1259581729 Merkel Demurrer to Complaint [final signed] (filed 1 13 12)
1 2 3 4 5 6
JUSTIN H. SANDERS (SBN 211488) [email protected] REGINALD ROBERTS, JR. (SBN 216249) [email protected] SANDERS ROBERTS LLP 355 South Grand Avenue, Suite 2450 Los Angeles, California 90071 Telephone: 213-943-1314 Facsimile: 213-234-4581 Attorneys for Defendant (sued herein as DOE 2) CATHERINE MINI MERKEL
7 8
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
9
FOR THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
JAION LARON CLARK, a Minor, by and ) Case No.: BC451511 through his Guardian ad Litem, SHARNELL ) THOMPSON, ) DOE DEFENDANT CATHERINE MINI ) MERKEL’S NOTICE OF DEMURRER Plaintiffs, ) AND DEMURRER TO PLAINTIFFS’ ) COMPLAINT vs. ) ) Complaint filed: January 3, 2011 TOP CAT PRODUCTIONS, INC.; LT ) ACQUISITION CORP.; THE DERBY CLUB ) Date: February 29, 2012 aka THE DERBY; RINGLEADERZ ) Time: 8:30 a.m. ENTERTAINMENT; TONY GOWER; ) Dept.: 64 DANA LEONARDI, and DOES 1 to 200, ) Inclusive, ) ) Defendants. ) ) ) AND RELATED CROSS-ACTIONS. ) )
22 23 24 25 26 27 28 - 1-
CATHERINE MINI MERKEL’S NOTICE OF DEMURRER AND DEMURRER TO PLAINTIFFS’ COMPLAINT
DEMURRER
1 2 3
Defendant Catherine Merkel (“Defendant”) hereby demurs generally to the first, second, third and fourth causes of action in the Complaint on each of the following grounds: FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION FOR NEGLIGENCE
4 5 6 7 8 9
1.
constitute a cause of action against Defendant. SECOND CAUSE OF ACTION FOR NEGLIGENT RETENTION AND SUPERVISION 2.
12
THIRD CAUSE OF ACTION FOR SURVIVAL 3.
15
Plaintiff’s Third Cause of Action for Survival fails to state facts sufficient to
constitute a cause of action against Defendant. FOURTH CAUSE OF ACTION FOR FRAUDULENT CONVEYANCE
13 14
Plaintiff’s Second Cause of Action for Negligent Retention And Supervision fails
to state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action against Defendant.
10 11
Plaintiff’s Fourth Cause of Action for Negligence fails to state facts sufficient to
4.
Plaintiff’s Fourth Cause of Action for Fraudulent Conveyance fails to state facts
sufficient to constitute a cause of action against Defendants.
16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 - 1-
CATHERINE MINI MERKEL’S NOTICE OF DEMURRER AND DEMURRER TO PLAINTIFFS’ COMPLAINT
1
I.
INTRODUCTION Plaintiffs’ Complaint relates to the shooting death of Jeffrey Clark, who was shot while
2 3
inside The Derby nightclub on October 14, 2010. Plaintiffs’ Complaint alleges causes of action
4
for negligence, negligent retention, survival and fraudulent conveyance. Nearly three years after
5
filling its Complaint, Plaintiffs added The Derby’s former manager, Catherine “Mini” Merkel, as
6
a DOE defendant, even though Ms. Merkel was not present when the shooting occurred. Indeed,
7
Plaintiffs’ Complaint does not mention Ms. Merkel at all.
8
II.
STANDARD ON DEMURRERS
9
A demurrer tests the legal sufficiency of a complaint. Donabedian v. Mercury Ins. Co.,
10
116 Cal. App. 4th 968, 994 (2004). A complaint or cause of action is subject to demurrer when
11
it fails to state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action or is uncertain, ambiguous, or
12
unintelligible. Code Civ. Proc. § 430.10(e) and (f). Code of Civil Procedure § 430.10 states, in
13
pertinent part:
14 15
The party against whom a complaint or cross-complaint has been filed may object, by demurrer or answer as provided in Section 430.30, to the pleading on any one or more of the following grounds:
16
...
17
(e)
The pleading does not state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action.
18
(f) The pleading is uncertain. As used in this subdivision, “uncertain” includes ambiguous and unintelligible.
19 20
Code Civ. Proc. § 430.10; see also, Aubry v. Tri-City Hosp. Dist., 2 Cal. 4th 962, 966-967
21
(1992). In ruling on a demurrer, “the presumptions are always against the pleader, and all doubts
22
are to be resolved against him, for it is to be presumed that he stated his case as favorably as
23
possible to himself.” Melikian v. Truck Ins. Exch., 133 Cal. App. 2d 113, 115 (1955), citing
24
Feldesman v. McGovern, 44 Cal. App. 2d 566, 571 (1941). Leave to amend is “properly denied
25
when the facts are not in dispute and the nature of the claim is clear, but there is no liability
26
under substantive law.” Wilhelm v. Pray, Price, Williams & Russell, 186 Cal. App. 3d 1324,
27
1330 (1986).
28 - 2-
CATHERINE MINI MERKEL’S NOTICE OF DEMURRER AND DEMURRER TO PLAINTIFFS’ COMPLAINT
1 2
III.
ARGUMENT A.
PLAINTIFFS’ ENTIRE COMPLAINT FAILS TO ALLEGE ANY FACTS
3
AGAINST MS. MERKEL AND CONSEQUENTLY FAIL TO STATE A
4
CAUSE OF ACTION
5 6
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §430.010 states that a party against whom a complaint has been filed may object demurrer to the pleading on any one or more of the following grounds:
7
(d) There is a defect or misjoinder of parties.
8
(e) The pleading does not state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action.
9
(f) The pleading is uncertain. As used in this subdivision, “uncertain” includes
10
ambiguous and unintelligible. Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §430.010.
11
In reviewing the sufficiency of a complaint against a demurrer, the court treats the
12
demurrer as admitting all material facts properly pled, but not contentions, deductions, or
13
conclusions of fact or law. Blank v. Kirwan (1985), 39 Cal.3d 311, 318. Where a complaint fails
14
to allege sufficient facts to establish a cause of action, a general demurrer is proper. Cooper v.
15
National Railroad Passenger Cor. (1975), 45 Cal. App. 3d 389, 393. In addition, a demurrer
16
may lie if a cause of action is uncertain in that it fails to plead certain material facts to properly
17
state a cause of action. A.F. Arnold & Co. v. Pacific Professional Insurance, Inc. (1972), 27 Cal.
18
App. 3d 710, 718.
19
Plaintiffs’ Complaint fails to allege a single fact against Ms. Merkel, and, therefore, this
20
demurrer must be sustained. Plaintiffs’ Complaint merely states Plaintiffs’ view of the facts
21
relating to the shooting and ownership of The Derby, but fails to make any allegation that Ms.
22
Merkel engaged in any conduct that resulted in Jeffrey Clark’s injuries and eventual death. As a
23
result of these inadequacies, Ms. Merkel has no way of defending herself without knowing the
24
specific facts that form the basis of Plaintiffs’ causes of action.
25 26 27 28
B.
THE CAUSE OF ACTION FOR FRAUDULENT CONVEYANCE MUST FAIL BECAUSE MERKEL DID NOT OWN THE SUBJECT PROPERTY
Plaintiffs’ fourth cause of action for fraudulent conveyance is especially lacking in - 3-
CATHERINE MINI MERKEL’S NOTICE OF DEMURRER AND DEMURRER TO PLAINTIFFS’ COMPLAINT
1
SERVICE LIST
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27
Jaion Laron Clark v. Top Cat Prod., etc., et al.; L.A.S.C. Case No. BC451511 Frank C. Luckenbacher, Esq. LAW OFFICES OF FRANK C. LUCKENBACHER 22048 Sherman Way, Suite 304 Canoga Park, CA 91303-3011 Tel: (818) 932-9000 Fax: (818) 226-0022 Wayne McClean, Esq. LAW OFFICES OF WAYNE MCCLEAN 24025 Park Sorrento, Suite 220 Calabasas, CA 91302-4006 Tel: (818) 225-7007 Fax: (818) 225-7557 Email: [email protected] Lisa Shyer, Esq. Wisotskey, Procter & Shyer 300 Esplanade Drive, Ste 1500 Oxnard, CA 93036 Tel: (805) 278-0920 Fax: (805) 278-0289 Email: [email protected] Raymond J. Muro, Esq. NELSON GRIFFIN, LLP 800 W. 6TH St., Suite 788 Los Angeles, CA 90017 Tel: (213) 833-0155 Fax: (213) 833-0160 Email: [email protected] Stanley R. Escalante, Esq. P.K. SCHRIEFFER, LLP 100 North Barranca Ave, Suite 1100 West Covina, California 91791 Tel: (626) 373-2444 Fax: (626) 974-8403 Dana Leonardi/Top Cat Productions, Inc. 15059 Ridgeview Court Chino Rills, CA 91700
Attorney for Plaintiff, Jaion Laron Clark
Mark D. Baute, Esq. SAUTE CROCHETIERE & MALONEY 777 S. Figueroa St., Suite 4900 Los Angeles, CA 90017 Tel: (213) 630-5000 Fax: (213)683-1225 Email: [email protected]
Attorneys for Defendant Tony Gower
Co-Counsel for Plaintiff Jaion Laron Clark, a minor by and through his Guardian ad Litem, Sharnell Thompson
Co-Counsel for Defendant LT Acquisition Corp., dba Louise's Trattoria
Attorneys for Defendant Venue Management Systems, Inc.
Cumis Counsel for Venue Management Systems, Inc.
28 - 6-
CATHERINE MINI MERKEL’S NOTICE OF DEMURRER AND DEMURRER TO PLAINTIFFS’ COMPLAINT
JUSTIN H. SANDERS (SBN 211488) [email protected] REGINALD ROBERTS, JR. (SBN 216249) [email protected] SANDERS ROBERTS LLP 355 South Grand Avenue, Suite 2450 Los Angeles, California 90071 Telephone: 213-943-1314 Facsimile: 213-234-4581 Attorneys for Defendant (sued herein as DOE 2) CATHERINE MINI MERKEL
7 8
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
9
FOR THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
JAION LARON CLARK, a Minor, by and ) Case No.: BC451511 through his Guardian ad Litem, SHARNELL ) THOMPSON, ) DOE DEFENDANT CATHERINE MINI ) MERKEL’S NOTICE OF DEMURRER Plaintiffs, ) AND DEMURRER TO PLAINTIFFS’ ) COMPLAINT vs. ) ) Complaint filed: January 3, 2011 TOP CAT PRODUCTIONS, INC.; LT ) ACQUISITION CORP.; THE DERBY CLUB ) Date: February 29, 2012 aka THE DERBY; RINGLEADERZ ) Time: 8:30 a.m. ENTERTAINMENT; TONY GOWER; ) Dept.: 64 DANA LEONARDI, and DOES 1 to 200, ) Inclusive, ) ) Defendants. ) ) ) AND RELATED CROSS-ACTIONS. ) )
22 23 24 25 26 27 28 - 1-
CATHERINE MINI MERKEL’S NOTICE OF DEMURRER AND DEMURRER TO PLAINTIFFS’ COMPLAINT
DEMURRER
1 2 3
Defendant Catherine Merkel (“Defendant”) hereby demurs generally to the first, second, third and fourth causes of action in the Complaint on each of the following grounds: FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION FOR NEGLIGENCE
4 5 6 7 8 9
1.
constitute a cause of action against Defendant. SECOND CAUSE OF ACTION FOR NEGLIGENT RETENTION AND SUPERVISION 2.
12
THIRD CAUSE OF ACTION FOR SURVIVAL 3.
15
Plaintiff’s Third Cause of Action for Survival fails to state facts sufficient to
constitute a cause of action against Defendant. FOURTH CAUSE OF ACTION FOR FRAUDULENT CONVEYANCE
13 14
Plaintiff’s Second Cause of Action for Negligent Retention And Supervision fails
to state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action against Defendant.
10 11
Plaintiff’s Fourth Cause of Action for Negligence fails to state facts sufficient to
4.
Plaintiff’s Fourth Cause of Action for Fraudulent Conveyance fails to state facts
sufficient to constitute a cause of action against Defendants.
16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 - 1-
CATHERINE MINI MERKEL’S NOTICE OF DEMURRER AND DEMURRER TO PLAINTIFFS’ COMPLAINT
1
I.
INTRODUCTION Plaintiffs’ Complaint relates to the shooting death of Jeffrey Clark, who was shot while
2 3
inside The Derby nightclub on October 14, 2010. Plaintiffs’ Complaint alleges causes of action
4
for negligence, negligent retention, survival and fraudulent conveyance. Nearly three years after
5
filling its Complaint, Plaintiffs added The Derby’s former manager, Catherine “Mini” Merkel, as
6
a DOE defendant, even though Ms. Merkel was not present when the shooting occurred. Indeed,
7
Plaintiffs’ Complaint does not mention Ms. Merkel at all.
8
II.
STANDARD ON DEMURRERS
9
A demurrer tests the legal sufficiency of a complaint. Donabedian v. Mercury Ins. Co.,
10
116 Cal. App. 4th 968, 994 (2004). A complaint or cause of action is subject to demurrer when
11
it fails to state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action or is uncertain, ambiguous, or
12
unintelligible. Code Civ. Proc. § 430.10(e) and (f). Code of Civil Procedure § 430.10 states, in
13
pertinent part:
14 15
The party against whom a complaint or cross-complaint has been filed may object, by demurrer or answer as provided in Section 430.30, to the pleading on any one or more of the following grounds:
16
...
17
(e)
The pleading does not state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action.
18
(f) The pleading is uncertain. As used in this subdivision, “uncertain” includes ambiguous and unintelligible.
19 20
Code Civ. Proc. § 430.10; see also, Aubry v. Tri-City Hosp. Dist., 2 Cal. 4th 962, 966-967
21
(1992). In ruling on a demurrer, “the presumptions are always against the pleader, and all doubts
22
are to be resolved against him, for it is to be presumed that he stated his case as favorably as
23
possible to himself.” Melikian v. Truck Ins. Exch., 133 Cal. App. 2d 113, 115 (1955), citing
24
Feldesman v. McGovern, 44 Cal. App. 2d 566, 571 (1941). Leave to amend is “properly denied
25
when the facts are not in dispute and the nature of the claim is clear, but there is no liability
26
under substantive law.” Wilhelm v. Pray, Price, Williams & Russell, 186 Cal. App. 3d 1324,
27
1330 (1986).
28 - 2-
CATHERINE MINI MERKEL’S NOTICE OF DEMURRER AND DEMURRER TO PLAINTIFFS’ COMPLAINT
1 2
III.
ARGUMENT A.
PLAINTIFFS’ ENTIRE COMPLAINT FAILS TO ALLEGE ANY FACTS
3
AGAINST MS. MERKEL AND CONSEQUENTLY FAIL TO STATE A
4
CAUSE OF ACTION
5 6
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §430.010 states that a party against whom a complaint has been filed may object demurrer to the pleading on any one or more of the following grounds:
7
(d) There is a defect or misjoinder of parties.
8
(e) The pleading does not state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action.
9
(f) The pleading is uncertain. As used in this subdivision, “uncertain” includes
10
ambiguous and unintelligible. Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §430.010.
11
In reviewing the sufficiency of a complaint against a demurrer, the court treats the
12
demurrer as admitting all material facts properly pled, but not contentions, deductions, or
13
conclusions of fact or law. Blank v. Kirwan (1985), 39 Cal.3d 311, 318. Where a complaint fails
14
to allege sufficient facts to establish a cause of action, a general demurrer is proper. Cooper v.
15
National Railroad Passenger Cor. (1975), 45 Cal. App. 3d 389, 393. In addition, a demurrer
16
may lie if a cause of action is uncertain in that it fails to plead certain material facts to properly
17
state a cause of action. A.F. Arnold & Co. v. Pacific Professional Insurance, Inc. (1972), 27 Cal.
18
App. 3d 710, 718.
19
Plaintiffs’ Complaint fails to allege a single fact against Ms. Merkel, and, therefore, this
20
demurrer must be sustained. Plaintiffs’ Complaint merely states Plaintiffs’ view of the facts
21
relating to the shooting and ownership of The Derby, but fails to make any allegation that Ms.
22
Merkel engaged in any conduct that resulted in Jeffrey Clark’s injuries and eventual death. As a
23
result of these inadequacies, Ms. Merkel has no way of defending herself without knowing the
24
specific facts that form the basis of Plaintiffs’ causes of action.
25 26 27 28
B.
THE CAUSE OF ACTION FOR FRAUDULENT CONVEYANCE MUST FAIL BECAUSE MERKEL DID NOT OWN THE SUBJECT PROPERTY
Plaintiffs’ fourth cause of action for fraudulent conveyance is especially lacking in - 3-
CATHERINE MINI MERKEL’S NOTICE OF DEMURRER AND DEMURRER TO PLAINTIFFS’ COMPLAINT
1
SERVICE LIST
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27
Jaion Laron Clark v. Top Cat Prod., etc., et al.; L.A.S.C. Case No. BC451511 Frank C. Luckenbacher, Esq. LAW OFFICES OF FRANK C. LUCKENBACHER 22048 Sherman Way, Suite 304 Canoga Park, CA 91303-3011 Tel: (818) 932-9000 Fax: (818) 226-0022 Wayne McClean, Esq. LAW OFFICES OF WAYNE MCCLEAN 24025 Park Sorrento, Suite 220 Calabasas, CA 91302-4006 Tel: (818) 225-7007 Fax: (818) 225-7557 Email: [email protected] Lisa Shyer, Esq. Wisotskey, Procter & Shyer 300 Esplanade Drive, Ste 1500 Oxnard, CA 93036 Tel: (805) 278-0920 Fax: (805) 278-0289 Email: [email protected] Raymond J. Muro, Esq. NELSON GRIFFIN, LLP 800 W. 6TH St., Suite 788 Los Angeles, CA 90017 Tel: (213) 833-0155 Fax: (213) 833-0160 Email: [email protected] Stanley R. Escalante, Esq. P.K. SCHRIEFFER, LLP 100 North Barranca Ave, Suite 1100 West Covina, California 91791 Tel: (626) 373-2444 Fax: (626) 974-8403 Dana Leonardi/Top Cat Productions, Inc. 15059 Ridgeview Court Chino Rills, CA 91700
Attorney for Plaintiff, Jaion Laron Clark
Mark D. Baute, Esq. SAUTE CROCHETIERE & MALONEY 777 S. Figueroa St., Suite 4900 Los Angeles, CA 90017 Tel: (213) 630-5000 Fax: (213)683-1225 Email: [email protected]
Attorneys for Defendant Tony Gower
Co-Counsel for Plaintiff Jaion Laron Clark, a minor by and through his Guardian ad Litem, Sharnell Thompson
Co-Counsel for Defendant LT Acquisition Corp., dba Louise's Trattoria
Attorneys for Defendant Venue Management Systems, Inc.
Cumis Counsel for Venue Management Systems, Inc.
28 - 6-
CATHERINE MINI MERKEL’S NOTICE OF DEMURRER AND DEMURRER TO PLAINTIFFS’ COMPLAINT
