Justia Civil Rights Opinion Summaries

In 2000, Karl Roberts was convicted and sentenced to death in Arkansas state court for the rape and murder of his twelve-year-old niece. Roberts waived his right to challenge his conviction on direct appeal, in state postconviction proceedings, and in federal habeas corpus proceedings. Both the Arkansas state trial court and the Arkansas Supreme Court found the waiver to be knowing and voluntary. On the day of his scheduled execution in 2004, Roberts moved for a stay of execution, which was granted, and subsequently filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus, initiating two decades of litigation.The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas denied Roberts’s nineteen habeas corpus claims but granted a certificate of appealability (CoA) on three claims: whether Roberts was intellectually disabled, competent to be tried, and competent to waive his direct appeal. The Eighth Circuit expanded the CoA to include two ineffective assistance of counsel claims: failure to investigate and challenge Roberts’s competency to be tried and failure to investigate and present evidence of Roberts’s mental health as mitigating evidence at sentencing.The United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit reviewed the case and affirmed the district court’s denial of Roberts’s habeas petition. The court held that the Arkansas courts’ findings that Roberts was not intellectually disabled, was competent to stand trial, and was competent to waive his direct appeal were reasonable and supported by the record. The court also found that Roberts’s trial counsel was not ineffective, as the counsel’s performance did not fall below an objective standard of reasonableness, and there was no prejudice to Roberts. The court concluded that Roberts failed to show that the outcome of his trial would have been different but for the alleged errors by his counsel. View "Roberts v. Payne" on Justia Law

Joshua Vogt died of a drug overdose while detained in a county jail. His daughter, Molly Vogt, filed a lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, alleging that three officers deliberately disregarded his medical condition. The magistrate judge recommended summary judgment in favor of the officers, and the district court agreed. Molly Vogt appealed, arguing that a pending adverse-inference instruction against the officers created a material factual dispute regarding their deliberate indifference to Mr. Vogt’s medical condition.The United States District Court for the District of Minnesota initially reviewed the case. The magistrate judge found that the county had intentionally destroyed footage from Camera 18, which could have shown Mr. Vogt’s condition. Despite this, the magistrate judge recommended summary judgment for the officers, concluding that even with the adverse inference, the available evidence did not support a finding of deliberate indifference. The district court adopted these recommendations, leading to the current appeal.The United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit reviewed the case de novo. The court held that to establish a § 1983 medical indifference claim, the plaintiff must show that officers acted with deliberate indifference to a pretrial detainee’s objectively serious medical needs. The court found that the officers repeatedly checked on Mr. Vogt, questioned him about his condition, and called for emergency medical help when his condition worsened. The court concluded that the adverse inference regarding the missing footage did not create a genuine issue of material fact sufficient to preclude summary judgment. The court affirmed the district court’s decision, granting summary judgment to the officers. View "Vogt v. Crow Wing County" on Justia Law

Two high school brothers, Kameron and Noah Evans, were arrested for disorderly conduct after wearing tactical vests to school. The brothers, who had faced racial bullying, wore the vests on a day when the school was screening an active-shooter video. They were searched by school resource officers, who found no weapons. The principal decided to have them arrested, and they were charged with disorderly conduct. The state court later acquitted them, and the brothers filed a lawsuit under § 1983 and state tort claims against the officers, alleging lack of probable cause and excessive force.The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas denied the officers' motion for summary judgment based on qualified immunity. The officers appealed, arguing they had probable cause or at least arguable probable cause to arrest the brothers for disorderly conduct under Arkansas law.The United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit reviewed the case de novo. The court found that the officers lacked probable cause to arrest the brothers, as their actions did not disrupt a lawful assembly or constitute threatening behavior. The court also determined that the officers did not have arguable probable cause, as the brothers were cooperative and their attire did not violate the school dress code. The court affirmed the district court's denial of qualified immunity on the unlawful arrest, malicious prosecution, and false imprisonment claims. However, the court reversed the denial of qualified immunity on the excessive force and abuse of process claims, as the plaintiffs failed to respond to these arguments on appeal. The case was remanded for further proceedings. View "Evans v. Dodd" on Justia Law

A Columbia County resident, Roderick McDaniel, was shot and killed by Deputy Charles McClinton outside an apartment complex in Magnolia, Arkansas. McDaniel was a suspect in a first-degree murder case, and an arrest warrant had been issued for him. Deputy McClinton encountered McDaniel in a white SUV, which matched the description of the vehicle used in the crime. When McDaniel attempted to flee by reversing into McClinton's patrol car and then accelerating forward, McClinton fired a single shot, killing McDaniel. A loaded handgun, later confirmed to be the murder weapon, was found near McDaniel.The United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas denied Deputy McClinton's motion for summary judgment based on qualified immunity. The court found that there were material factual disputes, particularly regarding whether McDaniel was driving the SUV forward toward McClinton when he was shot. The court concluded that McClinton was not entitled to qualified immunity because it was clearly established that using deadly force against a suspect merely for fleeing, even in a vehicle, was unreasonable.The United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit reviewed the case de novo and reversed the district court's decision. The appellate court held that Deputy McClinton was entitled to qualified immunity. The court reasoned that McClinton had probable cause to believe McDaniel was a dangerous felon who had committed first-degree murder and was still armed. Therefore, using deadly force to prevent McDaniel's escape was constitutionally permissible. The court also noted that McClinton's conduct did not violate McDaniel's clearly established rights, as existing precedent did not clearly prohibit the use of deadly force in such circumstances. The case was remanded with instructions to enter summary judgment in favor of Deputy McClinton and dismiss the case. View "Arnold v. McClinton" on Justia Law

Four female hockey players filed a lawsuit against the University of North Dakota, alleging that the university violated Title IX by eliminating the women’s ice hockey program after the 2016-17 season. None of the plaintiffs were enrolled at the university at the time of the program's termination. They sought to represent a class of current, prospective, and future female students and requested a declaratory judgment and an injunction to reinstate the women’s hockey program.The United States District Court for the District of North Dakota dismissed the case for lack of jurisdiction, finding that the plaintiffs did not demonstrate a "concrete" injury as required for standing under Article III.The United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit reviewed the case de novo. The court found that two plaintiffs, Calli Forsberg and Maya Tellmann, had standing. Forsberg was recruited to play for the university’s hockey team but chose another school after the program was cut. Tellmann, a two-time state hockey champion, was accepted as a student but had no opportunity to play due to the program's elimination. Both plaintiffs demonstrated a concrete injury by being denied the opportunity to compete for the team of their choice, and they expressed a definite intent to attend the university if the program were reinstated.The court found that the other two plaintiffs, Emily Becker and Morgan Stenseth, did not allege sufficient facts to establish standing. Becker did not provide details about her qualifications or acceptance to the university, and Stenseth did not express an intent to attend the university in the future.The Eighth Circuit reversed and remanded the case in part, allowing Forsberg and Tellmann’s claims to proceed, but affirmed the dismissal of Becker and Stenseth’s claims. View "Becker v. North Dakota University System" on Justia Law

In August 2020, Joe Willie Cannon, an inmate at Anamosa State Penitentiary (ASP), injured his right wrist while playing basketball. He sought medical attention from ASP staff, including nurses and a doctor, but experienced delays and inadequate treatment. Cannon alleged that the medical staff's failure to promptly diagnose and treat his wrist injury, which was later found to be a displaced fracture, constituted deliberate indifference to his serious medical needs, violating his Eighth Amendment rights.The United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa denied summary judgment to four defendants—Dr. Michael Dehner and Nurses Amy Shipley, Courtney Friedman, and Barbara Devaney—who claimed qualified immunity. The court found that a reasonable jury could conclude that the defendants acted with deliberate indifference to Cannon's medical needs. The defendants appealed this interlocutory order.The United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit reviewed the case de novo. The court concluded that the district court failed to properly apply the principle that each defendant's knowledge and conduct must be individually assessed. The appellate court found that the nurses' actions, including their assessments and treatment plans, did not amount to deliberate indifference. Similarly, Dr. Dehner's decisions, including ordering an X-ray and referring Cannon to an orthopedic specialist, were based on his medical judgment and did not constitute deliberate indifference.The Eighth Circuit held that each appellant was entitled to qualified immunity because Cannon failed to prove that any of them acted with deliberate indifference to his serious medical needs. The court reversed the district court's order and remanded the case for further proceedings consistent with its opinion. View "Cannon v. Dehner" on Justia Law

An Arkansas inmate, Steven Pinder, filed a lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, alleging that various defendants, including Wellpath, LLC, and its employees, were deliberately indifferent to his serious medical needs, violating his Eighth Amendment rights. Pinder sought declaratory and injunctive relief and substantial damages for several medical issues, including severe glaucoma, peptic ulcers, acid reflux, diabetes, and an orthopedic condition in his right shoulder. The district court granted summary judgment to two defendants on the shoulder claim and dismissed other claims for failure to establish in forma pauperis (IFP) status.The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas initially denied Pinder's IFP status due to his "three strikes" under the Prison Litigation Reform Act (PLRA), which bars prisoners with three prior dismissals for frivolous or malicious claims from proceeding IFP unless they are in imminent danger of serious physical injury. Pinder filed a declaration asserting imminent danger, which the magistrate judge partially accepted, allowing some claims to proceed. The district court adopted these recommendations but later revoked IFP status for most claims based on new evidence, ultimately granting summary judgment on the remaining shoulder claim.The United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit reviewed the case. The court remanded the motion to revoke Pinder's IFP status to the district court for further consideration, particularly in light of new medical evidence. The appellate court also remanded the issue of whether the interlocutory dismissals were proper, given a recent Eighth Circuit opinion. The court did not rule on the summary judgment at this time, vacating the district court's judgment and remanding for further proceedings consistent with its opinion. View "Pinder v. WellPath" on Justia Law

Devon Arseneau and her ex-husband were involved in a child custody dispute in the St. Louis County Circuit Court. The court appointed Elaine Pudlowski and Brian Dunlop as guardians ad litem to represent the child's best interests and James Reid to conduct psychological evaluations. Following their testimonies, the court awarded sole legal custody to Arseneau’s ex-husband and joint physical custody to both parents. Arseneau subsequently filed a lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against Pudlowski, Dunlop, and Reid, alleging that their actions during the custody proceedings violated her constitutional rights.The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri dismissed Arseneau’s complaint under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6) for failure to state a claim. The court concluded that the defendants were entitled to absolute immunity and had not acted under color of state law. The district court did not address the defendants' arguments regarding Younger abstention or the Rooker-Feldman doctrine.The United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit reviewed the case and affirmed the district court’s dismissal. The appellate court determined that Younger abstention did not apply because there were no ongoing state proceedings. It also bypassed the Rooker-Feldman issue, finding that the merits of the case warranted dismissal. The court held that the defendants, as guardians ad litem and a court-appointed psychologist, were entitled to absolute immunity for actions within the scope of their judicial duties, even if those actions were alleged to be wrongful or illegal. Consequently, the court affirmed the dismissal of Arseneau’s § 1983 claims. View "Arseneau v. Pudlowski" on Justia Law

Antonio Webb, a former state inmate in Missouri, filed a lawsuit against several prison officials, alleging violations of his Eighth Amendment rights. Webb claimed he was subjected to sexual harassment and abuse, that officials failed to protect him from this abuse, and that he faced retaliation for reporting the misconduct. The district court granted summary judgment in favor of the officials, leading to Webb's appeal.The United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri initially handled the case. The officials asserted qualified immunity as a defense in their answer to Webb's complaint but did not file a motion to address it. The case moved forward through discovery, and at a pretrial conference, the officials indicated they had not moved for summary judgment on qualified immunity due to a lack of grounds. However, four days before the trial, the court ordered the officials to file a motion discussing qualified immunity, extended the deadline for dispositive motions, and continued the trial. The officials complied, and the court granted summary judgment, concluding Webb failed to present sufficient evidence of any constitutional violation.The United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit reviewed the case. The court found that the district court's decision to address qualified immunity before trial was a reasonable exercise of case management, aimed at conserving judicial resources and ensuring fairness. Webb had adequate notice and an opportunity to respond to the motion. On the retaliation claim, the court determined Webb did not provide competent evidence to support his allegations. His declaration was inadmissible as it was not signed under penalty of perjury, and his grievance records did not meet the requirements of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56. Consequently, the Eighth Circuit affirmed the district court's judgment. View "Webb v. Lakey" on Justia Law

The Human Rights Defense Center (HRDC) sued Union County, Arkansas, and various officials under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, alleging violations of the First and Fourteenth Amendments. HRDC claimed that the defendants refused to accept publications mailed to detainees, which infringed on their rights. The Union County Detention Center had a policy limiting incoming mail to postcards only, aimed at reducing contraband and conserving staff resources. This policy did not apply to inmates in a work-release program. HRDC's mailings were often returned or not returned at all, prompting the lawsuit.The United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas oversaw the initial trial. HRDC presented testimony from its executive director, the sheriff, the jail administrator, and an expert on jail administration. The district court granted judgment as a matter of law for the defendants on one claim, and the jury found in favor of the defendants on the remaining claims. HRDC's post-trial motions for judgment as a matter of law were denied, leading to this appeal.The United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit reviewed the case. The court held that even if publishers have a First Amendment interest in sending unsolicited communications to prisoners, HRDC did not demonstrate a constitutional violation. The postcard-only policy was deemed rationally related to legitimate penological objectives, such as reducing contraband and promoting institutional efficiency. The court also found that HRDC had alternative means of communication through electronic materials available on kiosks and tablets. Additionally, the court concluded that HRDC was not entitled to additional due process for rejected mailings, as the organization was aware of the postcard-only policy. The district court's judgment was affirmed. View "Human Rights Defense Center v. Union County, Arkansas" on Justia Law