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Date: 11-13-2024
Case Style:
Veronica Baxter, et al. v. Jafet Santiago-Miranda, et al.
Case Number: 6:21-CV-718
Judge: Carlos E. Mendoza
Court: United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida (Orange County)
Plaintiff's Attorney:
Defendant's Attorney:
Description:
Orlando, Florida civil rights lawyer represented the Plaintiff who sued claiming the use of excessive force by the Defendant.
Plaintiffs Veronica Baxter and Al-Quan Pierce sued as personal representatives of the estates of the driver, Angelo
Crooms, and a passenger, Sincere Pierce, respectively. The plaintiffs’ complaint asserted that Santiago-Miranda used excessive force, failed to render medical aid, and was liable for state-law battery. The plaintiffs’ complaint also raised claims against Deputy Carson Hendren, who was the other deputy on the scene, and Sheriff Wayne Ivey in his official capacity.
The three defendants filed a joint motion for summary judgment on all claims. In their response, the plaintiffs opposed
summary judgment and further stated they had decided not to pursue certain claims. In a single order, the district court dismissed with prejudice all claims against defendant Hendren and granted Santiago-Miranda and Sheriff Ivey’s motion for summary judgment. The court concluded, among other things, that defendant Santiago-Miranda’s use of force was constitutionally permissible. The plaintiffs appeal only the grant of summary judgment in favor of defendants Santiago-Miranda and Sheriff Ivey.
* * *
Qualified immunity protects government officials performing discretionary functions “from liability for civil damages
insofar as their conduct does not violate clearly established statutory or constitutional rights of which a reasonable person would have known.” Harlow v. Fitzgerald, 457 U.S. 800, 818 (1982).
Outcome: Affirmed
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments: