Citation Codes Equivalent Citations citation codes Docket Number No. C 05-03942 WHA. Judges William Haskell Alsup See more information ... Smart Summary Please sign up to generate summary. REGINALD GERALD PATES, Plaintiff, v. MERCK CO., INC., Defendant. ORDER OF REFERRAL WILLIAM ALSUP, District Judge This action appears to be one of several cases currently pending in the Northern District of California involving the prescription drug VIOXX®. The earliest-filed action was Guinta v. Merck Co., Inc., Case No. C 04-5061 MHP. Pursuant to Civil Local Rule 3-12(c), the Court refers this matter to Judge Marilyn H. Patel for the purpose of determining whether it is related as defined in Civil Local Rule 3-12(a). IT IS SO ORDERED.