FILEDINCLERK'SOFFICE

U.S.D.C.-Gainesville
INTHEUNITEDSTATESDISTRICTCOURT
FORTHENORTHERNDISTRICTOFGEORGIA
AUG 22013
GAINESVILLEDIVISION
Cll'
DENNISMARX,ProSe,and
By:yIt!.ki JJ
*
.uty r:
onbehalfofthe
*
CITIZENSOFFORSYTHCOUNTY,
* CIVILRIGHTSCOMPLAINT
STATEOFGEORGIAandALL
* 42V.S.C 1983
CITIZENSOFTHEUNITEDSTATES
* CIVILNO.
OFAMERICA
*
Plaintiff(s).
*
*
v.
*
*
FORSYTHCOUNTYSHERIFF'SOFFICE.
.,.
SGT.ROBERTHEAGERTY,Badge#2381 *
OFFICERR.J.WIGGINS,Badge#2514 *
OFFICERN.SPRAGUE,Badge#2474 *
SGT.J.B.MOORE,Badge#2422 *
DEPUTYRICHARDTHOMPSON,Badge#2491*
DFCJ.BELL,Badge#2561 *
DEPUTYJ.WHITWORTH,Badge#2513 *
DEPUTYM.HESTER,Badge#2651 *
DEPUTYM.YOUNG,Badge#2711 *
DEPUTYG.CANNON,Badge#2677 *
DEPUTYS.MADDOX,Badge#2412 *
DEPUTYKEVINPITTMAN,Badge#2662 *
SGT.M.MCCARRON,Badge#2416 *
INVESTIGATORD.BLEISATH,Badge#2311 *
INVESTIGATORT.HAWKINS,Badge#2380 *
INVESTIGATORSCOTTBOGUS,Badge#2692*
LT.AUGUSTOSESAM,Badge#2463 *
LT.TODDMALONEY,Badge#2413 *
SGT.GARYCLARK,Badge#2325 *
LT.SAMBOONE,Badge#2313 *
SGT.CHRISTOPHERSHELTON,Badge#2464*
SGT.WILLIAMLORING,Badge#2410 *
LT.JODYCHAPMAN,Badge#2323 *
SGT.JEREMYCOOK,Badge#2830 *
DETECTIVETHOMAST.LITTLEBadge#2556*
FORSYTHCOUNTYS.W.A.T.TEAM, *
FCSHERIFFSDUANEPIPERand *
TEDPAXTONand *
FORSYTHCOUNTY,ET.AL. *
Defendants. *
Case 2:13-cv-00175-RWS Document 1 Filed 08/02/13 Page 1 of 11
A.JURISDICTION
1.Jurisdictionisproperinthiscourtaccordingto:
42U.S.C.1983
2.DENNISMARX,PLAINTIFF
ISACITIZENOFTHESTATEOFGEORGIA,COUNTYOFFORSYTH
PRESENTMAILINGADDRESS:1405LAKESIDETRAIL,CUMMING,
GEORGIA30041
3.FORSYTHCOUNTYSHERIFF'SOFFICEandit'sEMPLOYEES
ARECITIZENSOFGEORGIA,COUNTYOFFORSYTH
ANDAREEMPLOYEDASOFFICERSATTHEFORSYTHCOUNTYSHERIFF'S
OFFICElocatedat475TRIBBLEGAPROAD,CUMMING,GEORGIA
Wasthedefendantactingundertheauthorityorcolorofstatelawatthetimethese
claimsoccurred?YES
COMPLAINT
COMESNOW,DENNISMARX,Prose,penonallyandonbehalfof the
CITIZENSOFFORSYTHCOUNTY,STATEOFGEORGIAandALL
CITIZENSOFTHEUNITEDSTATESOFAMERICA,Plaintiff(s)intheabove-
styledactionandmakesthisComplaintagainsttheabove-namedDefendants,including
butnotlimitedtoSgt.RobertHeagerty,DetectiveThomasT.Little,DFC.J.Bell,Jail
Personnel,ForsythCountyS.W.A.T.Team,ForsythCountySheriff'sOffice,475Tribble
GapRoad,Cumming,Countyof Forsyth,Stateof Georgia,ET.AL.,bothintheir
capacityasofficialcivilservantsandindividuallyshowingthefollowing:
INTRODUCTION
THEFORSYTHCOUNTYSTATEOFGEORGIASHERIFF'SOFFICEandS.W.A.T.
TEAMET.AL.hasengagedandcontinuestoengageinunconstitutionalandunlawful
activitythatistheproductofpervasiveandlongstandinginstitutionalfailures.These
unlawfulpracticesincludebutarenotlimitedto:42u.s.c.1983
FCSOOfficersUseof ExcessiveForceDuringRoutinePoliceActivitiesinViolationof the
FourthAmendment.
(1) Thepatternorpracticeofillegalactivityallegedin thisComplaintistheproductof
anongoingfailurebytheForsythCountySheriff'sOffice(FCSO)toprovideFCSO
officerswiththenecessaryguidance,training,andtoolstoengageinconstitutional
andeffectivelawenforcement;
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(2) apatternorpracticeofusingexcessiveforceduringroutinepoliceactivities;
(3) apatternorpracticeof relyingonunreasonableforceand"equipmentmalfunctions";
(4) apatternorpracticeofconductingunlawfulsearchesandseizures;
(5) apatternorpracticeofviolatingFourthandFourteenthAmendmentsintheconduct
ofit'sofficialpublicdutiesindirectviolationoftheConstitutionof theUnitedStates
of Americaandit'sCitizens.42U.S.C. 1983
(6) ThisactionisbroughttoenforcetheFirst,Fourth,andFourteenthAmendmentstothe
UnitedStatesConstitution,andtheViolentCrimeControlandLawEnforcementAct
of1994,42U.S.C. 14141.
(7) PlaintiffseeksdeclaratoryandinjunctiverelieftoremedyDefendantandForsyth
CountySheriff'sOfficeET.AL.'songoingandcontinuingviolationsof thelawand
toensurethatFCSOimplementssustainablereformsestablishingconstitutionaland
effectivepolicingpractices.
(8) Plaintiffallegesthefollowing:
I. DEFENDANTS
(9) DefendantFCSOET.AL. isalawenforcementagencyandagentof theCountyof
ForsythwithintheStateofGeorgia,oneof theUnitedStatesofAmerica.FCSO,ina
publictrustposition,providesgeneralpolicingandlawenforcementthroughoutthe
CountyofForsythwithintheStateofGeorgia,UnitedStatesofAmerica.
II. JURISDICTIONANDVENUE
(10) ThisCourthasjurisdictionofthisactionunder28U.S.C. 1331 and 1345.
(11) PlaintiffisauthorizedtoinitiatethissuitundertheViolentCrimeControland
LawEnforcementActof1994,42U.S.C. 14141 (" 14141").
(12) Declaratoryandinjunctiverelieftorestorethestatus quo ante is soughtas
authorizedby42U.S.C. 14141(b).
(13) VenueisproperintheNorthernDistrictof theStateofGeorgia,Cityof
Gainesville,Stateof Georgia,andUnitedStatesof Americapursuantto28U.S.C.
1391.DefendantsForsythCountySheriff'sOfficeET.AL. officiallyoperateand
resideinForsythCounty,StateofGeorgiaandasubstantialpartoftheeventsor
omissionsgivingrisetothisclaimoccurredinForsythCounty,StateofGeorgia.
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ID.FACTUALALLEGATIONS
(14) Fromatleast2000tothepresent.FCSOofficershaveengagedinapatternor
practiceof unconstitutionalandillegalacts,includingtheuseofexcessiveforce
duringroutinepoliceactivities,theuseofexcessiveforceinresponsetoindividuals
engagedinprotectedspeechacts,unlawfulsearchesandseizures,anddiscriminatory
policing.IndirectviolationofHumanRights,theconditionsincarceratedinmates
(whichincludesthoseCitizenswhoareaccusedandstillpresumedinnocent,under
theguiseofTheConstitutionoftheUnitedStates)aresubjectedtoincludebutare
notlimitedto: sewagebackupsextendingacrossthefloorforhours,sometimesdays
atatime,denialof medicalcaretothepointwhere'grievances'mustbefiledpriorto
evenbeingallowedto seekmedicalcare,lackof medicalcare'duetobudget
deficits',Denialof a'privatearea'toconferwithcounsel,etc.
(15) TheunlawfulactsbyFCSOofficersconstituteapatternorpracticeof
unconstitutionalconductthatdeprivestheresidentsof ForsythCounty,UnitedStates
ofAmerica,of therights,privileges,andimmunitiessecuredandprotectedbythe
Constitutionandfederal laws.
(16) Defendantshavefailedtocorrecttheimmediatecausesandcontributing
factorsofunlawfulactivitybyFCSOofficers.Defendantsdonotcurrentlyprovide
FCSOofficerswithsufficientorappropriatepolicyguidanceortrainingasitrelates
totheuseof force,detention,searchesandseizures,andbias-freepolicing.Assuch,
FCSO'sunlawfulactivityisnotisolatedtoaparticularunitorrankofFCSOofficers.
FCSOsupervisorsareoftenenablersordirectparticipantsintheunconstitutionalacts
describedthroughoutthisComplaint.
(17) Defendantshavealsofailedtocreateasystemtoadequatelydetermine
whetherFCSOofficersareengagedinimproperandunlawfulmisconduct.
Defendantsroutinelyfailto investigateallegationsofunlawfulconductbyFCSO
officersinaneffectiveortimelymanner,failto holdofficersaccountableforusesof
excessiveforce orunlawfulsearchesandseizures,andfailto holdsupervisors
accountableforinadequatesupervisionordeficientinvestigations.
Defendants'failureshavecontributedtoFCSO'sinabilitytoensurethatthe
constitutionalandfederal rightsofForsythCountyresidentsareprotected.
A. DefendantFCSOET.AL.IsEngagedinaPatternorPracticeofExcessiveForcein
ViolationoftheConstitutionandFederalLaw.
(18) FCSOofficersroutinelyuseforcewhennoforceorlesserforce is
appropriate.Theuseof excessiveforceoccursduringroutinepolicingactivitiesand
specializedoperations.
(19) Theuseof excessiveforce byFCSOofficersincludesforcewhichtakes
variousforms,including:deliberately'dropping'equipment-i.e.tasers,etc.and
yelling"GUNGUN"intendedtofrightenaccusedpartiesintosubmission,striking
physicalblowstoknockplaintiffdownwhenplaintiff/accusedisstandingwithhis
'handsup'asinstructed,andjabbingwithbootsandkneesintotheback,deploying
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chemicalagentsgivingtheimpressionthatanexplosionofsomesorthasoccurred
andplaintiff'shomeisonfire,dischargingelectroniccontrolweapons("ECWs"),
andemployinginjurioustacticsincludingtheuseof extrasetsof handcuffsapplied
andlockedsotightlyastocutoffcirculationtoplaintiff'shandsbutnoneofthe
officerspresentevencarrieda"handcuffkey"soastoproperlyloosensaidrestraints.
(20) Defendantshavefailedtoinstitutepolicies,training,andproceduresto
preventtheuseofexcessiveforcebyFCSOofficers.Defendantshavealsofailedto
adequatelysuperviseand,whennecessary,disciplineFCSOofficerswhohave
engagedintheexcessiveuseof force,causingintentionalharm,andthecompleteand
utterdestructionofcitizens' lives,withintentandacompleteandrecklessdisregard
of therightsof others,underTheConstitutionof theUnitedStatesof America.
(21) FCSOofficersfrequentlyuseexcessiveforceduringroutinepoliceactions,
includingtrafficenforcement,homesearches,andinteractionswithcommunity
members.FCSOalsousesexcessiveforceduringthearrestordetentionofpassive
individualsand inresponsetoperceivedinsults.
B.FCSOIsEngagedinaPatternorPracticeof ConductThatResultsinUnjustified
SearchesandSeizuresinViolationoftheConstitutionandFederalLaw.
(22) FCSOofficersalsoroutinelyexecutesearchwarrantsevenwhenknowing
thatpertinentinformationonthewarrant,suchastheaddressandidentityof the
individual,is incorrect.FCSOalsoutilizesquestionableCI(ConfidentialInformants)
whoarealreadycriminalswithinthejusticesystem,andsaidCI'scontinuetoengage
incriminalactivitiesduringandaftersaidCIcriminalinvestigation,oftenresultingin
theCI'sincarceration.Inthecourseofsearches,FCSOofficershavefailedto
maintaintheproper'ChainofCustody'of'Evidence',failedtokeepaproperand
accurateinventoryof'seizedproperty'andalsoplantedevidencetojustityfalse
arrests.
(23) UnconstitutionalsearchesandseizuresbyFCSOofficersareroutine.
D.DefendantsHaveFailedToCorrecttheCausesandContributingFactorsof
UnconstitutionalActsbyFCSOOfficers.
(24) TheunlawfulbehaviorofFCSOofficersistheresultofDefendants'failureto
provideFCSOofficerswiththebasicunderstandingandtoolstheyneedtosafeguard
therightsofthepeopletheyserve.
(25) Defendantshavefailedtocreateadequateaccountabilitysystemsand
disciplinaryproceduresto identityandaddressmisconductbyFCSOofficers.
EvidencethatfurtherevincesafailurebyFCSOtoproperlyselect,hire,train,supervise,
investigate,anddisciplineFCSOofficers.Defendantshavetoleratedandfacilitatedthe
misconductofindividualofficers,describedinparagraphs14-25above,throughtheiractsor
omissions.Theseactsoromissionsinclude,butarenotlimitedto:
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a. failingtoimplementpoliciesthatappropriatelyguidetheactionsofindividual
officers;
b. failingtotrainFCSOofficersadequatelytopreventtheoccurrenceofmisconduct;
c. failingtosuperviseFCSOofficersadequatelytopreventtheoccurrenceof
misconduct;
d. failingtoadequatelymonitorFCSOofficerswhoengageinorwhomaybelikelyto
engageinmisconduct;
e. failingtoestablishaprocedurewherebycitizencomplaintsareadequately
investigated;
f. failingtoinvestigateadequatelyincidentsinwhichapoliceofficeruseslethalorless
lethalforce;
g. failingtothoroughlyandtimelyinvestigateorresolveciviliancomplaints;
h. failingtodisciplineadequatelyFCSOofficerswhoengageinmisconduct;and
i. failingtocollectandanalyzerelevantdatatoensurethatFCSOofficerstreatall
ForsythCountyandUnitedStatesof Americaresidentsequally,withoutregardto
race,color,sex,ornationalorigin.
(26) Theinstitutionalfailuresdescribedaboveserveasthefoundationforthe
unconstitutionalandunlawfulbehaviordescribedthroughoutthisComplaint.
IV.CLAIMSFORRELIEFFIRSTCLAIMFORRELIEF:DEFENDANTS'
CONDUCTVIOLATESTHEFOURTHAMENDMENTAND14141
FIRSTCLAIMFORRELIEF
(UnconstitutionalSearchandSeizure)
ViolationoftheFourthandFourteenthAmendmentstotheUnited
StatesConstitutionBroughtUnder42 U.S.C.1983
(byallPlaintiffsagainstallDefendants)
(27) Plaintiffre*allegesandincorporatesbyreferencetheallegationssetforthin
paragraphs I*26above.
(28) Defendantsandtheiragents,includingFCSOofficers,engageinlaw
enforcementpracticesthatresultintheunlawful useofexcessiveforce against
personsinForsythCounty,whichconstitutestheintentionalinflictionofemotional
andphysicalstress.
(29) Defendants,theiragents,andpersonsactingontheirbehalf,includingFCSO
officers,engageinlawenforcementpracticesthatresultinunlawfulstops,searches,
andseizuresofpersonsandpropertyinForsythCounty,Stateof Georgia,without
adequatejustification,butchooseto'optout'of certainstateandfederalprogramsso
astoavoid"FullDisclosure"toit'scitizens.FullDisclosureshouldbemandatory,
nomatterthecircumstances.
(30) Defendants'actionsconstituteapatternorpracticeofconductbylaw
enforcementofficersthatdeprivescitizensof theirrightsundertheFourth
Amendment,inviolationof14141.
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SECONDCLAIMFORRELIEF:DEFENDANTS'CONDUCTVIOLATESTHE
FOURTEENTHAMENDMENTAND14141
EXCESSIVEUSEOFFORCE
ViolationoftheFourthandFourteenthAmendmentstotheUnited
StatesConstitutionBroughtUnder42 U.S.C.1983
(by allPlaintiffsagainstallDefendants)
(31) Plaintiffre-allegesandincorporatesbyreferencetheallegationssetforthin
paragraphs1-30above.
(32) Title42of theUnitedStatesCodemakesitunlawfulforlawenforcement
officersactingunderstateauthoritytodepriveanyoneofhislherconstitutionalrights.
(33) Declaratoryandinjunctivereliefissoughtasauthorizedby42U.S.C.
14141(b)alongwithspecialdamagesforextensivepropertydamage,general
damagesforpainandsuffering,etc.,exemplarydamagesandconsequentialdamages.
V.PRAYERFORRELIEF
(34) ThePlaintiff(s),ascitizensof theUnitedStatesandonbehalfof allcitizens
of theUnitedStates,areauthorizedunder14141 toseekdeclaratoryandequitablereliefto
eliminateapatternorpracticeofofficiallawenforcementofficerconductthatdeprives
personsof rights,privileges,orimmunitiessecuredorprotectedbytheConstitutionorlaws
of theUnitedStates.
WHEREFORE,thePlaintiff(s)praythattheCourt:
a. DeclarethatDefendantshaveengagedinapatternorpracticeof conductbyFCSOofficers
thatdeprivespersonsof rights,privileges,orimmunitiessecuredorprotectedbythe
Constitutionandlawsof theUnitedStates,inviolationof14141;
b.OrderDefendants,theirofficers,agents,andemployeestorefrainfromengaginginanyof
thepredicateactsformingthebasisof thepatternorpracticeof conductdescribedherein;
c. OrderDefendants,theirofficers,agents,andemployeestoadoptandimplementpolicies
andproceduresintheareasof recruitment,hiring,promotions,policies,training,supervision,
investigations,discipline,andoversighttoremedythepatternorpracticeof conduct
describedherein,andtopreventFCSOofficersfromdeprivingpersonsof rights,privileges,
orimmunitiessecuredorprotectedbytheConstitutionorlawsof theUnitedStates;
d. OrderDefendants,theirofficers,agents,andemployeestorefrainfrom anytypeof
harassmentand/orretaliationagainstPlaintiff(s)asaresultof thefilingof thisComplaint.
e. OrderDefendantstopayrestitutionforallpropertydamagesasadirectresultof their
combinedactions.
f. OrderDefendantstopayrestitutionfortheir' intentionalinflictionof emotionaldistress'.
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g. OrderDefendantstopay'punitivedamages' aswarrantedbytheirunlawfulactionsinthe
intentionaldestructionof Plaintiff'sFamilyUnit.
h.OrderDefendantstopaydamagesforthedeliberateandirreparabledestructionof
Plaintiff'sreputation.
i. OrderDefendantstoremoveallchargesbroughtagainstPlaintifffromPlaintiff'scriminal
record; i.e.expungeallreferencestothisincident.
j.Ordersuchotherappropriatereliefastheinterestsofjusticemayrequire.
Todate,Plaintiff( s)arenotawareof anycasethathassuccessfullyaddressedandremedied
thison-goingsituationwithinthejurisdictionof ForsythCounty,StateofGeorgia,U.S..As
of January1,2013,theStateofGeorgiahasofficiallyadoptedtheFederalRulesof Criminal
andCivilProcedure.Therefore,itispasttimethatDefendantForsythCountyviatheFCSO
beforcedtooperateaccordingly,insteadofactingundertheguiseof (sovereign)immunity
soastoremainunaccountableand'autonomous'toward'WETHEPEOPLE'.Asamatter
of record,partoftheORDERONDEFENDANT'SMOTIONTOSUPPRESS,thepresiding
Judgestated:"ThefactthattheDefendantbelievesthatexcessivepoliceforcewasused
againsthimbytheofficersupontheirentryintothehomemaybegroundsforacivilsuitbut
suchargumentisnotpersuasiveinthiscriminalcontextanddoeswarrantthesuppression
ofevidence".TheDefendant'sMotion to Suppress isDENIEDastothisclaimaswell."Asa
ProSePlaintiff(s),Iamherebyrequestinganyandalllatitudeinthesemattersthatis
affordedanyProSelitigant.
PLAINTIFFPROSEhasNOTpreviouslysoughtreliefrelatingtothisComplaintasPlaintiff
wasonlyrecentlyinformedof hisrighttofileaComplainttoseekreliefandthetime
constraintstofilethisComplainttimelyhavealmostexpired.
F.REQUESTFORRELIEF
PLAINTIFF(S)HEREBYRESERVETHERIGHTTOAMENDTHISCOMPLAINT
ASADDITIONALINFORMATIONISDERIVEDVIADISCOVERYANDTO
SUBMITAFFIDAVITS,STATEMENTS,ETC.INCONJUNCTIONWITHTIDS
CASE.
Respectfullysubmittedthis dayof August,2013,
DECLARATIONUNDERPENALTYOFPERJURY
Theundersigneddeclaresunderpenaltyof perjurythatheistheplaintiffintheabove-styled
action,thathehasreadtheabovecomplaint,andthattheinformationcontainedthereinis
trueandcorrect.28U.S.C.1746;18U.S.C1621.
ExecutedinForsythCountyGeorgiaonAugust_2013.
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TABLE OF AUTHORITIES
Cases
Section 1983 provides; Every person who, under color of any statute, ordinance,
regulation, custom, orusage,ofanyStateorTerritoryortheDistrictofColumbia,
subjects,orcausestobesubjected,anycitizenoftheUnitedStatesorother
personwithinthejurisdictionthereoftothedeprivationofanyrights, privileges, or
immunitiessecured bytheConstitutionand laws, shallbeliabletotheparty
injured inanactionatlaw, suitin equity, orotherproperproceedingforredress..
42U.S.C. 1983."Inordertoprevailinacivil rightsactionundersection
1983, 'a plaintiffmustmakeaprimafacieshowingoftwoelements:(1)thatthe
actoromissiondeprivedplaintiffofaright, privilegeorimmunitysecuredby
theConstitutionorlawsoftheUnitedStates,and
(2)thattheactoromissionwasdonebyapersonactingundercoloroflaw.'''
MarshallCnty. Bd. ofEduc. v. MarshallCnty.GasDist., 992F.2d 1171, 1174
(11thCir. 1993)
ViolentCrimeControl and Law EnforcementActof1994,42 U.S.c.
14141.
Excessive Use ofForce:
Graham v. Conner,490 U.S. 386, 395 (1989).
To determinewhethera use offorce exceedsconstitutional thresholds,
theSupremeCourthas stated thatthequestion is oneof
reasonableness.
Graham v. Conner, 490 U.S. 386, 395 (1989).
Thatinquiryrequiresa"careful balancing ofthenatureand qualityof
theintrusionon theindividual'sFourth Amendmentinterestsagainst
thecountervailing governmental interestsatstake."Id.at396
(internal quotationsomitted). And whiletheSupremeCourthas
recognized thatan investigatorystop requires"therighttouse some
degreeofphysical coercion orthreatthereoftoeffectit,"proper
application ofthe Fourth Amendmentrequires the district court to
turn its "careful attention to the facts and circumstances of
each particular case, including the severity of the crime at
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Case 2:13-cv-00175-RWS Document 1 Filed 08/02/13 Page 9 of 11
issue, whether the suspect poses an immediate threat of safety
of the officers or others, and whether he is actively resisting
arrest or attempting to evade arrest by flight." Id. Further, this
Circuit also considers a "myriad" of other factors outside of the
Graham test in determining reasonableness, including
"(1) the need for the application of the force,
(2) the relationship between the need and the amount of force used,
(3) the extent of the injury inflicted and,
(4) whether the force was applied in good faith or maliciously and
sadistica lIy."
Moore v. Gwinnett Cnty., 967 F.2d 1495, 1498 (11th Cir. 1992)
Leslie v. Ingram, 786 F.2d 1533, 1536 (11th Cir. 1986)
Long v. Slaton, 508 F.3d 576, 580 (11th Cir. 2007) (quoting Graham,
109 S. Ct. 1872).
"[Tlhe question then is whether, given the circumstances, [Ayers]
would have appeared to reasonable police officers to have been
gravely dangerous." Id. at 581.
Persuasive Authority from Sister Jurisdictions:
Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress:
Plaintiff(s) allege intentional infliction of emotional distress by
Heagerty, Wiggins and Little. Under Illinois law, plaintiffs must show
that: U(l) the defendants' conduct was extreme and outrageous; (2)
the defendants intended to inflict severe emotional distress or knew
there was a high probability that the conduct would cause such
distress; and (3) the conduct did, in fact, cause severe emotional
distress." Treece v. Village of Naperville, 903 F. Supp. 1251, 1259
(N.D. III. 1995) (citing Doe v. Calumet City, 641 N.E.2d 498, 506 (III.
1994) (abrogated on other grounds. There is "no liability for [lIED]
for mere insults, indignities, threats, annoyances, petty oppressions or
trivialities." McGrath v. Fahey, 126 I11.2d 78, 86 (1988).
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"Publicofficialsareshieldedunderqualifiedimmunitysofaras"their
conductdoesnotviolateclearlyestablishedstatutoryorconstitutionalrights
ofwhichareasonablepersonwouldhaveknown."
Harlowv. Fitzgerald,457U.S. 800,818(1982).
Qualifiedimmunityisaquestionof lawforthecourt.Postv.Cityof Ft.
Lauderdale,
7F.3d1552, 1557(11thCir. 1993).
PlaintiffreliesontheseminaldecisionTennesseev.Garner,471 U.S. 1
(1985)toestablishthatAyers'constitutionalrightswereknowinglyviolated.
InGarner,theSupremeCourtheld:
Theuseof deadlyforcetopreventtheescapeofallfelony
suspects,whateverthecircumstances,isconstitutionally
unreasonable.It isnotbetterthatallfelonysuspectsdiethanthat
theyescape.Wherethesuspectposesnoimmediatethreattothe
officerandnothreattoothers,theharmresultingfromfailingto
apprehendhimdoesnotjustifytheuseofdeadlyforcetodoso.It
isnodoubtunfortunatewhenasuspectwhoisinsightescapes,but
thefactthatthepolicearrivealittlelateorarealittleslowerafoot
doesnotalwaysjustifykillingthesuspect.Apoliceofficermay
notseizeanunarmed,nondangeroussuspectbyshootinghimdead.
TheTennesseestatuteisunconstitutionalinsofarasitauthorizes
theuseof deadlyforceagainstsuchfleeingsuspects.
Plaintiff(s}citethefollowingcaseasanexampleoftheongoinguseof
Defendantspositionsandpowersto'surveil,harassandintimidate'
Plaintiffs.
Date:05-05-2007CaseStyle:DannyBennettandDannyReidv. DennisLee
HendrixCaseNumber:1:00-cv-02520-TWT
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