Smith et al v. City of Baton Rouge et al

Filing 119

ORDER granting in part, denying in part, and deferring in part 45 MOTION for Summary Judgment. LSA Defendants shall have seven (7) days from this ruling to supplement the record with affidavits that are properly notarized and that have the correct date. The substance of the affidavits must otherwise remain the same. Signed by Judge John W. deGravelles on 9/6/2018. (SGO) Modified on 9/6/2018 to correct typo (SGO).

Download PDF
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT MIDDLE DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA NIKOLE SMITH, ET AL. CIVIL ACTION VERSUS NO. 17-436-JWD-EWD CITY OF BATON ROUGE, ET AL. ORDER This matter comes before the Court on the Motion for Summary Judgment (Doc. 45) filed by the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association (“LSA”) Defendants. Plaintiffs oppose the motion (Doc. 54), and LSA Defendants have filed a reply (Doc. 61). Oral argument was heard today. The Court has carefully considered the law, the facts in the record, and the arguments and submissions of the parties and is prepared to rule. For oral reasons to be assigned, IT IS ORDERED that LSA Defendants’ motion is GRANTED IN PART, DENIED WITHOUT PREJUDICE IN PART, and DEFERRED IN PART. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the motion is GRANTED as to the § 1983 claims against Hurst and Cazes in their individual capacity, as Plaintiffs have failed to allege any personal participation by them in the alleged constitutional violations. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the motion is DEFERRED as to the § 1983 and § 1985(3) conspiracy claims against Hurst and Cazes pending limited written discovery on the narrow issue of which individual defendants (if any) were involved in the alleged constitutional violation. The Magistrate Judge will determine what limited discovery will be allowed for this issue. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the motion is GRANTED as to the § 1983 official capacity claim against the LSA for lack of an underlying constitutional violation. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the motion is GRANTED as to the state law claims allegedly committed by Hurst and Cazes in their individual capacity, but DENIED WITHOUT PREJUDICE as to any claim of vicarious liability against them. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, to the extent the motion was granted, Plaintiffs are given leave to amend to cure the deficiencies of the operative complaint. Plaintiffs must file their next amended complaint within thirty (30) days of the completion of the limited discovery set forth above. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that LSA Defendants shall have seven (7) days from this ruling to supplement the record with affidavits that are properly notarized and that have the correct date. The substance of the affidavits must otherwise remain the same. Signed in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on September 6, 2018. S JUDGE JOHN W. deGRAVELLES UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT MIDDLE DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA 2

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?