Opinion
Case No. CIV-16-247-JHP
03-21-2018
HOLLY LYNCH and DAVID RAY LYNCH, as next of kin to DAVID CODY LYNCH, deceased, and as Co-Special Administrators of the ESTATE OF DAVID CODY LYNCH, Plaintiffs, v. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MUSKOGEE COUNTY, OKLAHOMA, ex rel. MUSKOGEE COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, et al., Defendants.
OPINION AND ORDER
Before the Court is the Defendants Board of County Commissioners of Muskogee County ex rel. Muskogee County Sheriff's Department's (the "Board") Motion for Summary Judgment filed April 7, 2017 [Dkt. 76]. The Court finds that the Defendant Board's Motion is granted.
I. STANDARD OF REVIEW
Rule 56(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure provides that "[t]he 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." Summary judgment is not a disfavored procedural shortcut, but an integral part of the federal rules as a whole. Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317 (1986).
In Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 249 (1986), the Supreme Court held that "there is no issue for trial unless there is sufficient evidence favoring the non-moving party for a jury to return a verdict for that party." The Court further held that "if the evidence is merely colorable, or not significantly probative, summary judgment may be granted." Id. In addition, the Anderson Court stated that "the mere existence of a scintilla of evidence in support of a plaintiff's position will be insufficient; there must be evidence on which a jury could reasonably find for the plaintiff." Id. A movant's summary judgment burden may properly be met by reference to the lack of evidence in support of plaintiff's position. See Adler v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 144 F.3d 664, 671 (10th Cir. 1998) (citing Celotex, 477 U.S. at 325).
Furthermore, as described by the court in Cone v. Longmont United Hosp. Ass'n., 14 F.3d 526 (10th Cir. 1994), "Even though all doubts must be resolved in (the nonmovant's) favor, allegations alone will not defeat summary judgment." Cone at 530 (citing Celotex, 477 U.S. at 324). See also Hall v. Bellmon, 935 F.2d 1106, 1111 (10th Cir. 1991); Roemer v. Pub. Serv. Co. of Colo., 911 F. Supp. 464, 469 (D. Colo. 1996). Moreover, "(i)n response to a motion for summary judgment, a party cannot rely 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." Conaway v. Smith, 853 F.2d 789, 794 (10th Cir. 1988).
II. UNDISPUTED FACTS
Reviewing the evidentiary material submitted by the parties, the Court finds that there are no material disputes as to the following facts:
On April 3, 2015, the Decedent David Cody Lynch and his wife Plaintiff Holly Lynch attended a cookout at Holly's mother's house. His brother, Marshall Lynch, and his girlfriend Alyssa Hafenbrack, and their friend, Price Rogers, also attended the cookout. The Decedent consumed alcohol at the cookout and became intoxicated. The Decedent's autopsy report further indicates that he was under the influence of methamphetamine at the time of the subject incident. After the cookout, the Decedent and Marshall were doing "burnouts" and "donuts" in their trucks on the highway. The Decedent lost control of his truck, went through the ditch, crashed through a fence and got the truck stuck in another wire fence. His tailpipe caused a grass fire and someone called the police.
On April 3, 2015 at approximately 11:35 p.m., City of Warner Police Officer Michael Shamblin responded to a call of a vehicle accident north of Warner, at State Highway 64 and East 158 Street, South in Muskogee County, Oklahoma. Officer Shamblin arrived on the scene at approximately 11:40 p.m. and saw two parked trucks. He spoke briefly to the two individual drivers and advised dispatch that Oklahoma Highway Patrol was not needed, but that he would need a deputy because one of the drivers, later identified as the Decedent appeared to be intoxicated.
Officer Shamblin asked the Decedent numerous times to get out of the road and to step to the back of his vehicle where it was safe. The Decedent eventually complied and, as Officer Shamblin was questioning him, he began to mumble incoherently. Officer Shamblin leaned closer to the Decedent to hear him, and the Decedent then punched him in the face. A struggle ensued, and the Decedent hit Officer Shamblin in the face several more times until Shamblin took him to the ground. The two rolled around on the ground struggling, and eventually Officer Shamblin got on top of the Decedent, lying on top of his back, and was trying to control his hands. They ended up in a ditch - their heads were positioned up hill and their knees and feet were in the ditch. They were wet and muddy and Shamblin had a hard time maintaining a hold on the Decedent because he was slick. Shamblin was finally able to get the Decedent's right hand cuffed but could not get the left one cuffed because the Decedent was face down and his left hand was under his body and because the Decedent continued to struggle.
Officer Shamblin became aware that there were several other people present because he could see their feet. The Decedent repeatedly yelled for them to attack Shamblin. The Decedent continued to struggle and Shamblin felt that he was beginning to lose what little control he had over him. He advised the Decedent that if he did not comply with his directives to give him his other hand, he was going to deploy his taser. The Decedent refused to comply with Officer Shamblin's directives and continued to threaten and struggle with Shamblin, so Shamblin tased him for one or two seconds. The taser did not appear to have any effect on the Decedent who continued to struggle. After tasing the Decedent, Officer Shamblin was finally able to get a hold of his left hand. He threw the taser off to the left and grabbed the Decedent's left hand. However, he was not able to get it cuffed at that time and the Decedent continued to struggle. At this point, Shamblin was exhausted.
Marshall had called Plaintiff Holly Lynch and told her that the Decedent had been pulled over and was not cooperating with the police. He asked her to come to the scene to try and calm the Decedent down. She arrived at the scene about four minutes later. Shamblin told the bystanders that he needed them to call 911 immediately or he was going to have to shoot the Decedent. Alyssa Hafenbrack called 911 and held the phone down for Shamblin to speak into it. Shamblin advised the dispatcher that he needed help and requested him to send back up immediately.
During the struggle, Marshall had also called the Decedent's father, Plaintiff David Ray Lynch, who was at home at the time, advised him of the Decedent's encounter with Officer Shamblin, and requested him to come to the scene of the incident. Mr. Lynch and his friend, Ruby Lindsey, immediately went to the scene. It took them only a matter of minutes to get there. The Decedent's father approached the Decedent and Officer Shamblin, who were still struggling, put his knee on the Decedent's back, slapped him in the face, and said, "Boy, give him your damn hand." With the father's assistance, Shamblin was able to get the Decedent's hands cuffed at that time. Throughout these events, the Decedent continued to struggle with Shamblin and to encourage bystanders to attack Shamblin.
Muskogee County Sheriff's Deputy Derek Apple responded to the original call and, at approximately 11:50 p.m., was notified by dispatch that Officer Shamblin requested him to hurry because he needed immediate help. Deputy Apple arrived at the scene at approximately 11:58 p.m. Officer Shamblin's duty belt had been broken during his struggle with the Decedent and his radio, extra magazine, and taser were scattered and missing. Upon arriving at the scene, Deputy Apple searched for Shamblin's missing equipment which took several minutes.
City of Porum Police officers Jack Denny and Jerome Wildcat responded to dispatch at approximately 11:54 p.m. and arrived at the scene at approximately 11:58 p.m. Upon arriving at the scene, Officers Denny and Wildcat relieved an exhausted Shamblin in attempting to maintain control of the Decedent, who continued to struggle. Denny noted that Shamblin was covered in mud and his eyes were almost completely swollen shut. It was later determined that the Decedent had fractured Shamblin's left orbital eye socket. Officer Denny placed one knee on the Decedent's lower back and the other knee on the top of the Decedent's shoulders. Officer Wildcat straddled the Decedent's lower legs with his knees on the Decedent's calves. The Decedent continued to struggle and Denny repeatedly told him to stop fighting.
Officer Shamblin and Deputy Apple then went to the trunk of his patrol vehicle and retrieved some additional restraints for transporting the Decedent. When Deputy Apple returned with the restraints, the Decedent was still combative. He was kicking, writhing, yelling and cursing, he bit at Officer Denny's legs, and he attempted to grab Officer Wildcat's firearm from his drop holster. Deputy Apple then shackled the Decedent's ankles and stood on the chain so that he could not kick his legs.
As the other officers were finishing securing the additional restraints, the Decedent suddenly became unconscious. He had continued to struggle and vocalize up until that time. He had stopped breathing and the officers could not get a pulse. Officer Shamblin began CPR. Ruby Lindsey, who had CPR training, requested the officers to remove the handcuffs and lay the Decedent flat on his back. They did so and she again began to perform CPR on the Decedent with the assistance of the officers. Alyssa Hafenbrack, who was in nursing school, also assisted. Deputy Apple attempted to contact EMS through his radio, but he was not able to do so due to bad reception. Muskogee County Sheriff's Deputy Robert Jackson arrived at the scene at approximately 12:06 a.m. After exiting his vehicle, he heard someone say "he's not breathing," so, Jackson notified dispatch to alert EMS at approximately 12:07 a.m. The officers, Hafenbrack, and Lindsey continued to perform CPR on the Decedent until EMS arrived.
EMS arrived at approximately 12:14 a.m., and took over the scene. The Decedent was then transported to the Eastar Hospital. The Decedent was pronounced dead at the hospital at approximately 1:07 a.m.
At all times relevant to Plaintiffs' claims, Deputy Apple was a CLEET certified law enforcement officer who had extensive training in custody and control and the use of force.
The MCSO has written use of force and arrest policies which require deputies to use only such force as is necessary to overcome any resistance in handcuffing an arrestee. The policies reiterate the Oklahoma Statutes' requirement that arrestees are "not to be subjected to any more restraint than is necessary for his arrest and detention." The policies further prohibit deputies from mistreating persons in their custody either physically or psychologically and require them to assure that such persons receive medical treatment when it is apparent that such treatment is immediately needed.
III. ANALYSIS
A. Plaintiffs' 42 U.S.C. § 1983 Claim
The Plaintiffs assert a claim against the Defendant Board arising under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Specifically, the Plaintiffs allege that the Decedent's rights under the Fourth Amendment were violated by the alleged unlawful use of excessive force.
Plaintiffs also assert a claim for violation of the Decedent's right to substantive due process under the Fourteenth Amendment. However, a substantive due process claim based upon an alleged violation of a more particularized constitutional right must be analyzed in terms of the more specific right. See Graham v. Connor, 490 U.S. 386, 395, 109 S.Ct. 1865, 104 L.Ed.2d 443 (1989). Accordingly, there is no need to address Plaintiffs' substantive due process claims separately from their excessive force claim.
Section 1983 creates no substantive civil rights, but rather only provides a procedural mechanism for enforcing rights established elsewhere. See Albright v. Oliver, 510 U.S. 266, 271, 114 S.Ct. 807, 127 L.Ed.2d 114 (1994); Gallegos v. City and County of Denver, 984 F. 2d 358, 362 (10th Cir. 1993). See also Miller v. Hawver, 474 F. Supp. 441, 442 n.1 (D. Colo. 1979) (§ 1983 is not a general or common law tort claims statute). To sustain a § 1983 claim, Plaintiff must present "specific allegations of fact indicating a deprivation of rights, instead of a litany of general conclusions that shock but have no meaning." Barr v. Abrams, 810 F. 2d 358, 363 (2nd Cir. 1987).
First and foremost, the Plaintiffs must show an underlying violation or the Decedent's constitutional rights by some employee or office of the Defendant Board before municipal liability can be imposed against it. In Hinton v. City of Elwood, 997 F.2d 774, 782 (10th Cir. 1993), the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals held that "[a] municipality may not be held liable where there was no underlying constitutional violation by any of its officers." (Citations omitted.) This is so "regardless of whether the municipality's policies might have 'authorized' such harm." Id. (citing City of Los Angeles v. Heller, 475 U.S. 796, 799, 106 S.Ct. 1571, 89 L.Ed.2d 806 (1986)); see also Walker v. City of Orem, 451 F.3d 1139, 1152 (10th Cir. 2006) (a plaintiff suing a county under section 1983 for the actions of one of its officers must demonstrate that a municipal employee committed a constitutional violation); Livsey v. Salt Lake County, 275 F.3d 952, 958 (10th Cir. 2001) (defendants' actions did not violate constitutional rights and could not have caused the county to be held liable based on their actions). Here, Plaintiffs' have failed to demonstrate any underlying violation of the Decedent's constitutional rights by the Defendant Board's employee, Deputy Apple.
In Graham v. Connor, 490 U.S. 386, 396-97, 109 S. Ct. 1865 (1989), the Supreme Court stated:
Determining whether the force used to effect a particular seizure is reasonable under the Fourth Amendment requires a careful balancing of the nature and quality of the intrusion on the individual's Fourth Amendment interests against the countervailing governmental interests at stake.... Because the test of reasonableness under the Fourth Amendment is not capable of precise definition or mechanical application ... its proper application requires careful attention to the facts and circumstances of each particular case, including the severity of the crime at issue, whether the suspect poses an immediate threat to the safety of the officers or others, and whether he is actively resisting arrest or attempting to evade arrest by flight...The 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.... With respect to a claim of excessive force, the same standard of reasonableness at the moment applies: Not every push or shove, even if it may later seem unnecessary in the peace of a judge's chambers, violates the Fourth Amendment. The calculus of reasonableness must embody allowance for the fact 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. As in other Fourth Amendment contexts, however, the reasonableness inquiry in an excessive force case is an objective one: the question is whether the officers' actions are objectively reasonable in light of the facts and circumstances confronting them, without regard to their underlying intent or motivation. An officer's evil intentions will not make a Fourth Amendment violation out of an objectively reasonable use of force; nor will an officer's good intentions make an objectively unreasonable use of force constitutional.
"Thus, the excessive force inquiry evaluates the force used in a given arrest or detention against the force reasonably necessary to effect a lawful arrest or detention under the circumstances of the case." Cortez v. McCauley, 478 F.3d 1108, 1126 (10th Cir. 2007).
Here, Plaintiffs have no evidence that Deputy Apple used excessive force against the Decedent. The only evidence of any force used by Deputy Apple upon the Decedent was that he placed shackles upon the Decedent's ankles and stood on the chain for a brief period to prevent the Decedent from kicking his legs. However, such action was objectively reasonable in light of the totality of circumstances known to Deputy Apple. The Decedent had assaulted and fought with Officer Shamblin and had continually struggled against the officers attempting to effectuate his arrest, kicking, writhing, yelling and cursing, biting at officers, attempting to grab Officer Wildcat's weapon, and encouraging bystanders to attack Officer Shamblin. Under these circumstances, it was eminently reasonable for Deputy Apple to shackle and immobilize the Decedent's legs. Moreover, there is no evidence that Deputy Apple placed the shackles on the Decedent's ankles in an excessively forceful manner.
Aside from placing shackles on the Decedent's ankles, Plaintiffs have no evidence that Deputy Apple used any force against the Decedent whatsoever. Plaintiffs claim that Apple used or facilitated the use of a taser on the Decedent. (Dkt. 159, p. 6). However, there is no evidence which supports that claim. Plaintiffs speculate that a taser was used based on the testimony of David Lynch and Ruby Lindsey. Mr. Lynch testified that while officers were on the Decedent's back he observed the Decedent make an "uh" sound and his body shake. (Dkt 144-18, 57:11-58:8). Ms. Lindsey testified that she saw "sparks," but she admits that she does not even know if a taser creates sparks. (Dkt. 144-19, 85:25-86:3). Regardless, there is no indication of any sparks in the video of the incident. Nor does the audio contain the distinctive clicking noise of a taser being deployed. (Dkt. 149-2). Ms. Lindsey claims that when she performed CPR on the Decedent she observed taser "strings," but she admits that she does not know when a taser was deployed. (Dkt. 144-19, 87:11-14).
Plaintiffs also insinuate that Deputy Apple was behaving in a nefarious manner. At one point in the videos, someone is heard asking, "Is that thing recording." (Dkt. 149-2 at 3:40-3:45). Plaintiffs claim that it is Apple who makes this statement and that this statement is an indication of concern about being recorded while tasing the Decedent. (Dkt. 157, p. 11, 25-27). However, it is not clear who is speaking in the video or what they were referring to. Even if it is Apple who is speaking, it would be pure speculation and conjecture to suggest that the comment was in reference to tasing.
Plaintiffs further claim that Deputy Apple lied about the taser. Plaintiffs allege that Apple has given three different accounts of where the taser was found. (Dkt. 159, p. 12). However, this is not accurate. Apple maintained in a follow-up interview with OSBI and in his deposition that the taser was found under the right leg of the Decedent. (Dkt. 144-11, 17:9-23). Lastly, Plaintiffs further insinuate that Apple somehow interfered with the taser data such that it was corrupted. (Dkt. 157, p. 25). However, there is no evidence that Apple or any of the other officers attempted to interfere with or damage the taser. The taser's data could not be recovered for a number of reasons. In fact, the OSBI report on the taser traced the problems with this taser back to September 3, 2011, years before the events in this case. (Doc. 144-22, p. 183-186).
Plaintiffs argue that Deputy Apple can be held liable for a violation of the Decedent's constitutional rights under § 1983 because he acted "in concert [with the other officers] to effectuate and permit a combination of constitutionally-impermissible restraint techniques on Cody Lynch..." (Dkt. 157, p. 26, emphasis original). However, contrary to Plaintiffs' assertion, there is no evidence that Deputy Apple actively participated in concert with the other officers to effectuate a combination of unconstitutional restraint techniques.
Plaintiffs repeatedly assert that the Decedent was subjected to an unconstitutional hog-tie restraint. However, there was evidence the Decedent was hog-tied.. The Tenth Circuit defines a "hog-tie restraint" as "the binding of the ankles to the wrists, behind the back, with 12 inches or less of separation." Cruz v. City of Laramaie, Wyo., 239 F.3d 1183, 1188 (10th Cir. 2001). Here, Plaintiffs claim that the waist belt applied by Officer Shamblin only allows 7-16 inches of space between a suspect's hands and ankles. (Dkt. 157, p. 13). However, the evidence irrefutably demonstrates that the apparatus when applied allows 16" of space between the ankles and hands. (Dkt. 148-8). Additionally, the video evidence provides no support for Plaintiffs' claim that the decedent was hogtied. (Dkt. 149-2). There is nothing in the video demonstrating that the Decedent's hands and feet were tied together. (Dkt. 149-2 4:00 - 5:56). Rather, the Decedent's ankles were secured to the restraint belt, not his wrists. Indeed, Plaintiff's own expert, Bob Prevot, testified himself that no hogtying occurred in this case. (Dkt. 185-1, at 211:10-14).
Furthermore, there is no evidence that the other officers used excessive force against the Decedent. Deputy Apple observed the other officers only using the amount of force that was necessary to control the Decedent who continued to struggle throughout the encounter. (Dkt. 144-11, p. 35:13-21; p. 66:14-17; p. 77:14-16; 78:7-17; p. 114:13-20; p. 116:16-21; p. 126:18 - p. 127:3; p. 127:8-11). Apple did not observe Decedent's face down in the ground (Dkt. 144-11, p. 68:25 - p. 69:1; p. 72:20-24; p. 73:21 - p. 74:2; p. 78:18-24; p. 116:22 - p. 117:1; p. 126:4-10; p. 126:15-17). Plaintiff David Lynch did not believe that any of the officers held the Decedent's head in the mud. (Dkt. 185-2, video of David Lynch at 8:50 to 9:06). Plaintiff's expert further testified that, during the period of time that Apple was present, he did not see evidence in the videos that Officer Denny, Officer Wildcat, Officer Shamblin, or Apple put their body on the Decedent's neck for the six (6) minute period prior to him going unconscious. (Dkt. 185-1, at 213:24 - 214:7).
Furthermore, even if there were some question of facts as to whether the other officers' actions may have constituted excessive force, there is no evidence that Deputy Apple acted in concert with them to effectuate such a use of force. Rather, Deputy Apple's role in the incident was limited to placing shackles upon the Decedent's ankles and standing on the chain for a brief period to prevent the Decedent from kicking his legs. Neither of the Plaintiffs can identify any action by Deputy Apple which caused or contributed to the Decedent's death. (Dkt. 144-17, p. 27:20-22; p. 57:20 - p. 58:9; p. 60:3-16; Dkt. 144-18, p. 136:17 - p. 137:7). The Deputy Medical Examiner, Dr. Niblo, also testified that Deputy Apple did not do anything that caused or contributed to the Decedent's death. (Dkt. 144-13, p. 180:15-24; p. 181:13 -p. 182:3). Likewise, Plaintiffs' own use-of-force expert, Bob Prevot, had no criticisms of Deputy Apple's actions in this case. (Dkt. 185-1, at 208:18 - 209:1).
Plaintiffs also argue that Deputy Apple can be held liable for violation of the Decedent's constitutional rights under § 1983 because he failed to render or obtain medical aid for the Decedent. (Dkt. 157, p. 31). However, Plaintiffs' assertion in this regard is without factual support. Contrary to Plaintiffs' contentions, the video evidence clearly shows Shamblin begin CPR on the Decedent. Furthermore, when it appeared that the Decedent may not be breathing, Deputy Apple attempted to contact EMS through his radio, but he was not able to do so due to bad reception. As his lieutenant approached the scene he yelled for him to summon an ambulance and they worked to get EMS to the scene. (Dkt. 144-11, 26:2-23).
Plaintiffs further argue that Deputy Apple can be held liable for violation of the Decedent's constitutional rights under § 1983 for the failure to intervene to stop the other officers' alleged use of excessive force against the Decedent. (Dkt. 157, p. 27). However, Plaintiffs' "failure to intervene" claim was not raised in the Complaint (Dkt. 3-2) and is asserted for the first time in response to the Defendants' summary judgment motions. As such, the claim has been waived and should be disregarded. See Lawmaster v. Ward, 125 F.3d 1341, 1346 n.2 (10 Cir. 1997) (citing Charles v. Rice, 28 F.3d 1312, 1319 (1st Cir. 1994)).
Regardless, there are simply no facts which would support such a claim. An officer who fails to intervene to prevent a fellow officer's use of excessive force may be held liable under § 1983. See Fogarty v. Gallegos, 523 F.3d 1147, 1164 (10th Cir. 2008). However, an officer's mere presence at the scene where an unlawful use of excessive force is committed by a fellow officer is insufficient to support liability under such a theory. Rather, the officer must have had a realistic opportunity to prevent the alleged use of excessive force before liability may be imposed. Id. (citations omitted). Here, there is simply no evidence that Deputy Apple had a realistic opportunity or need to intervene. Again, Apple observed the other officers only using the amount of force that was necessary to control the Decedent who continued to struggle throughout the encounter. (Dkt. 144-11, p. 35:13-21; p. 66:14-17; p. 77:14-16; 78:7-17; p. 114:13-20; p. 116:16-21; p. 126:18 - p. 127:3; p. 127:8-11). He was not present during the first 14 minutes of the encounter when the Decedent was struggling with Officer Shamblin. Apple was present for the approximately five (5) minute period before the Decedent went unconscious. Plaintiff's expert testified that, during that period of time, he did not see evidence in the videos that Officer Denny, Officer Wildcat, Officer Shamblin, or Apple put their body on the Decedent's neck for the six (6) minute period prior to him going unconscious. (Dkt. 185-1, at 213:24 - 214:7). Plaintiffs argue and cite authority holding that officers should not continue to use force against suspects that are subdued. (Dkt. 157, pp. 22-24). However, Plaintiffs admit that the Decedent struggled against the officers throughout the encounter. (Dkt. 144-18, 135:24-136:10).
Accordingly, there is no evidence of an underlying violation of the Decedent's constitutional rights by Deputy Apple and, consequently, no basis for the imposition of § 1983 municipal liability against the Defendant Board.
Regardless, even if the Plaintiffs could establish a violation of the Decedent's constitutional rights by Defendant Apple, the Defendant Board would still nevertheless be entitled to summary judgment with regard to their § 1983 claim. Municipal liability under § 1983 cannot be based upon the doctrine of respondeat superior or vicarious liability. Monell v. New York City Dept. of Social Services, 436 U.S. 658, 694-95, 98 S. Ct. 2018, 56 L. Ed. 2d 611 (1978). In Monell, the Supreme Court held that a governmental entity is only liable under § 1983 when the constitutional injury can fairly be said to have been caused by that entity's own policies and customs. Monell, 436 U.S. at 694. The actions of the governmental entity must be the moving force behind the constitutional violation. Id. The Supreme Court has held that governmental liability for a constitutional violation "attaches where - and only where - the entity makes a deliberate choice to follow a course of action from among various alternatives." Pembaur v. Cincinnati, 475 U.S. 469, 483, 106 S. Ct. 1291, 89 L. Ed. 2d 425 (1986). The municipal defendant may not be held liable in his official capacity simply because it "employs a tortfeasor." Board of County Commissioners of Bryant County, Oklahoma v. Brown, 520 U.S. 397, 403, 117 S. Ct. 1382, 1388, 137 L. Ed. 2d 626 (1997). Additionally, "[t]hat a plaintiff has suffered a deprivation of federal rights at the hands of a municipal employee will not alone permit an inference of municipal culpability and causation." Id. at 406-07. Rather, Monell requires a plaintiff to establish that a policy or custom of the municipality exists and that it caused the alleged constitutional violations. See City of Oklahoma City v. Tuttle, 471 U.S. 808, 821-22, 105 S. Ct. 2427, 85 L. Ed. 2d 791 (1985); see also Hinton v. City of Elwood, 997 F.2d 774, 782 (10th Cir. 1993) (plaintiff must show that there is a direct causal link between the policy or custom and the injury alleged). Additionally, proof of a single isolated incident of an alleged constitutional violation is not sufficient to establish that an unconstitutional policy or custom existed in an agency. Tuttle, 471 U.S. at 821.
Accordingly, in order establish municipal liability against the municipal defendant, Plaintiffs must show that a custom or policy of municipal defendant caused the alleged constitutional violation(s) or that an official with final policy-making authority for the municipal defendant personally participated in the alleged constitutional violation(s). See Jett v. Dallas Independent School District, 491 U.S. 701, 109 S. Ct. 2702, 105 L. Ed. 2d 598 (1989) (municipality cannot be held liable under § 1983 unless the act complained of is that of a final policymaker or a custom or usage is shown). Furthermore, it is not enough for a §1983 plaintiff merely to identify conduct properly attributable to the municipality. Board of County Commissioners v. Brown, 520 U.S. 397, 409 (1997). The plaintiff must also demonstrate that, through its deliberate conduct, the municipality was the "moving force" behind the injury alleged. Id. (emphasis added).
Here, there is no allegation or evidence that the proper official with final policy-making authority, the Sheriff of Muskogee County, personally participated in the alleged constitutional violations. As such, Plaintiffs' claim of municipal liability must be premised upon the alleged existence of some policy, practice, or custom. In that regard, Plaintiffs allege that the Defendant Board and the Muskogee County Sheriff "failed to exercise reasonable care in training its law enforcement personnel regarding excessive force" and that this alleged failure to train "amounts to deliberate indifference to the rights of persons with whom its untrained law enforcement personnel come into contact." (Dkt. 3-2, p. 12, ¶¶ 79-82).
There are limited circumstances where inadequacy in training can be a basis for § 1983 liability. City of Canton v. Harris, 489 U.S. 378, 387, 109 S.Ct. 1197, 103 L.Ed.2d 412 (1989). "A municipality's culpability for a deprivation of rights is at its most tenuous where a claim turns on a failure to train." Connick v. Thompson, 131 S.Ct. 1350, 1359, 179 L.Ed.2d 417 (2011) (citation omitted). Inadequacy in training may serve as the basis for municipal liability under § 1983 "only where the failure to train amounts to deliberate indifference..." to inmate rights. City of Canton, 489 U.S. at 388. "Only where a failure to train reflects a 'deliberate' or 'conscious' choice by a municipality...can a city be liable for such a failure under § 1983." Id. at 389. To establish deliberate indifference to a need for training, Plaintiffs must show that the municipal defendant knew of and disregarded the substantial risk of inadequate training of his employees. Canton, 489 U.S. at 388. It isn't enough to "show that there were general deficiencies in the county's training program for jailers." Lopez v. LeMaster, 172 F.3d 756, 760 (10th Cir. 1999). Rather, a plaintiff must "identify a specific deficiency" that was obvious and "closely related" to his injury. Id.
Here, however, Plaintiffs simply have no evidence of any inadequacies in the training of Defendant Apple. At all times relevant to Plaintiffs' claims, Defendant Apple was a CLEET certified law enforcement officer who had extensive training in custody and control and the use of force. The MCSO also has written use of force and arrest policies which require deputies to use only such force as is necessary to overcome any resistance in handcuffing an arrestee. The policies reiterate the Oklahoma Statutes' requirement that arrestees are "not to be subjected to any more restraint than is necessary for his arrest and detention." The policies further prohibit deputies from mistreating persons in their custody either physically or psychologically and require them to assure that such persons receive medical treatment when it is apparent that such treatment is immediately needed.
Plaintiffs claim that Apple's CLEET training was inadequate; however, there is no evidence which supports that claim. Plaintiffs suggest that CLEET instructs officers to reject positional asphyxia as a possible risk cause of death. (Dkt. 159, pp. 20-21). However, a close review of the CLEET materials cited by Plaintiffs does not support this contention. The CLEET materials contain a section titled "Five Conditions of Sudden In-Custody Death Syndrome" and positional asphyxia is the first condition listed. (Dkt. 146-2, p. 93). Plaintiffs further claim that the Defendant Board's Rule 30(b)(6) witness was unfamiliar with the requirements for CLEET. (Dkt. 159, pp. 22-23). However, this is not probative of whether CLEET certification is inadequate to ensure that deputies are properly trained. Plaintiffs offer no other evidence that CLEET certification is inadequate.
Plaintiffs also claim that Muskogee County Sheriff's Office ("MCSO") trains its personnel to put a knee on the neck of a suspect. (Dkt. 159, p. 21). However, this is inaccurate. While an officer might do that initially to obtain control of a suspect, the evidence shows that MCSO officers are trained to move on from that position and search the suspect. (Dkt. 144-1, 48:15-24). MCSO also trains its deputies to make sure that a suspect that is on the ground has his head turned to the side. (Dkt. 144-1, 106:24-107:5).
Plaintiffs further claim that Muskogee County jail personnel are poorly trained. (Dkt. 159, p. 24). However, Deputy Apple is not a jailer. Furthermore, Plaintiffs' assertion that jailers are poorly trained is based entirely on a prior criminal case regarding Muskogee County jailers treatment of inmates from 2009-2011 -- years before this incident. (Dkt. 147-2). Plaintiffs offer no evidence that this is currently the case. MCSO deputies are CLEET certified and receive proper training on handcuffing techniques through CLEET. (Dkt. 144-1, 117:25-118:23). Deputy Apple acknowledged that he is aware of the policy on arrests and use of force. (Dkt. 144-11, 43:16-44:6). For these reasons, Plaintiffs have no evidence that Deputy Apple was inadequately trained.
Plaintiffs also allege that Defendant Apple's supervisor(s) had "knowledge of a prior pattern of similar incidents" (Dkt. 3-2, p. 13, ¶ 83); that "there exists pattern of similar constitutional violations by the untrained and/or unsupervised [Muskogee County] law enforcement personnel" (Dkt. 3-2, p. 14, ¶ 97); that the municipal defendant "had actual and/or constructive notice that actions and/or failures to act...were substantially certain to result in a constitution violation" (Dkt. 3-2, p. 14, ¶ 98); and that the municipal defendant "consciously or deliberately chose to disregard the risk of harm." (Dkt. 3-2, p. 14, ¶ 99). However, contrary to their allegations, Plaintiffs have no evidence of any prior pattern of similar incidents resulting in violations of citizen rights involving Defendant Apple or any other officer of the Muskogee County Sheriff's Department which would have placed the municipal policy-maker on notice of any need to different or additional training for Defendant Apple.
Plaintiffs claim that the MCSO has a custom or policy of tolerating violations of suspect's constitutional rights. (Dkt. 159, p. 7). However, Plaintiffs' claim in this regard is, again, based entirely on a prior criminal case against two former Muskogee County jailers who were terminated due to their actions. (Dkt. 159, p. 22). The actions of these jailers were contrary to the policy of the MCSO. (Dkt. 147-1, p. 683-687). Dustin Applegate, a fellow jailer who participated in the unlawful actions, testified in the case that he never told Sheriff Pearson about the incidents. (Dkt. 147-1 p. 38). He also testified that these incidents were inconsistent with his training as a law enforcement officer. (Dkt. 147-1 p. 44). Furthermore, these incidents occurred between 2009 and 2011 - years before the 2015 incident at issue in this case. (Dkt. 147-2).
Plaintiffs further claim that MCSO has a policy of violating the mandate in Cruz v. Laramie, 239 F.3d 1183, 1188 (10th Cir. 2001). (Dkt. 159, p. 22). However, this is inaccurate. Cruz stands for the proposition that a less restrictive means than hogtying must be used when dealing with a person with diminished capacity. It does not stand for proposition that the least restrictive means for physical restraint must be used when dealing with a person with diminished capacity. MCSO will "sometimes" use more restraint with a person in a diminished capacity, but not hogtying. (Dkt. 144-1, 114:18-115:7). For these reasons, Plaintiffs have no evidence that MCSO has a custom or policy of violating suspect's constitutional rights.
Accordingly, there is simply no factual basis for any inference of deliberate indifference on the part of the municipal defendant herein. Consequently, the Defendant Board is entitled to summary judgment with regard to Plaintiffs' 42 U.S.C. § 1983 excessive force claim.
B. Plaintiffs' State Law Tort Claim for
Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress
Plaintiffs have asserted a claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress on their own behalf against the Defendant Board. (Dkt. 3-2). The Oklahoma Governmental Tort Claims Act ("OGTCA") is the exclusive remedy by which an injured plaintiff may recover against an Oklahoma governmental entity for its torts and the torts of its employees. Fuller v. Odom, 741 P.2d 449, 451-53 (Okla. 1987); see also Okla. Stat. tit. 51, § 153(B). The OGTCA adopts and reaffirms the sovereign immunity of the state, its political subdivisions, and all employees acting within the scope of their employment. Okla. Stat. tit. 51, § 152.1(A). The state and its political subdivisions consent to suit only to the extent and in the manner provided in the Act. Okla. Stat. tit. 51, § 152.1(B); see also Salazar v. City of Oklahoma City, 976 P.2d 1056, 1065-66 (Okla. 1999). The Defendant Board is a political subdivision under the OGTCA. Okla. Stat. tit. 51, § 152(11)(c). Accordingly, the Defendant Board may be liable for its torts or the torts of its employees in situations where private persons or entities would also be liable under state law. Salazar, at 1066.
Plaintiffs' claim is for their own emotional distress allegedly suffered as a result of witnessing the death of the Decedent, not for the Decedent's emotional distress.
The Defendant Board is immune from suit for Plaintiffs' state law claim of intentional infliction of emotional distress under the terms of the OGTCA because such claim necessarily excludes good faith conduct on the part of Board employees. In this regard, Okla. Stat. tit. 51, § 153(A) of the OGTCA states:
The state or a political subdivision shall be liable for loss resulting from its torts or the torts of its employees acting within the scope of their employment subject to the limitations and exceptions specified in The Governmental Tort Claims Act and only where the state or political subdivision, if a private person or entity, would be liable for money damages under the laws of this state. The state or a political subdivision shall not be liable under the provisions of The Govermental Tort Claims Act for any act or omission of an employee acting outside the scope of the employee's employment. (Emphasis added).
Okla. Stat. tit. 51, § 152(12) defines "scope of employment" as:
. . . performance by an employee acting in good faith within the duties of the employee's office or employment or of tasks lawfully assigned by a competent authority including the operation or use of an agency vehicle or equipment with actual or implied consent of the supervisor of the employee, but shall not include corruption or fraud...(Emphasis added).
The Oklahoma Supreme Court in Fehring v. State Insurance Fund, 19 P.3d 276, 283 (Okla. 2001) held that when "the tort cause of action sued upon requires proof of an element that necessarily excludes good faith conduct on the part of governmental employees, there can be no liability against the governmental entity in a GTCA-based suit." Id. (citing DeCorte v. Robinson, 969 P.2d 358, 362 (Okla. 1998)). The Court in Fehring, went on to hold that the plaintiff in that case could not recover damages from the City for a claim of malicious prosecution. The Fehring court's reasoning was that if the officer's actions were in bad faith, then he was outside the scope of his employment and the City would not be liable. Id. at 284. The courts have continually held that pursuant to the OGTCA, a political subdivision is not liable for the acts of its officers or employees when they are committed in bad faith or in a malicious manner. Nail v. City of Henryetta, 911 P.2d 914, 917 (Okla. 1996); Parker v. City of Midwest City, 850 P.2d 1065 (Okla. 1993). Likewise, political subdivisions are immune from liability for tort claims of intentional infliction of emotional distress because the claim is one which requires proof of an element which necessarily excludes good faith conduct on the part of political subdivision employees. See McMullen v. City of Del City, 920 P.2d 528, 531 (Okla. Ct. Civ. App. 1996).
Furthermore, Plaintiffs cannot recover for their own emotional distress under this theory because they were bystanders who suffered no physical injuries in the alleged incident.
Damages for mental anguish caused by witnessing the suffering of a third party may be compensable where the plaintiff also suffers physical injuries in the same accident which caused the third party's injuries. To support a cause of action for intentional infliction of emotional distress, it must be established that: 1) the plaintiff was directly physically involved in the incident; 2) the plaintiff was damaged from actually viewing the injury to another rather than from learning of the accident later; and 3) a familial or other close personal relationship existed between the plaintiff and the party whose injury gave rise to the plaintiff's mental anguish.Kraszewski v. Baptist Med. Ctr. of Oklahoma, Inc., 916 P.2d 241, 250 (Okla. 1996). Here, there is no allegation or evidence that the Plaintiffs were directly physically involved in the alleged use of excessive force against the Decedent. Rather, Plaintiffs' allegations make it clear that they were bystanders who merely witnessed the incident "from a distance of several yards." (Dkt. 3-2, p. 7, ¶ 41; p. 26, ¶ 175). Nor is there any allegation or evidence that the Plaintiffs suffered any physical injury as a result of the incident.
Plaintiffs cite Cleveland v. Dyn-A-Mite Pest Control, Inc., 57 P.3d 119, 131 n. 8 (Okla. Civ. App. 2002) as distinguishing the Kraszewski case as only "addressing emotional distress which is negligently inflicted" and holding that claims for intentional infliction of emotional distress require no showing of physical injury on the part of the plaintiff. (Dkt. 157., p. 33). However, both Plaintiffs' argument and the Cleveland court's notation are mistaken in that first regard. The Kraszewski case did indeed address claims of intentional infliction of emotional distress and held that such claims were not available to bystanders Kraszewski, supra. Because the Plaintiffs in this case were bystanders and were not physically involved in the alleged acts of the Defendant, they do not have actionable claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress on their own behalf.
Moreover, the Plaintiffs have filed suit as next of kin of the Decedent and as Co-Special Administrators of the Estate of the Decedent, and not on their own behalf. As such, Plaintiffs lack standing in this lawsuit, as filed, to assert a claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress on their own behalf and this Court, therefore, lacks jurisdiction over that claim.
While Oklahoma's wrongful death statute provides for damages for grief of the surviving spouse and parents of the decedent (Okla. Stat. tit. 12, § 1053(B)), a claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress for their benefit is not contemplated and not actionable thereunder. As discussed further below, the wrongful death statute does not expand the scope of claims, but merely entitles someone to bring what the decedent could have brought himself had he survived. Had the Decedent in this case survived, he certainly would not have been entitled to bring a claim for alleged intentional infliction of emotional distress on behalf of the Plaintiffs.
Accordingly, the Defendant Board is entitled to summary judgment with regard to Plaintiffs' claim of intentional infliction of emotional distress.
In their Response to the Defendant Board's Motion, the Plaintiffs indicated that they would be filing a voluntary dismissal of their claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress against the Defendant Board. However, to date, no such dismissal has been filed.
C. Plaintiffs' State Law Tort Excessive Force Claim
Oklahoma uses the same "objective reasonableness" standard of care for state law tort excessive force claims as is used for federal excessive force claims. See Morales v. City of Oklahoma City, 230 P.3d 869, at 878-881 (Okla. 2010). Here, as discussed above, Plaintiffs simply have no evidence that Defendant Apple used excessive force against the Decedent. The extremely limited amount of force used by Defendant Apple upon the Decedent was objectively reasonable under the totality of circumstances known to Defendant Apple. Accordingly, the Defendant Board is entitled to summary judgment with regard to Plaintiffs' state law tort excessive force claim.
However, in addition to the three (3) specific factors identified in Graham, Morales identifies four additional specific factors which must be considered as part of the totality of the circumstances: "(4) the known character of the arrestee; (5) the existence of alternative methods of accomplishing the arrest; (6) the physical size, strength and weaponry of the officers compared to those of the suspect; and (7) the exigency of the moment. Morales, at 880.
D. Plaintiffs' Oklahoma Constitutional Excessive Force Claim
In Bosh v. Cherokee Cnty. Bldg. Auth., 305 P.3d 994, 1001 (Okla. 2013), the Oklahoma Supreme Court recognized a limited private right of action arising under Okla. Const. Art. 2, § 30 for claims of excessive force against pre-trial detainees. However, in Perry v. City of Norman, 341 P.3d 689 (Okla. 2014) the Oklahoma Supreme Court found that Bosh does not provide a private right of action where a cause of action under the OGTCA is available. In Perry, the plaintiff claimed that police officers used excessive against him during an arrest. The plaintiff asserted a Bosh claim alleging a violation of his rights under Okla. Const. Art. 2, § 30. The Oklahoma Supreme Court noted that the inmate plaintiff in Bosh was completely barred from bringing suit under the OGTCA because it provided complete tort immunity for claims arising out of the operation of prison facilities. The court found that, unlike the situation in Bosh, employer liability for a police officer's use of excessive force during an arrest was well-settled under the OGTCA and held that: "There is no rationale requiring the extension of a Bosh excessive force action brought under Okla. Const. art. 2, § 30 to his cause." Id. at 693.
The same rationale applies to the Plaintiffs' purported Oklahoma constitutional claim herein. As Perry itself makes clear, governmental liability for claims of excessive force by police officers (outside of a detention facility) is well-settled under the OGTCA. Because such causes of action are not completely barred under the OGTCA, the rationale underlying Bosh does not apply and Plaintiffs do not have a private right of action for excessive force under Okla. Const. Art. 2, § 30.
In response, Plaintiffs argue that the Bosh decision "looks not only at the availability of a remedy, but also the adequacy of the remedy" (Dkt. 159, p. 35, emphasis original), that their remedy under the OGTCA is inadequate because of the OGTCA's damage caps, and that they, therefore, they have a right of action pursuant to Bosh. However, Plaintiffs cite no legal authority whatsoever in support of this argument. Contrary to their contention, the Bosh opinion simply does not address the issue of the adequacy of remedies under the OGTC. Furthermore, the Oklahoma Supreme Court has held that the OGTCA's damage caps are not arbitrary and do not violate constitutional rights to equal protection or due process. See Wilson v. Gipson, 753 P.2d 1349 (Okla. 1988). Not only is Plaintiffs' argument without any legal support, it is directly contrary to the Oklahoma Supreme Court's holding in Perry. Moreover, Plaintiffs' argument in this regard is completely undermined by the fact that any Oklahoma constitutional claim by Plaintiffs would also be subject to the OGTCA's damage caps. See Okla. Stat. tit. 51, § 153(B).
Plaintiffs further argue that "Defendant has made the self-defeating argument that 'Plaintiffs' state-law tort claims [under the GTCA] fail" and that "in the unlikely event that Defendant prevails on the latter argument, his [sic] argument that Plaintiffs cannot proceed under Bosh would be moot." (Dkt. 159, p. 36). However, just because the Defendant Board is entitled to summary judgment with regard to Plaintiffs' state law excessive force tort claim does not mean that Plaintiffs had no initially available state law remedy as discussed in the Perry decision and, therefore, have private right of action under Bosh. As the court explained in Perry, it provided incarcerated individuals with a private right of action for excessive force under the Oklahoma Constitution in Bosh because such individuals were deprived of a state law remedy ab initio due the complete tort immunity provided by the OGTCA's jail exemption. However, non-incarcerated individuals are not so deprived and have a well-recognized claim for excessive force under the OGTCA, and thus have no need for an additional remedy. Plaintiffs have asserted a state law excessive force claim in this case - an additional Bosh claim would be redundant.
Plaintiffs have failed to provide any legal authority which supports their contention that they have a private right of action for excessive force under the Oklahoma Constitution. Consequently, their Bosh claim against the Defendant Board must fail.
E. Plaintiffs' Wrongful Death Claim and Plaintiff
Holly Lynch's State Law Claim for Loss of Consortium
Oklahoma's wrongful death statute, Okla. Stat. tit. 12, § 1053, reads in relevant part:
A. When the death of one is caused by the wrongful act or omission of another, the personal representative of the former may maintain an action therefor against the latter, or his or her personal representative if he or she is also deceased, if the former might have maintained an action, had he or she lived, against the latter, or his or her representative, for an injury for the same act or omission. The action must be commenced within two (2) years.
Oklahoma's wrongful death statute "...does not expand the scope of claims or the number of persons entitled to bring an action, but merely entitles someone to bring what the decedent could have brought himself." Econ. Fire & Cas. Co. v. Faulkner, 790 F. Supp. 1082, 1085 (W.D. Okla. 1991) aff'd, 951 F.2d 1258 (10th Cir. 1991). "Before there is liability under the wrongful death statute, the deceased must have had a right of recovery for the injury at the time of his death." White v. Equity Fire & Cas. Co., 823 P.2d 953, 954 (OK CIV APP 1991) (citing Haws v. Luethje, 503 P.2d 871, 874-75 (Okla.1972)).
Thus, whether or not Plaintiffs have a viable claim against the Defendant Board under Oklahoma's wrongful death statute depends entirely upon whether or not the Decedent would have had an otherwise viable underlying claim against the Defendant Board under state law. Accordingly, because the Defendant Board is entitled to summary judgment with regard to Plaintiffs' state law claims as set forth herein, it is also entitled to summary judgment with regard to Plaintiffs' claims under the wrongful death statute.
Plaintiffs' federal § 1983 claims cannot be brought under Oklahoma's wrongful death statute. See Berry v. City of Muskogee, 900 F.2d 1489, 1506-07 (10th Cir. 1990).
Likewise, Plaintiff Holly Lynch's claim for loss of consortium is not an independent legal claim, but is rather a statutorily defined quantum of damages in Oklahoma's wrongful death statute and is entirely derivative of the Decedent's right of recovery for his injury at the time of his death. See Okla. Stat. tit. 12, § 1053(B); Little v. State Farm Fire and Cas. Co., 857 P.2d 65 (Okla. 1993). Because the Defendant Board is entitled to summary judgment with regard to Plaintiffs' state law claims as set forth herein, it is also entitled to summary judgment with regard to Plaintiff Holly Lynch's loss of consortium claim.
Moreover, because Plaintiff Holly Lynch has filed suit as next of kin of the Decedent and as Co-Special Administrator of the Estate of the Decedent, and not on her own behalf, she lacks standing to assert a claim for loss of consortium in this lawsuit, as filed. --------
IV. CONCLUSION
Accordingly, for the reasons set forth above, the Court hereby GRANTS the Defendant Board of County Commissioners of Muskogee County ex rel. Muskogee County Sheriff's Department's Motion for Summary Judgment [Dkt. 76].
IT IS SO ORDERED this 21st day of March, 2018.
/s/_________
James H. Payne
United States District Judge
Eastern District of Oklahoma