Robason v. Thomas et al

Filing 63

OPINION AND ORDER granting in part and denying in part defts' 29 Motion for Summary Judgment; defts' 57 Motion in Limine is denied. Signed by Chief Judge J. Leon Holmes on 10/13/11. (vjt)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
EASTERN DIVISION
GENE AUSTIN ROBASON
v.

PLAINTIFF
No. 2:10CV00037 JLH

MICHAEL THOMAS, individually and in his
official capacity as a police officer for the
City of Helena-West Helena, AR; JOHN BAILEY,
individually and in his official capacity as a
police officer for the City of Helena-West Helena,
AR; and the CITY OF HELENA-WEST HELENA,
ARKANSAS

DEFENDANTS

OPINION AND ORDER
For the reasons stated on the record during a telephone hearing today, the defendants’ motion
for summary judgment is granted in part. The motion is granted with respect to the plaintiff’s claims
against Michael Thomas and John Bailey for entering the premises of the plaintiff in violation of the
Fourth Amendment and against the City of Helena-West Helena, Arkansas, for providing inadequate
training with respect to entering homes in the circumstances that confronted the officers on the
evening in question. The plaintiff’s claim against Michael Thomas, individually, for use of
excessive force is not dismissed, however. That claim will go to trial.
The defendants’ motion in limine is denied. The plaintiff has stated that he does not intend
to elicit information regarding Michael Thomas’s termination and reinstatement in late 2010 from
the Helena-West Helena Police Department, so the motion in limine is denied as moot on that issue.
With respect to Form F4 regarding Thomas’s separation from the Holly Grove Police Department,
that document may be used for impeachment purposes if Thomas testifies contrary to the contents
of that document.

For the reasons stated, the motion for summary judgment is granted in part and denied in
part. Document #29. The motion in limine is denied. Document #57.
IT IS SO ORDERED this 13th day of October, 2011.

J. LEON HOLMES
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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