A convoluted legal battle has reached a pivotal point as the plaintiff's appeal was dismissed due to insufficient legal grounding and citation. On July 12, 2024, Nira Woods filed a complaint in the Court of Appeal of the State of California against the Department of Housing and Community Development, alleging numerous violations and seeking various forms of relief.
The case dates back to August 11, 2020, when Woods initiated a civil complaint against 20 defendants. After two rounds of demurrers, she filed a second amended complaint on July 26, 2021, narrowing her focus to 15 defendants. Woods' allegations are extensive and complex, including claims for injunctions, invasion of privacy, violation of freedom to practice religion, hate crimes, false imprisonment, endangerment, fraud (in multiple forms), and infringement of a lease agreement dated April 1, 2003.
Woods contends that unspecified defendants breached her lease agreement by amending local rules and regulations in 2018. She also alleges that these defendants created a "digitally searchable Database" using a hazardous surveillance CCTV system that radiates her body with energy beams from lasers and infrared antenna sources. Additionally, she claims that large amounts of debris were dumped near her mobile park residence unit by unspecified parties.
The trial court eventually sustained separate demurrers to Woods' second amended complaint without leave to amend and entered judgment in favor of several defendants including N&K Commercial Property Inc., Ken Miyake, Manuel Guzman, Victor Guzman, the City of Torrance’s Department of Mental Health and Police Department along with its deputy chief Jon Megeff. The court's decision was upheld on appeal.
Representing herself in this intricate legal matter proved challenging for Woods. Her appeals were dismissed because they lacked sufficient legal authority and proper citation to support her contentions. The appellate court emphasized that self-represented litigants must adhere to the same standards as other parties. Woods failed to provide an adequate record for meaningful review or present coherent arguments supported by relevant evidence.
Ultimately, the appellate court affirmed the trial court's orders and judgment while awarding costs on appeal to the respondents. This case underscores the importance of adhering to procedural rules and providing substantial evidence when challenging court decisions.
The attorneys involved include Rob Bonta (Attorney General), Jodi L. Cleesattle (Assistant Attorney General), Bruce D. McGagin and Jamil R. Ghannam (Deputy Attorneys General) representing the State of California through its Department of Housing and Community Development; Jeanne-Marie K. Litvin (Deputy City Attorney) representing the City of Torrance; Judge John J. Kralik presided over the case at Los Angeles County Superior Court under Case ID B330779.