JAMES O. BROWNING, District Judge.
Because additional discovery is not necessary for the Court to decide the Motion, the Court will deny the Plaintiffs' rule 56(d) request. Jobe, D.T., J.T., and I.M. allege only state law claims, and, as such, they have standing. Because it is reasonable to infer that Tillison had a possessory interest in the SUV, the Plaintiffs have standing to argue that Smith seized the SUV. Smith did not, however, seize Tillison or the SUV before shooting Tillison, because Tillison never submitted to Smith's authority. Additionally, Smith had probable cause to arrest Tillison. Smith used excessive force in shooting Tillison, because it is disputed whether he could have believed that Tillison posed a threat of serious bodily harm to himself or to others. At the time of the shooting, it was clearly established that Smith could not use deadly force without a reasonable belief that Tillison posed a threat of serious bodily injury to himself or to others. Finally, because Smith had probable cause to arrest Tillison, the New Mexico Legislature has not waived his immunity under the NMTCA as far as it concerns the Plaintiffs' false arrest and false imprisonment claims, but the Legislature has waived his immunity as it relates to the Plaintiffs' assault and battery claims. Accordingly, the Court will grant the Motion in part and deny it in part. The Court will grant the Motion and dismiss Count I of the Complaint for Civil Rights Violations, filed in state court on March 14, 2014, filed in federal court on April 18, 2014 (Doc. 1-1)("Complaint"), which concerns unlawful seizure. The Court will also dismiss the Plaintiffs' false arrest and false imprisonment claims in Count III of the Complaint. The Court will deny Smith's remaining requests in the Motion, including Smith's request for the Court to dismiss Count II — which concerns excessive force — and to dismiss the Plaintiffs' assault and battery claims in Count III.
"On or about March 19, 2012, Officer Martin Smith was wearing his uniform [and his] badge of office, and [he was] patrolling within his marked police vehicle during a day shift in the southeast area command of Albuquerque, NM." Motion ¶ 1, at 1-2 (setting forth this fact). See Affidavit of Martin Smith ¶ 2, at 1, filed May 12, 2014 (Doc. 11-1)("Smith Aff.").
Motion ¶ 2, at 2 (setting forth this fact)(quoting Computer Aided Dispatch Detailed History of Police Call #P120790534 as of 4/9/2012 10:03:06 at 1, filed May 12, 2014 (Doc. 11-2)("March 19, 2012, CAD"))(alterations in Motion but not in source). See Smith Aff. ¶ 3, at 1; March 19, 2012, CAD at 1.
"After Officer Smith acknowledged that he was going to take the call, the dispatcher
The registered owner of the 2005 Mitsubishi Montero reported it stolen on March 13, 2015. See Motion ¶ 6, at 2 (setting forth unmodified fact); March 13, 2012, CAD at 1.
Motion ¶ 7, at 3 (setting forth this fact). See Smith Aff. ¶ 7, at 2; Real Time Recording at 5:02-5:19; Dispatch Tr. at 3:11-17.
"As Officer Smith approached the vicinity of Texas and Marquette, he began looking for a vehicle matching the description of the call since the dispatcher relayed that the vehicle was in the area of 8201 Marquette northeast near some community mailboxes." Motion ¶ 9, at 3 (setting forth this fact). See Smith Aff. ¶ 9, at 2.
Motion ¶ 11, at 3 (setting forth this fact). See Smith Aff. ¶¶ 10-12, at 2-3; Diagram of Parking Lot, filed May 12, 2014 (Doc. 11-1)(Exhibit A1 to the Smith Aff.)
Motion ¶ 12, at 3-4 (setting forth this fact). See Smith Aff. ¶ 13, at 3; Diagram of Parking Lot, filed May 12, 2014 (Doc. 11-1)(Exhibit A2 to Smith Aff.)("Smith's Diagram of the Parking Lot").
Motion ¶ 13, at 4 (setting forth this fact). See Smith Aff. ¶ 15, at 3; Real Time Recording
Motion ¶ 16, at 4-5 (setting forth this fact). See Smith Aff. ¶ 19, at 4; March 19, 2012, CAD at 1; Real Time Recording at 5:31-6:01; Dispatch Tr. at 3:22-5:5.
Motion ¶ 19, at 5 (setting forth this fact). See Smith Aff. ¶ 22, at 4-5.
Motion ¶ 21, at 5 (setting forth this fact). See Smith Aff. ¶ 24, at 5.
Response at 7-8 (setting forth unmodified fact). See Smith Aff. ¶ 35, at 7.
"After firing the round, Officer Smith observed the driver fall back into his seat as the SUV continued reversing and pushing the truck over until it was hung up on the bumper and then came to a final rest." Motion ¶ 33, at 8 (setting forth this fact). See Smith Aff. ¶ 38, at 8; Response at 8 (not disputing this fact). "Detective Michael Kleinfeld was dispatched as the lead criminalistics detective to process and document the scene of the shooting." Motion ¶ 34, at 8 (setting forth this fact). See Affidavit of Michael Kleinfeld ¶ 3, at 1, filed May 12, 2014 (Doc. 11-6)("Kleinfeld Aff.").
Motion ¶ 37, at 8-9 (setting forth this fact). See Kleinfeld Aff. ¶ 6, at 2; Kleinfeld's Diagram of Parking Lot During Initial Encounter at 1.
Motion ¶ 38, at 9 (setting forth this fact). See Kleinfeld Aff. ¶ 8, at 2; Kleinfeld's Diagram of Parking Lot After the Incident at 1.
"Officer Smith has indicated on Exhibits A5, A6, and A7 to his affidavit of where he believes his approximate position was when he fired the shot a decedent Daniel Tillison." Motion ¶ 39, at 9 (setting forth this fact). See Smith Aff. ¶¶ 36-37, at 7-8; Smith's Diagram of the Parking Lot After the Incident at 1; Picture of Parking Lot from Smith's Shooting Position Facing the SUV, filed May 12, 2014 (Doc. 11-1)(Exhibit A6 to Smith Aff.)("Smith's Picture From His Shooting Position"); Picture of Parking Lot from behind the SUV's Open Door, filed May 12, 2014 (Doc. 11-1)(Exhibit A7 to Smith Aff.); Response at 8 (not disputing this fact). "The photographs labeled as Exhibit A8, Exhibit A9, Exhibit A10, Exhibit A11, and Exhibit A12 [to Smith's affidavit] depict damage to the Mitsubishi SUV, Officer Smith's vehicle and to the silver 2008 Dodge pickup truck which was caused by the driver of the Mitsubishi SUV." Motion ¶ 40, at 9 (setting forth this fact). See Kleinfeld Aff. ¶¶ 5, 6, & 8, at 2; Picture of Rear Right Tire of Vehicle, filed May 12, 2014 (Doc. 11-6)(Exhibit A8 to Kleinfeld Aff.); Picture of Patrol Car's Front and SUV's Back, filed May 12, 2014 (Doc. 11-6)(Exhibit A9 to Kleinfeld Aff.); Pictures of Front Left Side of the SUV, filed May 12, 2014 (Doc. 11-6)(Exhibit A10 to Kleinfeld Aff.)("Kleinfeld's Pictures of the Front Left Side of the SUV"); Pictures of the Trucks Rear Left Side, filed May 12, 2014 (Doc. 11-6)(Exhibit A8 to Kleinfeld Aff.); Pictures of the Truck's Back, filed May 12, 2014 (Doc. 11-6)(Exhibit A12 to Kleinfeld Aff.); Response at 8 (not disputing this fact).
The Plaintiffs filed suit in state Court on March 14, 2014, see Complaint at 1, and the Defendants removed the case to federal court on April 18, 2014, see Notice of Removal, filed April 18, 2014 (Doc. 1). The Plaintiffs allege nine counts. Count I alleges that Smith violated Tillison's Fourth Amendment right to be free from unreasonable seizure of himself and his black SUV. See Complaint ¶¶ 105-114, at 14-15. Count II alleges that Smith used excessive force in shooting Tillison. See Complaint ¶¶ 115-119, at 15-16. Count III alleges state-law tort claims against Smith, including assault, battery, false arrest, and false imprisonment. See Complaint ¶¶ 120-128, at 16. Count IV alleges that Defendant City of Albuquerque was negligent in hiring, training, supervising, and retaining Smith. See Complaint ¶¶ 129-132, at 17-18. Count V alleges a negligent assault and battery claim against the City of Albuquerque under a respondeat superior theory. See Complaint ¶¶ 133-137, at 18. Count VI alleges loss of consortium for I.M., the child of Plaintiff Mary Jobe, Tillison's girlfriend/fiancé at the time of his death. See Complaint ¶ 5, at 2; id. ¶¶ 138-143, at 18-19. Counts VII and VIII allege loss of consortium for D.T. and J.T., Jobe and Tillison's children. See Complaint ¶¶ 4-5, at 2; id. ¶¶ 144-155, at 19-20. Count IX alleges loss of consortium
Smith filed the Motion on May 12, 2014. See Motion at 1. Smith argues that Jobe, D.T., J.T., and I.M. lack standing to bring federal claims on their own behalf and that, if they are bringing federal claims, the Court should dismiss them. See Motion at 10. He also argues that Tillison's estate lacks standing to assert an unlawful seizure claim for the SUV, because Tillison had no possessory interest in it. See Motion at 10. Smith maintains that a plaintiff must assert his or her own legal rights and cannot rely on third parties' rights. See Motion at 11 (citing Warth v. Seldin, 422 U.S. 490, 499, 95 S.Ct. 2197, 45 L.Ed.2d 343 (1975)). He contends that, to have standing in a 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action, a plaintiff must assert that he or she suffered a constitutional violation, and not that someone else suffered the wrong. See Motion at 11 (citing Archuleta v. McShan, 897 F.2d 495, 497 (10th Cir.1990); Dohaish v. Tooley, 670 F.2d 934, 936 (10th Cir.1982)). Smith argues that the Plaintiffs must show that he deprived their constitutional rights and not third parties' rights. See Motion at 11 (citing Trujillo v. Board of Cnty. Comm'rs, 768 F.2d 1186, 1190 (10th Cir.1985)).
Smith maintains that the Complaint does not contain any allegations showing that Jobe, D.T., J.T., or I.M. can assert a cause of action on their own behalf. See Motion at 12. He argues that Tillison was the only person involved in the incident. See Motion at 12. Smith also argues that Tillison was not the registered owner of the Mitsubishi Montero that was reported stolen six days before the shooting. See Motion at 12. Smith contends that, because Tillison did not lawfully possess the SUV, he lacked a privacy interest in it and, therefore, has no standing to assert his seizure claim. See Motion at 12 (citing United States v. Worthon, 520 F.3d 1173, 1183 (10th Cir.2008)).
Smith contends that he is entitled to qualified immunity on Counts I and II. See Motion at 12. He asserts that, because he raised the issue of qualified immunity, the record must contain sufficient facts to rebut the presumption that he is entitled to immunity. See Motion at 12-13 (citing Medina v. Cram, 252 F.3d 1124, 1130 (10th Cir.2001)). Smith maintains that he did not seize Tillison until he shot him. See Motion at 14. Smith contends that, "`[u]nless an officer's show of authority succeeds in restraining the person, the person has not been seized within the meaning of the Fourth Amendment.'" Motion at 14 (quoting Latta v. Keryte, 118 F.3d 693, 698 (10th Cir.1997)). Smith asserts that, when he ordered Tillison to show his hands and put them out the window, Tillison refused to comply with his instructions and attempted to flee. See Motion at 14-15. Smith contends that, even when he shot the SUV's rear tire, he did not seize Tillison, because the shot did not cause Tillison to stop. See Motion at 15 (citing Bella v. Chamberlain, 24 F.3d 1251, 1256 (10th Cir. 1994)).
Smith argues that, even if he seized Tillison, he had reasonable suspicion and probable cause to do so. See Motion at 15. He contends that he received information through the CAD that a male in a black Mitsubishi Montero was possibly attempting to sell a stolen sound system. See Motion at 17. Smith also contends that he had information that the vehicle had been reported stolen and that it was in a high crime area. See Motion at 17 (citing Gallegos v. City of Colorado Springs, 114 F.3d 1024 (10th Cir.1997)). He maintains that, based on the totality of the circumstances, he had reasonable suspicion to stop and detain the SUV's driver. See Motion at 17.
Smith argues that he had an objectively reasonable basis to seize and arrest Tillison. See Motion at 19. Smith contends that the dispatcher told him that the vehicle was stolen and that there was no information that it had been recovered. See Motion at 19. He also contends that he observed an occupant inside the vehicle. See Motion at 19. Smith maintains that he had probable cause to believe that the vehicle was stolen. See Motion at 19. He argues that, when Tillison backed up the vehicle and nearly hit him with it, and when Tillison crashed the vehicle into Smith's patrol vehicle and into the truck, there was probable cause to arrest Tillison for a number of crimes, including Aggravated Assault against a Police Officer, Assault against a Police Officer, Attempted Aggravated Assault against a Police Officer, Aggravated Assault, Attempted Aggravated Assault, Assault, Criminal Damage to Property, Resisting and Evading Arrest, and Refusing to Obey. See Motion at 19-20.
Concerning the Plaintiffs' excessive force claim, Smith asserts that excessive force is judged from the perspective of a reasonable officer and that the Court should consider a number of factors, including (i) the severity of the crime; (ii) whether the suspect posed an immediate threat to the safety of the officer or others; and (iii) whether the suspect was actively resisting arrest or attempting to evade arrest. See Motion at 20 (citing Graham v. Connor, 490 U.S. 386, 396-97, 109 S.Ct. 1865, 104 L.Ed.2d 443 (1989)). He asserts that deadly force is justified if a reasonable officer in his position would have probable cause to believe that there was a threat of serious physical harm to himself or to others. See Motion at 20 (citing Sevier v. City of Lawrence, 60 F.3d 695, 699 (10th Cir.1995)). Smith contends that his assessment of danger did not have to be correct, but only reasonable. See Motion at 20-21. He states that an officer's conduct preceding the use of force is relevant, because an officer's own recklessness or deliberate conduct may create the need
Smith argues that, based on the totality of the circumstances — which include Tillison moving around in the vehicle, nearly hitting Smith with the vehicle, moving the vehicle back and forward, and pointing a black object at Smith — his actions in shooting Tillison were objectively reasonable. See Motion at 22-23. Smith contends that a reasonable officer in his position would have had probable cause to believe that Tillison posed a serious threat of physical harm. See Motion at 23. Smith asserts that, even though the vehicle was found to be in reverse after the shooting, the vehicle's threat was still present, because Tillison could have easily put the vehicle in drive and drove it into Smith within a split second. See Motion at 23 (citing Thomas v. Durastanti, 607 F.3d at 665; Waterman v. Batton, 393 F.3d 471, 479 (4th Cir.2005)).
Smith asserts that his conduct immediately preceding the shooting did not rise to the level of recklessness. See Motion at 24. He contends that he parked his patrol vehicle in a manner that partially blocked the SUV, because he was looking for a stolen vehicle that he saw in the parking lot, and because he could not conceal his presence in the area. See Motion at 24. Smith maintains that he informed the dispatcher where the vehicle had last been seen, even though the dispatcher did not send another officer to assist him until after he parked behind the Mitsubishi. See Motion at 24. Smith states that, as he approached the vehicle, he stayed to its side and that he "did not jump out in front of the car." Motion at 24. He asserts that he moved into the adjacent parking space as Tillison reversed the SUV and almost hit him. See Motion at 24. Smith argues that Tillison's deliberate and reckless conduct created the danger. See Motion at 24.
Smith contends that the clearly established law on March 19, 2012, would not have put him on notice that his conduct amounted to a constitutional violation. See Motion at 25. He argues that Thomas v. Durastanti demonstrates that his behavior was reasonable under the totality of the circumstances. See Motion at 25 (citing Thomas v. Durastanti, 607 F.3d at 655). Smith maintains that there was no clearly established law that would have put him on notice that Tillison was seized when he did not submit to Smith's authority. See Motion at 26 (citing California v. Hodari D., 499 U.S. 621, 625-26, 111 S.Ct. 1547, 113 L.Ed.2d 690 (1991)). He also maintains that there was no clearly established law that would have put him on notice that approaching a stolen vehicle, with his weapon drawn in low-ready position, and shooting the vehicle's tire was unreasonable. See Motion at 26 (citing Henry v. Storey, 658 F.3d at 1239; Bella v. Chamberlain, 24 F.3d at 1256).
Smith argues that the New Mexico Legislature has not waived his immunity under the NMTCA. See Motion at 26. He asserts that § 41-4-12 sets forth specific torts for which law enforcement officers' immunity is waived. See Motion at 26 (citing N.M. Stat. Ann. § 41-4-12). Smith argues that his immunity has not been waived, because his actions were lawful, and because he had reasonable suspicion and probable cause to detain and arrest
The Plaintiffs responded to the Motion on July 9, 2014. See Motion at 1. The Plaintiffs argue that the Smith Aff. contradicts many statements he made in the March 20, 2012, Interview, and in the March 26, 2012, Interview. See Response at 1-2. They contend that Smith had a better recollection of the shooting the day afterwards than two years later. See Response at 2. The Plaintiffs state that Smith drafted the Smith Aff. with counsel's help and after conferring with other officers to "elaborately compose a story which would benefit them in the litigation of this matter." Response at 2. The Plaintiffs assert that Smith's contradictions matter, because they give the Court the ability to sanction Smith for providing false statements, and because they show that the Court should allow the Plaintiffs to conduct discovery. See Response at 2 (citing Chavez v. City of Albuquerque, 402 F.3d 1039 (10th Cir.2005); Conder v. A.L. Williams & Assocs., 739 P.2d 634, 641 n. 1 (Utah Ct.App.1987)). The Plaintiffs argue that Smith's contradictory statements create credibility issues that a jury, and not a judge, should resolve. See Response at 3 (citing Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 255, 106 S.Ct. 2505, 91 L.Ed.2d 202 (1986)). They contend that the Supreme Court of the United States of America and the Tenth Circuit have reversed a district court's granting of summary judgment when the district court relied on affidavits from witnesses whom the nonmovant did not have an opportunity to cross examine. See Response at 3-4 (citing Poller v. Columbia Broad. Sys., Inc., 368 U.S. 464, 472-74, 82 S.Ct. 486, 7 L.Ed.2d 458 (1962); Adams v. Campbell Cnty. Sch. Dist., 483 F.2d 1351, 1353 (10th Cir.1973)).
The Plaintiffs argue that summary judgment is inappropriate if more discovery is needed. See Response at 9. They contend that they should have the opportunity to cross examine Smith and to obtain mental-health evaluations about Smith's disability rating from the Veteran's Administration ("VA"), because of his post-traumatic stress disorder ("PTSD"). Response at 9. The Plaintiffs assert that, under rule 56(d) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, they should be permitted to conduct discovery. See Response at 10. They contend that, pursuant to rule 56(d), the Court should deny the Motion, defer ruling on it, allow time for discovery, or grant other appropriate relief. See Response at 10.
The Plaintiffs maintain that Jobe, D.T., J.T., and I.M. have standing, because they have brought loss of consortium claims. See Response at 11. They contend that, because D.T. and J.T. are Tillison's biological children, they are Tillison's only statutory beneficiaries, and, thus, they have standing to bring claims on behalf of Tillison's estate. See Response at 11. The Plaintiffs maintain that a person's estate has standing to bring a § 1983 claim on his or her behalf. See Response at 11-12 (citing Berry v. City of Muskogee, 900 F.2d 1489, 1506-07 (10th Cir.1990)). The Plaintiffs also assert that it is disputed whether Tillison was driving a stolen vehicle or whether he had permission to drive the vehicle. See Response at 12.
The Plaintiffs argue that the Supreme Court, the Tenth Circuit, and New Mexico law make clear that a reasonable officer would have known that it was unconstitutional for Smith to shoot Tillison when he posed no threat to Smith or to the public. See Response at 13. They first argue that
The Plaintiffs argue that, by pulling his patrol car against Tillison's bumper, Smith's conduct was excessive in light of what Smith knew at the time of the stop and that Smith escalated the situation before making contact with Tillison. See Response at 14. The Plaintiffs state that, if Smith was so afraid that he needed to conduct a felony stop by blocking Tillison's vehicle and approach with his gun drawn, he should have called for backup rather than escalating the situation. See Response at 14 (citing Sevier v. City of Lawrence, 60 F.3d at 699-701). They contend that, in Zia Trust Co. ex rel. Causey v. Montoya, the defendant-officer rushed up to a van with his gun drawn and without backup, because the defendant-officer believed that a domestic violence suspect was driving the van. See Response at 14. The Plaintiffs assert that, there, the Tenth Circuit held that the defendant-officer's use of deadly force was unreasonable when he shot the van's driver as the driver tried to drive the van at the officer, but it was stuck on a pile of rocks and could only move about one foot. See Response at 14.
The Plaintiffs maintain that Smith seized Tillison when he blocked his vehicle and approached the vehicle with his weapon drawn. See Response at 14-15. They contend that, if a police-citizen encounter exceeds the limits of an investigatory detention, the encounter becomes an arrest for which the officer needs probable cause. See Response at 15 (citing United States v. Rodriguez-Rodriguez, 550 F.3d 1223, 1227 (10th Cir.2008)). The Plaintiffs maintain that, when Smith approached Tillison, he posed no threat to Smith and did not attempt to communicate with Smith. See Response at 15. They contend that the test for determining whether a person is seized is whether, considering all the circumstances, the police's conduct would have communicated to a reasonable person that he or she was not free to decline the officer's requests to terminate the encounter. See Response at 16 (citing Lundstrom v. Romero, 616 F.3d 1108, 1119 (10th Cir.2010)). The Plaintiffs contend that, because Tillison did not pose a threat, and because Smith escalated the situation, Smith's actions were not reasonable to justify Tillison's seizure, and that Smith's de facto arrest of Tillison violated his Fourth Amendment rights. See Response at 16.
The Plaintiffs argue that Smith's reliance on United States v. Albert and United States v. Holt is misplaced, because both cases involve traffic stops, which did not occur here. See Response at 16. They contend that a traffic stop presumably involves a subject first committing a traffic violation, which satisfies the probable cause standard; here, however, Tillison was merely sitting in a parked car and had allegedly offered to sell stereo equipment,
The Plaintiffs argue that Smith's failure to warn Tillison that he intended to use deadly force was presumptively unreasonable. See Response at 17. They assert that the man who was talking with Tillison on the telephone heard Smith yell "show me your hands," and heard Tillison reply, "why? I didn't do nothing wrong." Response at 17 n. 3 (alterations omitted). The Plaintiffs contend that they should be able to cross examine Smith about this statement. See Response at 17. They state that Smith did not give Tillison any reason why he blocked his car, why he pointed a gun at him, or why he ordered him to put his hands up. See Response at 17-18. The Plaintiffs argue that Smith could see Tillison's hands during various times of the encounter, and that Smith was between five and ten feet away from Tillison when he shot him. See Response at 18. They state that Smith did not know what was in Tillison's right hand and argue that, "[i]f we allow officers to believe that they are justified in shooting someone without any basis that the person is actually armed we are living in a country that no longer acknowledges the foundations upon which the Fourth Amendment was founded." Response at 18. The Plaintiffs maintain that, when Smith shot Tillison, he was not an immediate threat to Smith or to the public. See Response at 18.
The Plaintiffs contend that, in Tennessee v. Garner, 471 U.S. 1, 105 S.Ct. 1694, 85 L.Ed.2d 1 (1985), the Supreme Court held that, if a fleeing suspect does not pose an immediate threat to the officer or to others, the harm of failing to apprehend the suspect does not justify the use of deadly force. See Response at 18. They argue that deadly force is not justified unless, where feasible, a warning is given. See Response at 18 (citing Harris v. Roderick, 126 F.3d 1189, 1201 (9th Cir.1997)). The Plaintiffs argue that, before shooting Tillison, Smith did not warn Tillison that he would use deadly force, even though it was feasible for him to give a warning. See Response at 18. They contend that, while Tillison may have been trying to flee, Stewart's report shows that Tillison's vehicle never made any attempt to drive toward Smith. See Response at 18.
The Plaintiffs maintain that Smith's shooting of Tillison was objectively unreasonable. See Response at 19 (citing Graham v. Connor, 490 U.S. at 397, 109 S.Ct. 1865). They assert that Smith's subjective and speculative fear about what might occur cannot justify his use of deadly force. See Response at 19 (citing Curley v. Klem, 298 F.3d 271, 280 (3d Cir.2002)). The Plaintiffs contend that Smith killed Tillison either out of an anticipated or accidental response to a PTSD flashback. See Response at 19. They argue that it was unreasonable for Smith to so quickly use deadly force before backup had an opportunity to arrive. See Response at 19. The Plaintiffs contend that Smith was not in immediate danger of being hit and that he did not know what Tillison had in his hand. See Response at 19. They assert that Smith's only remaining justification for shooting Tillison was that Tillison was trying to leave the parking lot. See Response at 19-20.
The Plaintiffs argue that, in Cordova v. Aragon, 569 F.3d 1183 (10th Cir.2009), the
The Plaintiffs argue that a state court found that a different Albuquerque Police Department ("APD") officer used unreasonable force in shooting a fleeing suspect and found that APD's deadly force training is not reasonably designed. See Response at 21 (citing Higgins v. City of Albuquerque, No. CIV 2009-0915 (N.M.2d Jud. Dist.)). They attempt to distinguish Estate of Larsen ex rel Sturdivan v. Murr by arguing that Tillison was not armed, that the SUV rolled backwards after Smith shot Tillison, that Tillison's cellular telephone is less than five inches long, and that Smith was never in Tillison's path. See Response at 21. The Plaintiffs argue that, immediately after Smith shot Tillison, he called dispatch and told them that he shot Tillison because Tillison tried to run over him. See Response at 21. They state that Smith did not mention that he believed that Tillison had a gun until the March 20, 2012, interview. See Response at 21.
The Plaintiffs argue that Smith violated APD's standard operating procedures ("SOPs"). See Response at 22 (citing Albuquerque Police Department Procedural Orders, Use of Force (dated Apr. 20, 2009), filed April 18, 2014 (Doc. 1-2)("APD Use of Force SOP")). They contend that APD's SOPs require officers, where feasible, to give a warning before using deadly force and state that, if a motor vehicle is bearing down on an officer, the officer should not fire at the vehicle, but should attempt to move out of its path. See Response at 22. The Plaintiffs quote the conclusions of their police procedures expert, Melvin Tucker, where he opines that Smith's use of force was unreasonable. See Response at 22-23 (citing Expert Report of Melvin L. Tucker at 4-7, filed July 9, 2014 (Doc. 31-6)("Tucker Report")). The Plaintiffs argue that Smith's reckless conduct caused Tillison's death and the need to use deadly force. Response at 23. The Plaintiffs also assert that the Department of Justice found that Smith was not justified in shooting Tillison. See Response at 23 (citing Letter to Mayor Richard J. Berry from Jocelyn Samuels, Acting Assistant Attorney General, DOJ Civil Rights Division, and Damon P. Martinez, Acting United States Attorney, District of New Mexico (dated April 10, 2014) ("DOJ Letter")).
Smith replied to the Response on August 20, 2014. See Reply at 1. Smith argues that his March 20, 2012, and March 26, 2012, interviews do not contradict the Smith Aff. See Reply at 1. Smith asserts that homicide detectives, and not Internal Affairs officers, conducted the interviews and that his statements during the interviews were not sworn. See Reply at 1 n. 1. He contends that the Plaintiffs are not entitled to cross examine affiants and that the Supreme Court regularly permits summary judgment based on affidavits when qualified immunity is raised. See Reply at 1-2 (citing Mitchell v. Forsyth, 472 U.S. 511, 526, 105 S.Ct. 2806, 86 L.Ed.2d 411 (1985); Siegert v. Gilley, 500 U.S. 226, 231, 111 S.Ct. 1789, 114 L.Ed.2d 277 (1991)).
Smith argues that his mental health is not at issue in the case, because he is not relying on a physical, mental, or emotional condition as a defense. See Reply at 10. He argues that, in Estate of Turnbow v. Ogden City, 254 F.R.D. 434 (D.Utah 2008) (Warner, M.J.), the Honorable Paul M. Warner, United States Magistrate Judge for the District of Utah, reiterated that the Supreme Court has recognized a psychotherapist-patient privilege and that mental health records are normally protected from discovery. See Reply at 10. Smith contends that the Plaintiffs have not shown how his mental health records are relevant or essential to responding to the Motion. See Reply at 10-11. He maintains that, when a defendant raises qualified immunity, the Court should stay discovery until it resolves the qualified-immunity issue and that the Court should narrowly tailor any discovery it allows. See Reply at 10-11.
Smith argues that Jobe's, D.T.'s, J.T.'s, and I.M.'s loss of consortium claims are individual claims, and not claims that Tillison's estate is bringing on its behalf. See Reply at 11. He argues that, while Jobe, D.T., J.T., and I.M. may be beneficiaries of Tillison's estate, they cannot assert claims on their own behalf by asserting that the claims are brought on the estate's behalf. See Reply at 11 (citing Warth v. Seldin, 422 U.S. at 499, 95 S.Ct. 2197; Dohaish v. Tooley, 670 F.2d at 936). Concerning the SUV, Smith argues that the Plaintiffs have not submitted any evidence showing that Tillison owns the SUV or that he had permission to drive it. See Reply at 11. Smith maintains that Tillison lacks standing to assert a constitutional violation with respect to the SUV. See Reply at 11 (citing United States v. Worthon, 520 F.3d 1173, 1183 (10th Cir.2008)).
Smith maintains that the Plaintiffs fail to present any facts showing that Tillison submitted to his authority before being shot, which would establish that Smith seized Tillison. See Reply at 12. Smith contends that the Plaintiffs must show that he actually restrained Tillison. See Reply at 12. Smith states that the Plaintiffs' own expert, Stewart, opines that the vehicle did not come to a stop until after Smith shot Tillison. See Reply at 12. Smith argues that, without a showing that Tillison submitted to authority, there was no seizure. See Reply at 12.
Smith argues that the Plaintiffs ignore the facts which the dispatcher told him, including that the person in a black Mitsubishi Montero was possibly trying to sell stolen goods, that the vehicle had been reported stolen, and that it was not listed as being recovered. See Reply at 13. He contends that this information gave him reasonable suspicion to investigate further. See Reply at 13. Smith argues that the Court cannot rely on the Plaintiffs' argument
Smith argues that he did not have to conduct an investigation before approaching the vehicle, because he did not need to take unnecessary risks, and because he faces a real threat each time he approaches an occupied vehicle. See Reply at 14. Smith argues that Zia Trust Co. ex rel. Causey v. Montoya is distinguishable, because that incident occurred at night, and because the officer in that case was not investigating a felony. See Reply at 14. Smith also argues that the officer in Zia Trust Co. ex rel. Causey v. Montoya did not announce that he was a police officer, the officer walked directly in front of the van with his gun drawn as he first approached the vehicle, and the van moved forward less than one foot. See Reply at 14-15. Smith contends that, here, he was investigating a felony, he announced that he was a police officer, and Tillison's vehicle continuously moved. See Reply at 14-15. Smith asserts that he had probable cause, because Tillison disobeyed his orders, because Tillison tried to hit him with the SUV, and because Tillison rammed other vehicles with the SUV. See Reply at 15.
In addressing the Plaintiffs' reference to the DOJ Letter, Smith argues that the letter does not have preclusive effect. See Reply at 15 n. 4 (citing Shaffer v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., 860 F.Supp.2d 991, 999 (D.Ariz.2012) (Zapata, J.); Pooshs v. Philip Morris USA, Inc., 904 F.Supp.2d 1009, 1034 (N.D.Cal.2012) (Hamilton, J.); In re Light Cigarettes Mktg. Sales Practices Litig., 691 F.Supp.2d 239 (D.Me.2010) (Woodcock, Jr., C.J.)). Smith argues that he had no duty to warn Tillison before using deadly force. See Reply at 15 (citing Thomson v. Salt Lake Cnty., 584 F.3d 1304, 1321 (10th Cir.2009)). He contends that the amount of force he used was not excessive, even though he learned afterwards that Tillison was not armed. See Reply at 15-16 (citing Blossom v. Yarbrough, 429 F.3d 963, 968 (10th Cir.2005)).
Smith asserts that Tucker's report contains material omissions and improper conclusions. See Reply at 16. He contends that Tucker fails to mention that Tillison was moving around inside the vehicle, reaching into the back of the vehicle, disobeying multiple commands to put his hands out the window, and attempting to flee by colliding with Smith's patrol car and the truck. See Reply at 16-17. Smith argues that Tucker fails to state that the reason Smith shot the vehicle's tire was because Tillison almost ran over Smith with the vehicle, and because Smith was directly in the vehicle's path. See Reply at 17. Smith contends that Tucker makes conclusory statements and inferences that are irrelevant, and the requisite legal standards do not support them. See Reply at 17. For those reasons, Smith maintains that the Court should disregard Tucker's report. See Reply at 17 (citing Medina v. Cram, 252 F.3d at 1133).
The Court held a hearing on November 24, 2014. See Transcript of Hearing (taken Nov. 24, 2014)("Tr.").
The Court said that, when Smith called into dispatch and reported that there were shots fired, he stated that Tillison had attempted to run him over, suggesting that threat was the reason Smith shot Tillison. See Tr. at 9:19-24 (Court). The Court asked Smith if he was still asserting that he shot Tillison because Tillison tried to run over him. See Tr. at 9:23-24 (Court). Smith responded by stating that, during the dispatch call, he was trying to give a description of what happened, which included Tillison nearly running him over, but that the reason he used deadly force was because Tillison was holding a black object that could have reasonably been perceived to be a firearm. See Tr. at 9:25-10:9 (Griffin). Smith argued that the vehicle presented a secondary threat and that, while the vehicle was going in reverse when he shot Tillison, had Smith not shot Tillison, there is nothing that would have prevented Tillison from quickly changing direction. See Tr. at 10:10-19 (Griffin). Smith maintained, however, that "the actual deadly threat was the black object at the moment that the deadly force was" used. Tr. at 10:19-21 (Griffin).
The Court asked Smith if there is a factual dispute why he shot Tillison, because he told the dispatcher that Tillison nearly ran him over, but now he is arguing that it was because of the cellular telephone. See Tr. at 11:2-9 (Court). Smith maintained that the dispatch call was merely a description of what happened, and not the reason for why he fired his gun, and that the reason he shot Tillison was because Tillison had a black object in his hand. See Tr. at 11:10-21 (Griffin). Smith stated that, at the time, he did not know which direction the vehicle was traveling, but that, for the Motion, the Court can assume that it was traveling in reverse. See Tr. at 11:21-12:6 (Griffin). Smith contended that he mentioned the black object during his interview with the homicide detectives, but that he is not sure if he mentioned it during his interview with internal affairs, because his counsel had not reviewed the transcript of the internal affairs interview. See Tr. at 12:22-13:11 (Griffin). Smith clarified that, when he stated that Tillison held the black object "gangster style," he means that, if the object were a gun, Tillison would have been holding in a manner so that it was turned sideways. Tr. at 14:12-15:12 (Carpenter, Griffin, Court).
They contended that a police officer cannot use deadly force, based on an object in someone's hand, before definitively determining what is in the person's hand. See Tr. at 25:23-26:4 (Carpenter, Court). The Court said that it agrees that a police officer is not justified in using deadly force just because a person has a cellular telephone in his or her hand, but that the context may matter, which was that Tillison was violently hitting two other vehicles. See Tr. at 28:3-29:2 (Court). The Plaintiffs responded by arguing that the stereo equipment and SUV were not stolen, which means that Smith lacked any justification to conducting a felony stop. See Tr. at 29:11-30:9 (Carpenter, Court). The Plaintiffs asserted that their expert's conclusions show that Tillison did not almost run over Smith. See Tr. at 26:5-20 (Carpenter). They argued that, because Smith asserted that the vehicle almost ran over him, there is a genuine dispute whether the vehicle almost hit him, and what his justifications in shooting the tire and Tillison were and are. See Tr. at 26:20-28:1 (Carpenter).
The Court asked the Plaintiffs how Tillison was seized if he never surrendered. See Tr. at 30:9-31:3 (Carpenter, Court). The Plaintiffs responded by arguing that Tillison was seized the moment Smith stopped him. See Tr. at 32:13-19 (Carpenter). They contended that, in United States v. Maez, 872 F.2d 1444, 1450-51 (10th Cir.1989), the Tenth Circuit held that a person can be seized while he is inside his own house and disobeying officers' orders to exit. See Tr. at 32:19-33:2 (Carpenter). The Court said that case is different, because the defendant eventually complied by coming outside, whereas here, Tillison continued to try to escape. See Tr. at 33:16-24 (Court). The Plaintiffs responded by stating that the SUV's movements are disputed. See Tr. at 33:25-34:4 (Carpenter). They also argued that Smith relies on cases concerning traffic stops and that this case does not involve a traffic stop. See Tr. at 34:11-24 (Carpenter).
Smith stated that, because Jobe, D.T., J.T., and I.M. are not bringing federal claims, there is no standing issue for the Court to resolve concerning their claims. See Tr. at 17:19-18:11 (Griffin, Court). Smith asserted that there were no witnesses who observed the incident from beginning to end. See Tr. at 19:22-20:12 (Griffin, Court). He contended that, during his interview with the homicide detectives, he told them that he could not tell what Tillison was holding in his right hand, but that it looked like a weapon. See Tr. at 42:17-43:11 (Griffin). Smith clarified that Tillison tried to run over him when he was standing next to the vehicle, at which point Tillison put the vehicle into reverse and ran it into the patrol car. See Tr. at 44:1-5 (Griffin). Smith stated that Tillison turned the vehicle toward the patrol car in a maneuver that Smith described as "a button hook." Tr. at 44:5-6 (Griffin). Smith argued that it was at this point that Tillison came at him with the SUV. See Tr. at 44:7-15 (Griffin).
The Court asked Smith what occurred when he first arrived at the scene, and he said that he could not see Tillison's hands, that Tillison was reaching around inside the vehicle, and that he was afraid that Tillison would exit the vehicle with a weapon drawn or to attack him. See Tr. at 44:18-45:6 (Griffin, Court). The Plaintiffs responded by saying that, from Smith's statements, they were confused what happened when Smith first approached the vehicle, because Smith said at one point that the window was open and at another that it was down, and because Smith said he closed the door, but it is not clear whether Tillison tried to open the door or whether Smith did. See Tr. at 45:9-46:1 (Carpenter). The Court said it was concerned about granting summary judgment when there was no statement by Smith that he was apprehensive or fearful of the black object, and Smith responded by stating that in the Smith Aff. he said that he thought the black object was a gun. See Tr. at 46:6-47:9 (Griffin, Court).
Rule 56(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure states: "The court shall grant summary judgment if the movant shows that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law." Fed. R.Civ.P. 56(a). "The movant bears the initial burden of `show[ing] that there is an absence of evidence to support the non-moving party's case.'" Herrera v. Santa Fe Pub. Sch., 956 F.Supp.2d 1191, 1221 (D.N.M.2013) (Browning, J.)(quoting Bacchus Indus., Inc. v. Arvin Indus., Inc., 939 F.2d 887, 891 (10th Cir.1991)). See Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 323, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986). "If the moving party will bear the burden of persuasion at trial, that party must support its motion with credible evidence — using any of the materials specified in Rule 56(c) — that would entitle it to a directed
The party opposing a motion for summary judgment must "set forth specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial as to those dispositive matters for which it carries the burden of proof." Applied Genetics Int'l, Inc. v. First Affiliated Sec., Inc., 912 F.2d 1238, 1241 (10th Cir. 1990). See Vitkus v. Beatrice Co., 11 F.3d 1535, 1539 (10th Cir.1993) ("However, the nonmoving party may not rest on its pleadings but must set forth specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial as to those dispositive matters for which it carries the burden of proof." (internal quotation marks omitted)). Rule 56(c)(1) provides: "A party asserting that a fact ... is genuinely disputed must support the assertion by ... citing to particular parts of materials in the record, including depositions, documents, electronically stored information, affidavits or declarations, stipulations (including those made for purposes of the motion only), admissions, interrogatory answers, or other materials." Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(c)(1). It is not enough for the party opposing a properly supported motion for summary judgment to "rest on mere allegations or denials of his pleadings." Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. at 256, 106 S.Ct. 2505. See Abercrombie v. City of Catoosa, 896 F.2d 1228, 1231 (10th Cir.1990); Otteson v. United States, 622 F.2d 516, 519 (10th Cir.1980) ("However, once a properly supported summary judgment motion is made, the opposing party may not rest on the allegations contained in his complaint, but must respond with specific facts showing the existence of a genuine factual issue to be tried." (citation omitted)(internal quotation marks omitted)). Nor can a party "avoid summary judgment by repeating conclusory opinions, allegations unsupported by specific facts, or speculation." Colony Nat'l Ins. Co. v. Omer, No. CIV 07-2123 JAR, 2008 WL 2309005, at *1 (D.Kan. June 2, 2008) (Robinson, J.) (citing Argo v. Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Kan., Inc., 452 F.3d 1193, 1199 (10th Cir.2006); Fed. R.Civ.P. 56(e)). "In responding to a motion for summary judgment, `a party cannot rest on ignorance of facts, on speculation, or on suspicion and may not escape summary judgment in the mere hope that something will turn up at trial.'" Colony Nat'l Ins. Co. v. Omer, 2008 WL 2309005, at *1 (quoting Conaway v. Smith, 853 F.2d 789, 794 (10th Cir.1988)).
To deny a motion for summary judgment, genuine factual issues must exist that "can be resolved only by a finder of fact because they may reasonably be resolved in favor of either party." Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. at 250, 106 S.Ct. 2505. A mere "scintilla" of evidence will not avoid summary judgment. Vitkus v. Beatrice Co., 11 F.3d at 1539 (citing Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. at 248, 106 S.Ct. 2505). Rather, there must be sufficient evidence on which the
When reviewing a motion for summary judgment, the court should keep in mind certain principles. First, the court's role is not to weigh the evidence, but to assess the threshold issue whether a genuine issue exists as to material facts requiring a trial. See Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. at 249, 106 S.Ct. 2505. Second, the ultimate standard of proof is relevant for purposes of ruling on a summary judgment, such that, when ruling on a summary judgment motion, the court must "bear in mind the actual quantum and quality of proof necessary to support liability." Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. at 254, 106 S.Ct. 2505. Third, the court must resolve all reasonable inferences and doubts in favor of the nonmoving party, and construe all evidence in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party. See Hunt v. Cromartie, 526 U.S. 541, 550-55, 119 S.Ct. 1545, 143 L.Ed.2d 731 (1999); Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. at 255, 106 S.Ct. 2505 ("The evidence of the non-movant is to be believed, and all justifiable inferences are to be drawn in his favor."). Fourth, the court cannot decide any issues of credibility. See Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. at 255, 106 S.Ct. 2505.
There are, however, limited circumstances in which the court may disregard a party's version of the facts. This doctrine developed most robustly in the qualified immunity arena. In Scott v. Harris, 550 U.S. 372, 127 S.Ct. 1769, 167 L.Ed.2d 686 (2007), the Supreme Court concluded that summary judgment was appropriate where video evidence "quite clearly contradicted" the plaintiff's version of the facts. 550 U.S. at 378-81, 127 S.Ct. 1769. The Supreme Court explained:
Scott v. Harris, 550 U.S. at 380-81, 127 S.Ct. 1769 (emphasis in original).
The Tenth Circuit applied this doctrine in Thomson v. Salt Lake County, 584 F.3d 1304 (10th Cir.2009), and explained:
Thomson v. Salt Lake Cnty., 584 F.3d at 1312 (brackets omitted). "The Tenth Circuit, in Rhoads v. Miller, [352 Fed.Appx. 289 (10th Cir.2009) (Tymkovich, J.)(unpublished),
Rhoads v. Miller, 352 Fed.Appx. at 291-92 (internal quotation marks omitted). See Lymon v. Aramark Corp., 728 F.Supp.2d at 1249-50 (quoting Rhoads v. Miller, 352 Fed.Appx. at 291-92). In a concurring opinion in Thomson v. Salt Lake County, the Honorable Jerome A. Holmes, United States Circuit Judge for the Tenth Circuit, stated that courts must focus first on the legal question of qualified immunity and "determine whether plaintiff's factual allegations are sufficiently grounded in the record such that they may permissibly comprise the universe of facts that will serve as the foundation for answering the legal question before the court," before inquiring into whether there are genuine issues of material fact for resolution by the jury. 584 F.3d at 1326-27 (Holmes, J., concurring) (citing Goddard v. Urrea, 847 F.2d 765, 770 (11th Cir.1988) (Johnson, J., dissenting)) (observing that, even if factual disputes exist, "these disputes are irrelevant to the qualified immunity analysis because that analysis assumes the validity of the plaintiffs' facts").
Rule 56(d) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure provides:
Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(d). Before 2010, this rule was rule 56(f); rule 56(d) "carries forward without substantial change the provisions of former subdivision (f)." Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(d) advisory committee's notes to the 2010 amendments. "A party who seeks relief under subdivision (d) may seek an order deferring the time to respond to the summary-judgment motion." Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(d) advisory committee's notes to the 2010 amendments. The rule permits a nonmovant to show by affidavit or declaration the need for additional discovery; a formal affidavit is thus not required. See Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(d). The rule permits a "written unsworn declaration, certificate, verification, or statement subscribed in proper form as true under penalty of perjury to substitute for an affidavit." Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(c) advisory committee's notes to the 2010 amendments.
When a party files an affidavit or declaration, and moves for additional discovery time under rule 56(d), the party invokes the court's discretion. See Jensen v. Redevelopment
"Rule 56[(d)] is not a license for a fishing expedition...." Lewis v. Ft. Collins, 903 F.2d 752, 758 (10th Cir.1990). To invoke rule 56(d), the party filing the affidavit or declaration must state with specificity how the desired time would allow it to meet its burden in opposing summary judgment. See Jensen v. Redevelopment Agency of Sandy City, 998 F.2d at 1554. Rule 56(d) may not be invoked based solely upon the assertion that discovery is incomplete or that specific facts necessary to oppose summary judgment are unavailable. See Jensen v. Redevelopment Agency of Sandy City, 998 F.2d at 1554. Moreover, while the summary-judgment movant's exclusive control of information weighs heavily in favor of relief under 56(d), see Price ex rel. Price v. W. Res., Inc., 232 F.3d at 783, merely asserting that the movant has the evidence is insufficient to justify denial of summary judgment, see Jensen v. Redevelopment Agency of Sandy City, 998 F.2d at 1554. Furthermore, "if the party filing the Rule 56[(d)] affidavit has been dilatory, or the information sought is either irrelevant to the summary judgment motion or merely cumulative, no extension will be granted." Jensen v. Redevelopment Agency of Sandy City, 998 F.2d at 1554 (denying a 56(d) request stating "the record reflect[ed] that plaintiffs were dilatory in pursuing discovery prior to the filing of their 56[(d)] affidavit"). See Johnson v. Holmes, 377 F.Supp.2d 1039, 1044-45 (D.N.M.2004) (Browning, J.)(denying a 56(d) request where plaintiff did not explain why, during the discovery period that the court allowed, he did not obtain the discovery sought in his motion), aff'd, 455 F.3d 1133 (10th Cir.2006). The Tenth Circuit has summarized rule 56(d)'s requirements as follows:
Price ex rel. Price v. W. Res., Inc., 232 F.3d at 783 (quoting Comm. for 1st Amend. v. Campbell, 962 F.2d at 1522). See Tadlock v. Lahood, 550 Fed.Appx. 541, 547 (10th Cir.2013) (citing Price ex rel. Price v. W. Res., Inc. for the requirements of rule 56(d) after the 2010 amendment); Douglass v. United Auto Workers Local Union 31, 188 Fed.Appx. 656, 658 (10th Cir.2006) (unpublished)(stating that the affidavit must state "with specificity" how the additional time would enable the party to meet its burden). A rule 56(d) affidavit or declaration must state, with specificity, what additional discovery is believed necessary. See Burke v. Utah. Transit Auth. & Local 382, 462 F.3d 1253, 1264 (10th Cir.2006); Chavez v. Perry, 142 Fed.Appx.
In determining whether a party has been dilatory in pursuing discovery, courts should consider: (i) "the length of the pendency of the case prior to the Rule 56[(d)] request"; (ii) "whether and when plaintiff could have anticipated its need for the requested discovery"; (iii) "the previous efforts, if any, made by plaintiff to obtain the needed information either through Rule discovery or otherwise"; (iv) "the degree and nature of discovery already undertaken"; (v) "any limitations placed upon discovery previously by the trial court"; (vi) "any prior solicitations of or provisions for discovery by the trial court"; (vii) "any warning which plaintiff might have had that, absent a speedier request, discovery might be denied and his claim be dismissed"; and (viii) "whether the requested information was inaccessible to plaintiff, e.g. as when within defendant's exclusive control, or whether alternative, accessible sources existed but were foregone." Paul Kadair, Inc. v. Sony Corp. of Am., 694 F.2d 1017, 1031 (5th Cir.1983). See Jensen v. Redevelopment Agency of Sandy City, 998 F.2d at 1555 n. 7 (noting that the "Fifth Circuit enumerates eight factors to be considered in determining whether a party has been dilatory in seeking discovery" (citing Paul Kadair, Inc. v. Sony Corp. of Am., 694 F.2d at 1031)); Klick v. Hercules, Inc., 5 F.3d 546, at *4 n. 3 (10th Cir. Aug. 19, 1993) (table opinion) (unpublished)(stating that Paul Kadair, Inc. v. Sony Corp. of America enumerates "eight factors which should be considered by the court before determining whether a party has been dilatory in conducting discovery"); Patty Precision v. Brown & Sharpe Mfg. Co., 742 F.2d 1260, 1264 n. 4 (10th Cir.1984) (stating that the Fifth Circuit, in Paul Kadair, Inc. v. Sony Corp of America, "enumerates eight factors to be considered in determining whether a party has been dilatory in seeking discovery").
Section 1983 provides:
42 U.S.C. § 1983. "To state a claim under § 1983, a plaintiff must allege the violation of a right secured by the Constitution and laws of the United States, and must show that the alleged deprivation was committed by a person acting under color of state law." West v. Atkins, 487 U.S. 42, 48, 108 S.Ct. 2250, 101 L.Ed.2d 40 (1988). Individual, non-supervisory defendants may be liable if they knew or reasonably should have known that their conduct would lead
"Under Section 1983, liability attaches only to conduct occurring `under color of law.'" Gallagher v. Neil Young Freedom Concert, 49 F.3d 1442, 1447 (10th Cir. 1995). The under-color-of-state-law requirement is a "jurisdictional requisite for a § 1983 action, which ... furthers the fundamental goals of preserving an area of individual freedom by limiting the reach of federal law ... and avoiding imposing on the state, its agencies or officials, responsibility for conduct for which they cannot fairly be blamed." Jojola v. Chavez, 55 F.3d 488, 492 (10th Cir.1995). "The traditional definition of acting under color of state law requires that the defendant in a § 1983 action have exercised power `possessed by virtue of state law and made possible only because the wrongdoer is clothed with the authority of state law.'" West v. Atkins, 487 U.S. at 49, 108 S.Ct. 2250 (quoting United States v. Classic, 313 U.S. 299, 326, 61 S.Ct. 1031, 85 L.Ed. 1368 (1941)). "The authority with which the defendant is allegedly `clothed' may be either actual or apparent." Jojola v. Chavez, 55 F.3d at 493. Accordingly, at a base level, to find that an action was taken under color of state law, the court must find that "`the conduct allegedly causing the deprivation of a federal right' must be `fairly attributable to the State.'" Gallagher v. Neil Young Freedom Concert, 49 F.3d at 1447 (quoting Lugar v. Edmondson Oil Co., 457 U.S. 922, 937, 102 S.Ct. 2744, 73 L.Ed.2d 482 (1982)).
In the context of a public employee, the Tenth Circuit has directed that, while "`state employment is generally sufficient to render the defendant a state actor ... [,]' at the same time, it is `well settled that an otherwise private tort is not committed under color of law simply because the tortfeasor is an employee of the state.'" Jojola v. Chavez, 55 F.3d at 493 (quoting Lugar v. Edmondson, Oil Co., 457 U.S. at 935-36 n. 18, 102 S.Ct. 2744; Mark v.
David v. City & Cnty. of Denver, 101 F.3d 1344, 1353 (10th Cir.1996) (internal citations omitted) (quoting Martinez v. Colon, 54 F.3d 980, 986 (1st Cir.1995)).
Government actors may be liable for the constitutional violations that another committed, if the actors "set in motion a series of events that the defendant knew or reasonably should have known would cause others to deprive the plaintiff of her constitutional rights," thus establishing the "requisite causal connection" between the government actor's conduct and a plaintiff's constitutional deprivations. Trask v. Franco, 446 F.3d at 1046. The Tenth Circuit has explained that § 1983 liability should be "`read against the background of tort liability that makes a man responsible for the natural consequences of his actions.'" Martinez v. Carson, 697 F.3d at 1255 (quoting Monroe v. Pape, 365 U.S. 167, 187, 81 S.Ct. 473, 5 L.Ed.2d 492 (1961), overruled in part by Monell v. Dep't of Soc. Servs., 436 U.S. at 663, 98 S.Ct. 2018). "Thus, Defendants are liable for the harm proximately caused by their conduct." Martinez v. Carson, 697 F.3d at 1255 (citing Trask v. Franco, 446 F.3d at 1046). As the Court has previously concluded, "a plaintiff who establishes liability for deprivations of constitutional rights actionable under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 is entitled to recover compensatory damages for all injuries suffered as a consequence of those deprivations. The recovery should be guided by common-law tort principles — including principles of causation...." Train v. City of Albuquerque, 629 F.Supp.2d 1243, 1251 (D.N.M.2009) (Browning, J.).
The Tenth Circuit has found liability for those defendants who proximately caused an injury alleged under § 1983 and stated that the fact that the "conduct of other people may have concurrently caused the harm does not change the outcome as to [the defendant]," so long as there was not a superseding-intervening cause of a plaintiff's harm. Lippoldt v. Cole, 468 F.3d 1204, 1220 (10th Cir.2006).
Trask v. Franco, 446 F.3d at 1046. Thus, in the context of a claim under the Fourth Amendment, the Tenth Circuit has held that government actors "may be held liable if the further unlawful detention and arrest would not have occurred but for their conduct and if there were no unforeseeable intervening acts superseding their liability." Martinez v. Carson, 697 F.3d at 1255. The Tenth Circuit gave an example of a superseding-intervening cause, quoting the Honorable Samuel J. Alito, then-United States Circuit Judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, now-Associate Justice for the Supreme Court:
Trask v. Franco, 446 F.3d at 1046 (quoting Bodine v. Warwick, 72 F.3d at 400). Additionally, "[f]oreseeable intervening forces are within the scope of the original risk, and ... will not supersede the defendant's responsibility." Trask v. Franco, 446 F.3d at 1047 (quoting William Lloyd Prosser et al., Prosser and Keeton on Torts § 44, at 303-04 (5th ed.1984)). If
Trask v. Franco, 446 F.3d at 1047 (citing Restatement (Second) of Torts § 453 cmt. b (1965)).
The Tenth Circuit has held that supervisors are not liable under § 1983 unless there is "`an affirmative link ... between the constitutional deprivation and either the supervisor's personal participation,... exercise of control or direction, or ... failure to supervise.'" Gallagher v. Shelton, 587 F.3d 1063, 1069 (10th Cir. 2009) (quoting Green v. Branson, 108 F.3d 1296, 1302 (10th Cir.1997)) (alterations omitted). Because supervisors can be held liable only for their own constitutional or illegal policies, and not for the torts that their employees commit, supervisory liability requires a showing that such policies were a "deliberate or conscious choice." Barney v. Pulsipher, 143 F.3d at 1307-08 (citations omitted)(internal quotation marks omitted). Cf. Bd. of Cnty. Comm'rs v. Brown, 520 U.S. at 404, 117 S.Ct. 1382 ("[I]t is not enough for a § 1983 plaintiff
The Tenth Circuit has recognized that Ashcroft v. Iqbal limited, but did not eliminate, supervisory liability for government officials based on an employee's or subordinate's constitutional violations. See Garcia v. Casuas, 2011 WL 7444745, at *25-26 (citing Dodds v. Richardson, 614 F.3d 1185 (10th Cir.2010)). The language that may have altered the landscape for supervisory liability in Ashcroft v. Iqbal is as follows: "Because vicarious liability is inapplicable to Bivens and § 1983 suits, a plaintiff must plead that each Government-official defendant, through the official's own individual actions, has violated the Constitution." Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 676, 129 S.Ct. 1937. The Tenth Circuit in Dodds v. Richardson held:
614 F.3d at 1199. The Tenth Circuit noted that Ashcroft v. Iqbal "does not purport to overrule existing Supreme Court precedent," but stated that "Iqbal may very well have abrogated § 1983 supervisory liability as we previously understood it in this circuit in ways we do not need to address to resolve this case." Dodds v. Richardson, 614 F.3d at 1200. It concluded that Ashcroft v. Iqbal did not alter "the Supreme Court's previously enunciated § 1983 causation and personal involvement analysis." Dodds v. Richardson, 614 F.3d at 1200. The Tenth Circuit, based on this conclusion, set forth a test for supervisory liability under § 1983 after Ashcroft v. Iqbal:
Dodds v. Richardson, 614 F.3d at 1199-1200 (citing Summum v. City of Ogden, 297 F.3d 995, 1000 (10th Cir.2002)). The Tenth Circuit noted, however: "We do not mean to imply that these are distinct analytical prongs, never to be intertwined." Dodds v. Richardson, 614 F.3d at 1200 n. 8. Relying on the Supreme Court's opinion in Board of County Commissioners v. Brown, the Tenth Circuit reasoned that two of the prongs often, if not always, are sufficient proof that the third prong has been met also:
Dodds v. Richardson, 614 F.3d at 1200 n. 8 (quoting Bd. of Cnty. Comm'rs v. Brown, 520 U.S. at 404-05, 117 S.Ct. 1382) (internal quotation marks omitted). The Tenth Circuit noted that "[w]e think the same logic applies when the plaintiff sues a defendant-supervisor who promulgated, created, implemented or possessed responsibility for the continued operation of a policy that itself violates federal law." Dodds v. Richardson, 614 F.3d at 1200 n. 8. Thus, the Tenth Circuit reduced the test to what can be seen as a two-part test for supervisor liability, requiring the plaintiff to prove "an `affirmative' link ... between the unconstitutional acts by their subordinates and their `adoption of any plan or policy ... — express or otherwise — showing their authorization or approval of such misconduct.'" Dodds v. Richardson, 614 F.3d at 1200-01 (quoting Rizzo v. Goode, 423 U.S. 362, 371, 96 S.Ct. 598, 46 L.Ed.2d 561 (1976)).
A municipality will not be held liable under § 1983 solely because its officers inflicted injury. See Graves v. Thomas, 450 F.3d 1215, 1218 (10th Cir.2006). Rather, to establish municipal liability under § 1983, a plaintiff must demonstrate: (i) that an officer committed an underlying constitutional violation; (ii) that a municipal policy or custom exists; and (iii) that there is a direct causal link between the policy or custom, and the injury alleged. See Graves v. Thomas, 450 F.3d at 1218. When a claim is brought against a municipality for failing to train its officers adequately, the plaintiff must show that the municipality's inaction was the result of deliberate indifference to the rights of its inhabitants. See Graves v. Thomas, 450 F.3d at 1218.
Qualified immunity recognizes the "need to protect officials who are required to exercise their discretion and the related public interest in encouraging the vigorous exercise of official authority." Harlow v. Fitzgerald, 457 U.S. 800, 807, 102 S.Ct. 2727, 73 L.Ed.2d 396 (1982). "Qualified immunity protects federal and state officials from liability for discretionary functions, and from the unwarranted demands customarily imposed upon those defending a long drawn-out lawsuit.'" Roybal v. City of Albuquerque, No. CIV 08-0181 JB/LFG, 2009 WL 1329834, at *10 (D.N.M. Apr. 28, 2009) (Browning, J.)(quoting Siegert v. Gilley, 500 U.S. 226, 232, 111 S.Ct. 1789, 114 L.Ed.2d 277 (1991)). The Supreme Court deems it "untenable to draw a distinction for purposes of immunity law between suits brought against state officials under § 1983 and suits brought directly under the Constitution against federal officials." Butz v. Economou, 438 U.S. 478, 504, 98 S.Ct. 2894, 57 L.Ed.2d 895 (1978). "The qualified immunity analysis is the same whether the claims are brought under Bivens or pursuant to the post-Civil War Civil Rights Acts." Breidenbach v. Bolish, 126 F.3d 1288, 1291 (10th Cir.1997), overruled on other grounds as recognized in Currier v. Doran, 242 F.3d 905 (10th Cir.2001).
Camreta v. Greene, 563 U.S. 692, 131 S.Ct. 2020, 2030-31, 179 L.Ed.2d 1118 (2011).
Issues of qualified immunity are best resolved at the "earliest possible stage in litigation." Pearson v. Callahan, 555 U.S. 223, 232, 129 S.Ct. 808, 172 L.Ed.2d 565 (2009) (quoting Hunter v. Bryant, 502 U.S. 224, 227, 112 S.Ct. 534, 116 L.Ed.2d 589 (1991) (per curiam)). "If qualified immunity is to mean anything, it must mean that public employees who are just doing their jobs are generally immune from suit." Lewis v. Tripp, 604 F.3d 1221, 1230 (10th Cir.2010).
Qualified immunity shields government officials from liability where "their conduct does not violate clearly established statutory or constitutional rights of which a reasonable person would have known." Pearson v. Callahan, 555 U.S. at 231, 129 S.Ct. 808 (quoting Harlow v. Fitzgerald, 457 U.S. at 818, 102 S.Ct. 2727). Qualified immunity also shields officers who have "reasonable, but mistaken beliefs," and operates to protect officers from the sometimes "hazy border[s]" of the law. Saucier v. Katz, 533 U.S. 194, 205, 121 S.Ct. 2151, 150 L.Ed.2d 272 (2001). When a defendant asserts qualified immunity, the plaintiff must demonstrate: (i) that the defendant's actions violated his or her constitutional or statutory rights; and (ii) that the right was clearly established at the time of the alleged misconduct. See Riggins v. Goodman, 572 F.3d 1101, 1107 (10th Cir.2009).
The Supreme Court recently revisited the proper procedure for lower courts to evaluate a qualified immunity defense. In Pearson v. Callahan, the Supreme Court held that lower courts "should be permitted to exercise their sound discretion in deciding which of the two prongs of the qualified immunity analysis should be addressed first in light of the circumstances of the particular case at hand." 555 U.S. at 236, 129 S.Ct. 808. The Supreme Court also noted that, while no longer mandatory, the protocol outlined in Saucier v. Katz — by which a court first decides if the defendant's actions violated the Constitution and then determines if the right violated was clearly established — will often be beneficial. See Pearson v. Callahan, 555 U.S. at 241, 129 S.Ct. 808. In rejecting the prior mandatory approach, the Supreme Court recognized that "[t]here are cases in which it is plain that a constitutional right is not clearly established but far from obvious whether in fact there is such a right," and that such an approach burdens district court and courts of appeals with "what may seem to be an essentially academic exercise." 555 U.S. at 237, 129 S.Ct. 808. The Supreme Court also recognized that the prior mandatory approach "departs from the general rule of constitutional avoidance and runs counter to the older, wiser judicial counsel not to pass on questions of constitutionality unless
The Supreme Court recognizes seven circumstances where district courts should proceed directly to and "should address only" the clearly established prong of the qualified immunity analysis: when (i) the first, constitutional violation question "is so factbound that the decision provides little guidance for future cases"; (ii) "it appears that the question will soon be decided by a higher court"; (iii) deciding the constitutional question requires "an uncertain interpretation of state law"; (iv) "qualified immunity is asserted at the pleading stage," and "the precise factual basis for the ... claim ... may be hard to identify"; (v) tackling the first element "may create a risk of bad decisionmaking," because of inadequate briefing; (vi) discussing both elements risks "bad decisionmaking," because the court is firmly convinced the law is not clearly established and is thus inclined to give little thought to the existence of the constitutional right; or (vii) the doctrine of "constitutional avoidance" suggests the wisdom of passing on the first constitutional question when "it is plain that a constitutional right is not clearly established but far from obvious whether in fact there is such a right." Kerns v. Bader, 663 F.3d 1173, 1180-81 (10th Cir.2011) (quoting Pearson v. Callahan, 555 U.S. at 236-42, 129 S.Ct. 808).
To determine whether a right was clearly established, a court must consider whether the right was sufficiently clear that a reasonable government employee in the defendant's shoes would understand that what he or she did violated that right.
"Ordinarily, in order for the law to be clearly established, there must be a Supreme Court or Tenth Circuit decision on point, or the clearly established weight of authority from other courts must have found the law to be as the plaintiff maintains." Currier v. Doran, 242 F.3d at 923. On the other hand, the Supreme Court has observed that it is generally not necessary to find a controlling decision declaring the "very action in question ... unlawful." Anderson v. Creighton, 483 U.S. 635, 640, 107 S.Ct. 3034, 97 L.Ed.2d 523 (1987). "In determining whether the right was `clearly established,' the court assesses the objective legal reasonableness of the action at the time of the alleged violation and asks whether the contours of the right [were] sufficiently clear that a reasonable official would understand that what he is doing violates that right.'" Holland ex rel. Overdorff v. Harrington, 268 F.3d 1179, 1186 (10th Cir.2001) (alteration in original) (quoting Saucier v. Katz, 533 U.S. at 202, 121 S.Ct. 2151). A court should inquire "whether the law put officials on fair notice that the described conduct was unconstitutional" rather than engage in "a scavenger hunt for cases with precisely the same facts." Pierce v. Gilchrist, 359 F.3d 1279, 1298 (10th Cir.2004).
The Supreme Court has clarified that the clearly established prong of the qualified immunity test is a very high burden for the plaintiff: "A Government official's conduct violates clearly established law when, at the time of the challenged conduct, the contours of a right are sufficiently clear that every reasonable official would have understood that what he is doing violates that right." Ashcroft v. al-Kidd, 131 S.Ct. at 2083. "In other words, `existing precedent must have placed the statutory or constitutional question beyond debate.'" Reichle v. Howards, 132 S.Ct. at 2093 (quoting Ashcroft v. al-Kidd, 131 S.Ct. at 2083). "The operation of this standard, however, depends substantially upon the level of generality at which the relevant `legal rule' is to be identified." Anderson v. Creighton, 483 U.S. at 639, 107 S.Ct. 3034. "The general proposition, for example, that an unreasonable search or seizure violates the Fourth Amendment is of little help in determining whether the violative nature of particular conduct is clearly established." Ashcroft v. al-Kidd, 131 S.Ct. at 2084. The level of generality at which the legal rule is defined is important, because qualified immunity shields officers who have "reasonable, but mistaken beliefs" as to the application of law to facts and operates to protect officers from the sometimes "hazy border[s]" of the law. Saucier v. Katz, 533 U.S. at 205, 121 S.Ct. 2151.
The Tenth Circuit held in Kerns v. Bader that, although "a case on point isn't required if the impropriety of the defendant's conduct is clear from existing case law," the law is not clearly established where "a distinction might make a constitutional difference." 663 F.3d at 1188 (emphasis in original). In Kerns v. Bader, dealing with the search of a home, the Tenth Circuit explained that the relevant question "wasn't whether we all have some general privacy interest in our home," but "whether it was beyond debate in 2005 that the officers' entry and search lacked legal justification." 663 F.3d at 1183 (emphasis added). Earlier Tenth
For purposes of analyzing Fourth Amendment seizures, the Tenth Circuit has divided interactions between police and citizens into three categories: (i) consensual encounters; (ii) investigative stops; and (iii) arrests. See Oliver v. Woods, 209 F.3d 1179, 1186 (10th Cir.2000). A consensual encounter occurs when a police officer approaches a person to ask questions under circumstances where a reasonable person would feel free to refuse to answer and to end the encounter. See Oliver v. Woods, 209 F.3d at 1186. For example, officers generally may "go to a person's home to interview him," United States v. Daoust, 916 F.2d 757, 758 (1st Cir.1990), because "[i]t is not improper for a police officer to call at a particular house and seek admission for the purpose of investigating a complaint or conducting other official business," 1 W. LaFave, Search and Seizure: A Treatise on the Fourth Amendment § 2.3(b), at 475 (3d ed.1996). Such encounters generally "are not seizures within the meaning of the Fourth Amendment, and need not be supported by suspicion of criminal wrongdoing." Oliver v. Woods, 209 F.3d at 1186.
An encounter that is not consensual may nevertheless be justified as an investigative detention. An investigative detention occurs when an officer stops and briefly detains a person "in order to determine his identity or to maintain the status quo momentarily while obtaining more information." Oliver v. Woods, 209 F.3d at 1186 (quoting Adams v. Williams, 407 U.S. 143, 146, 92 S.Ct. 1921, 32 L.Ed.2d 612 (1972)). Inasmuch as such brief investigative detentions are not consensual, they constitute a seizure and must meet two distinct requirements to be "reasonable" under the Fourth Amendment. First, the officer "must have a particularized and objective basis for suspecting the particular person stopped of criminal activity." Oliver v. Woods, 209 F.3d at 1186 (quoting United States v. Cortez, 449 U.S. 411, 417-18, 101 S.Ct. 690, 66 L.Ed.2d 621 (1981)). Second, the investigative detention that follows the stop must be "reasonably related in scope to the circumstances" which justified the stop in the first place, Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. 1, 20, 88 S.Ct. 1868, 20 L.Ed.2d 889 (1968), because the Fourth Amendment imposes "limitations on both the length of the detention and the manner in which it is carried out," United States v. Holt, 264 F.3d 1215, 1229 (10th Cir.2001) (en banc), overruled on other grounds as recognized in United States v. Stewart, 473 F.3d 1265 (10th Cir.2007).
"For reasonable suspicion to exist, an officer `need not rule out the possibility of innocent conduct'; he or she simply must possess `some minimal level of objective justification' for making the stop." United States v. Winder, 557 F.3d 1129, 1134 (10th
An officer may "stop and frisk" an individual under the Fourth Amendment if a reasonably prudent person "in the circumstances would be warranted in the belief that his safety or that of others was in danger." Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. at 27, 88 S.Ct. 1868. "The officer need not be absolutely certain that the individual is armed; the issue is whether a reasonably prudent man in the circumstances would be warranted in the belief that his safety or that of others was in danger." Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. at 27, 88 S.Ct. 1868. A frisk "must ... be confined in scope to an intrusion reasonably designed to discover guns, knives, clubs, or other hidden instruments for the assault of the police officer." Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. at 29, 88 S.Ct. 1868. In evaluating the validity of the stop-and-frisk, the totality of the circumstances must be considered. See Florida v. Bostick, 501 U.S. 429, 436, 111 S.Ct. 2382, 115 L.Ed.2d 389 (1991).
The Tenth Circuit has recognized the doctrine in Terry v. Ohio of an investigative detention — a "stop" — and of a protective search — a "frisk."
United States v. King, 990 F.2d 1552, 1557 (10th Cir.1993) (citations omitted). The legal standard is whether a "stop and frisk" is reasonable under the Fourth Amendment. United States v. King, 990 F.2d at 1557.
In United States v. Johnson, 364 F.3d 1185 (10th Cir.2004), the Tenth Circuit held that an officer had reasonable suspicion to continue questioning and to frisk a suspect after: (i) the officer had responded to a call from a citizen who gave his telephone number, and gave a detailed and accurate description of possible criminal activity and of the suspect; (ii) the contact occurred in Albuquerque's highest-crime area; and (iii) the suspect displayed nervous behavior. See 364 F.3d at 1194. The Tenth Circuit noted that the officer's experience and training allowed him to make inferences, based on a combination of the surrounding circumstances, that criminal activity was afoot. See 364 F.3d at 1194 ("His suspicions were particularized to [the suspect], and were based on how his training and experience taught him to interpret a number of objectively reasonable details."). While many of the factors that the Tenth Circuit considered would not, without more, have given rise to reasonable suspicion, the combination of circumstances was sufficient. See 364 F.3d at 1193 (noting that the district court had erred, because "[a]ll of these factors, mitigating
In United States v. Ceballos, 355 Fed. Appx. 226 (10th Cir.2009) (unpublished), the police officer observed a young girl walking down the street at night. See 355 Fed.Appx. at 227-28. A truck pulled up alongside the girl, the driver of the truck and the girl spoke briefly, then the truck drove ahead, and the girl continued on her walk. See 355 Fed.Appx. at 228. Rather than leave, however, the truck drove ahead and parked with its lights off at a dark spot on the road by which the girl would have to walk. See 355 Fed.Appx. at 228. The officer spoke to the girl, who seemed unconcerned and told him that the man in the truck had asked only if she needed a ride; she had refused. See 355 Fed.Appx. at 228. Not investigating any particular crime or suspected crime, and admittedly acting on a "hunch," the officer turned on his emergency lights and pulled up behind the truck. 355 Fed.Appx. at 228, 229. Upon talking to the truck's driver, Ceballos, the officer discovered that Ceballos' breath smelled of alcohol, he did not have a driver's license, and he had a gun and other items in his vehicle. See 355 Fed. Appx. at 227-29. The Tenth Circuit found that the facts available to the officer would have led a reasonable officer to conclude that reasonable suspicion existed and that the officer's "subjective characterization of his actions is irrelevant." 355 Fed.Appx. at 229. The Tenth Circuit explained, in an opinion that the Honorable Michael R. Murphy, United States Circuit Judge for the Tenth Circuit, wrote and Judges Briscoe and McWilliams joined:
355 Fed.Appx. at 229. The Tenth Circuit did not require the officer to identify the particular crime of which the officer had reasonable suspicion or even to acknowledge having reasonable suspicion. The Tenth Circuit was content to find that a reasonable officer would have reasonable suspicion that "Ceballos intended to assault or abduct the teenage pedestrian." 355 Fed.Appx. at 229. The Tenth Circuit demanded only that an officer have facts from which a reasonable officer could form a reasonable suspicion that criminal conduct
In United States v. Aragones, 483 Fed. Appx. 415 (10th Cir.2012) (unpublished), the Tenth Circuit found reasonable suspicion based upon an officer's knowledge of the defendant's:
483 Fed.Appx. at 417. At the district court level, in ruling on the motion to suppress, the Honorable Martha A. Vazquez, United States District Court Judge for the District of New Mexico, had concluded that, because the defendant's conduct in standing outside a private residence and looking in "was consistent with the most benign of conduct, including a visit to a friend's house or calling upon a neighbor for assistance," the officer did not have reasonable suspicion at the time of the stop and should have waited longer to rule out innocent conduct. 483 Fed. Appx. at 418 (quoting District Court Opinion at 19). The Tenth Circuit disagreed, however, stating: "The problem is that conduct giving rise to reasonable suspicion sufficient to support an investigative detention can be — and often is — consistent with innocent behavior." 483 Fed.Appx. at 418. The Tenth Circuit noted that, moreover, the defendant's conduct was not necessarily innocent, because an Albuquerque public ordinance prohibits "[e]ntering upon any private property and looking into any occupied dwelling without the consent of the occupant or owner of the dwelling." 483 Fed.Appx. at 417 (quoting Albuquerque Ord. § 12-2-21(B)). The Tenth Circuit, thus, reversed Judge Vazquez' decision, disagreeing with her conclusion that the officer lacked reasonable suspicion of unlawful activity, and concluded that "a reasonable officer could have suspected that [the defendant] wasn't a welcome guest and did not have consent to look into the home." 483 Fed.Appx. at 417.
A seizure that exceeds the investigative detention's limited scope or duration may nevertheless be justified as an arrest. An arrest is a seizure that is "characterized by highly intrusive or lengthy search or detention." Oliver v. Woods, 209 F.3d at 1186 (quoting United States v. Cooper, 733 F.2d 1360, 1363 (10th Cir.1984)). The general rule is that "the use of firearms, handcuffs, and other forceful techniques" is sufficiently intrusive to signal that a person has been placed under arrest. United States v. Melendez-Garcia, 28 F.3d 1046, 1052-53 (10th Cir.1994). See Florida v. Royer, 460 U.S. 491, 499, 103 S.Ct. 1319, 75 L.Ed.2d 229 (1983). The use of handcuffs, however, does not always elevate a detention into an arrest. See United States v. Albert, 579 F.3d 1188, 1195 (10th Cir.2009) ("[W]e have approved the use of handcuffs in the context of a Terry stop."); United States v. Reyes-Vencomo, 866 F.Supp.2d 1304, 1330 (D.N.M.2012) (Browning J.)("The use of handcuffs ... does not always elevate a detention into an arrest."); Pierre-Louis v. Schake, No. CIV 12-0527 JB/RHS, 2014 WL 1954783, at *44-49 (D.N.M. Apr. 30, 2014) (Browning, J.)(concluding that the defendant police officer acted reasonably in handcuffing the plaintiff, whom he suspected had recently assaulted a person on the side of the road by threatening him with a gun). "Inasmuch as an arrest exceeds an investigative stop's limited scope or duration, it must be supported by probable cause." United States v. Rodriguez, 836 F.Supp.2d 1258, 1288 (D.N.M.2011) (Browning, J.). See Wilson v. Jara, 866 F.Supp.2d 1270,
"Probable cause to arrest exists only when the `facts and circumstances within the officers' knowledge, and of which they have reasonably trustworthy information, are sufficient in themselves to warrant a man of reasonable caution in the belief that an offense has been or is being committed.'" United States v. Valenzuela, 365 F.3d 892, 896-97 (10th Cir.2004) (quoting United States v. Edwards, 242 F.3d 928, 934 (10th Cir.2001)) (citing Draper v. United States, 358 U.S. 307, 313, 79 S.Ct. 329, 3 L.Ed.2d 327 (1959)). Although "[p]robable cause does not require facts sufficient for a finding of guilt ..., it does require more than mere suspicion." United States v. Morris, 247 F.3d 1080, 1088 (10th Cir.2001) (internal quotation marks omitted). The Supreme Court has made the following distinction between reasonable suspicion, which is sufficient for an investigatory stop under Terry v. Ohio, and probable cause, which is required before an arrest can be made:
Alabama v. White, 496 U.S. 325, 330, 110 S.Ct. 2412, 110 L.Ed.2d 301 (1990).
Probable cause is measured against an objective standard. See Beck v. Ohio, 379 U.S. 89, 96, 85 S.Ct. 223, 13 L.Ed.2d 142 (1964). "The subjective belief of an individual officer as to whether there was probable cause for making an arrest is not dispositive." United States v. Valenzuela, 365 F.3d at 896-97 (citing Florida v. Royer, 460 U.S. 491, 507, 103 S.Ct. 1319, 75 L.Ed.2d 229 (1983); United States. v. Treto-Haro, 287 F.3d 1000, 1006 (10th Cir. 2002)). Thus, the primary consideration is "whether a reasonable officer would have believed that probable cause existed to arrest the defendant based on the information possessed by the arresting officer." Olsen v. Layton Hills Mall, 312 F.3d 1304, 1312 (10th Cir.2002) (alterations omitted)(internal quotation marks omitted).
The Tenth Circuit has held that a police-citizen encounter which goes beyond the limits of an investigative stop is an arrest which probable cause or consent must support to be valid. See United States v. Perdue, 8 F.3d 1455, 1462 (10th Cir.1993) ("An encounter between police and an individual which goes beyond the limits of a Terry stop, however, may be constitutionally justified only by probable cause or consent."). "Terry stops must be limited in scope to the justification for the stop... [and] the intrusiveness of a search or seizure will be upheld if it was reasonable under the totality of the circumstances." United States v. Perdue, 8 F.3d at 1462. "The government has the burden of demonstrating `that the seizure it seeks to justify on the basis of a reasonable suspicion was sufficiently limited in scope and duration to satisfy the conditions of an investigative seizure.'" United States v. Perdue, 8 F.3d at 1462 (quoting Florida v. Royer, 460 U.S. 491, 500, 103 S.Ct. 1319, 75 L.Ed.2d 229 (1983)).
This Court has also engaged in the balancing act of deciding when a detention becomes an arrest. In United States v. Perea, 374 F.Supp.2d 961 (D.N.M.2005)
There "exist[s], however, a limited set of circumstances in which officers may draw their guns at a suspect without transforming the stop into an arrest. `The use of guns in connection with a stop is permissible where the police reasonably believe the weapons are necessary for their protection.'" United States v. Perea, 374 F.Supp.2d at 974. See United States v. Merkley, 988 F.2d 1062, 1064 (10th Cir. 1993) (upholding reasonableness of stop when officers detained the defendant at gunpoint and placed him in handcuffs where suspect had threatened to kill someone and was pounding interior of truck with his fists); United States v. Lechuga, 925 F.2d 1035, 1040 (7th Cir.1991) (holding that the officer's "drawing his gun but keeping it pointed to the street" was not "unreasonably intrusive"); United States v. Alexander, 907 F.2d 269, 272-73 (2d Cir.1990) (holding that the law enforcement officers did not convert the stop into an arrest by "unholstering their guns and frisking" the defendant when they suspected that the defendant had "just completed a narcotics purchase," there were a number of "innocent bystanders on the crowded city street," and stopping a vehicle "is especially hazardous and supports the need for added safeguards"). Similarly, there are circumstances in which a seizure is not an arrest merely because the subject of the detention is placed in handcuffs. See United States v. Merkley, 988 F.2d at 1064; United States v. Miller, 974 F.2d 953, 957 (8th Cir.1992) ("Numerous cases have held that a police officer's use of handcuffs can be a reasonable precaution during a Terry stop."); United States v. Hastamorir, 881 F.2d 1551, 1557 (11th Cir. 1989) ("The handcuffing of Hastamorir constituted a Terry stop, and was a reasonable action designed to provide for the safety of the agents."). United States v. Perea was one of those unique cases, because the police had reasonable cause to believe that the person whom they were detaining was the suspect whom they sought to arrest — a man wanted for murder whom, it was believed, might be armed and dangerous. See 374 F.Supp.2d at 976. The Tenth Circuit affirmed the Court's determination that the stop was not an arrest:
United States v. Burciaga-Burciaga, 147 Fed.Appx. at 730 (citations omitted)(internal quotation marks omitted).
"[T]he Fourth Amendment requires officers to reasonably interview witnesses readily available at the scene, investigate basic evidence, or otherwise inquire if a crime has been committed at all before invoking the power of warrantless arrest and detention." Romero v. Fay, 45 F.3d 1472, 1476-77 (10th Cir.1995). Police officers "may not ignore easily accessible evidence and thereby delegate their duty to investigate [to others]." Baptiste v. J.C. Penney Co., 147 F.3d 1252, 1259 (10th Cir.1998). However, "[o]nce probable cause is established, an officer is not required to continue to investigate for exculpatory evidence before arresting a suspect." Garcia v. Casuas, 2011 WL 7444745, at *49 (citing Cortez v. McCauley, 478 F.3d 1108, 1121 n. 18 (10th Cir.2007) (en banc)).
The Tenth Circuit confronted the issue when an officer must conduct further investigation before arresting an individual in Romero v. Fay. In that case, law enforcement officers interviewed two individuals — Stella Gutierrez and Manuel Duran — who implicated the plaintiff in a murder. See 45 F.3d at 1474. Approximately four hours later, without conducting additional investigation or obtaining a warrant, an officer arrested the plaintiff for murder. See 45 F.3d at 1474. After he was taken into custody, the plaintiff told the officer that he was innocent and that he had an alibi. See 45 F.3d at 1474. The plaintiff stated that three individuals would establish that he was asleep at home when the murder occurred. See 45 F.3d at 1474. The officer refused the plaintiff's offer of names of alibi witnesses and said that the witnesses "were of little significance because they would lie to protect" the plaintiff. 45 F.3d at 1474. The officer never interviewed the alibi witnesses. See 45 F.3d at 1474. The plaintiff was incarcerated for three months before the government dismissed the case and he was released. See 45 F.3d at 1474.
The plaintiff brought a § 1983 action for, among other things, violations of his Fourth Amendment rights. See 45 F.3d at 1474. The plaintiff argued that, regardless whether the officers' interviews of Gutierrez and Duran established probable cause, under clearly established law, a reasonable officer would have investigated his alibi witnesses before arresting him. See 45 F.3d at 1476. The Tenth Circuit disagreed, in an opinion that the Honorable Bobby R. Baldock, United States Circuit Judge for the Tenth Circuit, authored, and Judges Tacha and McKay joined. See 45 F.3d at 1476. The Tenth Circuit stated that the Fourth Amendment requires officers to only "reasonably interview witnesses readily available at the scene, investigate basic evidence, or otherwise inquire if a crime has been committed at all before invoking the power of warrantless detention." 45 F.3d at 1476-77. The Tenth Circuit determined that,
45 F.3d at 1478.
In Baptiste v. J.C. Penney Co., officers arrested the plaintiff for shoplifting after: (i) receiving reports from store security guards that they witnessed her shoplifting on store surveillance; and (ii) watching a video of the surveillance footage on which the security officers relied in reaching their conclusion — which supported the plaintiff's story that she had not stolen anything. See 147 F.3d at 1254-55. The Tenth Circuit, in an opinion that the Honorable Michael R. Murphy, United States Circuit Judge for the Tenth Circuit, authored, and Judges Anderson and Logan joined, concluded that qualified immunity did not apply. See 147 F.3d at 1257-59. The Tenth Circuit asserted that the security guards' allegations were based solely on the plaintiff's conduct, "which was memorialized in its entirety on the videotape." 147 F.3d at 1257. The Tenth Circuit stated that the police officers "viewed the very same conduct on the videotape, which this court has concluded failed to establish probable cause." 147 F.3d at 1257. The Tenth Circuit held that, consequently, "it was ... not reasonable for the officers to rely on the security guards' allegations." 147 F.3d at 1257. The Tenth Circuit added that
Baptiste v. J.C. Penney Co., 147 F.3d at 1259.
In Cortez v. McCauley, officers responded to a call from a nurse stating that a woman had brought her two-year-old daughter to the hospital asserting that the child had complained that her babysitter's boyfriend had molested her. See 478 F.3d at 1113 (internal quotation marks omitted). Without (i) interviewing the girl, her mother, the nurse, or the attending physician; (ii) inspecting the girl's clothing for signs of sexual assault; or (iii) waiting for the results of the child's medical examination, the officers arrested the boyfriend. See 478 F.3d at 1113. The Tenth Circuit, in an en banc opinion that Judge Kelly authored, explained that,
Cortez v. McCauley, 478 F.3d at 1117-18 (footnotes omitted) (citations omitted). The Tenth Circuit concluded, therefore, that qualified immunity did not apply. See 478 F.3d at 1118-22.
In Garcia v. Casuas, a detective with the City of Rio Rancho, New Mexico — Monica Casuas — arrested the plaintiff, Mitchell Garcia, for sexual penetration of a minor. See 2011 WL 7444745, at *8. The plaintiff was ultimately exonerated, and subsequently filed a § 1983 claim against the arresting officer and the City of Rio Rancho for, among other things, unlawfully arresting him in violation of his Fourth Amendment rights. See 2011 WL 7444745, at *12. The Court found that the officer had probable cause to arrest the plaintiff based on information gleaned from other officers' interviews of the plaintiff, the victim — K.J., the victim's mother — Audrey Odom, and a witness at the scene on the night of the incident — Jennifer Katz. See 2011 WL 7444745, at *43-46. Garcia argued that, by failing to re-interview Odom and Katz, and instead choosing to rely on the other officers' interviews of them, Casuas "fail[ed] to interview readily accessible witnesses." 2011 WL 7444745, at *15. Garcia contended that, moreover, Casuas should have known that failing to personally interview him, Odom, Katz, K.J., and Katz' neighbors before arresting him violated his constitutional rights. See 2011 WL 7444745, at *15. Garcia argued that, had Casuas interviewed him before arresting him, she would have discovered Katz' and Odom's motivations to lie. See 2011 WL 7444745, at *15.
Finding that the defendant's failure to conduct further investigation before arresting the plaintiff did not constitute a Fourth Amendment violation, the Court explained:
2011 WL 7444745, at *47-49.
When an officer moves for qualified immunity on an excessive force claim, "a plaintiff is required to show that the force used was impermissible (a constitutional violation) and that objectively reasonable officers could not have thought the force constitutionally permissible (violates clearly established law)." Cortez v. McCauley, 478 F.3d at 1128. Accord Mata v. City of Farmington, 791 F.Supp.2d 1118, 1137-38 (D.N.M.2011) (Browning, J.). An excessive force claim "must ... be judged by reference to the specific constitutional standard which governs that right, rather than to some generalized `excessive force' standard." Graham v. Connor, 490 U.S. at 394, 109 S.Ct. 1865. The Supreme Court has long held that all claims of excessive force in the context of an arrest or detention should be analyzed under the Fourth Amendment's reasonableness standard. See Graham v. Connor, 490 U.S. at 395, 109 S.Ct. 1865 ("[A]ll claims that law enforcement officers have used excessive force — deadly or not — in the course of an arrest, investigatory stop, or other `seizure' of a free citizen should be analyzed under the Fourth Amendment and its `reasonableness' standard...."). The Supreme Court recognizes that "police officers are often forced to make split-second judgments — in circumstances that are tense, uncertain, and rapidly evolving — about the amount of force that is necessary in a particular situation." Graham v. Connor, 490 U.S. at 397, 109 S.Ct. 1865. Consequently, "the reasonableness of the officer's belief as to the appropriate level of force should be judged from that on-scene perspective." Saucier v. Katz, 533 U.S. at 205, 121 S.Ct. 2151. A court must judge the reasonableness of a particular use of force from "the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene, rather than with the 20/20 vision of hindsight.... That perspective includes an examination of the information possessed by the [officers]." Weigel v. Broad, 544 F.3d 1143, 1152 (10th Cir.2008) (citations omitted)(internal quotation marks omitted). When an officer moves for qualified immunity on an excessive-force claim, "a plaintiff is required to show that the force used was impermissible (a constitutional violation) and that objectively reasonable officers could not have thought the force constitutionally permissible (violates clearly established law)." Cortez v. McCauley, 478 F.3d at 1128.
The Tenth Circuit has provided lists of non-exclusive factors that courts consider when determining whether force was objectively reasonable.
Estate of Larsen ex rel. Sturdivan v. Murr, 511 F.3d at 1260. In Weigel v. Broad, the Tenth Circuit also provided:
544 F.3d at 1151-52 (citations omitted). A court assesses "objective reasonableness based on whether the totality of the circumstances justified the use of force, and [must] pay careful attention to the facts and circumstances of the particular case." Estate of Larsen ex rel. Sturdivan v. Murr, 511 F.3d at 1260 (internal quotation marks omitted). Additionally, "[t]he `reasonableness' of a particular use of force must be judged from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene, rather than with the 20/20 vision of hindsight." Graham v. Connor, 490 U.S. at 396, 109 S.Ct. 1865.
"To avoid a `Monday morning quarterback' approach, the Fourth Amendment does not require the use of the least, or even a less, forceful or intrusive alternative to effect custody, so long as the use of force is reasonable under Graham v. Connor." James v. Chavez, 830 F.Supp.2d 1208, 1236 (D.N.M.2011) (Browning, J.). The Fourth Amendment requires only that the defendant officers choose a "reasonable" method to end the threat that the plaintiff poses to the officers in a force situation, regardless of the availability of less intrusive alternatives. Graham v. Connor, 490 U.S. at 397, 109 S.Ct. 1865.
In Michigan Department of State Police v. Sitz, 496 U.S. 444, 110 S.Ct. 2481, 110 L.Ed.2d 412 (1990), the Supreme Court examined a case addressing the constitutionality of highway sobriety checkpoints and stated that Brown v. Texas, 443 U.S. 47, 99 S.Ct. 2637, 61 L.Ed.2d 357 (1979),
496 U.S. at 453-54, 110 S.Ct. 2481. See Illinois v. Lafayette, 462 U.S. 640, 647, 103 S.Ct. 2605, 77 L.Ed.2d 65 (1983) ("[T]he reasonableness of any particular government activity does not necessarily turn on the existence of alternative `less intrusive' means."). "To avoid unrealistic second guessing, the Fourth Amendment does not require that an officer use the least-intrusive alternative available to protect himself or others so long as the method chosen is reasonable." Tanner v. San Juan Sheriff's Office, 864 F.Supp.2d 1090, 1115 (D.N.M.2012) (Browning, J.).
In United States v. Sokolow, 490 U.S. 1, 109 S.Ct. 1581, 104 L.Ed.2d 1 (1989), the Supreme Court examined the stop under Terry v. Ohio of a suspected drug courier in an airport. The Supreme Court rejected Sokolow's contention that the arresting officers were "obligated to use the least intrusive means available to dispel their suspicions that he was smuggling narcotics." 490 U.S. at 11, 109 S.Ct. 1581. Instead, the Supreme Court held: "The reasonableness of the officer's decision to stop a suspect does not turn on the availability of less intrusive investigatory techniques. Such a rule would unduly hamper the police's ability to make swift, on-the-spot decisions... and require courts to indulge in unrealistic second guessing." United States v. Sokolow, 490 U.S. at 11, 109 S.Ct. 1581
470 U.S. at 686-87, 105 S.Ct. 1568 (quoting Cady v. Dombrowski, 413 U.S. 433, 447, 93 S.Ct. 2523, 37 L.Ed.2d 706 (1973)).
In Marquez v. City of Albuquerque, 399 F.3d 1216 (10th Cir.2005), the Tenth Circuit disagreed with the plaintiff's contention that expert testimony about when a police dog's use is objectively reasonable and about how defendant Lehocky's actions violated "well established law enforcement standards ... should have been admitted since it would have been helpful to the jury in determining whether Lehocky used a reasonable amount of force." 399 F.3d at 1222. In so holding, the Tenth Circuit explained:
Marquez v. City of Albuquerque, 399 F.3d at 1222.
In United States v. Melendez-Garcia, the Tenth Circuit stated: "We must avoid unrealistic second guessing of police officers' decisions in this regard and thus do not require them to use the least intrusive means in the course of a detention, only reasonable ones." 28 F.3d at 1052 (internal quotation marks omitted). See Medina v. Cram, 252 F.3d 1124, 1133 (10th Cir.2001) (stating that "the reasonableness standard does not require that officers use
"Thus, the clearly established law in the Tenth Circuit holds that the Fourth Amendment does not require an officer to use the least or a less forceful alternative." Jonas v. Bd. of Comm'rs, 699 F.Supp.2d 1284, 1296 (D.N.M.2010) (Browning, J.). See, e.g., Blossom v. Yarbrough, 429 F.3d at 968 ("It is well settled that `the reasonableness standard does not require that officers use alternative, less intrusive means' when confronted with a threat of serious bodily injury." (quoting Medina v. Cram, 252 F.3d at 1133)); Jiron v. City of Lakewood, 392 F.3d 410, 414 (10th Cir. 2004) (stating that, in police-shooting case, officers are not required to use alternative, less intrusive means if their conduct is objectively reasonable). See also Roy v. Inhabitants of the City of Lewiston, 42 F.3d 691, 695 (1st Cir.1994) ("[I]n close cases, a jury does not automatically get to second guess these life and death decisions, even though plaintiff has an expert and a plausible claim that the situation could better have been handled differently."); Diaz v. Salazar, 924 F.Supp. 1088, 1100 (D.N.M.1996) (Hansen, J.). Moreover, the reasonableness standard does not require that officers use "alternative `less intrusive' means." Illinois v. Lafayette, 462 U.S. 640, 647-48, 103 S.Ct. 2605, 77 L.Ed.2d 65 (1983). The Court has also rejected the consideration of a less intrusive alternative to end a threat. See Jonas v. Bd. of Comm'rs, 699 F.Supp.2d at 1293 ("To avoid a `Monday morning quarterback' approach, the Fourth Amendment does not require the use of the least-, or even a less-, forceful or intrusive alternative to effect custody, so long as the use of force is reasonable."); Chamberlin v. City of Albuquerque, No. CIV 02-0603 JB/ACT, 2005 WL 2313527, at *2 (D.N.M. July 31, 2005) (Browning, J.) (precluding the plaintiff's police procedures expert from testifying at trial regarding alternative less intrusive means).
As the Court explained in Sisneros v. Fisher, 685 F.Supp.2d 1188 (D.N.M.2010) (Browning, J.),
685 F.Supp.2d at 1208.
The cases make clear that "actual injury," not "physical injury," is required to sustain a claim of excessive use of force. E.g., Fisher v. City of Las Cruces, 584 F.3d 888, 894 (10th Cir.2009) ("[T]o recover on an excessive force claim, a plaintiff must show: (1) that the officers used greater force than would have been reasonably necessary to effect a lawful seizure, and (2) some actual injury caused by the unreasonable seizure that is not de minimis, be it physical or emotional." (emphasis added) (quoting Cortez v. McCauley, 478 F.3d at 1129 n. 25)). The Tenth Circuit explained in Vondrak v. City of Las Cruces: "We have consistently rejected a bright-line rule requiring plaintiffs to demonstrate physical injury when bringing excessive force claims.... Nevertheless, when an excessive force claim relies upon unduly tight handcuffing, we have held that the plaintiff must show `some actual injury.'" 535 F.3d 1198, 1208 (10th Cir.2008) (citing Holland ex rel. Overdorff v. Harrington, 268 F.3d 1179, 1195 (10th Cir.2001)) (emphasis added) (citations omitted). In Cortez v. McCauley, the Tenth Circuit explained in more depth:
478 F.3d at 1129 (emphasis added) (citations omitted). Thus, in Cortez v. McCauley, the Tenth Circuit rejected Cortez' excessive-use-of-force claim, not because he lacked physical injury, but because his injury — in his case, a physical injury — was de minimis. See 478 F.3d at 1129-30. The implication is that, had Cortez alleged some emotional injury, or some additional physical injury such as a dislocated shoulder or sprained wrist, his injuries would have risen to a non-de minimis level, and become the "actual injury" that an excessive-use-of-force claim requires. E.g., Vondrak v. City of Las Cruces, 535 F.3d at 1209 (finding genuine issue of fact existed whether plaintiff suffered "actual injury" when, in addition to unduly tight handcuffing, plaintiff provided evidence that he might have permanent nerve damage in his wrists).
The quintessential example of this injury requirement is Holland ex rel. Overdorff v. Harrington, in which a Sheriff deployed the SWAT team to execute an arrest warrant at a home in which the officers knew that other persons, including children, would be present. See Holland ex rel. Overdorff v. Harrington, 268 F.3d at 1192. The Tenth Circuit had to answer the question whether the officers' action of detaining the plaintiffs "at gunpoint, initially
268 F.3d at 1192-93 (internal citations and quotation marks omitted). The Tenth Circuit did not, however, stop there. In response to an argument that the plaintiff's claim must fail for want of evidence of physical injury, the Tenth Circuit stated:
268 F.3d at 1195. It thus appears that the Tenth Circuit does not require evidence of physical injury to satisfy the "actual injury" element of an excessive-use-of-force claim. Neither Vondrak v. City of Las Cruces nor Cortez v. McCauley repudiates that rule. See Fisher v. City of Las Cruces, 584 F.3d at 897 (stating that Cortez v. McCauley "acknowledged — and did not overrule — our prior conclusion that in excessive force cases `proof of physical injury manifested by visible cuts, bruises, abrasions or scars, is not an essential element'"). The holdings in those cases apparently demonstrate only that the Tenth Circuit has decided that the injuries alleged in those cases — redness and pain that unduly tight handcuffing caused — are, as a matter of law, de minimis injuries.
In some instances, emotional trauma in addition to the soreness in the plaintiff's wrists is still insufficient. In one unpublished opinion, the Tenth Circuit held that officers committed no constitutional violation when they handcuffed and detained for over an hour two individuals who were arrested for violating Utah's obstruction-of-justice statute. See Silvan W. v. Briggs, 309 Fed.Appx. 216, 224 (10th Cir. 2009) (unpublished). One of the detainees alleged in his affidavit that he suffered chaffing and soreness of wrists, and extreme emotional trauma, as a result of being publicly displayed in handcuffs. See 309 Fed.Appx. at 224. In holding that the arresting officers did not use excessive force, the Tenth Circuit reasoned:
309 Fed.Appx. at 224-25 (citations omitted)(internal quotation marks omitted).
The Tenth Circuit has also explained:
Cortez v. McCauley, 478 F.3d at 1127. Moreover,
478 F.3d at 1126. See Smith v. Kenny, 678 F.Supp.2d 1124, 1161 (D.N.M.2009) (Browning, J.)(noting that the finding whether the officers' use of force is "commensurate with the circumstances" depends upon whether the arrest was lawful). Thus, if it is clear that the amount of force used would have been reasonable if the detention or arrest had been appropriate, then the plaintiff can recover damages only for the unlawful arrest — including any damages that flow from the officers' use of force during the arrest — but there will be no separate excessive-use-of-force claim. See Cortez v. McCauley, 478 F.3d at 1127 (holding that a plaintiff must present evidence that the force used was more than that which would be required in effectuating a lawful arrest for the plaintiff to prevail in obtaining damages for both an unlawful arrest and the use of excessive force).
As the Court has explained:
Sisneros v. Fisher, 685 F.Supp.2d 1188, 1211 (D.N.M.2010) (Browning, J.) (citing Cortez v. McCauley, 478 F.3d at 1126).
The New Mexico Legislature enacted the NMTCA, because it recognized "the inherent unfair and inequitable results which occur in the strict application of the doctrine of sovereign immunity." N.M. Stat. Ann. § 41-4-2(A). The New Mexico Legislature also recognized, however,
N.M. Stat. Ann. § 41-4-2(A). As a result, it was "declared to be the public policy of New Mexico that governmental entities and public employees shall only be liable within the limitations of the Tort Claims Act and in accordance with the principles established in that act." N.M. Stat. Ann. § 41-4-2(A). The NMTCA is also "based upon the traditional tort concepts of duty and the reasonably prudent person's standard of care in the performance of that duty." N.M. Stat. Ann. § 41-4-2(C).
The NMTCA is the
N.M. Stat. Ann. § 41-4-17(A). A plaintiff may not sue a New Mexico governmental entity, or its employees or agents, unless the plaintiff's cause of action fits within one of the exceptions to immunity that the NMTCA grants. See Begay v. State, 1985-NMCA-117, 104 N.M. 483, 723 P.2d 252, 255 ("Consent to be sued may not be implied, but must come within one of the exceptions to immunity under the Tort Claims Act."), rev'd on other grounds by Smialek v. Begay, 1986-NMSC-049, 104 N.M. 375, 721 P.2d 1306. A plaintiff also may not sue a governmental entity or its employees for a damage or damages claim arising out of violations of rights under the New Mexico Constitution unless the NMTCA contains a waiver of immunity. See Barreras v. N.M. Corr. Dep't, 2003-NMCA-027, ¶ 24, 133 N.M. 313, 62 P.3d 770, 776 ("In the absence of affirmative legislation, the courts of this state have consistently declined to permit individuals to bring private lawsuits to enforce rights guaranteed by the New Mexico Constitution, based on the absence of an express waiver of immunity under the Tort Claims Act."); Chavez v. City of Albuquerque, 1998-NMCA-004, ¶ 8, 124 N.M. 479, 952 P.2d 474 (noting that a plaintiff cannot seek damages for violations of rights under the New Mexico Constitution against a city or its employees or agents unless the NMTCA waives immunity); Rubio v. Carlsbad Mun. Sch. Dist., 1987-NMCA-127, ¶ 13, 106 N.M. 446, 744 P.2d 919, 922 (holding that no waiver of immunity exists for damages arising out of alleged educational malpractice claim against a school
The Court will grant the Motion in part and deny it in part. The Court will dismiss Count I of the Complaint, because Smith did not seize Tillison, and because Smith had probable cause to arrest Tillison. Also, because Smith had probable cause, the Court will dismiss the Plaintiffs' false arrest and false imprisonment claims in Count III. The Court will deny Smith's remaining requests in the Motion. Jobe, D.T., J.T., and I.M. have standing, because they allege only state law claims. Additionally, the Plaintiffs have standing to argue that Smith seized the SUV, because it is reasonable to infer that Tillison had a possessory interest in the SUV. It is disputed whether a reasonable officer could have believed that Tillison posed a threat of serious bodily harm to himself or others, and the law was clearly established at the time that Smith could not use deadly force when Tillison did not pose such a threat. Moreover, because it is disputed whether Smith used excessive force, it is also disputed whether he committed assault and battery against Tillison.
The Plaintiffs do not need to conduct discovery to respond to the Motion. The Plaintiffs assert that they should be able to conduct discovery of Smith's medical records to discover his mental state when he shot Tillison. See Response at 9. The Plaintiffs request that the Court, pursuant to rule 56(d), defer ruling on the Motion, deny the Motion, permit them to conduct discovery, or issue any other appropriate relief. See Response at 10. Rule 56(d) requires the nonmovant to file an affidavit or declaration showing why he or she "cannot present facts essential to justify its opposition" to a motion for summary judgment. Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(d).
The Plaintiffs did not file a rule 56(d) affidavit in connection with the Motion, but they filed one in opposition to the Defendants' Motion, [sic] and Memorandum in Support of Defendants' Motion for Stay of Discovery and Request for Entry of a Protective Order, filed May 29, 2014 (Doc. 16)("Motion to Stay").
The Court will deny the Plaintiffs request for discovery for three reasons. First, the additional discovery is unnecessary. Rule 56(d) states that the Court may defer considering the Motion, deny it, or allow discovery if the nonmovant "cannot present facts essential to justify its opposition" to the Motion. Fed.R.Civ.P.
Second, the Plaintiffs' request for discovery on Smith's PTSD is unnecessary. In Defendants Martin Smith, the City of Albuquerque, and the City of Albuquerque Police Department's Answer to Plaintiffs' Complaint for Alleged Civil Rights Violations, filed April 25, 2014 (Doc. 10)("Answer"), the Defendants refused to respond to paragraphs 12 and 13 of the Complaint — which allege that Smith suffers from PTSD and that the VA gave Smith a one hundred percent disability rating, because of his PTSD's severity — by invoking Smith's physician-patient privilege. See Answer ¶ 8, at 2. Smith moved for the Court to require the Defendants to respond to paragraphs 12 and 13 of the Complaint, see Plaintiffs' Motion to Strike Defendants' Affirmative Defenses and Officer Smith's Defense of Doctor Patient Privilege [Doc. 10], filed May 14, 2014 (Doc. 13), which the Court did on March 12, 2015, see Order at 2, filed March 12, 2015 (Doc. 65)("Because there is no federal physician-patient privilege, the Court will order the Defendants to amend their Answer to either admit, deny, or claim insufficient knowledge or information to form a belief about the truth of the Plaintiffs' allegations in paragraphs 12 and 13 of the Complaint."). On March 17, 2015, the Defendants amended their Answer to admit that Smith was diagnosed with PTSD and to admit that the VA assigned him a disability rating of thirty percent. See Defendants Martin Smith, the City of Albuquerque, and the City of Albuquerque Police Department's Amended Answer to Plaintiffs' Complaint for Alleged Civil Rights Violations ¶ 8 at 2, filed March 17, 2015 (Doc. 66). Because the Defendants have admitted that Smith suffered from PTSD and received a thirty percent disability rating from the VA, the Plaintiffs do not need to conduct discovery to uncover this information.
Third, Smith's contradictory statements do not entitle the Plaintiffs to discovery. If Smith made contradictory statements, the Plaintiffs do not need to conduct discovery to reconcile these statements. Instead, the contradictory statements create a factual dispute.
The Plaintiffs have a sufficient subjective expectation of privacy to assert that Smith unlawfully seized the Mitsubishi Montero.
As a purportedly undisputed fact, Smith asserts that the SUV was reported stolen on March 13, 2012, and that Kerry Vanamburg is the SUV's registered owner. See Motion ¶ 6, at 2. To support this fact, however, Smith relies on a police report that is inadmissible hearsay. See supra note 6. In the Reply, Smith attempts to rectify the hearsay issue by stating that the March 13, 2012, CAD shows that the SUV was reported stolen, and by stating that he "has requested a certified copy of a title history of this vehicle and will supplement the record once it is received." Motion at 4. Smith has not supplemented the record, and the March 13, 2012, CAD merely shows that the vehicle was reported stolen on March 13, 2012, and not that Kerry Vanamburg is the registered owner. See March 13, 2012, CAD at 1.
The Court is left with the following undisputed facts: (i) the Mitsubishi Montero was reported stolen on March 13, 2012; (ii) as of March 19, 2012, no one reported that the vehicle was recovered; (iii) on March 19, 2012, the vehicle was not listed in the NCIC as being stolen; and (iv) Tillison was in the vehicle on March 19, 2012. The Court is left with two possibilities. First, the vehicle had not been recovered, and the NCIC had just not been updated to show that the vehicle was stolen. Second, the vehicle had been recovered and returned to its owner, but the APD had not updated its records to show that the vehicle was recovered. Accordingly, the Court can either infer that the NCIC record had not been updated — which is an inference that is favorable to Smith — or it can infer that the APD's records had not been updated — which is an inference that is favorable to the Plaintiffs. Because the Court must draw all reasonable inferences in the Plaintiffs' favor, see, e.g., Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. at 255, 106 S.Ct. 2505, the Court will infer that the vehicle had been recovered and that the APD's records had not been updated, rather than assuming that the NCIC's records had not been updated. Moreover, because the Court does not have any admissible evidence — such as a title — showing who the owner is, and because Tillison was driving the car, it is reasonable to infer that Tillison is the owner or at least had permission to drive the vehicle. Tillison thus has sufficient interest in the vehicle for his estate to have the ability to assert its seizure claim. The United States Court of
The United States may rebut the reasonable inferences that the Court has made if it presents sufficient evidence showing that Tillison had no possessory interest in the vehicle. For example, the United States can — as it said it would — present a certified title history showing that the vehicle did not belong to Tillison. Similarly, the United States may present an affidavit from the vehicle's true owner, stating that Tillison did not have permission to drive the vehicle. The United States has not done either of these things. All the Court has is that the vehicle was reported stolen, it was not listed on the NCIC report as stolen, it was not reported as being recovered, and Tillison had possession of the vehicle. Because the Court must draw all reasonable inferences in the Plaintiffs' favor, the Court concludes that Tillison's estate has the ability to bring its seizure claim for Smith's seizure of the Mitsubishi Montero.
Smith did not unlawfully seize Tillison or the SUV before the shooting. First, Smith did not seize Tillison, because Tillison never submitted to Smith's authority. Second, even if Smith had seized Tillison, the seizure was lawful, because Smith had probable cause to believe that the Mitsubishi Montero was stolen.
Smith did not seize Tillison. "A person is seized by the police and thus entitled to challenge the government's action under the Fourth Amendment when the officer, `by means of physical force or show of authority,' terminates or restrains his freedom of movement." Brendlin v. California, 551 U.S. 249, 254, 127 S.Ct. 2400, 168 L.Ed.2d 132 (2007) (quoting Florida v. Bostick, 501 U.S. 429, 434, 111 S.Ct. 2382, 115 L.Ed.2d 389 (1991)). If an officer attempts to seize a suspect, either through physical force or through a show of authority, but fails to do so, there is no seizure. See United States v. Beamon, 576 Fed.Appx. 753, 757-58 (10th Cir.2014) (unpublished)("[The officer's] exercise of physical force was only an attempted seizure and therefore did not implicate the Fourth Amendment." (citing Cnty. of Sacramento v. Lewis, 523 U.S. 833, 845 n. 7, 118 S.Ct. 1708, 140 L.Ed.2d 1043 (1998) ("Attempted seizures of a person are beyond the scope of the Fourth Amendment."))). Even going so far as shooting a fleeing suspect does not constitute a seizure unless the shooting stopped the suspect. See Brooks v. Gaenzle, 614 F.3d 1213, 1224-25 (10th Cir.2010) (affirming district court's grant of summary judgment and conclusion that the defendants did not seize the plaintiff by shooting him as he fled).
Here, Tillison did not submit to Smith's authority. Smith approached the SUV with his firearm drawn while ordering Tillison to put his hands out the window, but Tillison never did. Instead, Tillison placed the SUV in reverse, hitting Smith's police car. Smith shot the SUV's back tire, and Tillison drove the SUV forward into the wall. Again, Tillison put the SUV into reverse, at which point Smith shot him. Even though Smith had his gun
This case is similar to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit's case of United States v. Holloway, 962 F.2d 451, 455-58 (5th Cir.1992), which the Tenth Circuit cited with approval in United States v. Salazar, 609 F.3d 1059, 1065-66 (10th Cir.2010). In United States v. Holloway, two police officers parked their patrol vehicle in the street to block the defendant's car. See 962 F.2d at 453. The two officers got out of their vehicle, drew their guns, displayed their badges, and yelled "police, police, police." 962 F.2d at 453. The defendant momentarily stopped his vehicle while another patrol car parked behind him. See 962 F.2d at 454. Instead of surrendering, the defendant put his vehicle in reverse and rammed the patrol car behind him with enough force to disable both vehicles. See 962 F.2d at 454. The Fifth Circuit, in an opinion that the Honorable Emilio M. Garza, United States Circuit Judge for the Fifth Circuit, authored, and Judges Davis and Jones joined, held that the defendant was not seized until he crashed his vehicle into the patrol car. See 962 F.2d at 458. Judge Garza reasoned that, because the defendant refused to submit to the officer's show of authority by attempting to flee, the defendant was not seized when the officers first pulled in front of him and drew their firearms. See 962 F.2d at 456-57.
962 F.2d at 457 (footnote omitted).
Here, Smith parked his patrol car behind Tillison's vehicle, approached with his gun drawn, and ordered Tillison to put his hands out the window. Tillison never submitted, however, to Smith's authority. Instead, Tillison attempted to flee by reversing into Smith's patrol vehicle, driving forward, and reversing again. Smith's show of authority and force did not seize Tillison, because Tillison never submitted.
Smith's shooting of the SUV's rear tire does not change the analysis. In Bella v. Chamberlain, the Tenth Circuit, in an opinion that the Honorable Deanell R. Tacha, United States Circuit Judge for the Tenth Circuit, authored, and Judge Brorby and the Honorable Byron R. White, then-retired Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court, sitting by designation, held that shooting a fleeing helicopter did not constitute a seizure, because the shots did not cause the pilot to submit the officers' authority. See 24 F.3d at 1256. Judge Tacha wrote that "[t]he shots constituted an assertion of authority, but they did not cause [the pilot] to submit nor did they otherwise succeed in stopping him." 24 F.3d at 1256 (footnotes omitted). The Tenth Circuit took this rationale one step further in Brooks v. Gaenzle, where it held, in an opinion that the Honorable Wade Brorby, United States Circuit Judge for the Tenth Circuit, authored and Judges O'Brien and Gorsuch joined, that an officer does not seize a fleeing suspect by shooting him or her unless the shot terminates the suspect's movement or causes the officer
Here, Smith shot Tillison's vehicle. The shot did not stop Tillison from attempting to flee. After the shot, Tillison drove forward and then reversed the vehicle. Tillison did not stop the vehicle, and the shot did not disable it. Therefore, Smith did not seize Tillison when Smith shot the vehicle's rear tire.
The Plaintiffs argue that the Tenth Circuit has held that a person can be seized inside his or her own house while disobeying officers' orders to exit the house. See Tr. at 32:19-33:2 (Carpenter)(citing United States v. Maez, 872 F.2d at 1450-51). In United States v. Maez, the Tenth Circuit did not hold that a person can be seized inside his or her house while disobeying officers' orders to exit the house. United States v. Maez stands for the well-established rule that a person is seized when he or she submits to an officer's show of authority. There, the police surrounded the suspect's home, pointed rifles at the home, and used loudspeakers to order the suspect, his wife, and child to exit the home. See 872 F.2d at 1450. Instead of disobeying the officers' orders — as the Plaintiffs assert the suspect did — the suspect submitted to the officers' authority by exiting the home. See 872 F.2d at 1450.
United States v. Maez, 872 F.2d at 1450. Similarly, the Court has held that a seizure can occur through a telephone call when an officer calls a suspect, orders him or her to exit the house, and the suspect complies. See Smith v. Kenny, 678 F.Supp.2d 1124, 1173-75 (D.N.M.2009) (Browning, J.). In both situations, the police asserted authority by ordering the suspects to exit their houses, and the suspects complied by submitting to the assertions of authority. Here, Tillison never submitted to Smith's assertion of authority. Accordingly, Smith did not seize Tillison before he shot him.
Even if Smith seized Tillison, he had probable cause to do so. Once a stop becomes an arrest, probable cause must support the arrest. See Wilson v. Jara, 866 F.Supp.2d at 1292 ("Probable cause must support an arrest, `characterized by highly intrusive or lengthy search or detention.'"). "Probable cause is based on the totality of the circumstances, and requires reasonably trustworthy information that would lead a reasonable officer to believe that the person about to be seized has committed or is about to commit a crime." Manzanares v. Higdon, 575 F.3d 1135, 1144 (10th Cir.2009) (quoting Cortez v. McCauley, 478 F.3d at 1116). "In the context of a qualified immunity defense on an unlawful search or arrest claim, [the Tenth Circuit] ascertain[s] whether a defendant violated clearly established law `by asking whether there was `arguable probable cause' for the challenged conduct.'" Stonecipher v. Valles, 759 F.3d 1134, 1141 (10th Cir.2014) (quoting Kaufman v. Higgs, 697 F.3d 1297, 1300 (10th Cir. 2012)). "Arguable probable cause is another way of saying that the officers' conclusions rest on an objectively reasonable, even if mistaken, belief that probable cause exists." Stonecipher v. Valles, 759 F.3d at 1141 (quoting Cortez v. McCauley, 478 F.3d at 1120). "A defendant `is entitled to qualified immunity if a reasonable officer could have believed that probable cause existed to arrest or detain the plaintiff.'" Stonecipher v. Valles, 759 F.3d at 1141 (quoting Cortez v. McCauley, 478 F.3d at 1120).
Several courts have held that an officer has probable cause to arrest the driver of a vehicle for stealing the vehicle or for knowingly operating a stolen vehicle if the vehicle has been reported stolen. See, e.g., Miller v. City of Nichols Hills Police Dep't, 42 Fed.Appx. 212, 216 (10th Cir. 2002) (unpublished)("The NCIC report indicating that the vehicle had been reported as stolen, as relayed to the officers by the dispatcher, was sufficient to provide probable cause for the arrest."); Rohde v. City of Roseburg, 137 F.3d 1142, 1144 (9th Cir. 1998) ("If an officer has reliable information, such as a police report, indicating that the vehicle has been stolen, he thus has probable cause to believe that the driver has committed the crime of either stealing the car or knowingly operating a stolen vehicle."); Pittman v. City of New York, No. CIV 14-4140 ARR/RLM, 2014 WL 7399308, at *3 (E.D.N.Y. Dec. 30, 2014) (Ross, J.)("[T]he electronic record indicating plaintiffs' vehicle was still reported as being stolen, though inaccurate, was sufficient to establish probable cause to stop the plaintiffs and investigate the matter...."); Palmer v. Town of Jonesborough, No. CIV 08-345, 2009 WL 1255780, at *6 (E.D.Tenn. May 1, 2009) (Mattics, J.)("At the time of the arrest, Rice and Hawkins knew that Plaintiff had possession of a vehicle reported to the NCIC as stolen and, therefore, had probable cause
In this case, Smith received a call from the dispatcher that a suspicious person was attempting to sell possibly stolen stereo equipment out of the Mitsubishi Montero. The dispatcher then told Smith that the Montero was reported stolen a week earlier, but that it was not listed as stolen on the NCIC database. The dispatcher told Smith that there was no information showing that the SUV was recovered. Smith was, thus, left with conflicting information. The SUV was reported stolen and was not reported recovered, but was not listed as stolen on the NCIC database. If the SUV was listed as stolen on the NCIC database, Smith would undoubtedly have had probable cause to arrest Tillison. See, e.g., Miller v. City of Nichols Hills Police Dep't, 42 Fed.Appx. at 216 ("The NCIC report indicating that the vehicle had been reported as stolen, as relayed to the officers by the dispatcher, was sufficient to provide probable cause for the arrest."). The conflicting information makes probable cause less-than crystal clear, but the Court still concludes that, as a matter of law, Smith had probable cause to arrest Tillison.
Receiving conflicting information does not, in and of itself, preclude a finding of probable cause. In Stonecipher v. Valles, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives ("ATF") agents searched the suspects' house, believing that he had been convicted of domestic violence and was in possession of a firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9). 759 F.3d at 1139. The ATF agents obtained state court documents which showed that the suspect had pled guilty to a misdemeanor domestic assault charge and that he had a suspended imposition of sentence which required the suspect to serve one year of probation. See 759 F.3d at 1139. The agents obtained a report from the National Instant Background Check System ("NICS"), indicating that the suspect had been denied the right to purchase a firearm in 2007 because of his domestic assault conviction. See 759 F.3d at 1139. The agents also obtained a NCIC report, which stated that the suspect pled guilty to the domestic assault charge. See 759 F.3d at 1139. The NICS and NCIC reports also stated, however, that the suspect had zero convictions, that suspended imposition of sentence dispositions are not considered convictions, and that the records are closed when probation is completed. See 759 F.3d at 1144. Additionally, the NICS report stated that the suspect's denial of his right to purchase a fire arm was later overturned. See 759 F.3d at 1144. It turned out that the suspect's domestic assault conviction was not a qualifying conviction under § 922(g)(9). See 759 F.3d at 1140.
The Tenth Circuit held, in an opinion that the Honorable Timothy M. Tymkovich, United States Circuit Judge for the Tenth Circuit, authored, and Judges Kelly and McHugh joined, that the officers had arguable probable cause to search the suspect's house. See 759 F.3d at 1145. Judge Tymkovich wrote that, because the conflicting information was confusing, because the documents required the reader to know state law probation requirements, and because an Assistant United States Attorney agreed with the officers' conclusion, the officers had arguable probable cause to search the house. See 759 F.3d at 1145.
Based on the totality of the circumstances, Smith had probable cause to arrest Tillison, despite the conflicting reports.
There is a material issue of disputed fact whether Smith used excessive force in shooting Tillison. "If a particular use of force is considered deadly force, then an officer's use of that force is reasonable only `if a reasonable officer in Defendants' position would have had probable cause to believe that there was a threat of serious physical harm to themselves or to others.'" Thomson v. Salt Lake Cnty., 584 F.3d at 1313 (emphasis omitted)(quoting Estate of Larsen ex rel. Sturdivan v. Murr, 511 F.3d at 1260). The Tenth Circuit uses a nonexclusive list of factors to ascertain "the degree of threat the suspect poses to the officers," which includes "`(1) whether the officers ordered the suspect to drop his weapon, and the suspect's compliance with police commands; (2) whether any hostile motions were made with the weapon towards the officers; (3) the distance separating the officers and the suspect; and (4) the manifest intentions of the suspect.'" Thomson v. Salt Lake Cnty., 584 F.3d at 1313 (quoting Estate of Larsen ex rel. Sturdivan v. Murr, 511 F.3d at 1260). "In determining the objective reasonableness of an officer's conduct [the Tenth Circuit] look[s] to the totality of the circumstances, viewing the situation `from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene, rather than with the 20/20 vision of hindsight.'" Zia Trust Co. ex rel. Causey v. Montoya, 597 F.3d at 1154 (quoting Graham v. Connor, 490 U.S. at 396, 109 S.Ct. 1865).
There is a genuine issue of material fact whether Smith had probable cause that Tillison posed a threat of serious physical harm to Smith or to others. In the Motion, Smith argues that Tillison posed a serious threat because he tried to run over Smith with the SUV, because Smith was "at or within [Tillison's] path of travel," and because, even though the SUV was in reverse when Smith shot Tillison, Tillison "could have easily put the vehicle in drive and driven it into Officer Smith within a split second." Motion at 23. Smith also argues that Tillison posed a threat, because he was pointing a black object at Smith. See Motion at 23. At the hearing, Smith argued that he shot Tillison because of the black object, and not because Tillison was about to run over him, but Smith stated that the SUV was still a component of the threat. See Tr. at 7:1-17 (Griffin). Viewing the evidence in a light most favorable to the Plaintiffs, the Court
First, the SUV did not pose a threat to Smith or to others. In the Motion, Smith contends that he was in the direct path of Tillison's SUV. See Motion at 23. This contention is contrary to the record. The Video Recreation shows that the SUV never faced Smith until after Smith shot Tillison. See Video Recreation at 0:01-0:10. Similarly, according to Stewart's report, Smith was never in the SUV's direct path. Stewart opines that Tillison reversed the SUV into Smith's patrol car. See Stewart Report at 5. Stewart attaches to his report a diagram showing that, when the SUV backed into the patrol vehicle, the SUV was facing forwards, towards the wall, and not towards Smith. See Stewart Report at 12. Stewart opines that Smith moved to the northwest quadrant of the parting space to the West and that Tillison drove the SUV forward, hitting the wall. See Stewart Report at 12. Stewart attaches to his report a diagram, showing that, when the SUV hit the wall, it was turned slightly to the right and away from Smith. See Stewart Report at 13. Accordingly, from the time that the SUV hit Smith's patrol car and the time that it hit the wall, Tillison turned the SUV away from Smith, which means that Smith was never in the SUV's path. Stewart next opines that Tillison placed the SUV in reverse and that Smith shot Tillison through the driver side window when Smith's body was parallel with the SUV's driver side. See Stewart Report at 5.
The pictures from the incident scene, which Smith provided, also show that the SUV was not facing Smith when he fired. Smith's Picture From His Shooting Position is a picture of the incident scene, and it shows that the SUV's windshield was intact after the shooting. See Smith's Picture From His Shooting Position at 1. Kleinfeld's Pictures of the Front Left Side of the SUV contains two pictures of the SUV's driver side, one in which the driver side window is covered with a plastic sheet and one in which the window is open. See Kleinfeld's Picture of the Front Left Side of the SUV at 1. Because the SUV's windshield is intact, and because the driver side window was either broken or open, Smith must have, as Stewart opines, shot Tillison through the driver side window. Smith was, thus, to the side of the SUV and not in front of it. Moreover, viewing the evidence in a light most favorable to the Plaintiffs, Smith was, as Stewart opines, directly beside the SUV when he shot Tillison. A reasonable juror could thus find, or thus conclude, that it was unreasonable for Smith to shoot Tillison, because the SUV did not pose a direct threat to Smith or to others.
This case is similar to two Tenth Circuit cases. In Cordova v. Aragon, the Tenth Circuit held that it was unreasonable for an officer to shoot a fleeing suspect during a high-speed pursuit. See 569 F.3d at 1192. There, police officers began pursuing the suspect who was driving a stolen truck that was pulling a trailer with heavy excavation equipment in it. See 569 F.3d at 1183. During the pursuit, the suspect nearly rammed a patrol car, twice drove off the road to avoid spike strips, ran multiple red lights, refused to stop for patrol cars that had their lights and sirens activated, and drove at speeds between thirty and fifty miles per hour. See 569 F.3d at 1186. Eventually, the suspect entered a highway and began driving on the wrong side of the highway. See 569 F.3d at 1186. Two officers drove ahead of the suspect in an attempt to deploy stop sticks. See 569 F.3d at 1186-87. The suspect drove the truck too close to the officers for them to deploy the stop sticks, so one
The Tenth Circuit, in an opinion that the Honorable Michael W. McConnell, United States Circuit Judge for the Tenth Circuit, authored and Judge Anderson joined, held that the officer's conduct in shooting the suspect was unreasonable. See Cordova v. Aragon, 569 F.3d at 1192. The Tenth Circuit first concluded that the suspect did not pose an imminent threat to other motorists. See 569 F.3d at 1190. The Tenth Circuit noted that, even though the suspect was driving recklessly on the wrong side of a highway, the record did not contain any facts showing that, at that time, there were any motorists in the vicinity. See 569 F.3d at 1190. The Tenth Circuit held that the mere possibility that the suspect's behavior could endanger motorists who might come along was insufficient to justify killing the suspect. See 569 F.3d at 1190 ("Mr. Cordova's behavior did, of course, create risks for other motorists who might come along, but that risk of future harm was not enough to justify the near certainty of Mr. Cordova's death."). The Tenth Circuit held that "the general risks created by a motorist's fleeing from the police are, without more, [not] enough to justify a shooting that is nearly certain to cause that suspect's death." 569 F.3d at 1190. The Tenth Circuit next held that the suspect did not pose an imminent threat to the officers. See 569 F.3d at 1191. The Tenth Circuit focused on the fact that several shots hit the side of the truck and that the fatal shot struck him in the back of his head to conclude that a reasonable jury could find that the officer was not "in immediate danger when he fired the fatal shot." 569 F.3d at 1191.
In Zia Trust Co. ex rel. Causey v. Montoya, the Tenth Circuit held that an officer's actions were unlawful in shooting a suspect. See 597 F.3d at 1155. There, the officer responded to a domestic violence call in which the dispatcher informed the officer that the suspect suffered from mental health issues and that there were two firearms present in the house. See 597 F.3d at 1153. The officer arrived at the residence and approached a van that had been backing out of the residence's driveway, but was stuck on a pile of rocks on the side of the driveway. See 597 F.3d at 1153. The officer walked toward the van, and stopped between one and fifteen feet in front of the van, and slightly to its right. See 597 F.3d at 1153. The van's wheels were pointed at the officer, and the van's headlights were on. See 597 F.3d at 1153. While stuck on the rocks, the van leaped forward about a foot when the driver revved the van's engine, and the officer shot the van's driver, hitting him in the neck. See 597 F.3d at 1153. The Tenth Circuit held, in an opinion that the Honorable Monroe G. McKay, United States Circuit Judge for the Tenth Circuit, authored, and Judges Lucero and Hartz joined, that, viewing the facts in a light most favorable to the plaintiff, the officer violated the driver's constitutional rights. See 597 F.3d at 1155. The Tenth Circuit focused
In this case, similar to Cordova v. Aragon, Smith was to the side of the SUV — not in front of it — when he shot Tillison. A reasonable jury could find that Smith could not have reasonably believed that he was in imminent danger of being hit, when he was not in the SUV's path. Smith may be correct in stating that Tillison could have changed directions to run over Smith. See Motion at 23; Tr. at 10:10-19 (Griffin). This scenario, however, would have required Tillison to back up the SUV, turn the SUV to face Smith, put the SUV in drive, and then drive forward to run over Smith, and Smith to have remained in the same spot that toward which Tillison maneuvered. This uncertain possibility is too remote to justify the use of deadly force. If Smith was justified in shooting Tillison because of this uncertain possibility, then every officer is justified in shooting a suspect who is sitting in a parked vehicle, or who is attempting to flee in a vehicle, based on the remote possibility that the suspect may maneuver the vehicle to face an officer and then attempt to run over the officer. As Cordova v. Aragon make clears, the remote possibility of danger to others is insufficient to justify the use of lethal force. See 569 F.3d at 1190 ("[T]hat risk of future harm was not enough to justify the near certainty of Mr. Cordova's death."). Accordingly, because Smith was never in danger of the SUV hitting him, Tillison's driving and the SUV did not justify Smith's use of deadly force.
Smith also — and now primarily — argues that he was justified in shooting Tillison, because Tillison was holding a black object in his right hand in a manner that he described as "gangster style." Motion at 23. At the hearing, Smith clarified that this argument is his main justification for shooting Tillison. See Tr. at 7:1-7 (Griffin). Smith asserts that, while Tillison had his left hand on the steering wheel, Tillison reached his right hand over his left arm and pointed his right hand through the window. See Motion ¶¶ 29-30, at 7. Smith asserts that Tillison had a black object in his hand, which he was holding "gangster style." Motion ¶¶ 30-31, at 7. If Smith reasonably believed that the object in Tillison's hand was a firearm, then Smith's actions may be justified. See Slattery v. Rizzo, 939 F.2d 213, 216-17 (4th Cir.1991) (Powell, J., sitting by designation)(holding that an officer was entitled to qualified immunity when he mistakenly believed that a beer bottle in a suspect's hand was a gun). There is, however, a material dispute whether Smith did not know that Tillison was holding cellular telephone in his right hand.
Viewing the facts in a light most favorable to Tillison, it is disputed whether Smith did not know that Tillison was holding a cellular telephone. It is undisputed that Tillison was unarmed and that the object in his right hand was a black cellular telephone. The shooting took place in the middle of the afternoon, just after 1:00 p.m. Smith does not assert that it was raining or snowing, that it was exceptionally cloudy, or that there was any weather condition that may have affected his ability to clearly see Tillison and the object. Smith was also standing very close to Tillison. The parties do not present evidence showing how far away Smith was standing, other than he was standing in the adjacent parking space. In their Response, the Plaintiffs contend that Smith was standing
The parties did not provide evidence stating how large the cellular telephone is or what it looks like. In their Response, the Plaintiffs contend that it is less than five inches long. See Response at 21. All the Court knows about the cellular telephone is that it is black. See Smith Aff. ¶ 34, at 7. Viewing the evidence in a light most favorable to the Plaintiffs, the Court assumes that the cellular phone was not shaped like a firearm, but that it was a normal looking telephone. Additionally, Smith asserts that Tillison had his hand out the SUV's window. See Smith Aff. ¶ 34, at 7. Tillison was not holding the cellular telephone inside the SUV in a manner that concealed it from view, or where it was likely darker and harder to see. Instead, the cellular telephone was outside the SUV and visible in the afternoon light. Finally, while Smith states that Tillison held the cellular telephone "gangster style," which Smith states is "like he was pointing a gun ... sideways while aiming it at" Smith, Smith Aff. ¶ 34, at 7, holding a cellular telephone sideways — likely where the face or back is facing the ground — is not an unusual manner in which to hold a cellular telephone.
Viewing all of this evidence, it is disputed whether Smith knew that Tillison was holding a cellular telephone and not a firearm. Smith was standing close to Tillison and the cellular telephone. It was in the middle of the afternoon, so the cellular telephone should have been clearly visible. Tillison held the cellular telephone out the SUV's window, such that it was closer to Smith and when the shadow inside the SUV did not conceal the telephone. Additionally, holding a cellular telephone sideways is innocuous; it is not threatening or menacing. Viewing the evidence in the Plaintiffs' favor and drawing all inferences in their favor, the Court concludes that a reasonable juror could conclude that Smith knew that Tillison was holding a cellular telephone or at least knew that Tillison was not holding a gun. And if Smith knew that Tillison did not have a gun, he could not have reasonably believed that he was in danger of physical harm. Tillison was holding a cellular telephone, and Smith was close enough that, in the middle of the afternoon, he should have known that it was a cellular telephone — or at least it is disputed whether he knew that it was a telephone. Because a cellular telephone could not cause Smith severe bodily harm, a reasonable jury could find that his actions in shooting Tillison were unreasonable.
The Tenth Circuit's factors from Estate of Larsen ex rel. Sturdivan v. Murr are relatively inapplicable in this case, because it is disputed whether Smith knew that Tillison was unarmed. In Estate of Larsen ex rel. Sturdivan v. Murr, the Tenth Circuit provided a non-exhaustive list of factors that courts should use in assessing the degree of threat that an officer faced, which includes: "(1) whether the officers ordered the suspect to drop his weapon, and the suspect's compliance with police commands; (2) whether any hostile motions were made with the weapon towards the officers; (3) the distance separating
The fourth factor also supports that Smith was not facing a serious threat. Tillison's conduct showed that his manifest intent was to flee. He reversed the SUV into Smith's patrol car, drove forward, and reversed again. It appears that Tillison was trying to get away and not trying to attack Smith. After reversing and hitting Smith's patrol car, Tillison drove forward in a relatively straight line that resulted in the SUV being turned slightly to the right, and away from Smith. See Stewart Report at 13. If Tillison was attempting to hit Smith with the SUV, he would have turned the SUV to the left and towards Smith. Tillison's actions in turning the SUV slightly to the right and in reversing indicate that his manifest intent was to flee, and not to harm Smith. It has long been established that an officer may not use deadly force against a fleeing suspect when the suspect does not pose an immediate threat to the officer or to others. See, e.g., Tennessee v. Garner, 471 U.S. 1, 11, 105 S.Ct. 1694, 85 L.Ed.2d 1 (1985) ("It is not better that all felony suspects die than that they escape. Where the suspect poses no immediate threat to the officer and no threat to others, the harm resulting from failing to apprehend him does not justify the use of deadly force to do so.").
Smith maintains that this case is similar to Thomas v. Durastanti, where, according to Smith, the Tenth Circuit held that law enforcement officers were entitled to qualified immunity. See Reply at 16. Thomas v. Durastanti is distinguishable. There, videotape evidence showed that one officer was not only standing in the path of the plaintiff's car, but the plaintiff's car hit the officer, causing him to roll off the car's hood. See Thomas v. Durastanti, 607 F.3d at 661. The officer thus faced a threat of serious bodily injury, justifying the use of deadly force. See 607 F.3d at 665-66. Here, Smith was never in the SUV's path, and it is disputed whether Smith knew that Tillison was holding a cellular telephone, and not a gun. The officer in Thomas v. Durastanti faced an imminent threat of serious bodily injury; a reasonable jury could conclude that Smith faced no such threat.
The Court is aware that a number of courts have granted summary judgment in excessive force cases when officers shoot
Unlike those cases, this shooting took place in the middle of the afternoon, in an open parking lot. A reasonable jury could conclude that a reasonable officer should have had sufficient light to see what the object was in Tillison's hand. Smith received information that the SUV was stolen and that Tillison may have been trying to sell stolen stereo equipment from the SUV, but Smith did not receive any information that would lead him to believe that Tillison was armed. Also, Tillison did not move in a fast or aggressive manner that would cause Smith to believe that the cellular telephone was a gun. Smith does not allege that Tillison moved his right hand in quick or jerk-like motion that was so fast that Smith could not tell what was in his hand. Rather, Smith states that Tillison "moved his right hand over his left arm." Smith Aff. ¶ 33, at 7. Viewing the facts in a light most favorable to the Plaintiffs, the Court will not assume that Tillison's movements were fast or sudden, especially when Smith does not allege that they were. Tillison held the telephone out the window of the SUV, but this action should have made it more likely that Smith recognized it was a telephone, not less likely.
Several courts have denied summary judgment when it is disputed whether the shooting officer knew that the suspect was not holding a weapon. In Whitfield v. Municipality of Fajardo, 279 F.Supp.2d 115 (D.P.R.2003) (Pieras, J.), the defendants argued that they shot the fleeing plaintiff, because the plaintiff turned around to face them while holding a dark metal object, which the defendants believed to be a firearm. See 279 F.Supp.2d at 120. The plaintiff argued that the defendants could not have reasonably believed that he was holding a firearm, because he was holding a donut-shaped metal engine part that could not reasonably appear to be a firearm. See 279 F.Supp.2d at 121. The plaintiff also argued that, because he was three stories down from where he defendants saw him, he could not have posed a threat to them. See 279 F.Supp.2d at 121. The Honorable Jaime Pieras, Jr., Senior United States District Judge for the District of Puerto Rico, denied the defendants' request for summary judgment, by holding that these factual disputes created a genuine issue of material fact whether the defendants could have reasonably believed that the plaintiff posed a threat. See 279 F.Supp.2d at 121. In Galvan v. City of La Habra, No. CIV 12-2103, 2014 WL 1370747 (C.D.Cal. Apr. 8, 2014) (Bernal, J.), the defendant asserted that he shot the plaintiff after he ordered the plaintiff to drop the object he was holding, and after the plaintiff raised the object and pointed it at a bystander and then at the defendant. See 2014 WL 1370747, at *7. The plaintiff disputed the defendant's factual assertions, by contending that he told the defendant that the object was a cellular telephone, that he
In this case, there are a number of undisputed facts that support the reasonableness of Smith's decision, but there is also one key fact that is disputed, which, if decided in the Plaintiffs' favor, undermines the reasonableness of Smith's actions. Smith was investigating a potential felony. He had probable cause to believe that the SUV's driver — Tillison — had either stolen the SUV or was knowingly driving a stolen vehicle. Smith announced that he was a police officer and ordered Tillison to place his hands out the window, yet Tillison refused to comply with his orders. Instead, Tillison moved around inside the SUV and reached into the back of the SUV. While refusing to obey Smith's commands, Tillison suddenly put the SUV in reverse and rammed Smith's patrol car. Smith shot the SUV's rear tire, but the shot did not slow down or stop the SUV. Tillison drove forward, hitting the wall in front of the SUV. Either while driving forward or while reversing, Tillison moved his right hand over his left arm. Up until this point, Smith knew that he was dealing with a potential felon, who refused to obey his orders, and who was not averse to ramming a police vehicle with an SUV. Tillison, however — up until this point — had not created an imminent threat to Smith or to anyone else. See Tennessee v. Garner, 471 U.S. at 11, 105 S.Ct. 1694 (holding that it is unconstitutional to use deadly force against a fleeing suspect when there is no probable cause that the suspect poses a threat of serious physical harm to the officer or to others); Cordova v. Aragon, 569 F.3d at 1191-92 (holding that police officers may not use deadly force against a fleeing suspect merely because he or she is driving recklessly). The entire case, thus, hinges on what Tillison was holding in his right hand, or, more precisely, what would a reasonable officer have perceived that Tillison was holding in his right hand.
There are three things a reasonable officer could have seen in Tillison's hand: (i) a gun; (ii) an unknown object; or (iii) a cellular telephone. If a reasonable officer would have either (i) perceived the cellular telephone to be a gun; or (ii) not have been able to tell what the object was, then Smith's actions were reasonable. In light of Tillison's conduct and the circumstances surrounding the shooting, if a reasonable officer could not have known what was in Tillison's hand, then it is reasonable for Smith to assume that Tillison is holding a firearm. He is a potential felon, who is recklessly fleeing from the police, and who is pointing an unknown black object at Smith. Smith would, thus, have probable cause to believe that Tillison posed an imminent threat of serious bodily injury. If, however, a reasonable officer would have perceived the cellular telephone to be what it was — a telephone — then Smith acted unreasonable by shooting Tillison, regardless of Tillison's earlier conduct. It does not matter that Tillison was ignoring Smith's commands, that Tillison moved around inside the SUV, or that Tillison rammed a police vehicle. If a reasonable officer would have known that Tillison was holding a cellular telephone, and not a firearm, the officer could not have reasonably believed that Tillison posed an imminent threat of serious bodily injury, and Smith's conduct was unreasonable.
The entire case, thus, comes down to one question: Would a reasonable officer
The nation's legal system is grounded in the notion that, after the elites and the professionals have resolved the legal issues, a case should be laid before a group of common people to make the final factual findings. This practice furthers the perception of justice that our society has of the judicial system. In a case, like this one, where a violent act took a man's life and the perpetrator's liability hinges on a close factual determination, society is not well served if an unelected judge makes the final determination behind closed doors. Having a single judge resolve such a factual question that is best answered by a jury undermines the appearance of justice. "The Court has often emphasized that the appearance of justice is as important as actually dispensing justice." United States v. Rodella, No. CR 14-2783 JB, 2015 WL 711931, at *39 n. 12 (D.N.M. Feb. 2, 2015) (Browning, J.). Especially in Albuquerque and in the nation at large, where police shootings are heated topics of debate, courts should be reluctant to resolve factual issues. When a police officer kills an unarmed person, and there is a factual question whether the officer should have known that the person was unarmed, society's faith in the justice system is undermined when an unelected judge declares — as a matter of law — that no reasonable jury could find that a reasonable officer would have known that the victim was unarmed, while at the same time refusing to test this declaration by presenting the case to a jury.
Rather, for these factual issues, the question should be presented — in open court — to a panel of jurors, where ordinary citizens are the ones to make the important factual determination. The Tenth Circuit's summary judgment standard highlights the importance of juries, by permitting summary judgment only "if no reasonable jury viewing the evidence could return a verdict for the nonmoving party." Saville v. Int'l Bus. Machines Corp., 188 Fed.Appx. 667, 669 (10th Cir.2006) (unpublished)(citing Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. at 248, 106 S.Ct. 2505). The Court is not saying that the Smith violated Tillison's constitutional rights or that a jury will find for the Plaintiffs, but only that a jury should be the one to make that determination. As the Honorable Neil M. Gorsuch, United States Circuit Judge for the Tenth Circuit, has written:
Herrera v. Bernalillo Cnty. Bd. of Cnty. Comm'rs, 361 Fed.Appx. 924, 928-29 (10th
If the Court were to grant the Motion and conclude that, as a matter of law, Smith reasonably believed that Tillison was holding a firearm in his right hand, the Court would not be proceeding in a manner consistent with the basic tenets of summary judgment — to view the evidence in a light most favorable to the nonmoving party and to draw all inferences in his or her favor. If the Court concluded that Smith did not know what Tillison held in his hand, it would be giving lip service to the summary judgment standard. See Figueroa v. Gates, 207 F.Supp.2d 1085, 1093 n. 13 (C.D.Cal.2002) (Collins, J.)("Defendants give lip service to this standard, but persist in presenting the facts in the light most favorable to the shooting officers."). Neither the Tenth Circuit nor the Supreme Court has held that, when considering a motion for summary judgment involving qualified immunity, a different summary judgment standard applies. To the contrary, both have maintained that, even in the qualified immunity context, courts should still view all facts in a light most favorable to the nonmoving party. See, e.g., Plumhoff v. Rickard, ___ U.S. ___, 134 S.Ct. 2012, 2017, 188 L.Ed.2d 1056 (2014) ("Because this case arises from the denial of the officers' motion for summary judgment, we view the facts in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party...."); Puller v. Baca, 781 F.3d 1190, 1196 (10th Cir.2015) ("We review de novo a grant of summary judgment on the basis of qualified immunity. We review the evidence in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party." (citations omitted)(internal quotation marks omitted)). If the Court were to conclude otherwise, it would be close to saying that, anytime a police officer says he or she did not know what the object in the plaintiff's hand was — regardless of the circumstances — the officer is justified in shooting. That bright-line rule is not consistent with the need to examine the facts of each case.
Tillison's rights were clearly established at the time of the shooting. Smith argues that it is clearly established "that deadly force is justified ... if a reasonable officer faced with the same circumstances would have probable cause to believe that there was a threat of serious physical harm to themselves or to others," even if the officer is mistaken in his or her assessment of the danger. Motion at 25. Smith is correct; however, he is wrong about the legality of what actions must be clearly established. The legal issue is not whether an officer may use deadly force when there is probable cause to believe that there is a threat of serious physical harm, but instead whether an officer may use lethal force against a fleeing motorist when the officer can see that the motorist is unarmed, and the officer — or anyone else — is not in the fleeing motorist's path. It was "beyond debate" in 2012 that Smith may not shoot a fleeing motorist merely because the motorist is holding a cellular telephone. Reichle v. Howards, 132 S.Ct. at 2093. See Tennessee v. Garner, 471 U.S. at 11, 105 S.Ct. 1694 (holding that it is unconstitutional to use deadly force against a fleeing suspect when there is no probable cause that the suspect poses a threat of serious physical harm to the officer or to others).
In Cordova v. Aragon, the Tenth Circuit clearly established that officers may not use deadly force against a fleeing motorist merely because the motorist is driving in a reckless manner. See 569 F.3d at 1191-92. While the Tenth Circuit, in that case, ultimately held that the law was not clearly established, because the officer could have relied on the Supreme Court's case of Scott v. Harris
A reasonable jury could conclude that Smith lacked probable cause to believe that Tillison posed a threat of serious physical harm to Smith or to others. The law is clearly established that Smith could not use deadly force if these factual circumstances existed. Every reasonable officer in Smith's shoes would have known that it was unlawful to use deadly force against a fleeing suspect merely because the suspect was holding a cellular telephone or because the suspect was driving in a reckless manner, but not in a manner that created an imminent threat to anyone. Accordingly, the Court concludes that there is a genuine issue of material fact whether Smith violated Tillison's clearly established constitutional rights, and the Court will deny the Motion as far as it requests the Court to dismiss Count II of the Complaint.
The New Mexico Legislature has waived Smith's immunity under the NMTCA for the Plaintiffs' assault and battery claims, but not for their false arrest and false imprisonment claims. The NMTCA states that a "governmental entity and any public employee while acting within the scope of duty are granted immunity from liability for any tort except as waived" by state statute. N.M. Stat. Ann. § 41-4-4(A). Section 41-4-12 provides a list of torts for which law enforcement officers' immunity is waived:
N.M. Stat. Ann. § 41-4-12. Section 41-4-12 lists all of the Plaintiffs' four claims alleged in Count III — assault, battery, false arrest, and false imprisonment as torts for which the Legislature has waived immunity. Smith does not argue that the Legislature did not waive the NMTCA immunity for the claims that the Plaintiffs allege. Instead, Smith argues that his conduct does not constitute assault, battery, false arrest, or false imprisonment, and, therefore, the NMTCA immunity covers his actions. See Motion at 26-27. The Court, thus, construes the Motion as attacking the merits of the Plaintiffs' claims. If Smith's conduct did not constitute assault, battery, false arrest, or false imprisonment, the Legislature has not waived his immunity under the NMTCA.
The Court concludes that, because Smith had probable cause to arrest Tillison, he cannot be liable for false arrest or for false imprisonment. The torts of false arrest and false imprisonment require a lack of probable cause. See Sisneros v. Fisher, 685 F.Supp.2d 1188, 1221 (D.N.M.2010) (Browning, J.)("False imprisonment occurs when a person intentionally confines or restrains another person without consent and with knowledge that he has no lawful authority to do so — i.e., for an officer, he has no probable cause." (alterations omitted)(internal quotation marks omitted)); Dickson v. City of Clovis, 2010-NMCA-058, 148 N.M. 831, 242 P.3d 398, 404 ("As established above, Defendant Parkin had probable cause to make the arrest. Plaintiff's claims [for false imprisonment, false arrest, and malicious prosecution] were properly dismissed."); Santillo v. N.M. Dep't of Pub. Safety, 2007-NMCA-159, at ¶ 12, 143 N.M. 84, 173 P.3d 6 ("[I]n order for Plaintiff to prevail on her claims of false imprisonment[ and] false arrest, ... she must show that a factual question exists as to whether Agent Carter had probable cause to believe that Plaintiff was unlicensed when
For the Plaintiffs' battery and assault claims, the Court has already concluded that a reasonable jury could conclude that Smith was not justified in using deadly force. See supra Analysis Section IV. There is a genuine issue of material fact whether Smith used excessive force, and, as such, there is also a material issue of genuine fact whether Smith committed assault and battery. See Pena v. Greffet, 922 F.Supp.2d 1187, 1229 (D.N.M.2013) (Browning, J.)("An officer can be held liable for assault and battery if he uses excessive force.") (quoting Adegbuji v. Middlesex Cnty., No. CIV 03-1757 PGS, 2006 WL 2806289, at *12 (D.N.J. Sept. 28, 2006) (Sheridan, J.)(internal quotation marks omitted)). Contrary to Smith's contention, a reasonable jury could conclude that his actions were not lawful. See Motion at 27. Accordingly, § 41-4-12 waives Smith's immunity. The Court will, thus, grant summary judgment in favor of Smith on the Plaintiffs' false imprisonment and false arrest claims, but will deny summary judgment on the Plaintiffs' assault and battery claims.
In the Order, the Court dismissed Count I of the Complaint for Civil Rights Violations, filed in state court on March 14, 2014, filed in federal court on April 18, 2014 (Doc. 1-1) ("Complaint"), but declined to dismiss any other count, including Count II, which concerns excessive force, and Count III, which concerns state law claims for assault, battery, false arrest, and false imprisonment. See Order at 1-2. In this Memorandum Opinion and Amended Order, the Court amends the Order only so far as it concerns Count III, the state law claims. The Court concludes that Defendant Martin Smith had probable cause to arrest Daniel Tillison. Because false arrest and false imprisonment claims require a lack of probable cause, the Court will dismiss those claims. The Court will not, however, dismiss the Plaintiffs' assault and battery claims.
D.N.M.LR-Civ. 56.1(b). Because the Plaintiffs do not refer to a portion of the record to dispute Smith's asserted fact, the Court deems the fact undisputed. Moreover, asserting that a fact is not material does not dispute it. "Arguments and concerns about the materiality and relevance of a fact do not dispute [it]." Walton v. N.M. State Land Office, 49 F.Supp.3d 920, n. 2 (D.N.M 2014) (Browning, J.)(citing O'Brien v. Mitchell, 883 F.Supp.2d 1055, 1058 n. 1 (D.N.M.2012) (Browning, J.)("[Defendant's] argument that the facts underlying the state criminal case are immaterial does not specifically controvert those facts, and the Court will therefore deem those facts admitted.")). The Court will address materiality, if necessary, in its Analysis.
Response at 4-5. Smith replies by arguing that the Plaintiffs incorrectly represent that the March 19, 2012, CAD was created on March 13, 2012. See Defendant Martin Smith's Reply to Plaintiff's Amended Response to His Motion for Summary Judgment at 3, filed August 20, 2014 (Doc. 54)("Reply"). He further argues that the Plaintiffs' argument contradicts their allegation in the Complaint that Smith killed Tillison on March 19, 2012. See Reply at 4-5. The Court agrees with Smith. The vehicle was reported stolen on March 13, 2012, at 1:57:13. See March 13, 2012, CAD at 1. Smith was sent a call to be on the lookout for the vehicle on March 19, 2012, at 13:08:53. See March 19, 2012, CAD at 1. Contrary to the Plaintiffs' assertion, the vehicle was not reported stolen after Smith killed Tillison. Accordingly, the Court concludes that Smith's asserted fact is undisputed.
Response at 5. Smith replies by arguing that the March 13, 2012, CAD shows that the vehicle was reported stolen. See Reply at 4. He also states that he "has requested a certified copy of a title history of this vehicle and will supplement the record once it is received." Reply at 4. Smith has yet to supplement the record.
The Court agrees with the Plaintiffs that the Police Report is hearsay. "`Hearsay' means a statement that: (1) the declarant does not make while testifying at the current trial or hearing; and (2) a party offers in evidence to prove the truth of the matter asserted in the statement." Fed.R.Evid. 801(c). The United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit has stated that courts cannot consider hearsay in deciding a motion for summary judgment. See Gross v. Burggraf Const. Co., 53 F.3d 1531, 1541 (10th Cir.1995) ("It is well settled in this circuit that we can consider only admissible evidence in reviewing an order granting summary judgment. Hearsay testimony cannot be considered because [a] third party's description of [a witness'] supposed testimony is not suitable grist for the summary judgment mill." (internal quotations and citations omitted)). "Police reports are generally excludable as hearsay." United States v. Jimenez, 275 Fed.Appx. 433, 438 (5th Cir.2008). In a civil case, police reports may be admissible as public records under rule 803(8)(A)(ii) of the Federal Rules of Evidence. See, e.g., Dortch v. Fowler, 588 F.3d 396, 402 (6th Cir.2009); Foster v. Gen. Motors Corp., 20 F.3d 838, 839 (8th Cir.1994). This exception, however, covers only information that the officer observed and recorded in the police report, and not information that the officer received from third parties. "It is well established that entries in a police report which result from the officer's own observations and knowledge may be admitted but that statements made by third persons under no business duty to report may not." Walker v. City of Okla. City, 203 F.3d 837, 2000 WL 135166 at *8 (10th Cir. Feb. 7, 2000) (unpublished)(table opinion)(quoting United States v. Pazsint, 703 F.2d 420, 424 (9th Cir.1983)). "[T]he proponent of hearsay evidence bears the burden of establishing the applicability of a hearsay exception." United States v. Irvin, 682 F.3d 1254, 1262 (10th Cir.2012) (citing United States v. Ary, 518 F.3d 775, 786 (10th Cir.2008)).
To support his asserted fact, Smith cites to the Police Report, which states that Kerry Vanamburg is the registered owner of the Mitsubishi Montero. See Police Report at 1. It is not clear, however, from where the officer who prepared the report received this information. It is unlikely that the officer observed, first hand, that the vehicle is registered to Kerry Vanamburg. Instead, a third party — likely Vanamburg — told the officer to whom the vehicle is registered. Smith has the burden of showing that an applicable hearsay exception applies to the Police Report, and, in the Reply, instead of attempting to show that the Police Report is not hearsay, Smith argues that other evidence — the March 13, 2012, CAD — supports his asserted fact. Because Smith has not shown that this information in the Police Report is based on information which the officer observed, and not on a third party's out-of-court statement, it is inadmissible hearsay, and the Court cannot consider it in ruling on the Motion.
In the Reply, Smith cites to the March 13, 2012, CAD to support his asserted fact. See Reply at 4. While the March 13, 2012, CAD states that the vehicle was reported stolen, it does not state that Kerry Vanamburg is the owner or that he was the one who reported it stolen. See March 13, 2012, CAD at 1. Smith's asserted fact is, thus, lacks support in the record. The Court has, accordingly, modified the asserted fact to more accurately reflect the record.
Response at 5 (citation omitted). To dispute this fact, the Plaintiffs cite to Smith's interview with the Albuquerque Police Department's Internal Affairs. See Interview of Mark Smith at 7:10-25, Albuquerque Police Department, Case # 12-0025037 (taken March 20, 2012)(Smith), filed July 9, 2014 (Doc. 31-2)("March 20, 2012, Interview"). During his interview, Smith said:
March 20, 2012, Interview at 7:10-25 (Smith).
Smith replies by arguing that his previous statement does not contradict the Smith Aff. See Reply at 4. He argues that, in the Smith Aff., he states that he observed Tillison moving around inside the vehicle at different times. See Reply at 4 (citing Smith Aff. ¶ 11, at 2-3; id. ¶ 22, at 4-5; id. ¶ 24, at 5). Smith also argues that the "Plaintiffs' purported dispute is immaterial." Reply at 4.
The Court agrees with Smith that the Plaintiffs have failed to dispute this fact. In the March 20, 2012, Interview, Smith did not state that he did not observe Tillison moving around in the vehicle until he parked behind the vehicle. That Smith said he saw Tillison moving around when he parked behind him does not contradict Smith's asserted fact that he saw Tillison moving around as he drove by the parking lot. Rather, that Smith observed Tillison moving around is an additional fact. Accordingly, the Court concludes that the Plaintiffs have failed to dispute this asserted fact.
Response at 5 (citation omitted). Smith replies by stating:
Reply at 4-5 (citation omitted).
The Court agrees with Smith. Smith does not assert that Tillison saw him, but only that Tillison was in a position that he could have seen Smith drive by him. Additionally, that Smith did not tell the interviewers during the March 20, 2012, Interview that Tillison could have seen him drive by him does not dispute Smith's asserted fact. There is nothing in the March 20, 2012, Interview to dispute Smith's asserted fact. Instead, Smith provided additional detail in the Smith Aff. than he did at the interview. Finally, for the reasons set forth in note 2, the Plaintiffs' materiality argument does not dispute Smith's asserted fact. See supra note 2. The Court, thus, concludes that this fact is undisputed.
Response ¶ 14, at 6. This assertion does not dispute Smith's asserted fact. First, the local rules state that the non-movant — the Plaintiffs in this case — "must refer with particularity to those portions of the record upon which the non-movant relies." D.N.M.LR-Civ. 56.1(b). The Plaintiffs do not, however, cite to any evidence disputing Smith's asserted fact. Second, the Plaintiffs' argument that the Smith should have requested backup before approaching Tillison and that Smith's reckless conduct attributed to the need for lethal force are legal arguments, and not factual ones. Accordingly, the Court concludes that this fact is undisputed and will address the Plaintiffs' legal arguments in the Analysis.
Response at 15 (citation omitted). The Plaintiffs cite to Smith's March 20, 2012, Interview, where he stated that he "got out of [his] vehicle, started approaching the window and issuing commands to put his hand outside the window." March 20, 2012, Interview at 7:25-8:2 (Smith). Smith replies by stating:
Reply at 5 (citations omitted).
The Court concludes that the Plaintiffs have disputed this fact. Smith's asserted fact states that he approached the SUV's rear quarter panel while he stated in the March 20, 2012, Interview that he approached the window. Compare Motion ¶ 15, at 4, with March 20, 2012, Interview at 7:25-8:2 (Smith). Smith tries to reconcile these two statements by stating that there is a window by the rear quarter panel. See Reply at 5. In the March 20, 2012, Interview, however, Smith stated that he approached the window and commanded Tillison to put his hands outside the window. See March 20, 2012, Interview at 7:25-8:2 (Smith). The window that Smith approached was the same one through which he commanded Tillison to put his hands. Because Tillison was sitting in the driver's seat, the window to which Smith was referring was the front driver's side window. The Court, thus, finds it disputed toward what window Smith walked. The Court has, accordingly, modified Smith's asserted fact.
Response at 6 (citation omitted). To dispute this fact, the Plaintiffs cite to the 911 Call. There, the caller reports that a suspicious person in a Mitsubishi Montero tried to sell the caller a sound system, but the caller does not state that he thought the sound system was stolen. See 911 Call at 0:01-0:51.
While the Plaintiffs are correct in stating that the sound system was not reported stolen in the original 911 Call, the dispatcher reported to Smith that the sound system was possibly stolen. See March 19, 2012, CAD at 1; Smith Aff. ¶ 3, at 1. The Plaintiffs have not presented evidence showing that Smith was aware that the 911 caller did not state that the sound system was possibly stolen, and they do not dispute that the 911 dispatcher reported to Smith that the sound system was possibly stolen. Furthermore, the caller made the 911 Call, because a "suspicious person" attempted to sell him a sound system. 911 Call at 0:05-0:24. It is reasonable for the dispatcher to assume that the sound system was possibly stolen. In any case, because Smith did not know that the original caller did not say that the sound system was possibly stolen, and because the dispatcher reported to Smith that it was possibly stolen, the Court concludes that the Plaintiffs have not disputed this fact.
Response at 6 (citations omitted). The Plaintiffs cite Smith's March 20, 2012, Interview, where he stated that Tillison attempted to open the vehicle's window. See March 20, 2012, Interview at 8:14-16 (Smith)("He's — at one point he reaches with his left hand and starts opening up the window, but I can't see his right hand at all."). They also cite a portion of the March 20, 2012, Interview in which Smith states that he could see Tillison reaching around in the vehicle. See March 20, 2012, Interview at 8:5-23 (Smith). Finally, the Plaintiffs cite to the Smith Aff., where he states that Tillison was moving around inside the vehicle and reaching into the back of the vehicle. See Smith Aff. ¶ 22, at 4-5.
Smith replies by stating:
Reply at 5-6 (citations omitted).
Even if Smith misspoke during the March 20, 2012, Interview, as Smith asserts, this mistake makes his fact disputed. It seems odd that Smith would order Tillison to put his hands out the window when the window was closed. Also, after stating that Tillison started to open the window, Smith stated that he pushed the door frame closed, supporting Smith's assertion that he just misspoke. In any case, because the Plaintiffs have presented evidence that specifically controverts Smith's asserted fact, the Court concludes that it is disputed and will modify it accordingly.
Response at 6 (citations omitted). The Plaintiffs cite to the Smith Aff. and to the March 20, 2012, Interview. In both, Smith states that he saw the vehicle's driver moving around in the vehicle and reaching behind him. See Smith Aff. ¶ 22, at 4-5; March 20, 2012, Interview at 8:5-23 (Smith). That Smith could see the driver moving around and reaching behind himself does not mean that Smith could see the driver's hands. To the contrary, in the March 20, 2012, Interview, to which the Plaintiffs cite, Smith stated that he could not see the driver's right hand. See March 20, 2012, Interview at 8:15-16 (Smith). The Plaintiffs, thus, fail to present evidence that specifically controverts this fact. Additionally, arguing that a fact is immaterial does not dispute it. The Court, accordingly, concludes that the fact is undisputed.
Response at 7 (citations omitted). The Plaintiffs cite to the Smith Aff. and to his March 20, 2012, Interview. In the Smith Aff., Smith states that he saw the driver moving around inside the vehicle, and reaching down and reaching into the back of the vehicle. See Smith Aff. ¶ 22, at 4-5. In the March 20, 2012, Interview, Smith stated that the driver moved around inside the vehicle, reached into the back of the vehicle, attempted the open the window, possibly attempted to open the door (Smith stated that the driver attempted to open the window, but then states that he pushed the door frame shut), and put the vehicle into reverse. See March 20, 2012, Interview at 8:5-23 (Smith). This evidence does not contradict Smith's asserted fact. First, Smith did not state, in the Smith Aff. or at the March 20, 2012, Interview, that he could see the driver's hands. Second, Smith did not say that the driver attempted to open the window, open the door, and shift the gears at the same time. The evidence suggests that he saw the driver do these things one after another. Smith did not know where the driver's hands were at all times. Instead, it appears that, throughout the encounter, Smith, at most, knew — or should have known — where one of Smith's hands was. Accordingly, the Plaintiffs fail to specifically controvert this fact. Moreover, asserting that a fact is immaterial does not dispute it. The Court, thus, concludes that the fact is undisputed.
Response at 7 (alterations omitted) (citations omitted). The Plaintiffs cite to the March 20, 2012, Interview, to their expert's report, and to a video recreation. In the March 20, 2012, Interview, Smith stated that, while he was issuing orders to the driver, the driver "reaches over, throws the vehicle into reverse and slams ... into [Smith's] patrol vehicle and the truck that's parked right next to him." March 20, 2012, Interview at 8:22-25 (Smith). The Plaintiffs' expert, Christopher Stewart, opines: "While Officer Smith was issuing verbal commands to Mr. Tillison the Mitsubishi was driven in reverse." Engineering Report, Prepared by Christopher M. Stewart, P.E. at 5 (June 3, 2014), filed July 9, 2014 (Doc. 31-3)("Stewart Report") (citation omitted). In the video recreation, the Mitsubishi Montero is seen backing up into Smith's patrol car before trying to drive forward. Video Recreation Facing Tillison at 0:01-0:03, hand delivered to the Court on July 7, 2014, filed July 7, 2014 (Doc. 30)("Video Recreation").
Smith replies by stating that "it is immaterial as to whether Plaintiffs dispute whether the vehicle went forward before it went into reverse as it is undisputed by Plaintiffs' own expert that the vehicle did go into reverse." Reply at 6. He states that the Plaintiffs do not dispute that Smith moved out of the way to avoid the SUV hitting him, because he was a few feet away from the SUV. See Reply at 6-7. Smith also states that he did not omit the fact that he fired at the SUV's rear tire, because he asserts that fact later in the Motion. See Motion at 7. Finally, Smith states that, "[i]n the event that this Court finds that whether the vehicle went into reverse first ..., then for purposes of this motion only, the defense will stipulate to th[is] fact[]." Reply at 6 n. 3.
The Plaintiffs have disputed Smith's asserted fact. In the March 20, 2012, Interview, Smith stated that the driver first placed the vehicle into reverse and backed up, which directly controverts Smith's asserted fact. The Plaintiffs do not dispute the rest of the fact. The Court has thus modified the fact.
Motion ¶ 24, at 6. The Plaintiffs dispute this fact by stating:
Response at 7 (alterations omitted) (citations omitted). The Plaintiffs cite to Stewart's report and to a video recreation of the incident. In his report, Stewart opines that:
Stewart Report at 5. In the video recreation, when Tillison reverses the vehicle for the first time, he hits only Smith's patrol car, and not the truck in the adjacent parking spot. See Video Recreation at 0:01-0:05.
Smith responds by arguing that "[i]t is ... immaterial as to whether Mr. Tillison collided with both the truck and Officer Smith's police car when it first went into reverse because it is when the vehicle was in reverse when it was a threat to Officer Smith." Reply at 6. He states that, "[i]n the event that this Court finds that whether the vehicle ... only collided into the police vehicle when it did so, then for purposes of this motion only, the defense will stipulate to th[is] fact[]." Reply at 6 n. 3.
The Court concludes that the Plaintiffs have specifically controverted this fact. Their expert's opinion and video recreation directly controverts Smith's assertions that Tillison turned his vehicle as he reversed and that he hit the truck in the next parking spot. Smith has not challenged the validity of Stewart's qualifications or of his opinion. The Court thus finds it disputed whether Tillison turned as he reversed and whether he hit the truck. The Court will, consequently, modify Smith's asserted fact.
Motion ¶ 24, at 6. The Plaintiffs dispute this fact by stating: "Plaintiffs dispute Smith's version of the events as it contradicts his March 20, 2012 statement in which he states he moved back towards his car and then shot the rear tire of Tillison's car." Response at 7. The Plaintiffs cite to Smith's March 20, 2012, Interview where he stated that he could not remember whether he moved back toward his patrol car or whether he moved toward the front of Tillison's vehicle. See March 20, 2012, Interview at 26:5-21 (Smith, Morant). Smith eventually decided, however, that he thinks he moved back towards his patrol car. See March 20, 2012, Interview at 26:22-27:2 (Smith, Morant). He stated that he began moving towards his patrol car and then he fired a bullet at the SUV's rear wheel. See March 20, 2012, Interview at 26:22-27:10 (Smith, Morant).
Smith replies by stating that the "Plaintiffs' cited evidence does not dispute this fact as they represent." Reply at 7. The Court disagrees with Smith. Smith asserts that he moved towards his car and then moved toward the adjacent parking spot before shooting the SUV's rear tire. See Motion ¶ 24, at 6. In the March 20, 2012, Interview, however, he stated that he moved back toward his patrol car and then shot the rear tire. See March 20, 2012, Interview at 26:22-27:10 (Smith, Morant). It is thus disputed whether Smith moved toward the adjacent parking spot before shooting the SUV's rear tire. The Court has, accordingly, modified Smith's asserted fact.
Motion ¶ 25, at 6. The Plaintiffs dispute this fact by stating:
Response at 7 (citation omitted)(emphasis in original). The Plaintiffs cite to Stewart's report, where he opines that, after Tillison backed the SUV into Smith's patrol car, Smith "moved to the northwest quadrant of the second parking space from the west," "[p]ositioned near the front of the parked Taurus," and "fired a round at the left rear tire of the Mitsubishi." Stewart Report at 5. They also cite to the video recreation, which shows that Smith is never in the direct path of Tillison's vehicle. See Video Recreation at 0:01-0:10.
Smith replies by stating: "Officer Smith attempted to move out of the way to avoid getting hit as the vehicle was reversing and then after it reversed, it was turned at an angle resulting it being in the direct path of Officer Smith. Also, Plaintiffs' expert conclusions do not contradict Fact No. 25." Reply at 7.
The Court concludes that the Plaintiffs have disputed Smith's asserted fact. First, Smith asserts that he was in the direct path of the car. See Motion ¶ 25, at 6. The Video Recreation, however, shows that SUV did not face Smith until after Smith shot Tillison and the SUV came to rest. See Video Recreation at 0:01-0:10. The Video Recreation shows that the SUV went backwards in a relatively straight line, hitting Smith's patrol vehicle. See Video Recreation at 0:01-0:02. It then shows that the SUV went forward in a relatively straight line, hitting the wall. See Video Recreation at 0:02-0:05. It finally shows that the SUV began backing up in a relatively straight line, until Smith shot Tillison, at which point the SUV turned to the right, hitting the truck. See Video Recreation at 0:05-0:10. Because Smith was to the side of the SUV, he was never in its direct path until after he shot Tillison. Smith has not objected to the Video Recreation, and it specifically controverts Smith's asserted fact. Second, Smith asserts that Tillison nearly ran him over when Tillison first reversed the SUV. See Motion ¶ 25, at 6. Smith was, however, beside the vehicle when Tillison drove in reverse, not in front or behind. Tillison may have almost hit him with the front of the car if he turned it as he reversed, but he would not have run over Smith, because Smith was not behind the car. The Court thus concludes that Smith's asserted fact is disputed and will modify it accordingly.
Smith asserts the following fact:
Motion ¶ 26, at 6-7
The Plaintiffs dispute this fact by stating: "Plaintiffs dispute Smith's version of the events as it contradicts his March 26, 2012 statement to IA wherein he states the vehicle was not moving when he shot the tire." Response at 7. The Plaintiffs cite to an Albuquerque Police Department interview with Smith. See Albuquerque Police Department, Case # 12-0025037, Interview of Officer Mark Smith (March 26, 2012), filed July 7, 2014 (Doc. 31-4)("March 26, 2012, Interview"). There, Smith said that he thinks the vehicle was stopped when he shot the rear tire. See March 26, 2012, Interview at 13:6-22 (Smith, Morant).
Smith replies by stating:
Reply at 7 (emphasis in original).
The Court concludes that the fact is disputed. Smith asserts that he does not know which direction the SUV was traveling or if it was not moving at all. See Motion ¶ 26, at 6-7. In the March 26, 2012, Interview, however, Smith said that he thought the vehicle was stopped. See March 26, 2012, Interview at 13:6-22 (Smith, Morant). Smith's statement specifically controverts his asserted fact. The Court, thus, concludes that it is disputed.
Motion ¶ 27, at 7.
The Plaintiffs dispute this fact by stating: "Plaintiffs disputes [sic] as it contradicts the evidence submitted by Smith's own counsel." Response at 7. The Plaintiffs cite to Stewart's report and the Video Recreation to dispute this fact. In his report, Stewart opines that, before Smith shot Tillison, the SUV did not hit the truck. See Stewart Report at 5. He also opines that, after Smith shot the rear tire, the SUV drove forward until it hit the wall and then drove backwards, at which point Smith shot Tillison. See Stewart Report at 5-6. The Video Recreation shows the same thing — that the SUV did not hit the truck until after Smith shot Tillison. See Video Recreation at 0:01-0:10.
Smith replies by stating: "Plaintiffs' own expert's conclusions are that the vehicle went forward after the rear tire was shot and then went backwards." Reply at 8. The Court disagrees with Smith. Stewart opines that, after Smith shot the rear tire, the SUV went forward, until it hit the wall, and then backwards, at which point Smith shot Tillison. See Stewart Report at 5-6. Smith's asserted fact, however, is that, after Smith shot the rear tire, the SUV lurched forward, went backwards, and then again went forward. See Motion ¶ 27, at 7. Stewart's report specifically controverts this fact. Additionally, Smith asserts that the SUV hit the truck before he shot Tillison. See Motion ¶ 27, at 7. This assertion is contrary to Stewart's report and to the Video Recreation, which both show that the SUV did not hit the truck until after Smith shot Tillison. Accordingly, the Court concludes that the fact is disputed and will modify it accordingly.
The Plaintiffs dispute this fact by stating: "Plaintiffs disputes [sic] as it contradicts the evidence submitted by Smith's own counsel. Further this statement contradicts Smith's own UDMF number 22 wherein he states at this point he had already moved out of the way." Response at 8. The Plaintiffs cite to Stewart's report and to the Video Recreation to dispute this fact. Stewart opines that SUV hit the wall and then reversed with the front wheels turned to the right. See Stewart Report at 5. The Video Recreation shows that the SUV moved forward and backwards in a relatively straight line, and did not begin to turn until Smith shot Tillison. See Video Recreation at 0:01-0:10.
Smith replies by stating:
Reply at 8 (citations omitted).
The Court concludes that the Plaintiffs have disputed Smith's asserted fact. First, Smith asserts that the SUV appeared to be reversing in his direction. See Motion ¶ 28, at 7. According to Stewart's report and the Video Recreation, the SUV was never reversing toward Smith, especially considering Smith was to the side of the SUV. Second, Smith asserts that he moved in case Tillison "attempted to come at him with the vehicle again." Motion ¶ 28, at 7. It is disputed whether Tillison ever attempted to come at Smith with the SUV. If Smith was standing to the side of the SUV, as all parties agree, and the SUV kept a relatively straight line until Smith shot Tillison, then the SUV was never driving in Smith's direction. Those two portions of Smith's asserted fact are thus disputed. The Court concludes that the remaining fact is undisputed. Smith asserts that he moved northwest and away from the vehicle. See Motion ¶ 28, at 7. The Plaintiffs attempt to dispute this portion of Smith's fact by stating that Smith already asserted that he moved away from the SUV. See Response at 8. The Court disagrees with the Plaintiffs. That Smith moved away from the SUV does not mean that he could not have later moved further away. The Court thus concludes that this portion of Smith's asserted fact is undisputed. Because the Plaintiffs have disputed portions of Smith's asserted fact, the Court has modified it.
The Plaintiffs dispute this fact by stating: "Plaintiffs dispute Smith's version of the events as it contradicts Smith's March 20, 2012 and March 26, 2012 statement wherein he states Tillison was coming forward when he saw what he alleges in his UDMF number 29." Response at 8. The Plaintiffs cite to the March 20, 2012, Interview and to the March 26, 2012, Interview. In both interviews, Smith stated that he saw something in Tillison's hand while Tillison was driving forward. See March 20, 2012, Interview at 28:3-29:6 (Smith, Morant, Mowrer); March 26, 2012, Interview at 5:20-6:6 (Smith).
Smith replies by stating:
Reply at 8 (citations omitted).
The Court concludes that the Plaintiffs have disputed Smith's asserted fact. He asserts that he noticed the position of Tillison's hands while Tillison was reversing. See Motion ¶ 29, at 7. In his previous interview, however, he stated that he noticed Tillison's hands — specifically that Tillison had a black object in one hand — while Tillison was driving forward. See March 20, 2012, Interview at 28:3-29:6 (Smith, Morant, Mowrer); March 26, 2012, Interview at 5:20-6:6 (Smith). It is thus disputed whether Tillison was driving forwards or backwards when Smith noticed his hands. Consequently, the Court has modified Smith's asserted fact.
Response at 8. Because the Plaintiffs do not dispute this fact, and because Smith does not assert that he was too far away to see what Tillison was holding in his hand, the Court concludes that the fact is undisputed.
Response at 8. The Court has already concluded that it is undisputed that Smith was dispatched to investigate a suspicious person who was selling a sound system that was possibly stolen. See supra note 3. The Court has concluded, however, that it is disputed whether Tillison nearly hit Smith with the SUV, see supra note 28, and whether Tillison struck the truck with the SUV before being shot, see supra note 24. The Plaintiffs have not disputed Smith's remaining reasons. The Court has, accordingly, modified Smith's asserted fact to more accurately reflect the evidence.
Response at 8. Because the Plaintiffs admit this fact, because asserting that a fact is immaterial does not dispute it, and because Smith does not rely on any of Kleinfeld's opinion in this fact, the Court concludes that the fact is undisputed.
Response at 8. Smith replies by stating:
Reply at 9.
The Court agrees with Smith. His asserted fact references only Exhibit A1, which is the Kleinfeld's Overhead Diagram of Apartments and Parking Lot, and not A2, which is the Kleinfeld's Diagram of Parking Lot During Initial Encounter. See Motion ¶ 36, at 8. Additionally, Kleinfeld's Overhead Diagram of Apartments and Parking Lot does not show Smith's patrol vehicle. See Kleinfeld's Overhead Diagram of Apartments and Parking Lot at 1. Finally, asserting that a fact is immaterial does not dispute it. Accordingly, the Court concludes that the fact is undisputed.
Response at 41 (emphasis in original).
Smith replies by stating:
Reply at 9. The Court concludes that the Plaintiffs have disputed this fact. In his report, Stewart breaks down the incident and describes each of the SUV's movements. See Stewart Report at 5-6. Stewart opines that the SUV reversed, drove forward, and then reversed again as Smith shot Tillison. See Stewart Report at 5-6. Thus, according to Stewart, the SUV drove forward only once. Similarly, the Video Recreation shows the SUV driving forward only once. See Video Recreation at 0:01-0:10. This evidence directly contradicts Smith's asserted fact that the SUV drove forwards and backwards more than once. Accordingly, the Court concludes that the fact is disputed.
In evaluating the totality of the circumstances surrounding an officer's use of deadly force, courts have considered "whether the officers' own reckless or deliberate conduct during the seizure unreasonably created the need to use such force." Medina v. Cram, 252 F.3d 1124, 1132 (10th Cir.2001) (citations and internal quotation marks omitted). We reviewed several incidents that provide reasonable cause to believe that the officers were reckless and that their recklessness contributed significantly to their decision to use deadly force.
For example, in March 2012, an officer shot Daniel Tillison after approaching him without waiting for backup. The officer was responding to an anonymous call about an individual selling stereo equipment in a parking lot. When the officer arrived, Tillison was sitting in his car, which the officer believed might be stolen (he had received conflicting information prior to making contact with Tillison). The officer approached the driver's side of the car with his gun drawn. This is an important fact. If the officer believed Tillison posed such a threat to the officer or public safety that it was necessary to draw his weapon, it is not at all clear why the officer did not take cover and wait for other officers to assist him. There was no exigency that required the officer to act immediately; it was the officer who decided when to approach Tillison. The officer spoke to Tillison, recounting that Tillison was evasive and appeared to be reaching for something in the car. Tillison tried to get out of the car, but the officer pushed the door closed. Tillison then backed into the officer's vehicle and an adjacent truck. The officer shot at one of the vehicle's tires. As Tillison attempted to drive forward, the officer stated that he saw something that resembled a gun in Tillison's hand and that Tillison gave him a "warrior stare." The officer then shot directly at Tillison, killing him. The item in Tillison's hand was a cell phone; police found no guns in the car. Based on our review of the facts, Tillison did not pose an immediate threat of death or serious bodily harm and the shooting could have been avoided if the officer had waited for other officers to assist him. The officer was not in control of the situation because he approached Tillison alone and resorted to deadly force.
This incident bears striking similarities to the situation encountered by police in Zia Trust v. Montoya, 597 F.3d 1150, 1153 (10th Cir.2010). In Zia Trust, an officer rushed up to a van that he believed was being driven by a domestic violence suspect. The officer had drawn his weapon and approached the van alone. Id. The suspect tried to drive his van at the officer, but it was stuck on a pile of rocks and could only move about a foot. Id. The officer shot the driver of the van, and he later died. Id. The Tenth Circuit found that the officer's recklessness in how he approached the driver could support a finding that the officer's use of deadly force was unreasonable. Id. at 1154-55.
DOJ Report at 13-14, 25, & 28. While the Court acknowledges the DOJ Report's existence, it has not in any way relied on it in this Memorandum Opinion and Amended Order.
United States v. Austin, 426 F.3d 1266, 1274 (10th Cir.2005) (citations omitted). The Court finds that Rhoads v. Miller; Tadlock v. Lahood, 550 Fed.Appx. 541 (10th Cir.2013) (unpublished); United States v. Aragones, 483 Fed.Appx. 415 (10th Cir.2012) (unpublished); Lobozzo v. Colo. Department of Corrections, 429 Fed.Appx. 707 (10th Cir.2011) (unpublished); Herrera v. Bernalillo Cnty. Bd. of Cnty. Comm'rs, 361 Fed.Appx. 924 (10th Cir. 2010) (unpublished); United States v. Ceballos, 355 Fed.Appx. 226 (10th Cir.2009) (unpublished); Silvan W. v. Briggs, 309 Fed. Appx. 216 (10th Cir.2009); Douglass v. United Auto Workers Local Union 31, 188 Fed.Appx. 656 (10th Cir.2006) (unpublished); Saville v. Int'l Bus. Machines Corp., 188 Fed.Appx. 667 (10th Cir.2006) (unpublished); Chavez v. Perry, 142 Fed.Appx. 325 (10th Cir.2005) (unpublished); Miller v. City of Nichols Hills Police Department, 42 Fed.Appx. 212 (10th Cir.2002) (unpublished); Walker v. City of Oklahoma City, 203 F.3d 837 (10th Cir. Feb. 7, 2000) (unpublished)(table opinion); and Klick v. Hercules, Inc., 5 F.3d 546 (10th Cir. Aug. 19, 1993) (table opinion)(unpublished), have persuasive value with respect to material issues and will assist the Court in its preparation of this Memorandum Opinion and Amended Order.
The Court is concerned about this push to not decide constitutional issues, for a number of reasons. The Court set forth some of these in Kerns v. Board of Education, which the Court quotes in note 48. See infra note 48. Additionally, there is a practical problem. Sometimes, for a district court to really know whether a right is clearly established, it has to do the first analysis, and thoroughly explore whether there is a right and whether it has been violated. If it jumps to the mushy, hazy area of clearly established without knowing what the right is, the analysis lacks any precision. While appellate courts may think that jumping to the clearly established prong saves district courts a lot of trouble, in the Court's experience, the old rule — in Saucier v. Katz — made more sense and, practically, is the way the Court still has to go in many cases.
663 F.3d at 1183-84. The Tenth Circuit did not analyze whether the officer violated the plaintiff's constitutional rights and stated that guidance on the particular constitutional issue would be more appropriate in a case not involving qualified immunity: "Neither do we doubt that the scope of the Constitution's protection for a patient's hospital records can be adequately decided in future cases where the qualified immunity overlay isn't in play (e.g., through motions to suppress wrongly seized records or claims for injunctive or declaratory relief)." 663 F.3d at 1187 n. 5. On remand, the Court stated:
407 U.S. at 238-39, 92 S.Ct. 2151. Congress did not say it would remedy only violations of "clearly established" law, but that
42 U.S.C. § 1983 (emphasis added). The Supreme Court established the qualified immunity defense in Pierson v. Ray, 386 U.S. 547, 87 S.Ct. 1213, 18 L.Ed.2d 288 (1967), and held that officials were not liable for constitutional violations where they reasonably believed that their conduct was constitutional. See E. Clarke, Safford Unified Sch. Dist. No. 1 v. Redding: Why Qualified Immunity is a Poor Fit in Fourth Amendment School Search Cases, 24 B.Y.U. J. Pub.L. 313, 329 (2010). The Supreme Court first introduced the "clearly established" prong in reference to an officer's good faith and held that a compensatory award would only be appropriate if an officer "acted with such an impermissible motivation or with such disregard of the [individual's] clearly established constitutional rights that his action cannot reasonably be characterized as being in good faith." Wood v. Strickland, 420 U.S. 308, 322, 95 S.Ct. 992, 43 L.Ed.2d 214 (1975). In Harlow v. Fitzgerald, when the Supreme Court moved to an objective test, the clearly-established prong became a part of the qualified immunity test. See 457 U.S. at 818, 102 S.Ct. 2727 ("We therefore hold that government officials performing discretionary functions generally are shielded from liability for civil damages insofar as their conduct does not violate clearly established statutory or constitutional rights."). It seems ironic that the federal courts would restrict a congressionally mandated remedy for constitutional violations — presumably the rights of innocent people — and discourage case law development on the civil side — and restrict case law development to motions to suppress, which reward only the guilty and is a judicially created, rather than legislatively created, remedy. Commentators have noted that, "[o]ver the past three decades, the Supreme Court has drastically limited the availability of remedies for constitutional violations in" exclusionary rule litigation in a criminal case, habeas corpus challenges, and civil litigation under § 1983. J. Marceau, The Fourth Amendment at a Three-Way Stop, 62 Ala. L.Rev. 687, 687 (2011). Some commentators have also encouraged the courts to drop the suppression remedy and the legislature to provide more — not less-civil remedies for constitutional violations. See Christopher Slobogin, Why Liberals Should Chuck the Exclusionary Rule, 1999 U. Ill. L.Rev. 363, 390-91 (1999)("Behavioral theory suggests that the exclusionary rule is not very effective in scaring police into behaving.... These theories also suggest that a judicially administered damages regime... would fare significantly better at changing behavior at an officer level."); Hon. Malcolm R. Wilkey, Constitutional Alternatives to the Exclusionary Rule, 23 S. Tex. L.J. 531, 539 (1982)(criticizing the exclusionary rule and recommending alternatives). In Hudson v. Michigan, 547 U.S. 586, 126 S.Ct. 2159, 165 L.Ed.2d 56 (2006), the Supreme Court noted that civil remedies were a viable alternative to a motion to suppress when it held that the exclusionary rule was inapplicable to cases in which police officers violate the Fourth Amendment when they fail to knock and announce their presence before entering. See 547 U.S. at 596-97, 126 S.Ct. 2159. Rather than being a poor or discouraged means of developing constitutional law, § 1983 seems the better and preferable alternative to a motion to suppress. It is interesting that the current Supreme Court and Tenth Circuit appear more willing to suppress evidence and let criminal defendants go free, than have police pay damages for violations of innocent citizens' civil rights. It is odd that the Supreme Court has not adopted a clearly established prong for suppression claims; it seems strange to punish society for police violating unclear law in criminal cases, but protect municipalities from damages in § 1983 cases.
Kerns v. Bd. of Comm'rs, 888 F.Supp.2d 1176, 1224 n. 36 (D.N.M.2012) (Browning, J.), abrogated on other grounds as recognized in Ysasi v. Brown, 3 F.Supp.3d 1088, 1130 n. 24 (D.N.M.2014) (Browning, J.). See Richard E. Myers, Fourth Amendment Small Claims Court, 10 Ohio St. J.Crim. L. 571, 590-97 (2013)(arguing that municipalities should establish small-claims courts to adjudicate police officers' Fourth Amendment violations and award monetary judgments).
Kerns v. Bd. of Comm'rs, 888 F.Supp.2d at 1222 n. 35.
Gladwell is not a psychologist, nor is he a scientist; he is an author and a history major. See Malcolm Gladwell, Wikipedia.org, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malcolm_Gladwell# Early_life (last visited May 22, 2015). Moreover, his views are not uniformly held. See Michael R. LeGault, Think!: Why Crucial Decisions Can't Be Made in the Blink of an Eye 14 (2006)(criticizing Gladwell's mind-reading theory by stating that Gladwell "enthusiastically celebrates the apparent success of the practice [of mind reading], despite hosts of scientific tests showing that claims of clairvoyance rarely beat the odds of random chance guessing"). The Court has had an expert witness, who practiced as a psychologist for forty years, testify, under oath, that he was highly skeptical of Gladwell's theories about being able to read facial expressions to discern emotions and thoughts, and who even testified that, if Gladwell's theories were true, they "would be the most startling finding in the history of psychology ... [and] would be much more startling than any of Freud's discoveries." United States v. Harry, 20 F.Supp.3d 1196, 1205 & 1212 (D.N.M.2014) (Browning, J.). Moreover, merely because Smith may have been under stress that impaired his ability to make accurate snap decisions, Smith should not be given deference for continuing to act on this faulty, snap decision. In addressing several scholars' reliance on Gladwell's theories to conclude that "courts should give police `hunches' more deference, for `gut' police reactions," Professor Andrew E. Taslitz, of Howard University School of Law, argues:
Andrew E. Taslitz, Police Are People Too: Cognitive Obstacles to, and Opportunities for, Police Getting the Individualized Suspicion Judgment Right, 8 Ohio St. J. of Crim. L. 7, 14-15 (2010)(emphasis in original).
Finally, in assessing the reasonableness of Smith's actions, the Court should not and cannot rely on the most recent popular literature in psychology, but must assess "whether the totality of the circumstances justified the use of force," and must "pay careful attention to the facts and circumstances of the particular case." Estate of Larsen ex rel. Sturdivan v. Murr, 511 F.3d at 1260 (quoting Sevier v. City of Lawrence, 60 F.3d at 699) (internal quotation marks omitted). Even if Smith made a faulty, initial, snap decision — because of extreme stress — whether Tillison intended to harm Smith, the totality of the circumstances may still make his actions unreasonable. Thus reasonableness determination is "judged from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene," Graham v. Connor, 490 U.S. 386, 396, 109 S.Ct. 1865, 104 L.Ed.2d 443 (1989), not by some bright-line rule or by a pop-psychology theory. It is disputed whether a reasonable officer would have known that Tillison was holding a cellular telephone. If Smith wrongly thought that Tillison intended to harm him, and could not reasonably have thought that Tillison was holding a gun, then Smith's conduct was unreasonable, and he was not justified in shooting Tillison. Gladwell's theory that officers under extreme stress are unable to accurately read minds does not provide officers free reign to shoot every time they are in a stressful situation, and they make an initial wrong decision. The Fourth Amendment requires reasonable conduct by reasonable officers, even in stressful situations, which are common.
In conducting a qualified immunity analysis, the Supreme Court noted, in an opinion that the Honorable Samuel Alito, Jr., Associate Justice for the Supreme Court, authored, that it was undisputed that, had the plaintiff not been disabled, the officers' conduct in entering the room and shooting the plaintiff was reasonable. See 135 S.Ct. at 1774-75. The Supreme Court stated that the only question was whether the officers violated the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 104 Stat. 327, 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101-12213, by failing to accommodate the plaintiff's disability. See 135 S.Ct. at 1775. Thus, for the second prong of the qualified immunity analysis, the Supreme Court needed to "simply decide whether the officers' failure to accommodate [the plaintiff's] illness violated clearly established law." No. 13-1412, slip op. at 12. The Supreme Court held that, because there was no Supreme Court or United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit case that states that officers must try to accommodate for the mental illness of a person who is armed and making threats, the law was not clearly established and the officers were entitled to qualified immunity. See 135 S.Ct. at 1775-77.
Turning to the present case, in 1985, the Supreme Court clearly established, in Tennessee v. Garner, that an officer may not use deadly force to apprehend a fleeing suspect unless the suspect poses a threat of serious physical harm to the officer or to others. See 471 U.S. at 11, 105 S.Ct. 1694. In 2009, the Tenth Circuit, in Cordova v. Aragon, clearly established that an officer may not use deadly force merely because a fleeing motorist is driving in a reckless manner, unless the motorist poses an imminent threat of serious injury to the officer or to others. See 569 F.3d at 1192. Because a cellular telephone does not create a threat of serious physical harm, and because neither Smith nor anyone else was in imminent danger of being run over by the SUV, the law was clearly established that Smith could not use deadly against Tillison if he could see that the cellular telephone was not a weapon.
