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U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, 2016

Amy Rachel v. Christopher McCann

Amy Rachel v. Christopher McCann
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit · Decided February 4, 2016 · Wilson, Jordan, Carnes
633 F. App'x 784

Counsel

Henry Brewster, Henry Brewster, LLC, Mobile, AL, Erik S. Heninger, Heninger Garrison Davis, LLC, Drew Edgar Has-kins, Christian & Small, LLP, Birmingham, AL, Dixie Dan Powell, Powell Injury Law, PA, Crestview, FL, for Plaintiff-Ap-pellee., Mark Abell Newell, Armbrecht Jackson, LLP, Latisha Rhodes Davis, Armbrecht Jackson, LLP, James D. Brandyburg, The Brandyburg Firm, PC, Mobile, AL, for Defendants-Appellants.

Amy Rachel v. Christopher McCann

Cases that cite this one

28 later published cases cite this decision. The 23 that cite it most often are listed here.

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Opinion

PER CURIAM:

Officers Christopher McCann and John Jackson appeal the district court’s denial of their motions for summary judgment on the basis of qualified immunity in an action brought by plaintiff-appellee Amy Rachel (Plaintiff), the administratrix of the estate of Gregory Rachel (Rachel), who died in police custody. In her complaint, Plaintiff averred McCann and Jackson used excessive force to effect Rachel’s arrest, were deliberately indifferent to Rachel’s serious medical need, and were liable under state law for his wrongful death.

In support of her claims and in response to McCann’s and Jackson’s summary judgment motions, Plaintiff proffered evidence that McCann and Jackson repeatedly kicked and beat Rachel while he lay prone and non-resisting on the ground. She also presented evidence that they subsequently failed to summon a medical unit for assistance, instead kneeling and sitting on Rachel, hog-tying him, and keeping him on his stomach with his stomach bowed towards the ground, without regard for his breathing, pulse, or consciousness. And, after witnessing Rachel “seize” and fall unconscious, they made no effort to transport him to an emergency room, summon medical assistance, or check his breathing or pulse.

After reviewing the evidence and drawing all reasonable inferences therefrom in favor of Plaintiff, as we must at this stage in the proceedings, we substantially agree with the district court’s findings of fact and holdings of law. Accordingly, McCann and Jackson are not entitled to qualified immunity, and the district court properly denied their motions for summary judgment. Thus, the order of the district court is

AFFIRMED.

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