U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, 2005

Glenn v. Berndt

Glenn v. Berndt
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit · Decided December 23, 2005 · Fletcher, Holland, Kozinski
160 F. App'x 643

Glenn v. Berndt

Opinion of the Court

MEMORANDUM **

Glenn has presented no evidence that any prison official was deliberately indifferent to his safety. See Farmer v. Brennan, 511 U.S. 825, 834-36, 114 S.Ct. 1970, 128 L.Ed.2d 811 (1994) (prison officials do not violate the Eighth Amendment unless they act recklessly or knowingly; they cannot be held liable for mere negligence); see also Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97, 105-06, 97 S.Ct. 285, 50 L.Ed.2d 251 (1976). Officer Kelly testified that he opened the two cell doors, releasing several prisoners, by accident, and Glenn has presented nothing to cast doubt on Kelly’s motive. Without evidentiary support, Glenn’s speculation that Kelly’s or the other officials’ actions must have been purposeful is insufficient to defeat summary judgment. See Leer v. Murphy, 844 F.2d 628, 634 (9th Cir. 1988).

AFFIRMED.

This disposition is not appropriate for publication and may not be cited to or by the courts of this circuit except as provided by 9th Cir. R. 36-3.

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