 3 Exhibit U page 130-188 View on PACER	RECAP
9	Dec. 20, 2004	ORDER RELATING CASE to C04-436 JF. Signed by Judge Susan Illston on 12/20/04. Case remains with Judge Fogel(db, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 12/20/2004) (Entered: 12/21/2004)	RECAP
7	Dec. 21, 2004	ORDER granting plaintiff's administrative application to file oversized motion for temporary restraining order: Preliminary Injunction: and Order to Show Cause re (Received Document) filed by Plaintiff Donald J. Beardslee, (db, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 12/21/2004) (Entered: 12/21/2004)	RECAP
8	Dec. 21, 2004	MOTION for Preliminary Injunction, MOTION for Order to Show Cause, MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order. Memo of points and authorities in support thereof, filed plaintiff by Donald J. Beardslee. (db, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 12/21/2004) Additional attachment(s) added on 1/6/2005 (gm, COURT STAFF). (Entered: 12/21/2004)	RECAP
10	Dec. 21, 2004	ORDER scheduling briefing and hearing; setting hearing on 1/6/05 at 1:30 p.m.(Although petitioner is not registered for e.filing, this order was e.mailed directly to him by the death penalty clerk.). Signed by Judge Illston on 12/21/04. (ts, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 12/21/2004) (Entered: 12/21/2004)	RECAP
11	Dec. 21, 2004	Scheduling ORDER (corrected). Signed by Judge Illston on 12/21/04. (ts, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 12/21/2004) (Entered: 12/21/2004)	RECAP
12	Dec. 23, 2004	scheduling ORDER; setting preliminary injuction hearing on 1/6/05 @ 10:30 a.m.. Signed by Judge Illston on 12/22/04. (ts, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 12/23/2004) (Entered: 12/23/2004)	RECAP
13	Dec. 28, 2004	Memorandum in Opposition DEFENDANTS' OPPOSITION TO MOTION FOR TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER AND PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION filed byJeanne Woodford. (Gillette, Dane) (Filed on 12/28/2004) (Entered: 12/28/2004)	RECAP
14	Dec. 28, 2004	EXHIBITS IN SUPPORT OF DEFENDANTS' OPPOSITION TO MOTION FOR TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER AND PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION filed byJeanne Woodford. (Gillette, Dane) (Filed on 12/28/2004) (Entered: 12/28/2004)	RECAP
15	Dec. 30, 2004	Reply to Opposition re 8 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction MOTION for Order to Show Cause MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order filed byDonald J. Beardslee. (Lubliner, Steven) (Filed on 12/30/2004) (Entered: 12/30/2004)	RECAP
16	Jan. 1, 2005	CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by Donald J. Beardslee re 1 Complaint (defendant Brown) (Lubliner, Steven) (Filed on 1/1/2005) (Entered: 01/01/2005)	RECAP
17	Jan. 1, 2005	CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by Donald J. Beardslee re 1 Complaint (defendant Woodford) (Lubliner, Steven) (Filed on 1/1/2005) (Entered: 01/01/2005)	RECAP
18	Jan. 3, 2005	NOTICE of Appearance by Dane R. Gillette Notice Of Appearance As Counsel (Gillette, Dane) (Filed on 1/3/2005) (Entered: 01/03/2005)	RECAP
19	Jan. 3, 2005	EXHIBITS Supplemental Exhibit In Support Of Defendants' Opposition To Motion For Temporary Restraining Order And Preliminary Injunction filed byJeanne Woodford, Jill L. Brown. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 7)(Gillette, Dane) (Filed on 1/3/2005) (Entered: 01/03/2005) 1 Exhibit 7 View on PACER	RECAP
20	Jan. 6, 2005	Minute Entry: Application for Temporary Restraining Order/or Preliminary Injunction hearing held on 1/6/2005 before Judge Jeremy Fogel (Date Filed: 1/6/2005). Application for Temporary Restraining Order/or Preliminary Injunction is taken under submission. (Court Reporter Peter Torreano.) (dlm, COURT STAFF) (Date Filed: 1/6/2005) (Entered: 01/06/2005)	RECAP
21	Jan. 6, 2005	TRANSCRIPT of Proceedings held on 1/6/2005 before Judge Jeremy Fogel. Court Reporter: Peter Torreano.. (gm, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 1/6/2005) (Entered: 01/07/2005)	RECAP
23	Jan. 7, 2005	ORDER DENYING MOTIONS FOR TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER AND PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION AND FOR EXPEDITED DISCOVERY. Signed by Judge Jeremy Fogel on 1/7/05. (jfsec, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 1/7/2005) (Entered: 01/07/2005)	Clearinghouse
	Jan. 10, 2005	Transmission of Notice of Appeal and Docket Sheet to US Court of Appeals re [24] Notice of Appeal, (gm, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 1/10/2005) (Entered: 01/10/2005)	PACER
24	Jan. 10, 2005	NOTICE OF APPEAL as to 23 Order by Donald J. Beardslee. Appeal Record due by 2/9/2005. (gm, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 1/10/2005) (Entered: 01/10/2005)	RECAP
25	Jan. 10, 2005	MOTION for Leave to Appeal in forma pauperis filed by Donald J. Beardslee. (gm, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 1/10/2005) (Entered: 01/10/2005)	RECAP
26	Jan. 10, 2005	Declaration of Steven S. Lubliner in Support of 25 MOTION for Leave to Appeal in forma pauperis filed byDonald J. Beardslee. (Related document(s) 25 ) (gm, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 1/10/2005) (Entered: 01/10/2005)	RECAP
27	Jan. 10, 2005	CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by Donald J. Beardslee re 24 Notice of Appeal,, 25 MOTION for Leave to Appeal in forma pauperis, 26 Declaration in Support (gm, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 1/10/2005) (Entered: 01/10/2005)	RECAP
28	Jan. 13, 2005	ORDER by Judge Jeremy Fogel granting 25 Motion for Leave to Appeal in forma pauperis (gm, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 1/13/2005) (Entered: 01/19/2005)	RECAP
	Jan. 18, 2005	USCA Case Number for [24] Notice of Appeal, filed by Donald J. Beardslee,. (gm, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 1/18/2005) (Entered: 01/19/2005)	PACER
29	June 10, 2019	USCA Order	RECAP
		None

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Case Details

State / Territory:

California

Case Type(s):

Criminal Justice (Other)

Special Collection(s):

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: Dec. 20, 2004

Closing Date: 2005

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

A death-sentenced prisoner under the supervision of the California Department of Corrections alleging that his execution pursuant to California's lethal injection protocol would violate his constitutional rights

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

State

California Department of Corrections

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983