Maddox v. Gibson et al

Filing 35

ORDER granting [] Motion for Summary Judgment and dismissing plaintiff's claims are dismissed with prejudice. Signed by Judge Kristi K. DuBose on 3/24/2014. (copy to plaintiff) (cmj)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
SOUTHERN DIVISION
EDDIE MADDOX, AIS 246621,
Plaintiff,

:
:

vs.

:

COI GIPSON, et al.,

CIVIL ACTION NO. 13-00121-KD-C

:

Defendants.
ORDER
This cause is before the Court on the motion for summary judgment filed by
defendants Anthony Gipson, Christopher Kimbrel, and Ernest Stanton (Doc. 19; see also
Doc. 20 (conversion order))1, and plaintiff’s response in opposition (Doc. 21). Upon
consideration of the foregoing pleadings, and all other relevant pleadings in this file, the
motion for summary judgment is GRANTED and plaintiff’s claims are DISMISSED
WITH PREJUDICE.
FACTUAL BACKGROUND
Officer Anthony Gipson was making rounds with the library law clerk in the
segregation unit2 of Holman Correctional Facility on December 15, 2011—between 11:00

1

The Special Report (Doc. 19) that was converted by Order (Doc. 20), applies only
to Correctional Sergeant Anthony Gipson, Correctional Sergeant Chris Kimbrel, and Correctional
Officer Ernest Stanton (see Doc. 19). A fourth defendant named in the complaint, Correctional
Officer Joel Broadhead, was never served and is not a party to this action. (Compare Doc. 7
(plaintiff’s motion to compel) with Doc. 26 (endorsed order denying motion to compel with
respect to COI Broadhead because “a sufficient claim” had “not been supported so as to require
service.”).)
2

The segregation unit is a single cell unit that operates on a 23-hour lockdown
schedule. (Doc. 1, at 7; see also Alabama Department of Corrections, Holman Correctional Facility,
available at http://www.doc.alabama.gov/facility.aspx?loc=33 (last visited February 14, 2014).)

p.m. and 11:30 p.m.—when he “observed a magazine on the tier between inmate [and
plaintiff, Eddie] Maddox’s cell and the next cell.” (Doc. 19, Exhibit B, Affidavit of
Anthony Gipson, at 1; see also Doc. 1 at 7 (Maddox’s admits that he “had a magazine
outside his cell”).) As Gipson was taking the magazine into his possession, Maddox
informed the officer that he was just in the process of passing the magazine to the
inmate in the neighboring cell. (Doc. 19, Exh. B, Gipson aff., at 2.) Maddox’s comment
prompted Gibson to remind the inmate of the rules he signed upon being processed
into the segregation unit, specifically the following: “’You are not allowed to pass items
from one cell to another at any time. This includes passing items in person or by use of
strings or officers. Items you attempt to pass will be confiscated and destroyed.’” (Id.)
Thereafter, Maddox and Gipson engaged in an unpleasant, albeit brief, verbal exchange.
(Compare id. with Doc 1, at 7.)
After finishing his rounds with the library clerk, Gipson informed his supervisor,
Sergeant Christopher Kimbrel, of the incident. (Doc. 19, Exh. B, Gipson aff., at 2.) During
this conversation, Gipson noticed that the magazine he had confiscated from Maddox
was more than thirty (30) days old, making it contraband under Holman’s Standard
Operating Procedure (“SOP”) #9-12.3 (Id.) As a result of Maddox being in possession of
contraband, Kimbrel instructed Gipson, as well as Officers Joel Broadhead and Earnest

3

“[T]he SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) number 9-12 states, ‘Newspapers
over seven (7) days old and magazines over thirty (30) days old will be considered contraband.
They are unauthorized and will be confiscated and destroyed.’” (Id.)

2

Stanton, “to conduct a shakedown on inmate Maddox’s cell for further contraband.”
(Id.)4
At approximately 11:30 p.m., Officers Gipson, Broadhead, and Stanton went to
search Maddox’s cell for contraband. (Compare Doc. 19, Exhibit A, Affidavit of Chris
Kimbrel, at 1 with Doc. 19, Exhibit E, Incident Report.) Upon arrival, Gipson gave
Maddox a direct order to place his hands through the tray door to be handcuffed for a
shakedown. (Doc. 19, Exh. B, Gipson aff., at 2; see also Doc. 1, at 7.) Although the
allegations in the complaint reflect that Maddox immediately complied with Gipson’s
order (see id.), it is clear that this is not what happened as the complaint was penned by a
writ writer with no direct knowledge of the incident (compare Doc. 1, at 7-10
(handwriting) with Doc. 19, Exhibit F, at 6 (Maddox’s handwritten statement attached to
Disciplinary Report reflecting different handwriting)) and Maddox’s own December 16,
2011 written statement reflects that he initially refused to “cuff up” until a supervisor
was present (see id. (“They being getting people in handcuff[s] [and then] jump on
them[.]”)). Indeed, Maddox refused several direct orders given by Gipson to place his
hands through the tray door to be handcuffed, yelling “’Y’all ain’t coming up in my
cell!’” (Doc. 19, Exh. B, Gipson aff., at 2.) In light of Maddox’s refusal to comply with his
orders, Gipson contacted Sgt. Kimbrel on the facility’s in-house radio (compare id. with
Doc. 19, Exhibit E, Incident Report); when Kimbrel arrived on scene, he gave Maddox
several direct orders to “cuff up” (Doc. 19, Exh. A, Kimbrel aff., at 1). When Maddox

4

Thus, the shakedown of Maddox’s cell was not “random” as is indicated in the
December 15, 2011 Incident Report and Duty Officer Report. (Compare id. with Doc. 19, Exhibit E,
Incident Report and Duty Officer Report.)

3

refused those orders, Kimbrel “administered a one-second burst of the chemical agent
[Saber Red]” to Maddox’s facial area. (Id. at 1-2; see also Doc. 19, Exh. B, Gibson aff., at 3;
see Doc. 19, Exh. F, Disciplinary Report, at 2 (inmate Ferman Williams testified that “’Sgt.
Kimbrel told [Maddox] to cuff-up and Eddie asked for what and Sgt. Kimbrel sprayed
him.’”).) Only then did Maddox comply with another direct order from Kimbrel to “cuff
up” and, upon exiting the cell, he was escorted to the Health Care Unit for medical
assessment. (Doc. 19, Exh. A, Kimbrel aff., at 2; see also Doc. 19, Exh. B, Gibson aff., at 3.)
And while Maddox‘s complaint contains the allegation that he was sprayed with the
chemical agent “while handcuffed inside his [locked] cell” (Doc. 1, at 7), the handwritten
statement he provided during the course of disciplinary proceedings establishes the
falsity of such allegation (see Doc. 19, Exhibit F, at 6 (“A supervisor Sgt. walk up and told
me to cuff up[.] I said alright. And I was trying to get him [to] make sure the police don’t
jump me once I put the handcuff[s] on and while I was talking to him he just spray[ed]
me and I was like dam[n] why you do that f[o]r;[] I told you I was going to cuff up.”)), as
does the contrary affidavit testimony of the defendants (see Doc. 19, Exhibits A-C.). More
importantly, nowhere in his rebuttal affidavit does plaintiff again take the position that
he was sprayed while handcuffed or otherwise contradict the testimony of the
defendants regarding the facts which led to Kimbrel administering a one-second burst of
pepper spray. (See Doc. 21.)
Maddox also alleges that he did not receive adequate medical care, after being
sprayed with the chemical agent, which rises to the level of deliberate indifference by the
defendants in direct violation of 42 U.S.C. § 1983. (Compare Doc. 1 with Doc. 21, at 2 & 57.) Medical records, the incident and disciplinary reports, and affidavits supplied in this
case reflect that immediate action was taken to provide Maddox with medical attention
4

after the chemical agent was administered. (Compare Doc. 19, Exh. A, Kimbrel aff., at 2
with Doc. 19, Exh. E, at 5, ADOC Body Chart dated December 15, 2011.) At 11:50 p.m.,
just minutes after Kimbrel first reported to Maddox’s cell, Maddox was evaluated. (Id.)
Nurse Jernigan’s evaluation found Maddox “A&Ox3.5 Resp even & non[-]labored. No
S/S of distress noted. [No] lacerations noted. [No] redness, tearing or c/o burning noted
to eyes. [No] c/o pain noted.” (Id. (footnote added); see also Doc. 19, Exh. D, Ferrell aff.,
at 2.)6 While there is no explicit mention in the medical records, or in the affidavit
supplied by the medical director, that Maddox received a decontamination shower at
this time, or that one was needed (compare id. (“[P]lan implemented was[:] release to the
Department of Corrections[]” and the “[i]nstructions provided to inmate Maddox by the
nurse were[:] Return to the HCU (health care unit) as needed.”) with Doc. 19, Exhibit E,
Body Chart)), it is clear that decontamination occurred in the form of plaintiff’s eyes and
face being cleaned/flushed (compare Doc. 21, at 4 (plaintiff’s affidavit statement that his
eyes were cleaned out in the infirmary) with Doc. 19, Exhibit A, at 2 (“I then escorted
inmate Maddox to the Health Care Unit for a medical assessment and decontamination
which was conducted by Corizon Medical Services’ Licensed Practical Nurse, Rebecca
Jernigan. Once the medical evaluation and decontamination was completed, I escorted
inmate Maddox from the Health Care Unit back to his assigned cell.”)), and the
photographs taken of Maddox immediately after Jernigan’s evaluation reflect absolutely

5

This literally is shorthand for alert and oriented times three. (Doc. 19, Exhibit D,
Affidavit of Laura Ferrell, at 2.)
6

Laura Ferrell is the Director of Medical Services for the office of Health Services,
Alabama Department of Corrections. (Id. at 1.)

5

no redness (or discoloration) of the eyes, face, or upper body of Maddox as would be
expected if the inmate was indeed continuing to labor under the effects of the chemical
agent (see Doc. 19, Exh. E, at 6-7).7 Therefore, the allegation in the complaint that plaintiff
“was taken out of the cell and taken to the medical infirmary for a body chart that was
done by Nurse Langford [] who notice[d] the mace all over the plaintiff and gave a
medical decision state[d] to the defendants that the plaintiff should be put in a shower,”
(Doc. 1, at 7), is contradicted not only by the aforementioned photographs and
cleaning/flushing of the eyes and face but, as well, by the clear evidence that Langford
did not complete the body chart and nothing on that form reflects that the nurse who did
complete the form—Jernigan—observed mace all over plaintiff’s body and ordered a
decontamination shower (see Doc. 19, Exhibit E, at 5, Body Chart). Moreover, Maddox’s
rebuttal affidavit simply makes conclusory statements, including the following:
“Defendants can not ‘state’ in good faith that the spray does not cause burning pain, or
that dried chemical agent spray does not reinact (sic) when water is applied, defendants
knew or should have know that [he] w[as] in need of a shower for decontamination
purposes.” (Doc. 21, at 7; see id. at 4 (“Defendants can not in good faith[] deny that the
chemical agent mace will burn the body when left on the body over 24 hours . . .
Defendants can not reasonably object to inmates needs for decontamination showers
when their chemical agent mace spray are applied to the inmates.”). In other words, the

7

Indeed, these photographs reflect that plaintiff was in no distress at the time they
were taken; in one photograph, plaintiff looked straight into the camera and is the picture of
health. (Id.) There is certainly no evidence that plaintiff had pepper spray all over his body. (See
id.)

6

affidavit does not provide the undersigned with any helpful evidence regarding the
defendants’ subjective intentions in this regard.
The complaint also contains allegations that after the photographs were taken in
the segregation processing room (see Doc. 19, Exh. E., at 6-7), the defendants “cut off the
lights and started stumping the plaintiff to the ground stumping the plaintiff in the head,
face which chipped the plaintiff’s front teeth. After the beating the plaintiff the
defendants took the plaintiff back to his cell without any other medical attention.” (Doc.
1, at 7-8; but cf. Doc. 19, Exh. A, Kimbrel aff., at 2 (“Inmate Maddox claims that I took
pictures of Inmate Maddox and then turned out the lights so that inmate Maddox could
be beaten. This is completely false. I was with inmate Maddox from the time I arrived at
his cell until the time he was placed back in his cell. Inmate Maddox was not beaten nor
was any force used on inmate Maddox other than the chemical agents as previously
stated.”).) In addition to Sgt. Kimbrel’s direct denials of this additional assault (see id.),
there is no mention anywhere in the incident report, use of force investigative report, or
disciplinary records of this alleged physical assault, even though Maddox provided a
handwritten statement regarding the events that happened that night for inclusion in
both the investigative report and the disciplinary report. (See Doc. 19, Exh. E, at 10, Use
of Force Inmate Written Statement; Doc. 19, Exh. F, Disciplinary Report, at 6.)8 Moreover,

8

On December 16, 2011, Captain James Powers opened a “Use of Force
Investigation.”( Doc. 19, Exh. E, Investigative Report, at 8.) Powers concluded that Kimbrel’s use
of a chemical agent on Maddox ”was justified” in order “to get inmate Maddox to comply with
the orders given[.]” (Id.) Later that day, on December 16, 2011, Kimbrel charged Maddox with
violating Administrative Regulation 403—specifically Rule #56—for failing to obey a direct
order. (Doc. 19, Exhibit F.)
On 12/15/2011, Correctional Sergeant Chris Kimbrel gave inmate Eddie
Maddox B/246621 numerous direct orders to place his (Maddox) hands outside

(Continued)
7

there is nothing in plaintiff’s medical records from this time—that is, starting on
December 15, 2011 and running to December 20, 2011—which references any treatment
for chipped front teeth or abrasions to the head and face caused by “stumping” by the
defendants. (See Doc. 19, Exhibit G, at 236-240.)9 The one page of the medical records
plaintiff points to—in rebuttal—as establishing that his teeth and gold crowns were
damaged—requiring replacement—by these defendants on December 15, 2011, is a

the tray door of his (Maddox) cell (L-46) so that handcuffs could be applied so
that inmate Maddox’s person and cell could be search[ed]. Inmate Maddox
refused. Chemical Agents were administered to gain compliance from inmate
Maddox. This is a Use of Force incident.
(Id.) That same day, Maddox was served with a copy of the disciplinary report which advised
him that his hearing was set for December 23, 2011 at 12:50 a.m. in the segregation shift office.
(Id.) Maddox pled not guilty and listed as witnesses, inmates Ferman Williams, Bobby
Shamburger, and Lindsay Darby. (Id.) One of Maddox’s witnesses refused to testify. At the
hearing, Kimbrel testified, consistent with the charging document, that he gave Maddox a direct
order to cuff-up and that the inmate refused that direct order. (Id. at 3.) In addition, one of
Maddox’s witnesses heard Kimbrel tell Maddox to cuff-up and “Eddie asked for what and Sgt.
Kimbrel sprayed him.” (Id. at 2.) Further, Maddox’s own statement to the disciplinary hearing
officer supports a finding that Maddox refused to cuff-up:
I was standing at [the] door [to my cell.] . . . My book was in the hallway. Officer
Gipson took my book. I ask him why he [was] tak[]ing it[.] [H]e said fuck you
nigga[.] Fuck you bitch[.] All the inmate[s] in lockup heard this[.] I said fuck you
bitch. Then they came back 30 minute[s] later and said shakedown[.] They being
getting people in handcuff[s and] jump on them so I ask for a supervisor[.] Sgt
walk up and told me to cuff up[.] I said alright. And I was trying to get him [to]
make sure the police don’t jump me once I put the handcuff[s] on and while I was
talking to him he just spray me and I was like [damn] why you do that f[o]r. I told
you I was going to cuff-up.
(Id. at 6 (emphasis added).) The hearing officer, Correctional Sergeant Theresa Moore, concluded
that Maddox violated Administrative Regulation 403’s Rule 56 by failing to obey a direct order
from Kimbrel to cuff-up. (Id. at 3.)
9

On December 20, 2011, plaintiff did request referral to the dentist because his
teeth were hurting and he was referred to the dental department; however, plaintiff nowhere
indicates that his teeth were hurting because of the actions of the defendants in physically
assaulting him on December 15, 2011. (See id. at 236.)

8

March 15, 2012 consent for dental treatment reflecting only that the dentist smoothed the
rough edge of Tooth Number 8. (Compare Doc. 21, at 3 with Doc. 19, Exhibit G, at 157.)
Not only does nothing about this entry substantiate plaintiff’s conclusory claims that the
defendants’ injured his front teeth on December 15, 2011, other dental records reflect that
Maddox reported to the dentist on December 28, 2011 that he “’[l]ost [his] gold upper
front teeth [8 & 9.]’” (Id. at 164.)10 Because those two front teeth had caries, plaintiff was
scheduled for possible restoration, after it was explained to Maddox that “Crown &
Bridge cosmetic dentistry” was not performed at Holman. (Id.) Still other dental records
reveal that on January 3, 2012, plaintiff’s “open-faced gold crowns” and #8 and #9 were
cleaned and replaced and the teeth etched and bonded; in addition, composites were
done on those teeth on April 24, 2012. (See id. at 158-160.)
Finally, plaintiff contends that as a result of the defendants’ failure to give him a
decontamination shower, he suffered “ongoing burning of the body from over night
mace that resulted in a long line of seeking medical care[.]” (Doc. 1, at 9; see also Doc. 21,
at 5 (plaintiff’s allegations that medical records reflect ongoing skin problems he suffered
as a result of having to try to clear off the mace himself in his segregation cell and
“moving” the mace to other parts of his body)). There is certainly evidence in the record
that within hours of being returned to his cell, Maddox filed two separate health services
request forms complaining of continued burning over parts of his body and blurry
vision. (Doc. 19, Exh. G, at 237-238.) These request forms were received by the Health
Care Unit at 3:00 a.m., on December 16, 2011; however, plaintiff was not triaged by a

10

Indeed, two months earlier, Maddox was complaining that Teeth 8 & 9 were
sensitive, and heavy wear was noted at that time by the dentist. (Id.)

9

registered nurse until some thirteen (13) plus hours later, at 4:50 p.m. (Id.) The record is
silent as to why it took so long for Maddox to be allowed to be evaluated.11

(See Doc.

19.) Nevertheless, by the time Nurse Nettles evaluated plaintiff, his only complaints
consisted of “burning” eyes and “blurry vision” (Doc. 19, Exh. G, at 239); it was noted
that plaintiff was decontaminated the previous day (id.). The objective findings of Nurse
Nettles reflect no “swelling”, “rash”, “lesion”, “redness” or any other “trauma” to the
skin and no “significant difference from previous [eye] exam” (id. at 239). Nonetheless,
plaintiff was referred to an eye doctor (id. at 240) because of signs of pain/tenderness in
the eyes, that is, alteration in comfort; a referral to the eye doctor was ordered at this
time (id. at 239 & 240) Plaintiff was initially seen on December 21, 2011, but had to be
rescheduled for an eye exam due to an inability “to see” (Doc. 19, Exh. G, at 175); on
examination conducted on January 18, 2012, plaintiff’s eyes were dilated and no
chemical side effects were noted by the optometrist (id. at 174).
Despite only complaining about eye discomfort and blurry vision to Nurse
Nettles on December 16, 2011, Maddox alleges that he has suffered an ongoing harm as a
result of the defendants’ failure to properly decontaminate him after exposing him to a
chemical agent. (Doc. 21, at 5.) In support of this allegation, Maddox claims that the first
complaint of the ongoing problem can be found in “Exhibit G at page 237” and continues
until October 2012 as demonstrated on pages 17-18. (Doc. 21, at 5.) Page 237 of Exhibit G,
as reflected above, is nothing more than the health services request form submitted by

11

It is Maddox’s contention that the prison guards, and not the medical personnel,
are responsible for it taking over 16 hours for Maddox to be reevaluated by health services. (See
Doc. 1, at 8.) However, there is no mention in the record as to which guards were still on duty at
the time that Maddox alleges he was denied access to additional medical attention.

10

plaintiff on December 16, 2011, that states “I[‘ve been] spray[ed] all over with [mace.]
[M]y ass burning[,] my dick burning[,] face[,] neck[,] arm[,] everywhere.” (Doc. 19, Exh.
G, at 237.) And pages 17 and 18 are nursing protocol sheets, dated February 4, 2013 and
February 20, 2013, the first of which reflects plaintiff’s complaints of “jock itch” present
since October of 201212 (Doc. 19, Exh. G, at 18) and the second of which merely reflects
that steri strips were applied to a laceration and a Tetanus shot administered (id. at 17).
Nothing from the records cited by plaintiff support an allegation that he suffered any
ongoing skin problems because of the administration of mace on December 15, 2011;
instead, these records point to other underlying causes of plaintiff’s discomfort on
February 4, 2013 and February 20, 2013, namely, jock itch and a laceration.
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
A.

Summary Judgment Standard.

Summary judgment is proper “if the movant shows that there is no genuine
dispute as to any material fact and that the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of
law.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a); see Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 247-248, 106 S.
Ct. 2505, 2510, 91 L. Ed. 2d 202 (1986) (“The mere existence of some alleged factual
dispute between the parties will not defeat an otherwise properly supported motion for
summary judgment.”); Garczynski v. Bradshaw, 573 F.3d 1158, 1165 (11th Cir. 2009)

12

In fact, there is evidence in the medical records provided this Court that Maddox
first complained of jock itch on December 1, 2011 (compare Doc. 19, Exh. G, at 245-246 (first
complaint about bumps on groin dated December 1, 2011) with id. at 242 (“I have a jock itch that
won[‘]t clear up[.] The cream you gave me [on December 1, 2011] . . . [is] no good it worster (sic).
I need medicine to dry this up between my legs[.]”)), fourteen days prior to being sprayed with
mace.

11

(“[S]ummary judgment is appropriate even if ‘some alleged factual dispute’ between the
parties remains, so long as there is ‘no genuine issue of material fact.’”).
The party seeking summary judgment has the initial responsibility of informing
the court of the basis for the motion and of establishing, based upon the discovery
instruments outlined in Rule 56(c), that there is no genuine issue of material fact and that
the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477
U.S. 317, 323, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 2553, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986); see also Allen v. Board of Public
Educ. for Bibb Cnty, 495 F.3d 1306, 1313 (11th Cir. 2007) (“The moving party bears the
initial burden of showing the court, by reference to materials on file, that there are no
genuine issues of material fact that should be decided at trial.”). Once this initial
demonstration is made, the “responsibility then devolves upon the non-movant to show
the existence of a genuine issue . . . [of] material fact.” Fitzpatrick v. City of Atlanta, 2 F.3d
1112, 1116 (11th Cir. 1993); see also Allen, supra, at 1314 (“‘When a moving party has
discharged its burden, the non-moving party must then “go beyond the pleadings,” and
show by its own affidavits, or by “depositions, answers to interrogatories, and
admissions on file,” designate specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for
trial.’”); see Comer v. City of Palm Bay, Florida, 265 F.3d 1186, 1192 (11th Cir. 2001) (“Once
the moving party discharges its initial burden of showing that there is an absence of
evidence to support the non-moving party’s case, the non-moving party must specify
facts proving the existence of a genuine issue of material fact for trial confirmed by
affidavits, ‘”depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file.”’”).
Forbidding reliance upon pleadings precludes a party from
“choos[ing] to wait until trial to develop claims or defenses relevant to the
summary judgment motion.” . . . This effectuates the purpose of summary
judgment which “‘is to pierce the pleadings and to assess the proof in
order to see whether there is a genuine need for trial.’” . . . Thus, “mere
general allegations which do not reveal detailed and precise facts” will not
12

prevent the award of summary judgment upon a court’s determination
that no genuine issue for trial exists.
Resolution Trust Corp. v. Dunmar Corp., 43 F.3d 587, 592 (11th Cir.), cert. denied sub nom.
Jones v. Resolution Trust Corp., 516 U.S. 817, 116 S.Ct. 74, 133 L.Ed.2d 33 (1995); see also
LaChance v. Duffy’s Draft House, Inc., 146 F.3d 832, 835 (11th Cir. 1998) (“[The nonmoving
party] must raise ‘significant probative evidence’ that would be sufficient for a jury to
find for that party.”). In other words, there is no genuine issue for trial “[w]here the
record taken as a whole could not lead a rational trier of fact to find for the non-moving
party[.]” Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co., Ltd. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574, 587, 106 S.Ct.
1348, 1356, 89 L.Ed.2d 538 (1986); see Comer, supra, 265 F.3d at 1192 (“Summary judgment
is required where the non-moving party’s response to a motion is merely ‘a repetition of
his conclusional allegations’ and is unsupported by evidence showing an issue for
trial.”).
In considering whether the defendants are entitled to summary judgment in this
case, the Court has viewed the facts in the light most favorable to the plaintiff. Comer,
supra, 265 F.3d at 1192 (“We view the evidence and all factual inferences raised by it in
the light most favorable to the non-moving party, and resolve all reasonable doubts
about the facts in favor of the non-moving party.”).
The requirement to view the facts in the nonmoving party’s favor
extends only to “genuine” disputes over material facts. A genuine dispute
requires more than “some metaphysical doubt as to the material facts.” A
“mere scintilla” of evidence is insufficient; the non-moving party must
produce substantial evidence in order to defeat a motion for summary
judgment.
Garczynski, supra, 573 F.3d at 1165 (internal citations omitted). In addition, “[t]here is no
burden upon the district court to distill every potential argument that could be made
based upon the materials before it on summary judgment.” Resolution Trust Corp., supra,
13

43 F.3d at 599. More importantly, where, as in this case, “opposing parties tell two
different stories, one of which is blatantly contradicted by the record, so that no
reasonable jury could believe it, a court should not adopt that version of the facts for
purposes of ruling on a motion for summary judgment.” Scott v. Harris, 550 U.S. 372, 380,
127 S.Ct. 1769, 1776, 167 L.Ed.2d 686 (2007); see also Logan v. Smith, 439 Fed. Appx. 798,
800 (11th Cir. Aug. 29, 2011) (“In cases where opposing parties tell different versions of
the same events, one of which is blatantly contradicted by the record—such that no
reasonable jury could believe it—a court should not adopt the contradicted allegations.”
(citations omitted)). 13
B.

Plaintiff’s Claims of Excessive Force.

Defendants Kimbrel, Gipson, and Stanton argue that they are entitled to judgment
in their favor as it relates to plaintiff’s claims of excessive force. In this regard, the Court
will focus upon Kimbrel’s administration of a one-second burst of a chemical
agent/pepper spray—Sabre Red—to Maddox’s facial area on December 15, 2011 (as well
as plaintiff’s arguments related to the alleged failure to give him a decontamination
shower). Maddox’s allegation that Kimbrel, Gipson, Stanton, and Broadhead (who is not
a party to this action) “stomped” him in the face and head area (causing chipped front
teeth) while plaintiff was in the segregation processing room is blatantly contradicted by
the record.

Specifically, Maddox’s contemporaneous statement of the events of

December 15, 2011, fail to mention this alleged “stomping” and the medical records of
the day after fail to support any complaint related to this alleged “stomping”. (see Doc.

13

“Unpublished opinions are not considered binding precedent, but they may be
cited as persuasive authority.” 11th Cir.R. 36-2.

14

19, Exh. D, at 2-4; Exh. E, at 10; Exh. G, at 158, 164, 206 & 215-240). Compare Scott, supra
with Logan, supra. Accordingly, the Court finds that “no reasonable jury could believe”
that this alleged use of excessive force incident occurred. Summary judgment is due to
be granted in favor of the defendants with respect to this claim.
Turning to plaintiff’s excessive force claim asserted against Kimbrel, there can be
no question but that the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition against cruel and unusual
punishment, U.S. Const. amend. VIII, governs the use of force by prison officials against
convicted inmates. Campbell v. Sikes, 169 F.3d 1353, 1374 (11th Cir. 1999); see also Johnson
v. Moody, 206 Fed. Appx. 880, 883 (11th Cir. Oct. 31, 2006). In order to establish an Eighth
Amendment

excessive

force

claim

against

defendant

Kimbrel

regarding

his

administration of a one-second burst of Sabre Red pepper spray, plaintiff must prove
both an objective and subjective component. That is, plaintiff must show that the alleged
wrongdoing was objectively “harmful enough” to establish a constitutional violation
and that Kimbrel “’act[ed] with a sufficiently culpable state of mind,’” i.e., that the
defendant acted “maliciously and sadistically to cause harm.” Hudson v. McMillian, 503
U.S. 1, 7 & 8, 112 S.Ct. 995, 999, 117 L.Ed.2d 156 (1992) (citation omitted).
Subjectively, then, Maddox must establish that “force was applied . . . maliciously
and sadistically to cause harm[,]” as opposed to being applied “in a good-faith effort to
maintain or restore discipline[.]” Hudson, supra, 503 U.S. at 7, 112 S.Ct. at 999; see also
Whitley v. Albers, 475 U.S. 312, 320-321, 106 S.Ct. 1078, 1085, 89 L.Ed.2d 251 (1986) (“[W]e
think the question whether the measure taken inflicted unnecessary and wanton pain
and suffering ultimately turns on ‘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.’”). In making this determination, the Court considers the need for the
15

application of force, the relationship between that need and the amount of force used,
the threat reasonably perceived, any efforts made to temper the severity of a forceful
response, and the extent of injury suffered. Hudson, 503 U.S. at 7, 112 S.Ct. at 999, citing
Whitley, 475 U.S. at 321, 106 S.Ct. at 1085; see also, Campbell, supra, 169 F.3d at 1375
(“Hudson and Whitley outline five distinct factors relevant to ascertaining whether force
was used ‘maliciously and sadistically for the very purpose of causing harm’: (1) ‘the
extent of injury’; (2) ‘the need for application of force’; (3) ‘the relationship between that
need and the amount of force used’; (4) ‘any efforts made to temper the severity of a
forceful response’; and (5) ‘the extent of the threat to the safety of staff and inmates, as
reasonably perceived by the responsible officials on the basis of facts known to them.’”).
In the instant case, there is simply insufficient evidence that would support a
finding that Kimbrel used force “maliciously and sadistically” for the purpose of causing
harm. First, there is no genuine issue of material fact that there was need for application
of some force because of Maddox’s refusal to follow Officer Gipson’s numerous orders
to “cuff up” so a shakedown of his cell could be conducted and his continued
recalcitrance when ordered by Sgt. Kimbrel to “cuff up.” Compare Danley v. Allen, 540
F.3d 1298, 1303 (11th Cir. 2008) (“[P]epper spray is an accepted non-lethal means of
controlling unruly inmates . . . .”), overruled on other grounds as recognized by Randall v.
Scott, 610 F.3d 701 (11th Cir. 2010), with Soto v. Dickey, 744 F.2d 1260, 1270 (7th Cir. 1984)
(“[I]t is a violation of the Eighth Amendment for prison officials to use mace or other
chemical agents in quantities greater than necessary or for the sole purpose of
punishment or the infliction of pain. . . . The use of mace, tear gas or other chemical
agent of the like nature when necessary . . . to subdue recalcitrant prisoners does not
constitute cruel and inhumane punishment. . . . The ‘use of the substance [] in small
16

amounts may be a necessary prison technique if a prisoner refuses after adequate
warning to move from a cell or upon other provocation presenting a reasonable
possibility that slight force will be required.’”), cert. denied, 470 U.S. 1085, 105 S. Ct. 1846,
85 L. Ed. 2d 144 (1985). Second, given the need for force, the Court finds that the
evidence is insufficient for a reasonable jury to find that the administration of a onesecond burst of pepper (OC) spray was unreasonable, malicious or sadistic.
Third, the extent of the injury also in no way supports a reasonable finding that
the force used was used maliciously and sadistically. See Campbell, supra, 169 F.3d at
1375. Maddox sustained only some burning of his eyes, which were admittedly flushed
of the pepper spray on the date of the “injury.” Indeed, by the time plaintiff’s Body
Chart was completed, he had no complaints whatsoever; there was no redness or tearing
of the eyes noted and no complaints of burning of the eyes. And although Maddox
complained of additional eye pain and blurry vision a few hours later,14 examination by
a nurse on December 16, 2011 revealed no problems other than pain and an eventual eye
exam on January 18, 2012, revealed no chemical side effects to the eyes, that is, no injury
to the eyes cause by the pepper spray.

14

Plaintiff’s concomitant complaints of burning in the area of his crotch and
buttocks were not relayed to the medical personnel when he was seen in the Health Care Unit
the following day and, indeed, the examining nurse that day noted no swelling, rash, lesion,
redness, or other trauma to the skin. Plaintiff’s reliance upon these complaints (placed on a
medical request form) and citation to two pages in the medical record as “evidence” of recurring
problems due to being sprayed with the chemical agent is unavailing not simply because he did
not relay such complaints to the examining nurse when later seen on December 16, 2011—and
the nurse did not objectively note any problems with the skin—but, more importantly, because
the pages of the medical record to which plaintiff cites—as well as other medical records—
conclusively establish that his “crotch” malady was jock itch, not residuals of pepper spray some
thirteen (13) months after the spraying incident.

17

Additionally, the fact that Kimbrel and other officers, including Gipson and
Stanton, escorted Maddox to the Health Care Unit immediately after the administration
of the pepper spray for treatment also undermines Maddox’s unsupported allegation
that Kimbrel’s conduct was malicious or sadistic inasmuch as the officers took steps to
immediately ensure that plaintiff received prompt treatment for his relatively minor
injuries. Finally, it is important to note that in applying force there is no evidence that
Kimbrel used threatening or abusive language. See Bozeman v. Orum, 422 F.3d 1265, 1271
n.11 (11th Cir. 2005) (“[T]hreatening language as part of a totality of circumstances can
be relevant to what is constitutionally reasonable or, as in this case, to the determination
of reasonable inferences about the Officers’ subjective state of mind.”). Based upon the
foregoing, the Court finds that Maddox has failed to produce sufficient evidence for a
reasonable jury to find that Kimbrel utilized force (that is, a one-second burst of
pepper/OC spray) to “maliciously and sadistically to cause harm” as opposed to in an
effort “to maintain or restore discipline.” Hudson, supra, 503 U.S. at 7, 112 S. Ct. at 999;
Whitley, supra, 475 U.S. at 320-321, 106 S. Ct. at 1085.15

15

This same analysis applies to plaintiff’s “decontamination shower” argument, to
the extent plaintiff means to argue—and it appears to the Court that he does mean to make this
argument (see Doc. 1)—that the failure of the named defendants to give him a decontamination
shower, on orders of a nurse, also establishes excessive use of force. Given the factual
circumstances in this case, this Court finds that plaintiff’s “decontamination shower” argument
is a separate claim of excessive force as opposed to being akin to the facts in Danley, supra, which
established “nearly simultaneous actions . . . [which were] interrelated parts of a single course of
conduct, not separate events.” 540 F. 3d at 1307; see also id. (“The use of the pepper spray against
Danley immediately followed by confinement in a small, poorly ventilated cell, which enhanced
the effects of the spray, is analogous to two blows in a beating.”); cf. Scroggins v. Davis, 346
Fed.Appx. 504, 505 (11th Cir. Sept. 28, 2009) (“The use of one burst of oleoresin capsicum (O.C.)
spray against Scroggins during the altercation was not excessive force. . . . Nor did placing
Scroggins in four-point restraints for three hours and fifteen minutes amount to excessive
force.”), cert. denied, 559 U.S. 982, 130 S.Ct. 1711, 176 L.Ed.2d 197 (2010). Here, there was not a
continuing application of force after plaintiff was subdued (that is, he was not confined in a

(Continued)
18

Turning to the objective component, the undersigned notes that inherent in the
protection afforded by the Eighth Amendment is the principle that “not ‘every
malevolent touch by a prison guard gives rise to a federal cause of action.’” Clark v.
Johnson, 2000 WL 1568337, *12 (S.D. Ala. 2000), quoting Hudson, 503 U.S. at 9, 112 S. Ct. at
1000. The objective component of an Eighth Amendment excessive force claim
“necessarily 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.”’” Hudson, 503 U.S. at 9-10, 112 S. Ct. at 1000 (citations omitted). While the

poorly-ventilated room immediately following the administration of a one-second burst of
pepper spray to his face); instead, he was immediately taken to the Health Care Unit where his
eyes and face were immediately cleaned and he was examined by a nurse. The Body Chart
completed by the examining nurse contains no notation (or objective findings indicating) that
Maddox needed further decontamination (by shower) nor do the photographs taken of plaintiff
immediately following the examination betray any evidence of redness or irritation of plaintiff’s
skin—anywhere on his body—indicating the need for further decontamination. In addition,
there is no evidence in this case of the kind in Danley, supra, that plaintiff screamed and cried out
to the defendants about burning skin, etc., or evidence that the defendants laughed at his
discomfort. See Danley, supra, 540 F.3d at 1304. Based upon the evidence that exists, the burden
shifts to Maddox “to present ‘evidence on which the jury could reasonably find for [him],’ . . . on
the issue of the defendants’ subjective intentions” when they purportedly failed to give him a
decontamination shower. In this regard, plaintiff simply makes several conclusory statements in
his rebuttal affidavit, including that “[d]efendants can not ‘state’ in good faith that the spray
does not cause burning pain, or that dried chemical agent spray does not reinact (sic) when
water is applied, defendants knew or should have know that [he] w[as] in need of a shower for
decontamination purposes.” (Id.; see id. at 4 (“Defendants can not in good faith[] deny that the
chemical agent mace will burn the body when left on the body over 24 hours . . . Defendants can
not reasonably object to inmates needs for decontamination showers when their chemical agent
mace spray are applied to the inmates.”)). Not only is there no evidence in the record that any
portion of plaintiff’s body was “burned” but, most importantly, these conclusory statements do
not bear upon whether the defendants “’sadistically and maliciously [failed to give plaintiff a
decontamination shower] for the very purpose of causing harm.’” Fischer, supra, 238 Fed. Appx.
at 432, quoting Johnson, supra, 280 F.3d at 1321. Accordingly, Maddox’s failure to establish a
genuine issue of material fact regarding the subjective prong of this alleged instance of excessive
use of force warrants entry of summary judgment in favor of the defendants on this claim. See
Scroggins, supra, 346 Fed. Appx. at 505 & 507 (finding that the district court properly granted
summary judgment to the defendants on plaintiff’s excessive force claims, namely, the use of one
burst of O.C. spray and placement of plaintiff in four-point restraints for over three hours
immediately after the spraying incident).

19

Supreme Court in Hudson did not define “de minimis use of force,” it did hold that
neither “serious” nor “significant” injury is required to satisfy the objective component
of an Eighth Amendment claim, nor is any arbitrary quantum of injury an absolute
requirement of an excessive force claim, apparently out of concerns that certain forms of
torture are capable of inflicting extreme pain without leaving any mark or tangible
injury.” See id. at 9, 112 S.Ct. at 1000 (“Otherwise, the Eighth Amendment would permit
any physical punishment, no matter how diabolic or inhuman, inflicting less than some
arbitrary quantity of injury.”). Thus, the Eleventh Circuit requires “that the plaintiff
suffer more than a de minimis injury, while being mindful that a significant injury is not
required to establish an Eighth Amendment violation[.]” Smith v. Vavoulis, 373 Fed.
Appx. 965, 966 (11th Cir. 2010) (internal citation omitted), citing Hudson, 503 U.S. at 8-10,
112 S. Ct. at 999-1001.

In so doing, the Eleventh Circuit stays true to Hudson’s

determination that “bruises, swelling, loosened teeth, and a cracked dental plate, are not
de minimis for Eighth Amendment purposes.” 503 U.S. at 10, 112 S.Ct. at 1000; compare id.
with Smith, supra, 373 Fed. Appx. at 967 (burning caused by mace, bruises, bleeding from
the mouth, a deep cut on the wrist and swelling, and “knots” on the head, all of which
healed without medical treatment, found to be similar to the injuries described in Hudson
and, therefore, not de minimis).
The alleged injuries suffered by Maddox are not similar to the ones described in
Hudson and Smith; instead, they are de minimis. Maddox’s eyes and face were
immediately cleaned in the Health Care Unit after Kimbrel’s administration of a onesecond burst of pepper spray and while his eyes remained painful and blurry twelve
hours after administration of the mace, a subsequent eye exam was normal and revealed
no chemical side effects to the eyes, that is, no injury to the eyes cause by the pepper
20

spray. These de minimis eye injuries, as well as all other facts and circumstances
heretofore explored, establish that Kimbrel’s administration of a one-second burst of
pepper spray into the area of plaintiff’s face constitute no more than a de minimis use of
force.16 Cf. Wilkins v. Gaddy, 559 U.S. 34, 37, 130 S. Ct. 1175, 1178, 175 L. Ed. 2d 995 (2010)
(“Injury and force, however, are only imperfectly correlated, and it is the latter that
ultimately counts.”).
In light of plaintiff’s inability to establish genuine issues of material fact regarding
either prong of the excessive use of force analysis—as to either alleged instance of
force—the defendants are entitled to judgment in their favor.
C.

Deliberate Indifference and Deprivation of Treatment for a Serious

Medical Need.
The undersigned appreciates Maddox’s argument in this regard to be that the
defendants were deliberately indifferent to a serious medical need by failing to ensure
that he received a proper decontamination shower after being exposed to a chemical

16

As for the injuries plaintiff allegedly suffered as a result of the defendants’ failure
to give him a decontamination shower, the Court finds that although plaintiff complained of
some burning in his crotch and buttocks areas a few hours after he was returned to his cell he
made no mention of such complaints to the nurse who evaluated him some thirteen plus hours
later (on December 16, 2011) and that nurse’s objective findings reflect no problems whatsoever
with Maddox’s skin. Moreover, the medical records plaintiff cites to in support of his
“decontamination shower” claim fail to reveal any evidence whatsoever that the pepper spray
caused plaintiff to experience long-tem medical issues in the area of his crotch; instead, these
records conclusively establish that plaintiff’s “crotch” affliction was “jock itch,” not his exposure
to pepper spray some thirteen months earlier. Indeed, such arguments are counterintuitive since
“OC use does not result in dermatitis, skin depigmentation, or burns.” George Gkeneralis,
Health Consequences of Large Scale Use of Tear Gases and Other Chemical Substances in Mass
Gatherings as a Means of Law Enforcement, 7 (2012), http:crisis.med.uoa.gr/elibrary/6.pdf.
Therefore, plaintiff’s mere “allegations” of continuing injury fail to establish that the failure to
give him a decontamination shower constituted more than a de minimis use of force.

21

agent and that such failure resulted in plaintiff seeking medical care for a long time
thereafter due to “burning of the body[.]” (Doc. 1, at 9; see also Doc. 21, at 2 & 4-7.)
To prevail upon a claim of deliberate indifference to a serious medical need, an
inmate must “shoulder three burdens.” Goebert v. Lee County, 510 F.3d 1312, 1326 (11th
Cir. 2007).17 First, he must establish the objective component by showing that he has a
serious medical need. Goebert, 510 F.3d at 1326 (citation omitted). Next, he must establish
the subjective component “by showing that the prison official acted with deliberate
indifference” to his serious medical need. Id. (citation omitted). And, finally, he “must
show that the injury was caused by the defendant’s wrongful conduct.” Id. (citation
omitted).
As recognized in Goebert, supra, “[a] medical need that is serious enough to satisfy
the objective component ‘is one that has been diagnosed by a physician as mandating
treatment or one that is so obvious that even a lay person would easily recognize the
necessity for a doctor’s attention.’” 510 F.3d at 1326 (citation omitted). The subjective
component “requires a showing that a prison official acted with deliberate indifference
to the prisoner’s serious medical need.” Goebert, 510 F.3d at 1326. Deliberate indifference
occurs only when a defendant “knows of and disregards an excessive risk to inmate
health or safety; the [defendant] must both be aware of facts from which the inference
could be drawn that a substantial risk of serious harm exists, and he must also draw the

17

See Taylor v. Adams, 221 F.3d 1254, 1258 (11th Cir. 2000) (when seeking relief
based on deliberate indifference of responsible officials, an inmate is required to establish “an
objectively serious need, an objectively insufficient response to that need, subjective awareness
of facts signaling the need and an actual inference of required action from those facts), cert.
denied, 531 U.S. 1077, 121 S. Ct. 774, 148 L. Ed. 2d 673 (2001).

22

inference.” Farmer v. Brennan, 511 U.S. 825, 837, 114 S. Ct. 1970, 1979, 128 L. Ed. 2d 811
(1994). In addition, a plaintiff must prove that the prison official disregarded the risk of
serious harm by conduct that amounts to more than gross negligence. Goebert, supra, 510
F.3d at 1327 (citation omitted). This is because “deliberate indifference” entails more
than mere negligence. Farrow v. West, 320 F.3d 1235, 1245 (11th Cir. 2003); see also
Townsend v. Jefferson County, 601 F.3d 1152, 1158 (11th Cir. 2010).
There is nothing in the evidence presented to this Court that even begins to
suggest that Maddox was not treated on December 15-16, 2011, in the aftermath of his
exposure to pepper spray,18 nor is there any evidence suggesting that the plaintiff has
suffered any kind of injury as a result of the defendants’ failure to give plaintiff a
decontamination shower. Indeed, there is no mention of plaintiff’s alleged skin
conditions in the medical records surrounding the spraying of Maddox with the
chemical agent and Maddox’s failure to comment about a burning anywhere on his
body, other than to his eyes, to Nurse Nettles on December 16, 2011, speaks volumes that
any alleged skin condition was not caused by the failure of the defendants to give him a
decontamination shower.19 Maddox did complain, hours after his exposure to the
chemical agent, about blurring and burning of his eyes; however, evaluation by an
infirmary nurse and an optometrist found nothing wrong with plaintiff’s eyes as a result

18

Again, by plaintiff’s own admission, it is undisputed that immediately after he
was sprayed with pepper spray in the face, he was taken to the Health Care Unit where his eyes
and face were cleaned and/or flushed. Moreover, even though the examining nurse noted no
objective (or subjective) problems upon examination, following decontamination of the eyes and
face, plaintiff was instructed to return to the Health Care Unit as needed.
19

Rather, as repeatedly pointed out by the Court, any skin problems plaintiff may
have experienced were due to “jock itch,” not “burning” of his skin due to the failure to afford
him a decontamination shower.

23

of exposure to pepper spray. More specifically, plaintiff’s vision did not change and no
chemical side effects to his eyes were noted. Thus, the objective component of this claim
is lacking. Cf. Mann v. Taser Int’l, Inc., 588 F.3d 1291, 1307 (11th Cir. 2009) (“’[T]he
medical need must be one that, if left unattended, poses a substantial risk of serious
harm.’”). The third element is also missing because, again, there is no evidence of any
injury caused to plaintiff by the action of the defendants in failing to ensure that he
receive a decontamination shower. Thus, the defendants are entitled to summary
judgment on this claim.
CONCLUSION
In light of the foregoing discussion, the defendants’ motion for summary
judgment (Doc. 19; see also Doc. 20) is GRANTED and plaintiff’s claims are DISMISSED
WITH PREJUDICE.
Final judgment in accordance with this Order and Federal Rule of Civil Procedure
58 shall issue by separate document.
DONE and ORDERED this the 24th day of March 2014.
s/KRISTI K. DuBOSE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

24