872 F. Supp. 49 | S.D.N.Y. | 1994
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER
Plaintiff Marcos Perez, acting pro se, brings the instant action against the Police Department of the City of New York (“N.Y.P.D.”), Sergeant Luis Castillo, Officer Christopher Fellin and Officer Robert Randall (collectively “defendants”). Perez claims that defendants employed excessive force in violation of his civil rights under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Pursuant to Rule 12(b)(6) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, defendants move to dismiss upon the ground that the instant action is barred by the statute of limitations. For the reasons that follow, defendants’ motion to dismiss is granted.
BACKGROUND
In his complaint, Perez briefly sets forth the facts underlying the instant action. Perez alleges that, on April 20, 1990, a “shootout” occurred when he exited an apartment building located on 159th Street and Broadway. See Complaint. While in the apart
As he approached the middle of the street, Perez was confronted by three plain clothes police officers. Complaint. Perez alleges that, without even identifying themselves, the three police officers began to fire at him.
On June 25, 1998, the Pro Se Office received a civil complaint mailed by Perez. On August 11, 1993, the Pro Se Office filed the complaint with the Clerk’s Office for the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. In the instant action, Perez claims that defendants violated his civil rights by employing “excessive force” during the incident. On June 3, 1994, defendants filed a motion to dismiss arguing that the instant action is barred by the statute of limitations.
DISCUSSION
On a motion to dismiss under Rule 12(b)(6), “the factual allegations in the complaint must be accepted as true, and all reasonable inferences must be drawn in favor of the plaintiff.” Walker v. City of New York, 974 F.2d 293, 298 (2d Cir.1992) (quoting Frazier v. Coughlin, 850 F.2d 129, 129 (2d Cir.1988)). A district court may dismiss a complaint if “it appears beyond doubt that the plaintiff can prove no set of facts in support of his claim which would entitle him to relief.” Stewart v. Jackson & Nash, 976 F.2d 86, 87 (2d Cir.1992) (quoting Conley v. Gibson, 355 U.S. 41, 45-46, 78 S.Ct. 99, 101-02, 2 L.Ed.2d 80 (1957)).
In an action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983, which does not itself provide a statutory period of limitations, a district court must borrow the forum state’s period of limitations for personal injury actions. See Wilson v. Garcia, 471 U.S. 261, 266-67, 105 S.Ct. 1938, 1941-42, 85 L.Ed.2d 254 (1985). Ac cordingly, in this ease, the Court must apply New York’s three-year statute of limitations governing personal injury actions. See NY CPLR § 214(5); Owens v. Okure, 488 U.S. 235, 249-51, 109 S.Ct. 573, 581-82, 102 L.Ed.2d 594 (1989); Pauk v. Board of Trustees of the City of New York, 654 F.2d 856, 866 (2d Cir.1981), cert. denied, 455 U.S. 1000, 102 S.Ct. 1631, 71 L.Ed.2d 866 (1982).
Although state law determines the period of limitations, federal law determines the time of accrual. See Pauk, 654 F.2d at 859; Kaiser v. Cahn, 510 F.2d 282, 285 (2d Cir.1974). Under federal law, a § 1983 claim accrues when the plaintiff “knows or has reason to know of the injury which is the basis of his action.” Singleton v. City of New York, 632 F.2d 185, 191 (2d Cir.1980), cert. denied, 450 U.S. 920, 101 S.Ct. 1368, 67 L.Ed.2d 347 (1981) (quoting Bireline v. Seagondollar, 567 F.2d 260, 263 (4th Cir.1977)). Moreover, “the proper focus is on the time of the discriminatory act, not the point at which the consequences of the act become painful.” Chardon v. Fernandez, 454 U.S. 6, 8, 102 S.Ct. 28, 29, 70 L.Ed.2d 6 (1981) (citing Delaware State College v. Ricks, 449 U.S. 250, 258, 101 S.Ct. 498, 504, 66 L.Ed.2d 431 (1980)).
In this case, there can be no doubt that Perez knew of the defendants’ allegedly wrongful acts and the injuries resulting therefrom on the date of the shootout, which was April 20, 1990. The instant action was
Perez argues that defendants are equitably estopped from pleading the statute of limitations because their misrepresentations induced him to postpone commencement of the instant action.
In support of his estoppel argument, Perez asserts that a “liaison” between the N.Y.P.D. and the District Attorney’s Office
was summoned to investigate the case on behalf of the officers.... presented the case to the Grand Jury ..., disregarding facts that took place in the apartment, made plaintiff appear as if he was a culprit on the loose, without “JUSTIFICATION” for defending himself ... made it appear as if plaintiff opened fire on the officers with the weapon, reported differently by a witness in the reports ... and represented the PEOPLE AT TRIAL.
Affidavit of Marcos Perez Sworn to June 24, 1994 ¶ 2. It is clear therefore that no allegation is made that any conduct of the defendants induced him not to bring this § 1983 action. The fact that defendants participated in what he alleges to be his wrongful prosecution is legally insufficient to support his estoppel argument. See, e.g., Woods v. Candela, 13 F.3d 574, 577 (2d Cir.1994) (criminal proceedings do not toll statute of limitations in civil rights action).
CONCLUSION
Since the instant action is barred by the statute of limitations, defendants’ motion to dismiss is granted. The Clerk of the Court is directed to enter an appropriate judgment in favor of defendants and close the above-captioned action.
It is SO ORDERED.
. Although his allegations must be accepted as true for purposes of this motion, defendants claim that Perez fired at least one shot at the officers. Woods Aff. ¶ 4 n. 1.
. Unlike equitable tolling which concerns the running of the statute of limitations, "[ejquitable estoppel acknowledges that the statute has run, but is invoked to estop the defendant from asserting the defense because defendant’s actions lulled the plaintiff into forbearing from bringing suit within the period of limitations.” Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. v. Ohnuma, 161 Misc.2d 423, 613 N.Y.S.2d 811, 816 (Sup.Ct. N.Y. County 1994) (citation omitted).