Officer did not act in reckless disregard when responding to rollover wreck

Facts In 2018, a general callout for assistance regarding a rollover wreck with unknown injuries was placed around 4:09 p.m. near the interchange of Highway 7 North and Sisk Avenue in Oxford, Mississippi. At the time of the callout, Officer Matthew Brown was parked in a patrol car on the shoulder of Highway 314, approximately […]

False arrest claim dismissed when subject’s actions exceeds verbal resistance

Facts (If you are new to 1983 actions, click here for help) Jarvis Livingston testified to the following: On July 6, 2019, Livingston’s brother and cousin got into an argument while they were visiting an aunt’s residence in Yoakum, Texas. Someone placed a 911 call and reported that there was a fight. When the police […]

Qualified immunity granted for Lieutenant accused of failure to supervise

Note: The 5th segregated Lt. Todd’s appeal from the rest of this case. Facts and analysis below pertain to Lt. Todd. To see how the 5th decided this matter against others involved, please click here. Facts (If you are new to 1983 actions, click here for help) The controversy began with a phone call reporting […]

Additional criminal activity authorizes extending traffic stop to wait for canine unit

Facts Following a stipulated bench trial, Benancio Castaneda was convicted of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual), and of possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual). The district court sentenced Castaneda to a total of 180 months in prison […]

Qualified immunity denied for unlawful entry to home in search for murder suspect

Facts (If you are new to §1983 actions, click here for help) In 2018, the Shreveport Police Department (SPD) received a tip that a murder suspect, Christian Combs, was hiding at either 1906 State Street or 1913 State Street in Shreveport, Louisiana. The arrest warrant identified Combs as a 33 year-old Black man. Multiple SPD […]