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applying Idaho's equitable estoppel law to plaintiff's section 1983 claim
Summary of this case from Brown v. VailOpinion
The panel unanimously concludes this case is suitable for decision without oral argument. See Fed. R. App. P. 34(a)(2).
NOT FOR PUBLICATION. (See Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure Rule 32.1)
Appeal from the United States District Court for the District of Idaho. D.C. No. 1:13-cv-00255-REB. Ronald E. Bush, Magistrate Judge, Presiding.
Macy consented to proceed before a magistrate judge. See 28 U.S.C. § 636(c).
Macy v. Howard, (D. Idaho, Oct. 11, 2013)
Before: GOODWIN, CANBY, and CALLAHAN, Circuit Judges.
This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent except as provided by 9th Cir. R. 36-3.
Mark Marion Macy appeals pro se from the district court's judgment dismissing his 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action alleging constitutional violations resulting from a police car chase that culminated in the death of Macy's wife. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291. We review de novo. Hamilton v. Brown, 630 F.3d 889, 892 (9th Cir. 2011) (dismissal under 28 U.S.C. § 1915A); Barren v. Harrington, 152 F.3d 1193, 1194 (9th Cir. 1998) (order) (dismissal under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)). We affirm.
The district court properly dismissed Macy's § 1983 claims against defendants Howard and Lind on the basis of acts that occurred on February 7, 2011, as barred by the applicable two-year statute of limitations. See Idaho Code Ann. § 5-219(4) (two-year statute of limitations for personal injury actions); Knox v. Davis, 260 F.3d 1009, 1012-13 (9th Cir. 2001) (for § 1983 claims, federal courts apply the forum state's personal injury statute of limitations and federal law for determining accrual; a § 1983 claim accrues when the plaintiff knows or has reason to know of the injury that forms the basis of the action). Contrary to Macy's contentions, Macy is not entitled to equitable tolling or equitable estoppel. See Wallace v. Kato, 549 U.S. 384, 394, 127 S.Ct. 1091, 166 L.Ed.2d 973 (2007) (federal courts look to state law provisions for tolling the limitations period); Wilhelm v. Frampton, 144 Idaho 147, 158 P.3d 310, 312 (Idaho 2007) (Idaho courts cannot equitably toll statute of limitations); J.R. Simplot Co. v. Chemetics Int'l Inc., 126 Idaho 532, 887 P.2d 1039, 1041 (Idaho 1994) (equitable estoppel is available in Idaho only if plaintiff lacks actual or constructive knowledge of the truth).
The district court did not abuse its discretion in denying Macy's motion for appointment of counsel because Macy failed to demonstrate exceptional circumstances. See Palmer v. Valdez, 560 F.3d 965, 970 (9th Cir. 2009) (setting forth standard of review and explaining " exceptional circumstances" requirement).
We do not consider issues not specifically and distinctly raised in the opening brief, including Macy's other dismissed claims. See Padgett v. Wright, 587 F.3d 983, 985 n.2 (9th Cir. 2009) (per curiam).
AFFIRMED.