Eunice Barnes v. Honorable Julie Goodman, Fayette Circuit Court, Division 4, Formerly Honorable John Reynolds ( 2021 )

RENDERED: MARCH 25, 2021
TO BE PUBLISHED
Supreme Court of Kentucky
2020-SC-0088-MR
EUNICE BARNES APPELLANT
ON REVIEW FROM COURT OF APPEALS
V. NO. 2019-CA-001452-OA
FAYETTE CIRCUIT COURT NO. 19-CI-00204
HONORABLE JULIE GOODMAN, JUDGE, APPELLEE
FAYETTE CIRCUIT COURT, DIVISION 4,
FORMERLY HONORABLE JOHN
REYNOLDS
AND
KELLIE CHRISTIAN, INDIVIDUALLY AND REAL PARTIES IN INTEREST
AS ADMINISTRATRIX OF THE ESTATE
OF VONDA MOLLETT; DENVER MOLLETT;
SAMANTHA MOLLETT; BE-LINDA POE;
AND SAM WALLER
OPINION OF THE COURT BY JUSTICE NICKELL
AFFIRMING
Eunice Barnes petitions this Court for a writ of prohibition and/or
mandamus1 directing the Fayette Circuit Court to vacate denial of her motion
to stay discovery in a wrongful death/negligence action naming her, her former
1 The same standard applies whether reviewing a petition for a writ of
prohibition or mandamus. Mahoney v. McDonald-Burkman, 320 S.W.3d 75, 77 (Ky.
2010).
employer, and others as defendants until completion of a parallel criminal case
against her alone.2 Barnes seeks to stay all civil discovery until her indictment
is resolved so she may freely exercise her constitutional right to remain silent.
In this matter of right appeal, we affirm the Kentucky Court of Appeals which
found Barnes failed to demonstrate the “great and irreparable injury” required
for issuance of a writ under Lehmann v. Gibson, 482 S.W.3d 375, 385 (Ky.
2016), and further found the circuit court properly exercised its discretion in
refusing to stay civil discovery. Holding Barnes is not entitled to the requested
writ, we deny the petition.
I. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
Suffering from end-stage Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, 76-year-old
Vonda Mollett was admitted as a patient to The Ridge Behavioral Health
System (Ridge), a licensed psychiatric hospital in Lexington, Kentucky, where
Barnes was employed as a mental health technician.
On September 21, 2018, Allison Keeney, also employed as a Ridge
mental health technician, was sitting at Mollett’s bedside when Mollett soiled
her clothing and bed linens. Keeney called for assistance and Barnes
responded to Mollett’s room. Citing a Ridge-recorded video of the encounter,
the Family alleges Barnes repeatedly struck Mollett “in and about the face,
2 Vonda Mollett’s Family (Family), plaintiff in the circuit court civil case, filed a
brief in this appeal as a real party in interest. Although prosecuting Barnes in the
parallel criminal case, the Commonwealth is not a party to this appeal.
head, and body while Ms. Mollett was helpless and defenseless in her room at
the Ridge.”
Three days after the encounter, Mollett was admitted to Baptist Health
Hospital. Two days later, Keeney reported the encounter to Ridge which alerted
Adult Protective Services and an agency investigation was launched. About
three weeks later, Mollett died at home from complications of Alzheimer’s
dementia. The Family attributes her death to the encounter with Barnes and
alleges Ridge did not accurately convey Mollett’s true condition to Baptist
Health when transferring her to its care.
In January 2019, the Family filed a civil complaint3 against several
defendants including Barnes; Keeney; Ridge, its corporate affiliates, and
Eisner, its Administrator, alleging medical negligence, negligent hiring,
negligent supervision and other torts. In the complaint, the Family specifically
alleges, “Ridge Defendants and Nina Eisner destroyed video of Ms. Mollett
including portions of the video of the Attack and all video of Ms. Mollett prior to
and following the Attack.”
3 Fayette Circuit Court Case No. 19-CI-00204. In the civil suit, Ridge is charged
with two counts of negligence/wrongful death; one count of gross negligence/wrongful
death; and, violating the Kentucky Consumer Protection Act. Nina Eisner is charged
with negligence/wrongful death and gross negligence. Ridge and Eisner are jointly
charged with negligent hiring and/or supervision, and negligently retaining Barnes.
The Family seeks to hold Ridge and its affiliates vicariously liable for Mollett’s death
under theories of master/servant, respondeat superior and agency. Barnes, Keeney
and “unknown defendants” are charged with medical negligence/wrongful death;
negligence/wrongful death; and gross negligence/wrongful death. All defendants are
charged with civil battery. Seeking punitive damages, the Family also alleges loss of
consortium and intentional/negligent infliction of emotional distress.
3
Based on the same encounter, on March 6, 2019, Barnes was charged4
with knowingly abusing or neglecting an adult, a Class C felony under
Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS) 209.990(2). Shortly after the indictment was
filed, the Family moved the trial court to compel Barnes to submit to a
deposition in the civil suit and served her with contention interrogatories5 to
learn the basis of affirmative defenses she pled in answering the complaint.
On March 20, 2019, a special judge signed an order denying both the
Family’s motion to compel, and a defense motion filed by Ridge, its corporate
affiliates, Eisner and Barnes—all of whom were represented by the same law
firm—requesting a stay of civil discovery until Barnes’ criminal case was
resolved. Due to a conflict of interest, Barnes now has separate counsel from
other civil defendants. On joining the civil case, Barnes’ new attorney
renewed—in Barnes’ name alone—the original motion to stay civil discovery.
Different attorneys represent Barnes in the criminal and civil litigation.
Both cases are assigned to Division Four with Judge Julie M. Goodman6
presiding. The criminal case was scheduled for trial on April 6-7, 2020, as
4 Fayette Circuit Case No. 19-CR-00342.
5 General discussion of contention interrogatories may be found at: Adrian P.
Schoone and Edward L. Miner The Effective Use of Written Interrogatories, 60 Marq. L.
Rev. 29, 44-55 (1976). See also, Percell v. Ky. Dep’t of Mil. Affs., 3:16-CV-00721-RGJ-
LLK, 2018 WL 4677783, at *2 (W.D. Ky. Sept. 28, 2018); Thomas & Betts Corp. v.
Panduit Corp., 93 C 4017, 1996 WL 169389, at *2 (N.D. Ill. Apr. 9, 1996)(contention
interrogatories usually propounded near end of discovery); and, Cont’l Ill. Nat’l Bank &
Trust Co. of Chicago v. Caton, 136 F.R.D. 682, 684 (D. Kan. 1991) (interrogatory may
inquire into party’s contentions and factual basis).
6 When stays were denied on September 24, 2019, and October 4, 2019, Judge
John Reynolds was presiding over both cases. Judge Goodman has since succeeded
him on the bench.
4
“second status,”7 but still has not occurred. A status hearing scheduled for
January 28, 2021, was replaced by a conference call between the court, the
Commonwealth, and Barnes’ criminal defense lawyer. According to updates
provided to this Court by Judge Goodman and Barnes8, the defense has
received a copy of a video recording; no plea offer has been made; both parties
believe the criminal case will be tried; most evidence in the criminal case has
been obtained; and, the parties are awaiting documents from the Office of the
Inspector General.
The criminal case will not be reviewed again until April 29, 2021, when a
new trial date may be scheduled. However, Barnes is not in custody, nor has
she filed a speedy trial motion. As a result, her criminal case will not receive
scheduling priority for a new trial date under current COVID-19 protocols.
According to Judge Goodman, the criminal trial cannot realistically occur until
late 2021 or early 2022.
The Family maintains it has not attempted to depose Barnes since her
first motion for a stay was denied in March of 2019. Nor has it asked Barnes
to produce documents. The Family states it has served Barnes only contention
interrogatories it does not expect her to answer until the criminal case is closed
and civil discovery concludes. While the Family claims it will not seek
7 Barnes’ case would have been called only as a substitute for another case.
8 By order entered January 26, 2021, this Court requested the parties and the
trial court provide a status update as to the criminal case.
5
information from Barnes until her criminal case ends, it wants to move forward
with discovery from other civil defendants who in apparent solidarity with
Barnes refuse to cooperate, creating a stalemate9 despite denial of all formal
requests to stay civil discovery.
In a two-sentence order, the trial court denied Barnes’ second motion for
a stay on September 24, 2019, prompting Barnes to file an original action in
the Court of Appeals under Kentucky Rules of Civil Procedure (CR) 76.36 for a
writ of prohibition and/or mandamus to stay civil discovery. Because the order
contained no analysis of seven factors10 identified in Lehmann to weigh when
considering a writ in the context of parallel litigation, Barnes also sought
intermediate relief under CR 76.36(4). The Court of Appeals abated both the
9Ridge, its corporate affiliates, and Eisner gave their view of civil discovery in a
response filed in the Court of Appeals on February 4, 2020. They state, “they have
responded to numerous sets of interrogatories and requests for production,
supplemented their written discovery responses on multiple occasions, and presented”
four employees—including Keeney and Eisner—for depositions in this “relatively
simple case based on an incident that was captured on video, not a scientifically
complicated case that requires extensive investigation.” While not party to Barnes’
request for a temporary stay of civil discovery, they support her efforts. Not having the
complete circuit court record, we cannot confirm the true state of civil discovery.
10(1) [T]he extent to which the evidentiary material in the civil and
criminal cases overlap; (2) the status of the criminal proceeding; (3) the
interests of any parties in staying the civil proceeding; (4) the prejudice to
any parties from staying the civil proceeding; [(5)] the interests of persons
that are not parties to the litigation; [(6)] court convenience; and [(7)] the
public interest in the pending civil and criminal actions.
Lehmann, 482 S.W.3d at 384. Although not an itemized factor, length of desired stay
is to be weighed when evaluating “prejudice to the party opposing the stay.” Id. at n.
26 (quoting State v. Deal, 740 N.W.2d 755, 766 (Minn. 2007)). Maze v. Kentucky
Judicial Conduct Commission, 575 S.W.3d 204, 210 (Ky. 2019), lists more items to
consider in “balancing hardships,” such as whether the defendant’s Fifth Amendment
rights are implicated, and the best use of judicial time and resources. Finally, any
stay must be of limited, specified duration and not “place [the] case in limbo for years.”
SEC v. Abdallah, 313 F.R.D. 59, 64 (N.D. Ohio 2016).
6
original action and the request for intermediate relief and remanded the matter
to the trial court for entry of a supplemental order consistent with Lehmann.
The trial court entered a new order on October 4, 2019, again denying
the stay, and finding none of the seven Lehmann factors supported staying civil
discovery. First, it found little overlap between the civil and criminal cases.
Barnes is the lone criminal defendant and most of the 22 civil claims take
corporate defendants to task for failing to: supervise Barnes and Keeney; adopt
employee guidelines, policies and procedures; report the true extent of Mollett’s
injuries; and, falsifying patient records. Second, Barnes’ criminal trial was set
for April 6-7, 2020, but, as a “second status” case, there was no guarantee it
would go forward as scheduled, and if not called on April 6, could be delayed
until 2021. Third, being under indictment, Barnes has an interest in staying
civil discovery to protect her Fifth Amendment right not to self-incriminate, but
her co-defendants have no such interest,11 and the Family has a compelling
right to collect proof before it grows stale or disappears. Fourth, Barnes is the
only civil defendant who could be prejudiced by denial of a stay, but the Family
will experience growing prejudice if a stay is granted. Fifth, unindicted entities
named in a complaint as “unknown defendants” or “Jane Doe” are rarely
sufficient reason to grant a stay.12 Moreover, the public has an interest in
11 Three civil defendants are corporate entities with no Fifth Amendment right.
“The constitutional privilege against self-incrimination is essentially a personal one,
applying only to natural individuals.” United States v. White, 322 U.S. 694, 698
(1944).
12 FTC v. E.M.A. Nationwide, Inc., 767 F.3d 611, 627 (6th Cir. 2014). Barnes
maintains she did not make this argument.
7
knowing whether Ridge, its affiliates and employees are engaging in wrongful
conduct adversely affecting patients. Sixth, with one judge presiding over both
cases the court will not be inconvenienced by simultaneous litigation. Instead,
the court will be well-positioned to quickly identify and address issues. And
seventh, the public has an interest in ensuring vulnerable loved ones currently
residing at Ridge receive proper care. In the final paragraph before denying the
stay, the trial court wrote:
Ms. Barnes can easily be protected with an individual protective
order instead of staying the entire litigation. A full stay of the
proceeding would prejudice the [Family] when all other Defendants
need no protection from a stay.
Court of Appeals Judge Sara Combs entered an order denying Barnes’
motion for intermediate relief on October 11, 2019. She determined the order
entered by the trial court on October 4, 2019,13 accurately reflected the trial
court’s view and, because no deposition was to occur in the immediate future,
Barnes would not suffer great and irreparable harm before a three-judge panel
considered her petition.
In addressing Barnes’ concerns about being forced to choose between
waiving or invoking her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination,
Judge Combs noted exercising one’s Fifth Amendment privilege is not without
cost, McKune v. Lile, 536 U.S. 24, 41 (2002), and the Constitution does not
“forbid requiring h[er] to choose.” McGautha v. California, 402 U.S. 183, 213
13 Different orders were entered on October 4, and October 7, 2019, prompting
Barnes to question which controlled. It was determined the earlier order controls.
8
(1971) (vacated on other grounds by Crampton v. Ohio, 408 U.S. 941 (1972)).
The order further noted Barnes’ dilemma is not unusual. Parallel civil and
criminal cases are permitted and may proceed simultaneously or sequentially.
SEC v. Dresser Indus. Inc., 628 F.2d 1368, 1374 (D.C. Cir. 1980). Moreover,
defendants who are facing a single trial must also choose whether, when and
how to exercise their Fifth Amendment right.
II. COURT OF APPEALS OPINION
The appellate panel denied Barnes’ petition because she failed to make
the two-part showing mandated by Hoskins v. Maricle, 150 S.W.3d 1, 10 (Ky.
2004). While Barnes showed no appeal would cure a discovery blunder—
because once revealed information cannot be retrieved, Bender v. Eaton, 343
S.W.2d 799, 802 (Ky. App. 1961)—she did not establish allowing civil discovery
to proceed would cause her “great and irreparable harm” because she may still
“invoke her Fifth Amendment privilege in both the criminal and civil actions.”
That finding is wholly consistent with Maze, wherein a circuit judge with a
misconduct charge pending before the Judicial Conduct Commission (JCC)
sought to postpone JCC proceedings—due in part to concerns about invoking
her Fifth Amendment privilege—until a subsequent indictment was resolved.
In affirming the JCC’s refusal to stay its proceedings, we wrote in part, “Judge
Maze remains free to assert her Fifth Amendment right in both her JCC and
criminal proceedings.” 575 S.W.3d at 213.
Finding the trial court’s denial of Barnes’ motion for a stay was neither
“arbitrary, unreasonable, unfair, [n]or unsupported by sound legal principles,”
9
Commonwealth v. English, 993 S.W.2d 941, 945 (Ky. 1999), the panel
determined there had been no abuse of discretion, specifically noting denying
the writ was within the range of permitted rulings following a correct
application of the law to the facts. Miller v. Eldridge, 146 S.W.3d 909, 915 (Ky.
2004). That finding mirrors Keating v. Off. of Thrift Supervision, 45 F.3d 322,
324 (9th Cir.), which states, “[t]he Constitution does not ordinarily require a
stay of civil proceedings pending the outcome of criminal proceedings,” and
whether to stay civil discovery should only follow consideration of all
circumstances and competing interests, of which a defendant’s Fifth
Amendment right to remain silent is but one factor. Id. at 326.
Next, finding Lehmann to be factually distinct—because Barnes is not
alleged to be attempting to circumvent the limits of criminal discovery and use
broader civil discovery to her advantage—the panel determined the trial court
did not err in denying the requested stay. Lehmann, a former pastor under
indictment for sex crimes against children, was denied the writ he sought to
reverse a trial court’s grant of Commonwealth motions to intervene in a
subsequently filed civil case brought by the sex abuse victims against Lehmann
and religious groups with whom he was affiliated. We held staying civil
discovery until Lehmann’s criminal case was final was appropriate to protect
“the integrity of the criminal proceeding[,]” Lehmann, 482 S.W.3d at 384, and
in particular, to prevent Lehmann from using the more liberal civil rules to
access proof—specifically victim depositions—which would be unavailable to
10
him under the more restrictive criminal rules. Id. 383. Against this backdrop,
we review Barnes’ claims.
III. ANALYSIS
The Court of Appeals considered this case as an original action under CR
76.36. Thus, it served as a trial court for purposes of our review. We now
consider the case as a matter of right appeal, Grange Mut. Ins. Co. v. Trude, 151
S.W.3d 803, 809 (Ky. 2004), keeping in mind a writ is extraordinary in nature
and not to be granted lightly. Lehmann, 482 S.W.3d at 380.
Because Barnes concedes denying the writ was within the trial court’s
jurisdiction, and merely claims the stay was denied in error, whether it was
properly denied will be reviewed only if Barnes has established both “no
adequate remedy on appeal, and great and irreparable harm.” Grange, 151
S.W.3d at 810. The panel’s findings of fact, including Barnes’ failure to prove
sufficient harm, will be reviewed for clear error, and any questions of law will
be reviewed de novo. Commonwealth Fin. & Admin. Cabinet v. Wingate, 460
S.W.3d 843, 847 (Ky. 2015).
The dispute in this case centers not on whether Barnes has an adequate
remedy on appeal; all agree she does not. Bender, 343 S.W.2d at 802. Our
focus is limited to the other mandatory showing—that she will incur great and
irreparable harm—something so damaging Barnes could not overcome it. The
term is variously defined as, “incalculable damage to the applicant . . . either to
the liberty of his person, or to his property rights, or other far-reaching and
conjectural consequences,” Hoskins, 150 S.W.3d at 19 (quoting Litteral v.
11
Woods, 4 S.W.2d 395, 396-97 (Ky. 1928)), and, “something of a ruinous
nature[.]” Robertson v. Burdette, 397 S.W.3d 886, 891 (Ky. 2013) (citation
omitted).
The panel found the required showing had not been made because the
items Barnes argues cause her concern—being deposed, answering an
amended complaint, and deciding how best to defend herself when it comes to
invoking the Fifth Amendment, particularly when civil jurors may draw an
adverse inference should she choose to remain silent—are not unique to her,
they are concerns commonly faced by defendants. And, as the appellate panel
stated, Barnes can still assert her Fifth Amendment right against self-
incrimination at both trials. Based on our holding in Maze, the panel’s finding
of a lack of great and irreparable harm was sound and not clear error.
At this juncture, the questions the Family might pose to Barnes during a
deposition are unknown,14 and whether they would even draw valid objection
or the answers would come within the Commonwealth’s grasp, is pure
speculation. CR 26.02 permits civil discovery of any non-privileged matter
14 To validly assert the Fifth Amendment, Barnes must reasonably apprehend
and “show a ‘real danger,’ and not a mere imaginary, remote or speculative possibility
of prosecution.” In re Morganroth v. Fitzsimmons, 718 F.2d 161, 167 (6th Cir. 1983)
(citations omitted). Moreover,
blanket assertion of the privilege by a witness is not sufficient to meet
the reasonable cause requirement and the privilege cannot be claimed in
advance of the questions. The privilege must be asserted by a witness
with respect to particular questions, and in each instance, the court
must determine the propriety of the refusal to testify.
Id. (citations omitted).
12
relevant to the subject matter of the action. Simply preferring one’s legal
opponent not ask a certain question or not obtain certain information does not
rise to great and irreparable injury. Nothing “ruinous” to Barnes having been
stated in the petition, and Barnes’ case comparing favorably to Maze, great and
irreparable injury has not been shown and neither the circuit court nor the
appellate panel erred in so finding. Having failed to make the minimum
showing required for complete review, no ground exists upon which we could
find an abuse of discretion and no basis upon which we could grant a writ of
prohibition or mandamus.
Before closing, we address other points argued by the parties. First,
time is of the essence. When Barnes began her quest to stay civil discovery in
March of 2019, and in successive pleadings, she requested a “short,” “brief,”
“short-lived,” and “temporary” lull in civil discovery—just until her criminal
trial was completed in early April of 2020. Barnes could not have known her
“second status” case would not go forward as scheduled, but it did not. Nor
could she have predicted the cruel impact of COVID-19. It is now March of
2021—two years post-indictment—and no criminal trial date is even on the
trial court’s calendar. And, as previously noted, because she has not sought a
speedy trial and is not in custody, she has no priority in being placed on the
trial calendar. Thus, Barnes is requesting an open-ended stay which is
prohibited. Any stay must be of limited, specified duration. Abdallah, 313
F.R.D. at 64.
13
While Barnes has a singular goal of protecting herself, she is not the only
party in this equation. The Family already believes Ridge and Eisner destroyed
video evidence. Each day of delay means more faded memories and testimony
the Family cannot recoup in its attempt to build its case. All parties are
entitled to efficient discovery and resolution without unnecessary delay.
Moreover, the public has an interest in prompt resolution of both cases,
especially the civil case which may impact current Ridge patients. Under the
facts presented, we simply cannot say—after the civil case has been pending
more than two years—Barnes’ Fifth Amendment right to remain silent trumps
the Family’s need for discovery, especially when less onerous measures—some
mentioned by the trial court and echoed by the Court of Appeals—would
adequately protect her. The Family is entitled to prompt resolution of its
complaint.
Barnes suggests the Commonwealth may acquire information through
civil discovery and use it to convict her. However, the Commonwealth had to
be prepared to present its full case and announce “ready” in early April 2020 or
risk a directed verdict or acquittal. Though possible, it is highly unlikely the
prosecution has waited a year for yet-to-be-developed civil discovery to build its
criminal case. Moreover, according to recent status updates provided to this
Court, both the Commonwealth and Barnes have their proof—but for
documents from the Inspector General—and each is ready to proceed to trial.
Barnes is represented by separate counsel in both the civil and criminal
cases. If she or counsel believe the Commonwealth has improperly acquired
14
details or seeks to use information clandestinely learned through civil discovery
to which it is not entitled, all Barnes need do is bring the matter to the trial
court’s attention and seek a ruling. Trial courts have broad power to control
the discovery process and “prevent its abuse” as justice requires. Hoffman v.
Dow Chem. Co., 413 S.W.2d 332, 333 (Ky. 1967). In response to Barnes’
specific concern the Commonwealth will use civil discovery to convict her,
courts have sustained protective orders to prevent parties from using civil
discovery to evade restrictions on criminal case discovery. U.S. v. Stewart, 872
F.2d 957, 962–63 (10th Cir. 1989).
Next, we reject Barnes’ claim that the Court of Appeals misconstrued
Lehmann, a case which focuses on the need to protect “the integrity of the
criminal prosecution” by reducing an accused’s procedural advantages due to
differences in civil and criminal rules.15 482 S.W.3d at 384. Under
appropriate circumstances, staying civil discovery levels the playing field in a
criminal case by minimizing the ability of criminal defendants to invoke the
right to remain silent—thereby denying information to the Commonwealth—
while at the same time using civil discovery to gain facts with which to surprise
the Commonwealth at trial. As mentioned in Lehmann, 482 S.W.3d at 383,
criminal rules are more restrictive than civil rules for various reasons including
avoiding perjury, manufactured proof, and, intimidation of potential witnesses,
particularly confidential informants. Id.
15 Compare and contrast CR 26.02 - 37.04 with RCr 7.10 - 7.24.
15
Lehmann contrasts the broad scope of civil discovery, where any non-
privileged topic is fair game, with the restrictive scope of criminal discovery,
where only witnesses who will be unavailable at trial may be deposed. The
concern in Lehmann was preventing a criminal defendant who was barred from
deposing witnesses in a criminal case, from deposing those same witnesses
under the guise of a parallel civil case. As a result, this Court deemed issuance
of a stay sought by the Commonwealth appropriate to protect the criminal
process. Here, no assertion has been made Barnes is trying to use civil
discovery to gain advantage in her criminal case. Similarly, no indication
exists the Commonwealth is attempting to do anything impermissible. Here,
Barnes makes a bare suggestion the Commonwealth may do something in the
future she believes might negatively impact her defense. It is wholly
inappropriate to punish the Family solely on rank speculation an entity beyond
its control may do something when a protective order would guard Barnes
alone and sanctions could be imposed to address any discovery violation. See
generally, CR 30.02; Developments in the Law - Discovery, 74 Harv. L. Rev. 940,
986-92 (1961). Barnes misconstrues Lehmann in urging us to use it to protect
her. Again, Lehmann’s focus is protecting the “criminal process,” not
protecting the criminal defendant. 482 S.W.3d at 383.
Next, staying a civil case is not constitutionally mandated when a parallel
criminal case is pending. Dresser, 628 F.2d at 1374. A stay is but one of
many options including staying specific depositions, limiting topics, sealing
interrogatories, and imposing protective orders and conditions, some of which
16
the lower court suggested, and Judge Combs mentioned in quoting United
States v. Conn, CV 11-157-ART, 2016 WL 4803970 (E.D. Ky. Sept. 9, 2016).16
In Lehmann, we directed trial courts to be flexible and not use granting a
stay as a “default position.” 482 S.W.3d at 384. We described granting a stay
as “a sizeable tool” available to trial courts, but only one of many tools in a trial
court’s procedural toolbox. Here, the trial court suggested an “individual
protective order” would shield Barnes without insulating other defendants who
require no protection. Other tools listed in CR 26.03 are: limiting depositions
to identified terms, conditions, matters, and witnesses while being conducted
in the presence of court-designated individuals; sealing a deposition upon
completion and permitting review only upon court order; and, placing an
embargo on disclosure. See also 6 Ky. Prac. R. Civ. Proc. Ann. Rule 26.03.
The Court of Appeals correctly echoed this sentiment. Because the Family has
agreed not to depose Barnes nor ask her to produce documents until her
criminal charges are resolved, it is perplexing that Barnes repeatedly seeks to
stall all civil discovery to the exclusion of multiple other options.
IV. CONCLUSION
At this point, nothing “short,” “brief” or “temporary” remains about
Barnes’ request for a stay of discovery. Having failed to demonstrate denial of
the stay would cause her great and irreparable harm, a writ is unavailable to
Being unpublished, Conn was cited as persuasive, not mandatory, authority
16
pursuant to CR 76.28(4)(c).
17
her. Detecting no error in the Court of Appeals’ fact-finding, and issuing a writ
being entirely discretionary, Haight v. Williamson, 833 S.W.2d 821, 823 (Ky.
1992), we discern no abuse, and therefore, no error. Holding Barnes is not
entitled to the requested writ, we deny the petition.
All sitting. All concur. Keller, J., concurs by separate opinion in which
Lambert, J., joins.
KELLER, J., CONCURRING: I concur with the majority that Barnes is not
entitled to a writ staying all discovery in the civil case against herself and her
civil co-defendants. But I write separately to address Barnes’s personal Fifth
Amendment rights. The majority cites to Maze v. Kentucky Judicial Conduct
Commission, 575 S.W.3d 204 (Ky. 2019), for the proposition that discovery
should not be delayed because parties remain free to assert their Fifth
Amendment rights in both parallel proceedings. I dissented in Maze because I
found the balance of Lehmann factors insufficient to overcome Maze’s
fundamental constitutional right and would have stayed the JCC’s proceedings
pending the criminal case’s resolution.
While I maintain my concerns as voiced in Maze, I concur with the
majority because the facts here are distinguishable from Maze, resulting in a
balance of equities in favor of the Family. First, unlike the JCC in Maze, the
Family has agreed not to depose Barnes herself or to seek discovery from her
until her criminal case ends. The Family is merely seeking discovery from the
other civil defendants. Therefore, Barnes is attempting to stay discovery from
parties whose Fifth Amendment rights she does not have standing to assert.
18
Second, the stay in Maze was to be of limited duration, only a few months,
while here the Family has been waiting more than two years to proceed, and
Barnes’s criminal matter is not yet set for trial. This delay greatly prejudices
the Family, particularly if they are not permitted to pursue discovery against
the uncharged defendants. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, in Maze, two
separate and distinct adjudicative bodies were overseeing the actions. The JCC
was pursuing ethical violations while the circuit court was overseeing the
Commonwealth’s criminal case against Maze. In contrast, the same circuit
court is overseeing Barnes’s civil and criminal cases. As the majority correctly
notes, this will allow the trial court to craft appropriate protective orders
should the Family seek to depose Barnes or compel document production from
her prior to the conclusion of her criminal case. For these reasons, I find the
facts of this case distinguishable from Maze in a way that weighs heavily for
the Family, and therefore, I concur with the majority that Barnes failed to show
great and irreparable harm and should be denied her writ.
Lambert, J., joins.
19
COUNSEL FOR APPELLANT:
Mark Edward Nichols
Carl William Walter
Sarah Christina Joelle Bayne
NICHOLS, WALTER, DARLING, WELLMAN, PLLC
APPELLEE:
Honorable Julie Goodman, Judge
Fayette Circuit Court, Division 4
COUNSEL FOR REAL PARTIES IN INTEREST:
Lesley A. Cayton
Masten Childers, III
Elisabeth Megan Lyons
WHITEFORD, TAYLOR & PRESTON, LLP
20