3:09-cv-00407 | M.D. La. | May 25, 2011
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
MIDDLE DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA
ANTHONY REAUX, CIVIL ACTION
Plaintiff SECTION “P”
NO. 3:09-CV-OO407
VERSUS
CLAYTON SIBLEY, et al., JUDGE JAMES T. TRIMBLE
Defendant$ MAGISTRATE JUDGE JAMES D. KIRK
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF MAGISTRATE JUDGE
Before the court is a civil rights complaint filed pursuant to
42 U.S.C. § 1983, in forma pauperis, by pro se plaintiff Anthony
Reaux (“Reaux”) on June 29, 2009 (Doc. l). The named defendants
are Capt. Clayton Sibley, Sgt. Bryan Covington, Lt. James
Edenfield, Sgt. Haver Durr, Major Joseph Turner, Lt. Darrel Aucoin,
Capt. Brian Muse, Sgt. Marcus Hale, and Sgt. Russell Sanders, all
employed at the Dixon Correctional Institute (“DCI”) in Jackson,
Louisiana, and James LeBlanc, Secretary of the Louisiana Department
of Public Safety and Corrections. Reaux alleges that, while he was
incarcerated in DCI on September 14, 2008, defendants used
excessive force against him (Doc. l). Reaux contends that Russell,
Hoyle, Covington, Durr, Edenfield, Aucoin, Sibley, Muse, and Turner
used. excessive force on. hin\ and. beat hin\ when. he was in the
infirmary, and that each allowed the others to beat him. Reaux
further alleges that Secretary LeBlanc allowed the correctional
officers to beat him and failed to properly train them (Doc. l).
For relief, Reaux asks for compensatory damages, punitive damages,
and injunctive relief banning the defendants who used excessive
force from further employment with the Louisiana Department of
Corrections.
Defendants answered the complaint (Doc. 21) and filed a motion
for summary judgment with affidavits and documentary exhibits
(Docs. 3l, 32). Reaux has not contested defendants’ motion.
Defendants’ motion.was referred to the undersigned Magistrate Judge
and is now before the court for disposition.
Reaux's Factual Allegations
Reaux contends in his complaint that, on September 14, 2008,
his urinalysis at DCI was positive for drugs and he was told he
would be sent to administrative segregation in accordance with
prison policy (Doc. l). Reaux claimed there was a specific gravity
problem and he had not taken drugs, so he asked for a higher
ranking officer; Reaux contends two other inmates had specific
gravity problems and were dry celled to be re»tested in a few hours
(Doc. 1). Reaux alleges that Sibley and Covington restrained
Reaux's hands, then Sibley struck Reaux in the back of the head,
knocking him forward, and Sibley, Covington, Turner, and Durr began
to beat, kick, and punch Reaux; Reaux's face was scratched by
Durr’s fingernails (Doc. l). Reaux alleges that, when he fell to
the floor, his legs were shackled (Doc. l). Reaux contends he was
then dragged to the front lobby of the infirmary, where Muse,
Aucoin, Edenfield, Russell, and Hoyle joined the others in kicking
him until he was semi-conscious (Doc. 1}. Reaux contends there
were witnesses to the beating-nurses Andrea Tyler, Dana Klein (who
is no longer employed at DCI), and Debbie Weber, Sgt. Armstrong,
and inmate Larry Walker (Doc. l). Major Worley entered and ordered
the defendants to stop beating Reaux, told the medical staff to
attend his wounds, and had inmate Porretta take photographs (Doc.
l).
Reaux contends he was then. hospitalized. at Lane Memorial
Hospital and treated for fractured bone, a broken nose, cuts, and
contusions (Doc. l). Reaux was also tested again for drugs at Lane
Memorial Hospital and his test was negative (Doc. l).
Reaux contends he was subsequently charged with battery upon
a correctional officer, although none of the officers' statements
indicated any of them had been struck by Reaux and the infirmary
security tapes were not produced to prove the battery occurred.
Law and Analysis
Motion for Summarv Judqment
Rule 56 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure mandates that
the court shall grant a 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."
Paragraph (e) of Rule 56 also provides the following:
"If a party fails to properly support an assertion of
fact or fails to properly address another party's
assertion of fact as required by Rule 56(c), the court
may: (l) give an opportunity to properly support or
address the fact; (2) consider the fact undisputed for
purposes of the motion; (3) grant summary judgment if the
motion and supporting materials-including the facts
considered.undisputed-show that the movant is entitled to
it; or (4) issue any other appropriate order."
Local Rule 56.2W (formerly 2.10W) also provides that all
material facts set forth in a statement of undisputed facts
submitted by the moving party will be deemed admitted for purposes
of a motion for summary judgment unless the opposing party
controverts those facts by filing a short and concise statement of
material facts as to which that party contends there exists a
genuine issue to be tried.
In this regard, the substantive law determines what facts are
"material". A material fact issue exists if the evidence is such
that a reasonable jury could return a verdict for the nonmoving
party. However, the mere existence of a scintilla of evidence in
support of the plaintiff's position will be insufficient to
preclude summary judgment; there must be evidence on which the jury
could reasonably find for the plaintiff. Stewart v. Murphy, 174
F.3d 530, 533 (5th Cir. 1999),. 528 U.S. 906" date_filed="1999-10-04" court="SCOTUS" case_name="Pollock v. Brigano">528 U.S. 906, 120 S.Ct. 249 (1999),
and cases cited therein.
If the movant produces evidence tending to show that there is
no genuine issue of material fact, the nonmovant must then direct
the court's attention to evidence in the record sufficient to
establish the existence of a genuine issue of material fact for
trial. In this analysis, we review the facts and draw all
inferences most favorable to the nonmovant. Herrera v. Millsap,
862 F.2d 1157" date_filed="1989-01-09" court="5th Cir." case_name="Gerardo Jesus Herrera v. Sam D. Millsap, Jr., Dennis H. Carlson, Gerardo Jesus Herrera v. Dennis H. Carlson">862 F.2d 1157, 1159 (5th Cir. 1989). However, mere conclusory
allegations are not competent summary judgment evidence, and such
allegations are insufficient, therefore, to defeat a motion for
summary judgment. Topalian v. Ehrman, 954 F.2d 1125" date_filed="1992-04-27" court="5th Cir." case_name="Michael Topalian v. John Ehrman">954 F.2d 1125, 1131 (5th
Cir.), cert. den., 506 U.S. 825" date_filed="1992-10-05" court="SCOTUS" case_name="Damer v. Superior Court of California">506 U.S. 825, 113 S. Ct. 82" date_filed="1992-10-05" court="SCOTUS" case_name="Sparks v. City & County of San Francisco">113 S.Ct. 82(1992).
Excessive Force
Reaux claims the defendants used excessive force by beating
him when he questioned the results of his drug screening urinalysis
and asked for a higher ranking officer. Defendants claim Reaux
became combative when they ordered him to submit to restraints, so
they used the force necessary to enforce Reaux’s obedience to the
order to be restrained; prison policy is to place ain inmate in
administrative segregation when he fails a drug screening.
Defendants also claim that Reaux’s injuries were de minimis.
To prevail on an Eighth Amendment excessive force claim, a
plaintiff must establish that force was not applied in a good faith
effort to maintain or restore discipline, but maliciously and
sadistically to cause harm, and that he suffered an injury. §a§gg
V. HOlt, 73 F.3d 600" date_filed="1996-01-26" court="5th Cir." case_name="Eason v. Holt">73 F.3d 600, 602 (51'.1'1 Cir. 1996).
In determining the subjective intent of the officer, the trier
of fact must base its determination on relevant subjective factors
suggestive of intent. Some of the pertinent factors are the extent
of the injury suffered, the need for the application of force, the
relationship between the need and the amount of force used. the
threat reasonably perceived by the responsible officials, and any
efforts made to temper the severity of the forceful response.
Bender v. Brumley, 1 F.3d 271" date_filed="1993-08-24" court="5th Cir." case_name="Raymond Louis Bender v. James A. Brumley">1 F.3d 271, 278 (5th Cir. 1993), quoting Hudson
v. McMillian, 962 F.2d 522" date_filed="1992-06-10" court="5th Cir." case_name="Keith J. Hudson v. Jack McMillian Cso III">962 F.2d 522, 523 (5th Cir. 1992). A convict, or a
pretrial detainee, need not demonstrate significant injury where
the force used was malicious and wanton. The core judicial inquiry
is whether force was applied in a good faith effort to maintain or
restore discipline, or maliciously and sadistically to cause harm.
Bender, l F.3d at 278, n. 6, quoting Hudson v. McMillian, 503 U.S.
1, 112 S. Ct. 995" date_filed="1992-02-25" court="SCOTUS" case_name="Hudson v. McMillian">112 S.Ct. 995, 999, 117 L.Ed.2d 156 (1992).
The management by a few guards of large numbers of prisoners,
not usually the most gentle or tractable of men and women, may
require and justify the occasional use of a degree of intentional
force. Not every' push or shove, even if it may later seem
unnecessary in the peace of a judge's chambers, violates a
prisoner's constitutional rights. In. determining whether the
constitutional line has been crossed, a court must look to such
factors as the need for the application of force, the relationship
between the need and the amount of force that was used, the extent
of injury inflicted, and whether force was applied in a good faith
effort to maintain or restore discipline, or maliciously and
sadistically for the very purpose of causing harm. LeBlanc v.
Foti, 487 F. Supp. 272" date_filed="1980-01-31" court="E.D. La." case_name="LeBlanc v. Foti">487 F. Supp. 272, 275 (E.D.La. 1980), citing Johnson v.
G_li__C_}§, 481 F.2d 1028" date_filed="1973-06-29" court="2d Cir." case_name="Australia Johnson v. A. Glick">481 F.2d 1028 (2€1 Cir. 1973), Cert. den., 414 U.S. 1033" date_filed="1973-11-12" court="SCOTUS" case_name="Lee v. Texas">414 U.S. 1033, 94
S.Ct. 462 (1973).
The law of the Fifth Circuit is that to support an Eighth
Amendment excessive force claim a prisoner must have suffered from
the excessive force a more than de minimis physical injury, but
there is no categorical requirement that the physical injury be
significant, serious, or more than minor. Gomez v. Chandler, 163
F.3d 921, 924 (5th Cir. 1999). However, the Eighth Amendment's
prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment excludes from
constitutional recognition de minimis uses of physical force,
provided that the use of force is not of a sort repugnant to the
conscience of mankind. The absence of serious injury, while
relevant to the inquiry, does not preclude relief. Siglar v.
Hightower, 112 F.3d 191" date_filed="1997-05-08" court="5th Cir." case_name="Siglar v. Hightower">112 F.3d 191, 193»94 (5th Cir. 1997).
Physician’s notes show that, on September 14, 2008, Reaux was
catheterized in the DCI infirmary in order to obtain urine for a
drug screen (Doc. 31, Ex. E, p. 73/164). An accident and incident
report shows that, at about 4 p.m. on September 14, 2008, Reaux was
involved in an altercation with security in the infirmary because
he “refused to be restrained” (Doc. 31, Ex. E, p. 127/135). When
Reaux refused orders to be restrained, he was “taken down" by
security officers (Doc. 31, Ex. E, p. 127/164). According to the
medical records and an affidavit by Dr. Tarver, Reaux sustained
“small superficial scratches to head and face” and a knot above his
left eye, but did not have active bleeding and denied headache,
blurred vision, nausea, and vomiting (Doc. 31, Ex. E-p. 127/135,
Ex. F).
The medical records and Dr. Tarver’s affidavit further show
that two hours later, at 7:45 p.m. on September 14, 2008, Reaux was
taken to the infirmary on a stretcher because he was shaking and
having spastic activity; Reaux was found to be unresponsive to
verbal or painful stimuli and had a blank stare (Doc. 31, Ex. E-p.
150/164, Ex. F). Security officers later reported they had found
Reaux lying on the floor of his cell, shaking, and that he had
vomited (Doc. 31, Ex. E, p. 149/164). Reaux’s medical records
again noted a small hematoma on his left forehead from his
altercation with security (Doc. 31, Ex. E, p. 150/164). A
catheterization was ordered to obtain urine for a repeat drug
screen which was negative (Doc. 31r Ex. E, p. 150/164). The
physician’s notes and Dr. Tarver's affidavit further show that, at
8:30 p.m. on September 14, 2008, Reaux was sent to the hospital for
evaluation and a CT scan of his head (Doc. 31, Ex. E-pp.
73&150/164, Ex. F).
At Lane Regional Medical Center, two CT scans of Reaux’s head
were negative for fracture and intracranial bleeding or injury, and
Reaux was found to be neurologically stable (Doc. 31, Ex. E'pp.
118»119 & 142/164, Ex. F). Reaux returned from the hospital on
September 16, 2008, with no distress, no seizure activity, and no
headaches (Doc. 31, Ex. E, p. 141/164).
According to medical progress notes dated September 18, 2008
(Doc. 31, Ex. E, p. 139/164), and a mental health after-incident
report by Dr. Anthony Tarver and Jamie Devall, LCSW, CPM 2 (the
Mental Health Director at DCI), on September 18, 2008, Reaux was
again found shaking on the floor of his cell and taken to the
infirmary (Doc. 31, Ex. E, pp. 108, 139/164). Reaux was reported
to be awake, looking around, and repeatedly stating, “I’m okay, no
more hits” (Doc. 31, Ex. E, p. 139/164). Reaux had a superficial
abrasion with a scab and minimal edema on his left forehead (Doc.
31, Ex. E, p. 139/164). However, when some of the officers who
were involved in the altercation with Reaux on September 14, 2008
entered the infirmary treatment room and Reaux became hysterical,
yelled, “no, no, no!,” and tried to get off the gurney to get away
from the officers (Doc. 31, Ex. E, pp. 108, 116, 139-140/164).
Reaux was then put on extreme suicide watch in order to physically
restrain. him; Reaux was speaking with a stutter and reported
dreaming about being punched (Doc. 31, Ex. E, p. 108/164). The
next morning, Reaux described the beating on September 14, 2008 to
Dr. Soong, reported having bad dreams since then, was prescribed
Paxil, and was downgraded to standard suicide watch (Doc. 31, Ex.
E, pp. 108, 114/164).
Reaux claims emotional injury (post traumatic stress disorder)
as well as physical injuries. Section 1997e prohibits recovery for
mental or emotional injury, suffered. by a prisoner while in
custody, without a prior showing of physical injury. See 42 U.S.C.
§ 1997e(e). To support a claim for mental or emotional suffering,
as for a physical injury claim, the physical injury must be more
than de minimis, but need not be significant. Siglar, 112 F.3d at
193, citing Hudson v. McMillian, 503 U.S. 1" date_filed="1992-02-25" court="SCOTUS" case_name="Hudson v. McMillian">503 U.S. 1, 10, 112 S.Ct. 995,
1000 (1992). Also, Geiger v. Jowers, 404 F.3d 371" date_filed="2005-03-21" court="5th Cir." case_name="Geiger v. Jowers">404 F.3d 371, 375 (5th Cir.
2005).
Although Reaux claims his injuries from the beating included
scratches on his face and nose, fractured bones, a broken nose, and
cuts and contusions covering his body (Doc. 1), Reaux’s medical
records indicate he sustained only small superficial scratches to
his head and face and a knot above his left eye (Doc. 31, p.
127/135). There are no records of broken bones, and his medical
record of September 18, 2008 noted only a healing abrasion on
Reaux's forehead.
Reaux states in his complaint (Doc. 1) that, when he was told
he had positive reading on the drug screen, he alleged there must
be a specific gravity problem and asked for a higher ranking
officer to be present, was refused, then persisted in asking again
for a high ranking officer. According to an affidavit by Officer
Brian Covington (Doc. 31, Ex. A) and defendants' statement of
undisputed facts (Doc. 31), Reaux became resistant and combative,
and ignored orders to allow officers to apply restraints. Major
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Joseph Turner stated in his affidavit (Doc. 31, Ex. B) that he saw
Reaux fighting with Sibley, Covington and Durr prior to being
restrained and assisted them in subduing and restraining Reaux.
Capt. Brian Muse And Sgt. Darrell Aucoin stated in the affidavits
that, when they arrived in the infirmary on September 14, 2008,
Reaux as already in restraints and lying on the floor; Muse had no
contact with Reaux and Aucoin helped apply shackles to his legs and
stand him up (Doc. 31, Exs. C & D). Reaux has not contested these
affidavits or defendants' statement of undisputed facts.
Although Reaux contends in his complaint that his drug screen
at the hospital was negative, that does not excuse his disobedience
and fighting with the officers or otherwise indicate the officers
were at fault for using force to make him comply with the orders.
It is clear from defendants' uncontested affidavits and
statement of undisputed facts that Reaux initiated the physical
confrontation, force was required to respond to Reaux's combative
response to the officers‘ orders, and defendants applied a
reasonable amount of force in a good faith effort to subdue Reaux
and enforce the order to submit to being restrained. The evidently
minor amount of force used in this case was not “of a sort
repugnant to the conscience of mankind.” Moreover, scratches and
a small knot on the forehead are injuries that are so minor they
are de minimis. Such injuries, under the circumstances, do not
support Reaux’s claims of excessive force and emotional injury.
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Had Reaux been beaten and kicked into semi-consciousness, as
described in Reaux's complaint, his injuries would have been more
numerous and more serious. As already stated, there is no medical
evidence that Reaux suffered the kind of injuries described in his
Complaint.
Since there are no genuine issues of material fact which would
preclude a summary judgment, defendants’ uncontested motion for
summary judgment should be granted.
Conclusion
Based on the foregoing discussion, IT IS RECOMMENDED that
defendants’ uncontested motion for summary judgment be GRANTED and
that Reaux’s action against all defendants be DENIED AND DISMISSED
WITH PREJUDICE.
Under the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(c) and
Fed.R.Civ.P. 72(b), the parties have fourteen (14) days from
service of this Report and Recommendation to file specific, written
objections with the Clerk of Court. A party may respond to another
party’s objections within fourteen (14) days after being served
with a copy thereof. A courtesy copy of any objection or response
or request for extension of time shall be furnished to the District
Judge at the time of filing. Timely objections will be considered
by the district judge before he makes a final ruling.
A PARTY’S FAILURE TO FILE WRITTEN OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSED
FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS CONTAINED IN THIS REPORT
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WITHIN FOURTEEN (14) CALENDAR DAYS FROM THE DATE OF ITS SERVICE
SHALL BAR AN AGGRIEVED PARTY, EXCEPT ON GROUNDS OF PLAIN ERROR¢
FROM ATTACKING ON APPEAL THE UNOBJECTED-TO PROPOSED FACTUAL
FINDINGS AND LEGAL CONCLUSIONS ACCEPTED BY THE DISTRICT JUDGE.
THUS DONE AND SIGNED at Alexandria, Louisiana, on this JYZ:ZZH&`
day of May, 2011.
JAMES D. KIRK
UNI D STATES MAGISTRA E JUDGE
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