Myles v. Chandler et al
Filing
70
ORDER-WRITTEN Opinion entered by the Honorable Philip G. Reinhard on 9/12/2017: For the following reasons, defendants' motion for summary judgment 40 is denied. At the next hearing, the parties are to discuss with Judge Johnston the possibility of a settlement conference. [see STATEMENT-OPINION] Signed by the Honorable Philip G. Reinhard on 9/12/2017. Electronic notice (kms)
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS
WESTERN DIVISION
Eddie H Myles (A-71068),
Plaintiff,
v.
Nedra Chandler, et al.,
Defendants.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
Case No: 15 C 2855
Judge Philip G. Reinhard
ORDER
For the following reasons, defendants’ motion for summary judgment [40] is denied. At
the next hearing, the parties are to discuss with Judge Johnston the possibility of a settlement
conference.
STATEMENT-OPINION
On August 28, 2015, plaintiff Eddie H. Myles filed his first amended § 1983 complaint
against defendants Warden Nedra Chandler and Officer Christopher Thompson [19], alleging
that defendants violated his constitutional rights by failing to protect him from assault by another
inmate.
On September 15, 2016, defendants Warden Chandler and Officer Thompson filed a joint
motion for summary judgment [40], memorandum in support [41], and Rule 56.1 statement of
facts [42]. Defendants contend that plaintiff’s § 1983 claims are barred by Heck v. Humphrey,
512 U.S. 477 (1994), that plaintiff has failed to raise a genuine issue of fact that defendants failed
to protect him, and that defendants are entitled to qualified immunity. See [41]. On October 31,
2016, plaintiff filed his response to the motion [46], response to the statement of facts [47], and
Rule 56.1 statement of additional facts [48], along with an additional appendix of exhibits [49].
On November 15, 2016, defendants filed their reply [52] and response to plaintiff’s additional
facts [51].
On summary judgment, the court construes all facts and draws all inferences in the light
most favorable to the non-moving party. Schepers v. Commissioner, Indiana Dept. of
Corrections, 691 F.3d 909, 913 (7th Cir. 2012). The court does not weigh evidence or determine
the credibility of witness testimony. O'Leary v. Accretive Health, Inc., 657 F.3d 625, 630 (7th
Cir. 2011). Instead, the court only grants 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.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a). That said, Rule 56 “mandates the entry of summary judgment, after
adequate time for discovery and upon motion, against a party who fails to make a showing
sufficient to establish the existence of an element to that party’s case, and on which that party
1
will bear the burden of proof at trial.” Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322 (1986). In
evaluating the motions and the undisputed facts located in the parties’ Local Rule 56.1
Statements of Material Fact with respect to each motion, the court is cognizant of its obligation
to construe all disputed and undisputed facts in the light most favorable to the plaintiff. See
Schepers, 691 F.3d at 913.
A. Factual Background.
Plaintiff was an inmate incarcerated at Dixon Correctional Center during the relevant
time. [47] at ¶ 1. Defendant Christopher Thompson was a Correctional Officer assigned to
Internal Affairs at Dixon. [47] at ¶ 2. Nedra Chandler served as the Warden of Dixon during the
relevant time. [47] at ¶ 3.
In November of 2012, plaintiff was moved into a cell with inmate Milton Shepard. [47]
at ¶ 15. On January 28, 2013, plaintiff fought with Shepard during an altercation about
plaintiff’s bottom bunk permit, which plaintiff testified Shepard was upset about. [47] at ¶ 16;
[51] at ¶ 1. Plaintiff testified that he received twenty days in segregation for fighting with
Shepard. [47] at ¶ 17.
After the January altercation, [plaintiff] was threatened by Shepard. [51] at ¶ 5. Plaintiff
testified that “from a distance, he’d threaten me, he’d threaten me up close, he would threaten me
– officers heard it, inmates heard it – and a lot of times, I’d just ignore him and keep walking.”
[47] at ¶ 12. Plaintiff testified in response to questioning that he was not “afraid” of Shepard,
and that he was not afraid of anyone in prison. [47] at ¶ 25. Shepard testified that, after the
January incident, he was “upset” and “mad at Plaintiff” and “wanted to hit him.” [51] at ¶ 6.
Plaintiff testified that sometime after the January altercation he wrote a letter to Officer
Thompson, and in that letter, stated that plaintiff’s former cell mate was telling other inmates that
he was going to do something in the gym or in the yard; plaintiff points to the full document.
[47] at ¶ 18. In full, the letter provides as follows:
[page one]
3/13/13
Greetings, Mr. Thompson,
This is Eddie Myles #A-71068 in #58 Cell “01.”
I dropped a kite in the “Outgoing Mail Box” for you. So, this is
concerning the same “thing.”
Short, brief, and to the point!
Several guys I know have came up to “me” and said; whenever you “see”
your x-cellie, watch “him” because he’s “talking about what he’s gonna do to
you, when he “catches you right” over in the “gym.” So, be “careful.” Or on that
“yard.”
After hearing this: I naturally looked at the “yard and gym” schedule. He’s
now in “31.” I’m in #58. We have “yard together for sure,” or at least while he’s
in “31” anyway.
2
I’m not trying to get “shot” on the yard, or “hurt.” I’m giving you my
word that if I do have to raise my hands at my x-cellie, I will do it “defending
myself.” I will try as best I can to “keep” some “distance” between us.” I just
“wanted” you to know my x-cellie is “talkin crazy,” Hey.” We’ll “talk.”
[page two]
Between “us” I’d rather be in a “2-Man” “Cell,” but I’m OK “Where I
am” for now.
I would really appreciate it if I could get back to “60” or “26”? But, if I
can’t “I’m cool where I am.”
God knows I don’t want “Any-problems.”
Just thought I’d let you know “before something happens” “what” I’m
“hearing.” “We’ll talk”…
To: Mr. Thompson.
“I.A.”
[42-5].
Plaintiff also testified that he sent an identical letter to Warden Chandler and placed it in
her personal mailbox; he admits he does not have a copy of the letter, and that he does not know
whether that letter was ever received by Warden Chandler. [47] at ¶ 13; [51] at ¶¶ 8, 10.
Warden Chandler testified that she does not recall receiving Myles’ letter. [51] at ¶ 11. It is a
matter of dispute whether Officer Thompson recalls reading the letter. See [51] at ¶ 12.
On March 28, 2013, plaintiff attended the yard. [47] at ¶ 23. Plaintiff admits that he
looked at the yard schedule prior to attending and saw that Shepard was going to be on the yard
with him, but that plaintiff chose to attend the yard anyway. [47] at ¶ 24. According to plaintiff,
Shepard approached him and asked plaintiff to meet him behind the shack to fight. [47] at ¶ 26.
Plaintiff testified that he ignored Shepard, who then walked away but returned a few minutes
later, and the same thing happened. [47] at ¶ 27. Plaintiff asserts that Shepard came back a third
time, pushed past plaintiff’s friend, and started “swinging on” plaintiff. [47] at ¶ 28. Plaintiff
testified that he stood up and slipped, but Shepard hit plaintiff approximately fifteen to twenty
times until the horn went off in the yard. [47] at ¶ 29. After the horn went off, plaintiff and
Shepard went back to line up to leave the yard and went back to their cell houses. [47] at ¶ 30.
Plaintiff admits that he never notified any correctional officers on the yard that Shepard
approached him. [47] at ¶ 31.
Plaintiff suffered injuries to his head, face, and eyes as a result of the March 28, 2013
altercation; specifically a swollen left eye, a bump on his forehead, and abrasions. [51] at ¶ 15.
According to plaintiff, his vision was impacted by the altercation. [51] at ¶ 16. The altercation
was ultimately discovered, and plaintiff received a disciplinary ticket for fighting, losing good
time as punishment for the ticket. [47] at ¶ 32. Under the Illinois Administrative Code, an
inmate commits “fighting” by “fighting with another person in a manner that is not likely to
cause seriously bodily injury to one or the other and that does not involve the use of a weapon.”
20 Ill. Adm. Code 504 App’x A. [47] at ¶ 33. The Adjustment Committee’s basis for the
decision included the statement that plaintiff admitted “to having a physical altercation with
3
Inmate Shepard K52138 on the GP yard” and that “Inmate Shepard stated that both he and
Inmate Myles were throwing punches at each other.” [47] at ¶ 34.
Although the conversation is disputed, plaintiff testified that after the March 28, 2013
incident, Officer Thompson had a direct conversation with him about the letter and his failure to
take action. [51] at ¶ 17. During that conversation, Officer Thompson told plaintiff that he
apologized for not honoring the letter that he received from plaintiff and not sending anyone to
talk to Shepard to do a thorough investigation. See id. Officer Thompson stated that perhaps if
he had done something, the altercation would not have happened. See id. Officer Thompson
told plaintiff that he had not dealt with the letter because something urgent came up that required
his attention. [51] at ¶ 18. After apologizing to plaintiff, Officer Thompson ultimately
transferred Shepard to another facility and stopped plaintiff’s disciplinary transfer. [51] at ¶ 20.
B. Analysis.
The court will first analyze defendants’ argument that plaintiff’s claims are foreclosed by
Heck v. Humphrey, 512 U.S. 477 (1994). Next, the court will determine whether plaintiff has
raised a genuine issue of material fact that defendants failed to protect him from Shepard.
Finally, the court will consider whether defendants are entitled to qualified immunity.
I. Heck v. Humphrey.
Defendant’s first argument is that plaintiff’s claim is barred by Heck v. Humphrey, 512
U.S. 477 (1994) because, while plaintiff claims he was “assaulted” by Shepard, the Dixon
Adjustment Committee found that he was guilty of “fighting” and took away good time for that
infraction. The Seventh Circuit has explained that Heck can apply to prison disciplinary rulings:
Under the rule of the Heck case, a civil rights suit cannot be maintained by a
prisoner if a judgment in his favor would “necessarily imply” that his conviction
had been invalid, and for this purpose the ruling in a prison disciplinary
proceeding is a conviction. The Heck rule is analogous to collateral estoppel: an
issue determined with finality in a full and fair adjudicative proceeding (and
essential to the decision in that proceeding) cannot be reopened in a subsequent
case. The reason for requiring that the issue have been essential is that if
resolving the issue was irrelevant to the outcome of the case, there was neither
incentive to challenge that resolution on appeal nor reason for the appellate court
to consider such a challenge.
Moore v. Mahone, 652 F.3d 722, 723 (7th Cir. 2011).
Here, defendants point out that plaintiff received a disciplinary ticket for “fighting” after
the March 28, 2013 altercation. As previously noted, under the Illinois Administrative Code, an
inmate commits “fighting” by “fighting with another person in a manner that is not likely to
cause seriously bodily injury to one or the other and that does not involve the use of a weapon.”
20 Ill. Adm. Code 504 App’x A. [47] at ¶ 33. The Adjustment Committee’s basis for the ruling
included the statement that plaintiff admitted “to having a physical altercation with Inmate
Shepard K52138 on the GP yard” and that “Inmate Shepard stated that both he and Inmate Myles
4
were throwing punches at each other.” [47] at ¶ 34. Defendants argue that if plaintiff was
simply assaulted, as he claims here, it follows that the disciplinary board’s findings are invalid;
as such, they argue that his claims run afoul of Heck.
Plaintiff counters that his § 1983 claims are not inconsistent with the Adjustment
Committee’s decision that he was guilty of “fighting.” As plaintiff points out, the Code’s
definition of fighting does not require a finding that plaintiff initiated the altercation with
Shepard, and “throwing punches” after Shepard began the altercation would still constitute a
violation of the offense. The court agrees. As the Seventh Circuit has held, “Prisoners lack even
a right to invoke self-defense in disciplinary proceedings when they have resorted to violence as
a means of protecting themselves.” Gevas v. McLaughlin, 798 F.3d 475, 484 (7th Cir. 2015); see
also Rowe v. DeBruyn, 17 F.3d 1047, 1053 (7th Cir. 1994) (not allowing self-defense claims in
the context of prison disciplinary proceedings “acts as a deterrent because a prisoner who is
caught fighting cannot reliably exculpate himself later with a claim of self-defense”). It is
because prisoners’ liberty is so constrained that “it is defendants who have the duty to protect a
prisoner once they become aware he is in danger of assault by another prisoner, and this is a now
well-settled aspect of Eighth Amendment jurisprudence.” Gevas, 798 F.3d at 484.
The validity of the Adjustment Committee’s decision that plaintiff was guilty of
“fighting” because he was “throwing punches” at Shepard is consistent with plaintiff’s claim,
that defendants failed to prevent the fight by protecting plaintiff from Shepard. As such,
defendants’ Heck argument is without merit and the court will proceed to the merits of plaintiff’s
failure to protect claim.
II. Failure to Protect.
Defendants’ next argument is that summary judgment should be granted because plaintiff
has failed to establish a genuine issue of material fact that defendants’ are liable for failing to
protect him from Shepard. As the Seventh Circuit has held, “[a] prison official is liable for
failing to protect an inmate from another prisoner only if the official ‘knows of and disregards an
excessive risk to inmate health or safety[.]’” Gevas v. McLaughlin, 798 F.3d 475, 480 (7th Cir.
2015) (quoting Farmer v. Brennan, 511 U.S. 825, 837–38 (1994)). “A claim that a prison
official was deliberately indifferent to such a risk has both an objective and a subjective
component. First, the harm to which the prisoner was exposed must be an objectively serious
one.” Gevas, 798 F.3d at 480 (internal quotations omitted). Second, “the subjective prong of the
deliberate indifference claim . . . requires that the official must have actual, and not merely
constructive, knowledge of the risk in order to be held liable; specifically, he 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 that inference.” Id. (internal quotations omitted). Defendants contend
that the undisputed facts support summary judgment based on both prongs.
A. Objective Prong.
With regard to the first prong, plaintiff points out that a beating constitutes “serious
harm,” see Brown, 398 F.3d at 910-11, and that his report of being hit fifteen to twenty times
constitutes a “beating.” While not disputing that the harm plaintiff testified that he suffered was
5
“serious,” defendants contend there is insufficient evidence to show that there was a “substantial
risk” that plaintiff would suffer a beating at the hands of Shepard. As evidence, they point to
plaintiff’s own testimony that he was not afraid of Shepard, as well as his actions demonstrating
this lack of fear: specifically, plaintiff went to the yard knowing Shepard might be there, he did
not notify staff after being approached by Shepard twice, and he did not notify correctional staff
about the altercation immediately after it occurred. On the other hand, plaintiff points to the fact
that he was threatened by Shepard and was concerned enough about the risk of assault that he
wrote letters to Officer Thompson and Warden Chandler.
At this stage, construing the facts in the light most favorable to plaintiff, the court agrees
with plaintiff that he has raised a genuine issue of fact that there was an objective risk of serious
harm. The Seventh Circuit has noted that “a ‘mere possibility of violence’ or the occurrence of a
random act of violence is not sufficient to impose liability on prison officials” under the
objective prong. See Miller v. Turner, 26 F. App’x. 560, 563 (7th Cir. 2001). Here, in contrast,
Shepard’s assault was not “a random act of violence” or a mere abstract “possibility,” but rather
the product of Shepard’s intention, an intention he specifically communicated to plaintiff. As
such, plaintiff has proffered sufficient evidence to survive summary judgment as to the first,
objective prong.
B. Subjective Prong.
Next, defendants contend that summary judgment should be granted as to the second
prong, whether they were deliberately indifferent to the risk. The Seventh Circuit has held that
“[a]lthough this inquiry focuses on an official's subjective knowledge, a prisoner need not
present direct evidence of the official's state of mind: Whether a prison official had the requisite
knowledge of a substantial risk is a question of fact subject to demonstration in the usual ways,
including inference from circumstantial evidence.” Gevas, 798 F.3d at 480 (internal quotations
omitted). “In failure to protect cases, a prisoner normally proves actual knowledge of impending
harm by showing that he complained to prison officials about a specific threat to his safety.”
Gevas, 798 F.3d at 480 (internal quotations and alterations omitted).
Here, plaintiff contends that he satisfied this prong by sending identical letters to Warden
Chandler and Officer Thompson, letters that “complained to prison officials about a specific
threat to his safety.” See id. Defendants raise two challenges. First, they contend that there is
insufficient evidence that the letters were ever received. Second, they contend that the content of
the letters were insufficient to put defendants on notice of a substantial risk of serious harm.
1. Whether Defendants Received the Letters.
Defendants contend that there is insufficient evidence to raise a genuine issue of fact that
Warden Chandler or Officer Thompson even received these letters prior to the March 28, 2013
altercation. As an initial matter, the court notes that the Seventh Circuit has held that “an
inmate's letters to prison administrators may establish a basis for § 1983 liability.” Vance v.
Peters, 97 F.3d 987, 993 (7th Cir. 1996). However, the Seventh Circuit has explicitly not
established “an ironclad rule that any prisoner communication to a prison official anywhere in
the corrections hierarchy constitutes adequate notice to the official of a violation of the Eighth
6
Amendment.” Id. Rather, “[t]he plaintiff still has the burden of demonstrating that the
communication, in its content and manner of transmission, gave the prison official sufficient
notice to alert him or her to an excessive risk to inmate health or safety.” Id. (internal quotations
omitted). As such, the “manner of transmission” may affect whether there is sufficient evidence
to find that the prison official even received the inmate’s complaint. See id.
With regard to Officer Thompson, the letter purportedly sent to him was produced in
discovery. Although Officer Thompson testified that he does not recall receiving the letter,
plaintiff testified that Officer Thompson visited plaintiff after the March 28, 2013 altercation and
stated that he had read the letter, apologized for not acting on it, and stated that the reason he did
not act on it was another pressing matter he had to attend to. As such, there is direct evidence
that, if believed, reveals that Officer Thompson did read plaintiff’s letter. Thus, there is no basis
for summary judgment with regard to Officer Thompson regarding receipt of the letter.
With regard to Warden Chandler, the issue is more difficult. The letter to Warden
Chandler was not found, although plaintiff testified that it was sent prior to the March 28, 2013
altercation and was substantially identical to the one sent to Officer Thompson. Warden
Chandler testified that she does not recall receiving the letter, and plaintiff testified that he never
spoke to her about his letter. Warden Chandler testified as to her usual practice regarding inmate
communications:
If it actually was placed in the mail and it came through institutional mail to my
office, my secretary actually reviewed my mail and sent it to the approp – if it was
something that needed to be dealt with, she would deal with it, if it was within her
ability to deal with, or she would assign it or send it to the appropriate department
head to address. I don’t always get inmate mail.
[49-1] at 9. As such, the evidence pertaining to Warden Chandler’s receipt of the letter is
plaintiff’s testimony that he sent the letter by institutional mail to Warden Chandler, as well as
her testimony that she sometimes, but not always, reads inmate mail. While plaintiff argues that
this evidence presents a genuine issue of fact as to receipt, defendants contend that the evidence
is insufficient to survive summary judgment, relying on two Seventh Circuit decisions for
support. Each case is worth examining in depth.
First, defendants point to Vance v. Peters, 97 F.3d 987 (7th Cir. 1996). In Vance, the
plaintiff inmate testified that she wrote a letter to the prison Warden regarding prison officials’
failure to treat her for a broken arm. The Seventh Circuit found that there was insufficient
evidence for the plaintiff to survive summary judgment. Specifically, the Seventh Circuit noted
that the plaintiff “claims to have written to the warden but also claims that, during the same
period, she was unable to use her arm to fill out a routine request for medical attention. More
importantly, she does not supply, in her description of the purported letter, any detail to permit
the conclusion that the letter sufficiently advised the warden of the situation to require her
intervention.” Id. at 994. Examining the evidence further, the Seventh Circuit found that:
The lapses in her own testimony are not cured by other evidentiary submissions.
There is no corroborative evidence with respect to the letters that [the plaintiff]
7
says that she sent to the defendant officials. She had no copy of a letter and no
letter was produced from any other source. One of the prisoners who allegedly
wrote on her behalf, Tammy Fyke, gave a deposition; however, [the plaintiff’s]
counsel never asked her whether she wrote such a letter. Tammy Evans, the other
inmate who was named by [the plaintiff], never gave a deposition. No letter was
produced. The warden was not deposed. Under these circumstances, we cannot
say that there is sufficient evidence to permit a jury to determine that the warden
was sufficiently alerted of a lapse in [the plaintiff’s] treatment as to require her
intervention or further investigation.
Id. As is clear from the court’s analysis, the primary factor in granting summary judgment was
the lack of evidence as to the content of the letter. The court did discuss the fact that the
plaintiff’s testimony that she sent the letter was weakened by inconsistencies and a lack of
corroboration, but the court specifically found that the lack of detail as to the content of the letter
was the “more important” factor.
Defendants also point to Johnson v. Snyder, 444 F.3d 579 (7th Cir. 2006) (overruled on
other grounds). In Johnson, the plaintiff filed a grievance complaining that his medical needs
were not being met, the grievance was denied, and plaintiff appealed the denial. Plaintiff
apparently testified that in conjunction with his grievance appeal he wrote letters to the Director
of the IDOC. Plaintiff later sued the Director, arguing that he was deliberately indifferent to his
medical needs. The Seventh Circuit found that summary judgment was proper despite the
plaintiff’s testimony that he sent the Director letters along with his grievance appeal:
Critically, there is no evidence that [the Director] actually read [the plaintiff’s]
communications or had any subjective awareness of [the plaintiff’s] condition.
To the contrary, there is evidence that [the Director] does not review inmate
correspondence relating to grievances; that task is delegated to subordinates.
Thus, [the plaintiff] has not shown that [the Director] personally facilitated,
approved, condoned, or turned a blind eye to [the plaintiff’s] situation. Summary
judgment for [the Director] was therefore warranted.
Id. at 584 (internal citations omitted). It is clear from the court’s analysis that the evidence
showed that the Director delegated all communications of the relevant type to subordinates; thus,
there was no evidence for receipt, and strong evidence against receipt.
The facts here are distinguishable from Vance and Johnson. Unlike in Vance, there is no
evidence clearly casting doubt on plaintiff’s testimony that he did mail a letter to Warden
Chandler. Unlike in Johnson, there is no clear evidence that Warden Chandler would not have
read plaintiff’s letter; while she did testify that “I don’t always get inmate mail,” this is not
nearly as strong as the evidence in Johnson that the Director never got inmate mail.
After review, the court agrees with plaintiff that there is a genuine issue of fact as to
whether Warden Chandler received his letter. As plaintiff notes, the Seventh Circuit has held
that prison officials cannot “take refuge in the zone between ignorance and actual knowledge.”
Mayoral v. Sheahan, 245 F.3d 934, 940 (7th Cir. 2001). Without clear precedent to the contrary,
8
it would be improper to take a disputed factual question away from the jury simply because
Warden Chandler did not recall receiving the letter at the time of her testimony. Thus, the court
will move on to analyze the contents of the letter.
2. Whether the Letters Put Defendant’s on Notice of a Substantial Risk of Serious Harm.
Next, defendants contend that, even if received, the identical letters were insufficient to
create an inference that Warden Chandler or Officer Thompson had actual knowledge of a
serious risk. Defendants argue that plaintiff’s letter was not specific enough to put defendants on
notice that there was an actual serious risk. Defendants also argue that plaintiff’s complaints
were not credible. Specifically, they argue that the letter is internally inconsistent, in that
plaintiff claimed to be worried about an assault from Shepard but simultaneously claimed to be
“cool” with his housing assignment. Further, they note that plaintiff testified that he was not
“afraid” of Shepard or anyone in prison. Finally, they argue that plaintiff was the aggressor in
the initial altercation between the two inmates, despite plaintiff’s testimony that the initial
altercation occurred because Shepard was angry with plaintiff over plaintiff’s lower bunk permit.
As the Seventh Circuit explained in Gevas v. McLaughlin, 798 F.3d 475 (7th Cir. 2015),
the most important factor to analyzing the subjective second prong, particularly at the summary
judgment stage, is whether the inmate’s complaint was specific enough to put prison officials on
notice that there was a substantial risk of serious harm. Also important is whether the complaint
is credible, which can be undercut by inconsistent statements from the inmate. The court’s
explanation and supporting authority are worth quoting in full:
Complaints that convey only a generalized, vague, or stale concern about one's
safety typically will not support an inference that a prison official had actual
knowledge that the prisoner was in danger. See, e.g., Dale v. Poston, 548 F.3d
563, 569 (7th Cir. 2008) (“[The prisoner's] vague statement that inmates were
‘pressuring’ him and ‘asking questions' were simply inadequate to alert the
officers to the fact that there was a true threat at play.”); Klebanowski v. Sheahan,
540 F.3d 633, 639–40 (7th Cir. 2008) (beyond expressing fear for his life,
prisoner's statements to guards did not identify who was threatening him or what
the threats were); Grieveson v. Anderson, 538 F.3d 763, 776 (7th Cir. 2008)
(prisoner did not mention to guards that he was perceived to be a “snitch” or
otherwise apprise them of a specific threat to his life); Butera v. Cottey, 285 F.3d
601, 606 (7th Cir. 2002) (prisoner only stated vaguely that he was “having
problems” in his cellblock and “needed to be removed”). Nor will complaints that
are contradicted by the prisoner himself suffice to establish knowledge. See, e.g.,
Riccardo v. Rausch, 375 F.3d 521, 527 (7th Cir. 2004) (prisoner initially
expressed mortal fear of harm at hands of cellmate, but subsequently indicated to
guard he had no concern). By contrast, a complaint that identifies a specific,
credible, and imminent risk of serious harm and identifies the prospective
assailant typically will support an inference that the official to whom the
complaint was communicated had actual knowledge of the risk. See, e.g., Haley
v. Gross, 86 F.3d 630, 643 (7th Cir. 1996) (prisoner advised sergeant, inter alia,
that cellmate was intimidating him, acting strangely, had threatened that
9
“something crucial was going to happen” if one of them was not moved, and was
now “deadlocked” in cell, which restricted ingress to and egress from cell).
Gevas, 798 F.3d at 480-81 (internal quotations omitted).
In Young v. Monahan, 420 Fed. Appx. 578 (7th Cir. 2011), the Seventh Circuit explained
that credibility is an important factor in the analysis:
Although specific facts showing that a defendant's awareness of a risk of harm are
sufficient to defeat summary judgment, Peate v. McCann, 294 F.3d 879 (7th Cir.
2002), “prison guards are not required to believe every profession of fear by an
inmate.” Lindell v. Houser, 442 F.3d 1033, 1035 (7th Cir. 2006); see also Dale v.
Poston, 548 F.3d 563, 569 (7th Cir. 2008) (noting that likelihood of actual
knowledge of impending harm decreases as the vagueness of the threat increases);
Riccardo v. Rausch, 375 F.3d 521, 527–28 (7th Cir.2004) (“A prisoner's bare
assertion is not enough to make the guard subjectively aware of a risk, if the
objective indicators do not substantiate the inmate's assertion.”)
See Young v. Monahan, 420 Fed. Appx. 578, 581-82 (7th Cir. 2011). Importantly, the court
found that summary judgment for the defendant prison official was supported in part by the fact
that the objective indicators made the plaintiff’s complaints less credible. Specifically, one of
the defendants was a prison official to whom the plaintiff complained about a threat from another
inmate. Months later, the plaintiff was transferred to a cell with the other inmate, who
subsequently assaulted him. When the plaintiff argued that the prison official failed to protect
him by not stopping the cell assignment, the court found it relevant that:
[the assailant had not] acted on his threats when he lived in the same housing unit
as [the plaintiff] in the months leading up to the cell assignment. See Nelson v.
Shuffman, 603 F.3d 439, 447 (8th Cir. 2010) (noting that assailant's past conduct
is probative of whether he posed risk to victim).
Young, 420 Fed. Appx. at 582.
Again, the letter provided in discovery states as follows:
[page one]
3/13/13
Greetings, Mr. Thompson,
This is Eddie Myles #A-71068 in #58 Cell “01.”
I dropped a kite in the “Outgoing Mail Box” for you. So, this is
concerning the same “thing.”
Short, brief, and to the point!
Several guys I know have came up to “me” and said; whenever you “see”
your x-cellie, watch “him” because he’s “talking about what he’s gonna do to
10
you, when he “catches you right” over in the “gym.” So, be “careful.” Or on that
“yard.”
After hearing this: I naturally looked at the “yard and gym” schedule. He’s
now in “31.” I’m in #58. We have “yard together for sure,” or at least while he’s
in “31” anyway.
I’m not trying to get “shot” on the yard, or “hurt.” I’m giving you my
word that if I do have to raise my hands at my x-cellie, I will do it “defending
myself.” I will try as best I can to “keep” some “distance” between us.” I just
“wanted” you to know my x-cellie is “talkin crazy,” Hey.” We’ll “talk.”
[page two]
Between “us” I’d rather be in a “2-Man” “Cell,” but I’m OK “Where I
am” for now.
I would really appreciate it if I could get back to “60” or “26”? But, if I
can’t “I’m cool where I am.”
God knows I don’t want “Any-problems.”
Just thought I’d let you know “before something happens” “what” I’m
“hearing.” “We’ll talk”…
To: Mr. Thompson.
“I.A.”
[42-5].
Taking all inferences in favor of plaintiff, these complaints are specific enough to put
defendants on notice of a substantial risk of serious harm. The letter specifically stated that
Shepard had threatened to harm him in a common area, including the yard. Plaintiff also pointed
out that he was on the same yard schedule as Shepard. Plaintiff stated that he would try to keep
his distance, but was worried about getting “shot” or “hurt” on the yard. These complaints are
similar to those articulated in Gevas, where the court held that the plaintiff gave information
“sufficient to communicate the essential nature of the threat” when he “did manage to apprise
[the official] that his cellmate was threatening to stab him.” See Gevas, 798 F.3d at 481-82. As
such, defendants’ argument that the letter was too vague are not sufficient at the summary
judgment stage.
Defendants’ arguments that plaintiff’s letter is not credible are also not sufficient at the
summary judgment stage. First, plaintiff’s claim that he was “cool” with his housing assignment
appears to be separate from his worry that Shepard would attack him in a common area.
Plaintiff’s testimony that he was not “afraid” of anyone in prison, including Shepard, was a
general statement that is not inconsistent with his specific belief that Shepard would attack him;
further, any lack of fear was not communicated to defendants through the letter or otherwise.
Finally, regardless of who initiated the first altercation, plaintiff’s letter is entirely consistent
with Shepard wanting to harm him out of revenge for that incident.
Officer Thompson points out that prison officials do not have to believe every inmate’s
complaint, and he argues that subjectively he did not believe Shepard was a threat to plaintiff.
11
However, Officer Thompson’s state of mind is a disputed fact by virtue of the fact that plaintiff
testified that Officer Thompson admitted to him that he read the letter, apologized for not acting
on it, and that he should have taken action and investigated the incident but was too busy.
Again, as the Seventh Circuit in Gevas explained:
It is true that the defendants were not required to believe that [the plaintiff] was in
danger. For any number of reasons, including information acquired in the course
of any investigation into [the plaintiff’s] complaints, the defendants might have
concluded either that [the plaintiff] was not credible or that [the assailant] did not
present a genuine threat to his safety. In other words, [the plaintiff’s] testimony,
even accepted as the truth, does not compel the finding that any of the defendants
did draw the inference that [the plaintiff] faced a substantial risk of serious harm.
But for purposes of [judgment as a matter of law], the question is not whether the
finder of fact was compelled to determine or would have determined that the
defendants were actually aware of the danger, but whether it could have made that
finding.
Gevas, 798 F.3d at 482. Here, taking all inferences in favor of plaintiff, he has proffered
sufficient evidence from which a jury could find that defendants failed to protect him. As such,
the court will move on to defendants’ final argument.
III. Qualified Immunity.
Finally, defendants contend that both are protected by qualified immunity because the
purported constitutional violations plaintiff points to in his claims were not clearly established.
More specifically, defendants argue that it would require a change in the law to find that
plaintiff’s letter was sufficient to put them on notice of a substantial risk of serious harm. The
court disagrees. As the court has found, applying ordinary summary judgment review and
clearly established law pertaining to failure to protect claims, plaintiff has raised a genuine issue
of fact that defendants were deliberately indifferent to plaintiff’s objectively substantial risk of
serious harm. See Surita v. Hyde, 665 F.3d 860, 868 (7th Cir. 2011) (plaintiff is not invariably
required to point to case with similar facts in order to demonstrate that right at issue was clearly
established for purposes of qualified immunity; “the violation may be so obvious in light of law
existing at the time that a reasonable person would have known that his or her conduct was
unconstitutional”). As such, defendants’ qualified immunity argument must fail.
For the foregoing reasons, defendants’ motion for summary judgment [40] is denied. At
the next hearing, the parties are to discuss with Judge Johnston the possibility of a settlement
conference.
ENTER:
Date: 9/12/2017
______________________________________
United States District Court Judge
Electronic Notices. (LC)
12
Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia.
Why Is My Information Online?