Thomas v. City of Staunton, Virginia et al

Filing 25

MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by District Judge Glen E. Conrad on 09/08/2011. (ssm)

CLERK' OFFI u.& DI ECOURT
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.. ATRoANoc
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I THE UN I
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W I AM W .THO M A S,JR.
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By: Gln E.Conr d
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a
Chi U nie St t Di t i tJ
ef t d a es s rc udge

D e e nt .
f nda s

OnDe mbe 13,2010,W ila W .
ce r
lim Thoma , r (ihoma 'ort antf 'i taedt s
s J .'f
s' i i if) niit hi
pl
pr > a tonunde 42U. C.j1983ag i tt CiyofStunt (i t ofStunt ' :Ciy'
o . ci
q
r
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ans he t
a on t y
ci
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)
a agans va i J m Do de e
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s
co tt i na rght i c
nsiuto l i s n onne ton w ih a f t yea ho i i i s i to t te nt l
ci
t ory- r m c de nve tga i n ha ve ualy
c m i t d i hi e
ul na e n s xone a i The Ciy ofSt unt n m o t c tt tans e ve t t
r ton.
t
a o
ved he our o r f r nue o he

Ha rs ur di son a as move t c ur t dimist c pli tf f iur t sa ea
rionb g vii nd lo
d he o t o s s he om a n or a l e o tt
cl i u w hi h r le c n be g a e The c the r or la gtm e o t e m oto on
a m pon
c ei f a
r nt d.
our a d a r l nt n hes
i ns
A ug t3, 1. Att c l i n oft he r ng, he c tgr nt d t pl i ift ee a tona
us 201
he onc us o
he a i t our a e he a ntf hr ddii l
w e ks i whi h t a e hi co pl i ort s i a tona a g e s Tho a fl h s
e n
c o m nd s m a nt o ubm t ddii l r um nt .
m s ied i
pos - a i brefon A ugus 23, 1 sdi c s d be ow , hi m oton t di m i sw ilbe
the rng i
t 201 .A s us e l t s i o s s l

te tda amo inf rs
rae s to o ummayj d me t Afe c nsd rn t emae il s b te b te
r u g n . tr o ie ig h tras u mitd y h
pa te ,he c tco l
ri s t our ncudest ti mus dimist c
ha t t s s he ompli .
a nt
Backzround
The cour w ils m ar ze t f s,asi m us ,i t lghtm ostf
t l um
i he act
t t n he i
avorabl t t pl ntf ,
e o he ai if

t non ngpa t Pur
he movi ry. dhnm v.Fara Cnt Sc Bd.63 F. 421 426( hCi. )
ifx y. h. , 7 3d ,
4t r 2011
( tngCeotxCor v. rt,477U. 31 3 ( 986).
cii
le
p. Catet
S. 7, 22 1 )

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'

O n A prl 11 1967, w o Hi h' l e Cr am St e e pl yee ,Co t nc He
i ,
t
g sc e
or m o s ns a e vene
r

(û- ve r' a Ca ol Per (Ter ',wees ta kildi i t sor The
sle ne' nd r yn ry 1 ry' r ho nd le nsde he t e.
l
)
)
i s i to oft m ur sw asc
nve tga i n he
der
onduc ed by t c efde e tve f t St unt Polc
t
he hi t c i or he a on i e

De a t n , v Bo o k(% o o k'.( c e No 1a ! 1 - 3. Th panifwa id ce
p rme t Da e c c ç c c ' Do k t . t ! 2 1 ) e litf s n itd
)
onNo mbe 1 1 f t t mur r.(d. t!8. De piet t n i cme t,houg
ve r 5, 967 or he wo des I a ) s t he wi ndit ns t h,
t pli ifwa tid onl f t mur e ofHe ne a uli ae y wasa quitd i Aprl1
he antf s re
y or he
dr
ve r nd tm t l
c te n i 968.

(Z a !!9- 0. Howe r Thoma al st tt mur rc r rltdt t s c vitm,
J t 1)
ve,
s lege ha he de hage eae o he e ond ci
Per rmane ope agans hi dlrngt e ui f t ye r untlDe e r20 (#. t!
ry, e i d n i t m zi he ns ng ory a s i c mbe 08. J=a

Folowi Tho as ac ta o t trtmur cha ge, oc a t Ciy ofStunt
l ng m ' quit l n he is
der r Boc k nd he t
a on

pesse i t i i tgai oft pli ifont s c mtr rc r (d. t! 1 ) l J
ritd n her nvesi ton he antf he e ond lde ha ge. 1 a 3. n une
1 t CiyofStt ont moted 'Boc kfo dee tvewor a plc hi i au lay
980,he t
amt t
de g l' oc r m tci
k nd a ed m n xiir
s r ie.(#za !15. Howe r Tho sal s t CiyofStuntnf l t rviw Bo c s
e vc J .t )
ve, ma lege ,he t
a o aied o e e co k'
prviuswor a adeeci ,i l nghi wor ont Hih' mtr ri tgain.(d. l
e o
k s t tve ncudi s k he g s tde nvesi to I ) n
f c ,Thoma a lges t Ciy ofStunt û ontnuedt s ori si ton a ha a s e of
at
s le , he t
a on û i
c
o pons nve tgai nd r s m nt

te(qaniffrmo eta 3 y asi tee fr t h l gi a c u tbefrt es c n
h p litf o r h n 0 e r n h fo to od hmj c o n a l o h e o d
mur r' (d. Durngt sd gorus'i siai t plitf alege ,heCiyofStunon
de.' I ) i hi t o ' nvetg ton,he anif l s t t
vi
a t

ma pei cder aor rmaksa Thomas (d. !1 )
de rodi og t y e r bout
. l at 3.
A c or ng t t pl i if D e e be 2008 he al d t de t bed c es i ofSha r
c di o he a ntf , c m r
r de he a honf s on
r on

Smih(i t ',whoa te t ts ,a notThoma,ha co tedt 1 7doubl
t t h'
Smi )
dmitd ha he nd
s d mmit he 96
e
ho cde (d. t11) Thepli ifalge t tsveali viual c r e Smih,whodid
mii . 1 a .
antf le s ha e r ndi d s onfontd t
e
one m ont l t i J nua y 2009, d ex r c e f o he n onl a conf s i t t m ur r ,
h a er n a r
an t a t d r m r ot y
e s on o he
de s

butaloa a c ofaba f t cov t byBoc k.(4,a 1! 1 18 .Smih' c e son
s n c ount
d aih erl
p
oc L t ( 2, )
t s onfsi

r co e how,on t da f l ngt mur r ,s c nf s d t Boc k a c l bort wih
e unt d
he y olowi he de s he o es e o
oc nd ola aed t

hm i b r i t emu d rwe p na hi fr t za !1 . Bo o k wh d e i 2 0 ,h n
i n u yng h r e a o t s am. J .t ( 2) c c , o id n 0 6 t e
#
e ba ke on a phony i tga i oft pl ntf t tl d t hi i c m e f rbot m ur r ,
m r d
nves i ton he ai if ha e o s ndi t nt o
h
de s

de pieBo k' frtha knowldg t tSmih h pe taedt c i .(d. !1 )
s t coc s is- nd
e e ha t ad pert he rmes 1 at 3.
Tho a ale t ta i i t r ltons p e se bewee Boc k a Sm ih durng t tme
m s lges ha n ntma e e ai hi xitd t n
oc nd
t
i he i

t tBoc kc ie t mur ri si ton.(d. t! 1 )
ha oc hard he de nvetgai I a 4.
Thepl ntf al ge t tt Ciy ofStunt n s or t t ry- a i tga i
ai if le s ha he t
a o pons ed he hit ye r nvesi ton
a i thi de piet f tt tStunt n Polc De rme r c dsr l a e i Dec mbe 2008
ga ns m s t he ac ha a o
i e pa t nt e or e e s d n
e r
m a f s e t tt Ciy ( w ,ors ul ha known, ha Sm ih w asa s r o s pe t a t t
nie t d ha he t i
kne
ho d ve
t t t
e i us us c , nd ha

Boc ks dha bee s pece ofha nga i ppr raer ltons pwih Smih. (#=a
oc houl ve n us td
vi n na opit eai hi t
t ' J .t
'

! 1 ) I fc,hepl ntf alge ,Smihuli tl ga he co e so no a ar ul ofa
7. n a tt ai if le s t tmaey ve r nfsin t s es t ny
a fnna i co uc on t Ciy' pa tbutt oug t i pe nti re ofprva e
fi tve nd t he t s r, k h he nde nde nquiis
i t

i viuas (d. t! 1 ) Eve a trSmih' c e so e r d,t Ciy ofStt onû s
ndi d l. I a 8. n fe t s onfsin mege he t
amt t
wa
sow t ac a wa pr dbyCrmeStppest ar tSmih. (d. t se ro,'
l o t nd s odde
i o r o res t ' I ) The c na i 'Thomas
'
al ge ,k st Ciy ofSt unt wa t Smih, he i tr i lc ndiin,t di be or t
le s t
wa he t
a on n ed t t n n e m na o to o e f e he

c ag a dar s c udb e p dtdg ' (d. Th ma idc t sta al h r e a ans hm
h r e n ret o l e x e ie .' L= o s n iae h t l c a g s g i t i
l
)
weeds sedafe Smih' c e so a s e ntar t I a !1 ) Thepli if
r imis tr t s onfsin nd ubs que res.(d. t 9.
antf
a s rst thet dnotbe m ea r o t vi a i ofhi Consiutona rg sby Boc a
s e t ha
t
di
co
wa e f he olton
s
tt i l i ht
ock nd
o he s untlt pr s co e e i l t D e e ber20 ,a whi h t St unt Polc r ve e
t r , i he e s nf r nce n a e c m
08 t c he a on i e e l d

(i t c tnt l jSmih' c e son. ( ke No.1 a 3.
scj he one s of t s onfsi ' Doc t
'
9t )
Thomasi tae t slws ton De e r1 201 a nci s ve alt re t r
niit d hi a ui
c mbe 3, 0, dva ng e r heo is mde
w hi h he aleg t tt Ciy ofSt unt a va i J D o de e nt vi a e hi
c
l es ha he t
a on nd rous ohn e f nda s ol t d s
constt i
iutonalrght The pl ntf cl m st bot St unt polceper
i s.
ai if ai hat h a on i
sonnelw ho served w ih or
t

und rBococ a û herpolc or ni to 'c pie a e ge i aci te t tvi a e
e
k nd ç
ot
i e ga zai ns' ons r d nd nga d n tvii s ha olt d
hi rg sunde t Fo t Ei ht a Foure nt Ame m e soft Unie Stt
s i ht
r he urh, g h, nd
te h
nd nt he td aes

Consiuton.( ke No.1a !21) Thepl ntf f t raleg t tt CiyofStunt
tt i Doc t
t .
ai if urhe l es ha he t
a on,
t oug ispolc depa t e ,
hr h t i e
rm nt adopt d a of i a polc ofsa ra i c i d t i tga e
e n fci l i y l nde s t ontnue o nvesi t

hi , he e c i o he st s pe thi ofm ur r e nt
m t r by ausng t r o us c m
de , ve hough t Ciy knew, s ul ha
he t
or ho d ve

k o ,h t ma wa i n c n .(d a !2 . Th panifas alg st a teCiyo
n wn t a Tho s s n o e t 1 . t 2) e litf lo l e h t h t f
e
Stunt n ace wih dei r t a r c e si fe e et hi c tt i lrght a t tt
a o td t lbe a e nd e kls ndif r nc o s onsiutona i s nd ha he

Ciya t o ie tec mpag a an tTh ma .(d a !2 . Fi al ,h p an ifmanansta
t uh rz d h a in g i s o s 1 . t 3) n ly t e litf iti h t
t Ciyfie t pr rytan,e l t,a s r ieBoc k.(d.a !24.
he t ald o opel ri vauae nd upe vs
oc 1 t )
As a r s toft s a l ge w r
e ul he e le d ongs t pl i ifi ur e e ns i def ndi hi s l
, he a ntf nc r d xpe e n e ng m e f

a i tt c r ci sa frhe S xpeinc l soflbe t l sofi omegl...l sof
gans he haged rme nd u t r é re ed os i ry,os nc , os
e

a ii t e l ic me ij r t p y ia he l . . ra e to ln t y l s o rp tto ,
b ly o a' n o ,n u y o h sc l at . g e t moina ijl , o s f e u ain
t
n
h,
r
l sofases a ge r ll sofa quaequaiyoflf ' (d.a !25. Thomasas
os
s t, nd ne a os de t lt ie. 1 t )
'
lo
r f r nce ,i hi bre i r s ns t t Ciy' m oto t dim i s s ve a oc as o on whi h he
e e e s n s i f n e po e o he t s i n o s s , e r l c i ns
c

û sa rse i ohe j rs ito a wa t l h wm b i hedp ru n t ac lfo t
ç retd n t r u id cins nd s od e s eng l u s a t o al r m he
wa
Stunt Polc be a ehewasc r dwihmur ri Vigi a.'( ke No.1 a 4. The
a on ie c us
hage t de n r ni ' Doc t
9t )
pli ift r or s e mone a y da
antf he ef e e ks
t r mage agans t CiyofSt nt i t a ou oft
s i t he t
au on n he m nt wo
h r d m ilon dola sa a i tea h oft va iusJ n Doedef nt i t a o of
und e li
l r nd gans c
he ro oh
enda s n he m unt

fvemilo dolas ( ke No.1a !26.
s lin lr. Doc t
t )
O n M a 31, 1, he Ciy ofSt unt n tl d a m oto t ta f rve t t
y
201 t
t
a o ie
i n o r ns e nue o he
H a r s ur di s on oft seour a on J me 2,2011 fl d a Fe r lRul of Ci lPr e le
r i onb g vi i
hi
t nd, t
, ie
de a
e
vi oc dtr

1 b)6)moi t dimist co antfrf l et saeacam uponwhihr i ca be
2( ( ton o s s he mpli o aiur o tt li
c elef n
gr e
ant d.

4

St
andar o R e e
d f vi w

A Rue 1 ()6 moint ds s mus b te tda amoinf rs mmayj d me t
l 2b () to o imis t e rae s to o u r u g n
E r m ae i l ou sdet pl di a epr s ntd t a note l d byt co t' Fe R.
ç e t ras t i he ea ngs r e e e o nd
whe
xcude
he ur. d.
'

Ci P.1 d) l t sca e bot Tho sa t CiyofStunt pr e matral ousdet
v. 2( . n hi s , h ma nd he t
a on esnt ei s ti he
pl adi on t i s whet rt s ond m ur rc r r m ai o s a ng aga ns Thom as
e ngs he s ue
he he ec
de ha ge e ned ut t ndi
i t

u tl c mb r2 08 Do k t . 4 1 1 - a 5) F rh r r ,h c u t eidi sv r l
ni De e e 0 .( c e Nos 1 - , 9 1 t . u temo e t e o r r l n e e a
e
i t nc on t pli ipsr s nsveb ift r consr c t f c ua ba kgr undi t sc s .
nsa es he antf e po i re o e tu t he a t l c o
n hi a e

( ke No.1 ) Thec t s rfrnce t pli ifspos- a i bref ( ketNo. )
Doc t
9.
our alo eee s he antf' the rng i . Doc
24.
Be a e t c tc i r t s m a e i l out i t pl ad ngs t c twilt e tt Ciy of
c us he our ons de s he e t ra s sde he e i , he our l r a he t

S a no ' moina o ef rs mmayj d me t
tu t n s to s n o u r u g n .
l c i rngamotonf s
n onsdei
i or ummayj me unde Fe r Rul ofCi lPr ed e56,
r udg nt r deal e
vi oc ur
G he c ti r qui e t vi w t f t a dr w r s bl i e e e i a lg m os f vor bl
i our s e r d o e he ac s nd a ea ona e nf r nc s n i ht t a a e
t

t ten n vngp ry' S a v Sr u ,1 F.d7 , 9 (t Ci. 9 4 ( i to o te )
o h o mo i a t. h w . to d 3 3 91 7 8 4h r 1 9 ) ct in mitd .
'
a
Th c u t yg a ts mmayj d me to l wh n, iwi t r c r a awh ea di te
e o r ma r n u r u g n n y e v e ng he e o d s ol n n h
lghtm os f vor bl t t nonm ovi pa t t r i no ge ui i s ofm a e i lf c a t
i
t a a e o he
ng r y, he e s
n ne s ue
t r a a t nd he

mo i gp ryi e tt dt j d me t samatro lw.Ceo e Co v Cart, 7U. 31 ,
v n a t s n ie o u g n a
l
t fa
e
ltx m. . tet47 S. 7
3 24( 986 ;Ter sFl Fahi snc. Buri onl .l ,763F. 60 61 (t
22- 1 ) rv' oor s ons l v. lnct ndusenc.
2d 4, 0 4h
Ci.1 5) Forapat se d nc t r s age neis ofmaei fc t ta dss
r 98 .
ry' vie e o aie nui sue
tral a t ha voi ummay
r

j d me t tee i e c mu t et u ht a ar ao a l j r c udrt r av r itfrt e
u g n ,h vd n e s b t c h t e s n b e u y o l eu n e dc o h
s
nonmovi pa t ' Anderonv. bet Lobbv.I ,477U. 242,248( 986)
ng ry.
'
s Li rv
nc.
S.
1 .

Di
scussi
on

Bye ci 42U. C.j 1 Congrs ceaedarme f de i to of
na tng
S.
983,
e s r t e dy or prvains

c tt i lrght commi e bypes a tngunde c o o saelw.42U. C.j1 ,
onsiutona i s
td
l
rons ci
r olr f tt a
S.
983*
Haywoodv.Dr
own,l S.Ct 21 2111(
29
. 08,
2009) Thesaut st i e sve a s e ng
.
tt e' ext mpos s e r l we pi
lmiai ont s opeofj1
i ttons he c
983.SeeDit ofCol av.Catr 409U. 41 424(1
s.
umbi
re ,
S. 8,
973)
(bs r i t j1 ûso onl lmie s ope'.Fis,j 1 3çde l onl wiht e
o e vng hat 983 t f y i td c ' rt 98 t as y t hos
i
)
d prvai nsofrght t ta e a co pls d unde t c o oft lw ofçny Stt or
e i to
i s ha r c m ihe
r he olr he a
a
ae

Tert y.' I (oot t omitd) dl tadiina dei tonofa tngunde col ofsaelw
rior '' d.f noe te . i- r to l fnii
-he
ci
r or tt a
rquiest tt dee nti aj 1 aci ha execsdpowerû s s dbyvit ofsae
e r ha he fnda n
983 ton ve rie
posese
rue tt
1 w a m a pos i e onl be a e t wr doe i c ot d wih t a hort ofs a e l w .'
a nd de sbl
y c us he ong r s l he t he ut iy t t a ''

W etv. ki , 7U. 42, ( 988 ( tngUntdSttsv.Clsi,31 U. 299,326
s At ns 48 S. 49 1 ) quoi
ie ae
a sc 3 S.
( 941) Ge r ly,ç publce oye a t u e c orofsat lw whieaci i hi ofii
1 ). ne al t
a i mpl e cs nd r ol
tea
l tng n s tcal
cpa iyorwhiee rii hi r ponsbiiispuruan t saelw.'1 at50(iains
a ct
l xecsng s es i lte s t o tt a ' d.
ctto

omitd)
te .
Anohe lmiai i e uponj 1 i t tt saut a isonl t <pes nlj'
t r i tton mpos d
983 s ha he tt e pple y o t ro s'
aci unde t c orofsaelw.42U. C.j1 TheSuprmeCour ha c l dt t
tng
r he ol
tt a
S. 983.
e
t s oncude ha
muni i ltesa o he l a g nuue albodism a c tt t pe s wihi t me ni of
cpa ii nd t r oc l ove
nt
e y onsiu e r ons t n he a ng

j1 8 a d t u , yb s be t ol b l yu d rj1 8 .Mo el De to S c Se v . f
9 3 n ,h s ma e u j c t i ii n e 9 3 n l v. p' f o . r s o
a t
N. ,436U. 658,690( 978) Howe r t Cour as co ude t çamunii lt c nnot
Y.
S.
1 .
ve,he
t lo ncl d hatû
cpaiy a
behedla eunde j 1 onars
l ibl
r 983
e ponde ts rort r ' 1 a 691.Thus j1 labiiy
a upei heoy. d. t
'
, 983 i lt
doe no a om a i ly fow t a l lgove nm e a bod m e e y be a e a gove nm e
s t ut tca l l o oca
r nt l y r l c us
r nt

e oye a t unde c orofsae1w t vi aeaperon' c tt i lrght Raher j1
mpl e cs r ol
tt a o olt
s s onsiutona i s. t , 983

labiiyac r est al algove nt unionl ift go r ntlbodyis l Iube t'a
i lt c u o oc
nune al t y t he venme a
i
tef s jcs

pes nt ad prv to o rg t o ta e ' pes n çob s be td t s hd p i to '
ro o e iain f ih s r c us s a ro t e u j ce ' o uc e rvain.
'
Co c v.Tho o 1 S.Ct 1 1 9( 1 ( i M onel 436U. a 69 ;s alo
nnik
mps n, 31
. 350, 35 201 ) quotng
l,
S. t 2) ee s
Pe urv.CivofCi i t,475U. 469, 9( 986 ( tr ni t tj1 rndes
mba
t
ncnnai
S. 47 1 ) deemi ng ha 983 e r
mu cpalte labl onl f t i ownilga acs.Toi e jl la lt onl al
nii iis i e y or her
le l t) mpos 983 ibiiy oc
g r e s apl ntf Emus pr t ti c i pl s n t ofi almuni i polcy'ca e
ove nm nt, ai if ç t ove ha a ton z ua t o fci
r
cpal i
us d

t ij y. Connik,1 S.Ct a 1 ( tngMonel436U. a 691.TheCour
heu nur '
'
c 31
. t 359 quoi
l,
S. t )
t
e ane t tofki munii lpolc wihi t me ni ofj1 3la lt embrce 'he
xpli d ha t al
cpa iy, t n he a ng
98 ibiiy,
a sû
t
d ii o a g
ecsons f ovenn ntslwm a r ,t acsofispo iyma ng ofii l,a pr tc ss
me ' a
ke s he t t lc ki
fc a s nd aci e o
pe s se a wi s e d ast pr c i ly ha t f c ofl ' l . (i insomit .
r i t nt nd de pr a
o a tca l ve he or e am ' d ct o
at
ted)
-

Ke pn i midti s mmayo j l 8 j rs r d n e tec u t o tr t a
e ig n n h s u r f 9 3 u ip u e c ,h o r n w u ns o n
a l i ofThom a ,cIin ' Theco tno e t tt pli ifscompl ntna esa de e nt
nayss
s a rsur t s ha he antf
ai m
s f nda s
onl t Ciy ofSt unt n a sx J Doe .The c
y he t
a o nd i ohn
s
ompli doe no na eBoc k a a
ant s t m
oc s
dee n .l t a t co antma f ssThom a 'a tr ai i entnott s Boc k he
fnda t nse d,he mpli
nie t
s fim tve nt
o ue oc -

desrbest sxJ hnDoede e nt a pes nso e iiswhoaei ure l lvi ' ( ke
ci he i o
f nda s s ro r ntte
r i rnty i ng.' Doc t
c

No 1a ! 5 6)Th panifsp s- e rn b ife ic steie tc ln e ta k o e gn
. t ! - . e litf' o th ai g re vn e h d nia itn, c n wld i g
t tt oc ...(s now de ea e a ( s ett jhalll snc bee cl ed'a t tCll
ha s
Boc k ij
c s d nd hij sael s ong i e n os ' nd ha dit

wo l b ftl t s e. .heBo o k . . sae lsn e(t s co e . ( c e No 2 a 2.
u d e uie o u . t
c c . ettg ic iij l s d' Do k t . 4 t )
'

'
W hi teCi o S a n o h sr ie ad f n eb s do t ea p ia esau e o l tto s( c e No
l h t f tu t n a as d ee s a e n h p lc bl tt ts f i a in Do k t .
e
y
mi
1 a !3 )tec ut lcsno t rl o ti d fn ea teb ssfrds si tepanifsc mpan ,n s h
5 t 4. h o reet t o ey n hs ee s s h ai o imisng h litf' o litiamuc
,

ast c t o dha t m a addii fcualdee nai wih r pec t t ac r oft va i c us of
he our w ul ve o ke
tonal a t
tnni tons t es t o he c ual he rous a es
a toni or t dee m i t vi lt ofs h adee e.The ear ot mor f m e albas f rdim is lof
ci n der o tr ne he abiiy uc
fns
r e her e unda nt
es o s s a
t sc er t rt nasaut ofIm iai deens t ti s he viyf c- epe nt
hi as ahe ha tt e i ttons f e ha s o a l a td nde .

7

Thus snc Tho asha c e ry satd hi i e nott s Boc k,t e ui a yss
,i e m
s l a l t e s nt nt
o ue oc he ns ng nal i
e m i scl i s a i tonl t Ciy ofSt u o a sx lvi J m Doe d e nt .
xa ne a m ga ns y he t
a nt n nd i i ng ol
ef nda s2
A.

C l m s agai tvari John D oe def
ai
ns
ous
endant
s

Thepli ifa lgest t J Doede e nt i ure la lt be aus t y
antf le hat he ohn
f nda s nc r d ibiiy c e he
pa tci t di t bot he i si ton a c pie wih Bo k t vi a et pli tf s
ri pa e n he c d nve tga i nd ons r d t coc o olt he a n if
c tt i lrg s Eve a s i t ta o t J hn Doe a t unde c orofsa el
onsiutona i ht . n s um ng ha ny f he o
s ced
r ol
tt aw,
t pl ntf a l gesno f c s t s
he ai if le
a t o ugge tt tt y kne orha r as t know t tt y had
s ha he
w
d e on o
ha he
c m m it d a c ns iutona t t I ed, m a ale no f c sde ons r tng t ta
o
te
o tt i l or . nde Tho s l ges a t m t a i ha ny

St un on e oyee be i Boc k, w orha r a o t kno t tSmih,a notTho a ,
a t mpl , sdes oc kne
d e s n o w ha
t nd
m s

c mmi e t mu d r. (
o t d he r es3 DocketN o 1a ! 1 -4. Th ma f rh ralg sta, e S t
t
t ! 3 1 ) o s u te le e h twh n mi
h
.

co es e t t m ur r i 2008,Sm ih i plc t d onl Boc k i t c r p a i t
nf s d o he
de s n
t m i ae
y
oc n he ove u nd n he

e ui i tgain a i tThomas (Isa ! 1 Doc tNo.1 a 1) I s tt fcs
ns ng nvesi to gans
. Ll t 2; ke
9 t . n hor,he a t
al dby Tho a smpl f lt saevi bl co tt tonalca msa i ta u me
lege
m s i y ai o t t a e nsiu i
li ga ns ny nna d
pe s - t a lga i i t c
r ons he le tons n he ompl ntt . al texcusvel on t a i oft Ciy of
ai ul mos l i y he ctons he t
n
St t a Bo k. H e e,Thom asf ist pr e a y f c sore d e c e tng a ge ne
aun on nd coc
nc
a l o es nt n a t
vi enc r a i
nui

2
Thomasaloi plcaesi hi c
s m i t n s ompl ntandbref t ot ri vi s Fl J r s Boc snowai
i s wo he ndi dual- oyd a vi,
ock'
dec as dpa ne ont deeci s
e e rt r he t tve quadt tma dt dou ehom i dei tgai a La y K i t cu r t
ha nage he bl
ci nvesi ton, nd c ng, he ren
M a ofStunt who s ce d Bococ t t postonofChi oft Stunt PolceDepa t ntf l ng
yor
a on
uc ede
k o he ii
ef he a on i
rme olowi

Bo o k' d moin ( c e No 1a !1 . c e No. 9a 3)Ho v rtepanifsc mpan lk wiefist
c c s e to . Do k t . t ; 5 Do k t 1 t . we e,h litf' o lit ie s al o
,
n met s t idviu l a d fn a t.Th ma ak o e g sJri'd ah( c tNo. 4a 2)a dfrh r
a hee wo n i d as s ee d ns o s c n wld e avs e t Do ke 2 t , n ute
m a f t hi i e i nott s J vi bas ont f tt t ase ane above t sxJ D oedeenda t
niess s ntnton
o ue ar s ed he ac ha, xpli d
, he i ohn
f ns

n me i tec mplitaeidvd aswh aec re tylvn .( c e No 1a ! 56)Th panif p rnl
a d n h o an r n iiu l o r urnl iig Do k t . t ! -. e litf a pae ty

c enott na eK i asadefndanti t c e.Ase ane ab e,t compl ntna e a dee nt onl te
hos
o m
ng
e
n he as
xpli d ov he
ai m s s fnda s y h
CiyofSt nt a sx J hn Does
t
au on nd i o
.
3
Fort tm atr Tho asdoe notcl m t ta peron, i Sm ihandBoc
ha te , m
s
ai ha ny s besdes t
ock,ha a t lknow l ge
d cua
ed
a t t i ntt oft m ur r ro t e se eofac r p.I s uc a t r i noalegain t tanyofte
s o he de iy he de e r he xit nc
ove u na m h s he e s
l to ha
h
de enda sa t ly kne a
f nt c ua l
w boutt cove p,ora e d wih a
he
nl
gr e t nyone e s t pe per t t c r i f l w st t
le o r ta e he ove up, t olo ha
none o t de enda se
f he f nt ngage i a co piac t f l el pr ec et pl ntf. W rchtv.
dn
ns r y o a s y os ut he ai if
i
Com m o e t 22
nw a1h, 4

S. 2 71 , 3( .1 8 )(ttn ta ac npiayrq ie po fo < na re n b t e t o moep ro s
E. d 1 7l Va 9 2 saig h t o s rc e urs ro ff ge me t ewe n wo r r es n
a
b s mec ncre a to t c mmia o fn e'ctt na ditra q oainmak o te l; e as Cad l
y o o etd cin o o t n fe s'(iai n nen l u tt
o
o rs mi d )s e lo lwel
t
v Gre 45 F. u p 2 8 l 8 122( D. . 0 6 ( oigtee itnc o acvlihsc nsia ysa e 4
. en, 1 S p . d 1 , 2 - W. Va 2 0 ) n tn h xse e f iirg t o prc tmt, 2
U. C.j 1 u rwhih aplitf mus s ana e me o ame tngoft mi byt de e nt t
S. 985, nde c
anif t how gr e nt r e i
he nds he f nda s o
voaetepanifsc n ttto a rg t (u t Si n v Po , 7F. 1 7 ,1 7 ( hCi.l 9 )
ilt h litf o siuin lihs q oi mmo s . e 4 3d 3 0 3 7 4t r 9 5:.
ng
8

is ofma e ilf c wih r pe tt t sx J Doe .Fort sr s t c tmus dimis
s ue
t ra a t t es c o he i ohn
s
hi ea on, he our
t s s
t pli ifsco pli t t e e t the s e t r c ragans t J hn Doede e n s
he antf
m a nt o he xt nt ha
e ks o e ove
i t he o
f nda t .
B.

C l m s agai t C iy ofSt on
ai
nst he t
aunt

Theco t t si taly t t t peofa to t tt pl i ifi tae a ns t Ciy
ur no e nii l hat he y
ci n ha he antf nii ts gai t he t

ofStunt c n s vveonl i r ecr tnc .Assae ab j 1 a ist pes
a on a ur i
y n ar icumsa es
ttd ove, 983 pple o rons
ac i unde c o ofsa e l w . Alho h a l a g l e t luni m a qua iy a a pe s n
tng
r ol r t t a
t ug oc l ove mm n a
t y lf s
ro

wihi t mea ngoft saut j 1 doesno s ppor acinsbasdonviaiusla lt
t n he ni
he tt e, 983
t u t to
e
c ro ibiiy.

M o l, U. a 691 Thus al lgovenme a bodyi ur j 1 labiiyo yt oug
nel436 S. t .
, oca
r ntl
nc s 983 i lt nl hr h
t pe e uai ofs eofi a polc orc t m t ts r est vi a et pli tf s
he p t ton om
fcil iy uso ha e v o olt he a n if
c tt i lr g s
ons iutona i ht .

Thec t
our now t nst Tho a 'consiuto t tcli sa ns t Ciy.Bas d on t
ur o
m s
tt inal or am gai t he t
e
he

c anti a a st tThoma s kst i ej 1 la lt ont Ciyunde t e
ompli ,t ppe r ha
s ee o mpos 983 ibiiy he t
r hre
dif r ntt ores w hi h a e e m i bel .
f e e he i , c r xa ned ow
V i ousIabiiy
cari
i lt

Ase ai da
xpl ne bove,heeca benocam unde j 1 pr sdonviaiusla lt
t r n
li
r 983 emie
c ro ibiiy.
l He ,Thomas co aitmus fi t t e e t tThomass kst hol t Ciy labl
d. nce
' mpl n
t a l o he xtnt ha
ee o d he t i e

baeds el u t f tt tt Ciye oye Boc k.Seej sco l ngt t;
s ol y pon he ac ha he t mpl d oc
. ( ncudi ha (
;
a

munii lt cn behedla eunde j1983onar ponde ts ro t or ).
cpaiy nnot
l ibl
r
es
a upeir he y'
O f i alpolcy or cust
f ci
i
om

Thepli ifa s s e t r ove a i tt Ciy ba e on t c enton t tt Ciy
antf lo e ks o ec r ga ns he t s d he ont i ha he t
s or d a of i i polc ofs a rag ns hi a f t rau ho i ed a f a
pons e n fc al i y
l nde ai t m nd urhe t r z
r udul ntc m pa gn
e a i
t ho d t pl i t f ac ot t bl f t do e hom i i How e r t c tc l
o l he a n if c m a e or he ubl
c de.
ve , he our onc udest tt s
ha hi
t r ofla lt m us f lf rt o r s . Fi s , he c pl nta ti e t Boc a loft
heo y i biiy
t ai o w ea ons r t t om ai trbut s o
ock l he

9

r lva a t a no one,i l i Thoma ,pr s t fc st s es t tt Ciy wascog z nt
ee nt c s nd
ncud ng
s e en s a t o ugg t ha he t
ni a
o t t to na ur ofBoc k' a tons Se nd, he c m pl i f ist s ppl a f c s
f he ori us t e
oc s c i . co t o a nt a l o u y ny a t
de ons r tng t tt Ciy s
m t a i ha he t pons e s m ia c r pson a r i bas s The f c saleg d by
or d i l r ove u
outne i .
at l e

Tho a i hi c
m s n s ompl i c e r t s ey o t Ciy' c
ant onc nta e ol l n he t s onduc t r t pli if
t owa d he antf
pe s ly he f ist pr f ra f c ua as e to e bii w i s e c
r ona l a l o of e ny a t l s r i ns xhi tng de pr ad onduc by t Ciy
t he t

i iai alege vitmsbesd hi el.Se ec.Ca trv.M ori,1 F. 21 220( h
mplctng l d ci
ies ms f e. . , re
rs 64 3d 5, 4t
Ci.1 9)( tnni ngt tt pli iffie t pr des tcinte de eofawi prad
r 99 dee ni ha he antf ald o ovi ufi e vi nc
des e
a pe ne pr tc nec s r t es a ih a m t i i lc t w he e t pl i ifi ntte
nd nna nt ac i e es a y o t bls
m c pa us om
r he a ntf de ii d

t r l va i i ntprort he own ca e o whih t Ciy c d havehadknowldg a i
t e e nt ncde
no
i o r
s f c he t oul
e e nd n

whihi a qui ce ';La or v.Prnc Ge ge' Cnt , D,1 F. pp.2d297,305( Md.
c t c es d' nf d
)
i e or s y.M
99 Su
D.
2002)( s s i t pli ifsmunii lla lt cli wheet pli ifG ovi dno
dimisng he antf
cpa ibiiy am, r he antf t de
pr

alg to s e c p t o es ro n i gh so ars a dij r ,o etb iht a gh
le ain , x e t h s ur u d n i wn ret n nu y t sa ls h t t e
mu iiai e ha )ap lc o c so o Cx e sv f re i o e s e vso p lc
n cp lt s d oiy r u t m f e c sie o c ,mpr p r up r iin, o ie
i
mico uc,a us ofe si fr e').Theefr t c antmus f lt t e e tt t
s nd t nd e xce sve o c '
r oe,he ompli
t ai o he xtn ha
Thoma s e t i ej 1 la lt o t Ciybasdont al dpr ieai byt
s e ks o mpos 983 ibiiy n he t e
he lege olfrton he
Ciy ofs e ofi i lpolc orc t .
t
om
tca
iy
us om
3.

Faiure t t n
l
o rai

Tho sas s e t rcove fom t Ciyunde aj 1 f l et tant oy.The
ma lo e ks o e r r he t
r
983 aiur o r i he r

S p e Co r h src g z dt a,kinl tdcru tn e , lc lg v r me tsd cso
u rme u t a e o nie h tt l i e ic msa c s a o a o en n ' e iin
l mi
no t tai e o sa
t o r n mpl yee boutt i l ga dut t a d vi a i ctz 'rght ma rs t t
her e l y o voi oltng iiens i s y ie o he

lve ofanofii gove n ntpolc f pur esofj 1 3. Comzc 1 S.Cta 1 9.
e l
fcal r me
iy or pos
98 '
'
ik, 31
. t 35
Howe r i rcog zngt pos i lt ofaj 1 fiur t tai cam,t Co tas obsr e
ve,n e nii he sbiiy
983 al e o r n li he ur lo e v d
t ta t uni i iy' cul biiy f r a de i ton o r g si a ism os t nuous whe e a c a m
ha c
m c palt s pa lt o
prva i f i ht s t t
te
r li

10

tlnsonafiur t tai ' d.cii Okl Civv. te, U. 808,822- ( 985
tr
al e o r n.'I ( tng a. t Tutl 471 S.
23 1 )
( urlt o ni ) A fiur t tancli rs t t lve ofaj 1 vi ain o yit
pl aiy pi onl. al e o ri am ies o he e l
983 olto nl f he
mt ci lt sf l et ta n ise oye sa
mi paiy' aiur o r i t mpl e mount t dei r t i fer ncet aknown o
s o lbe a e ndif e
o
r

obvi rs ofha r s tngfo isi cton.I a 1 60(iainsomitd) Furhemor,
ous ik
nu euli r m t na i d. t 359- ctto
te . t r e
a ç te . ofs m ia co tt i lvi a i by unta ne e oyee i t d nmi y ne es a y't
i tl
pa n
i l r ns iutona ol tons
r i d mpl s s or i l c s r o

de
monsrt dei rt i fee f pur e offiur t tan. d. t1 ( i Bd.
tae lbeae ndifrnce or pos s al e o r i ' a 360 quotng of
'l

Cny Co r o Br a Cny.Oka v. o 5 0U. 3 7 40 ( 9 7) Ase p an d
t . mm's f y n t , l. Br wn, 2 S. 9 , 9 1 9 ). x lie
a
bove Thomasa l esf t t tf uso y o t cr um sa ess r o ng hi own ca e he
,
leg ac s ha oc nl n he ic t nc u r undi s
spr vi s no f t t de ons r t a w i s e d pa t m ofde i i ttai ng by t Ciy.
o de
ac s o m t a e
de pr a te
fc en r ni
he t
A lho a pa t n ofs m ia c tt i lvi a i i t di r l nec s a y' t as e ta
t ugh
ter
i l r ons iutona ol tons s d na iy e s r ' o s r
or

j 1 f l et tancl m,heSuprmeCour no hee sha a knowl danar w
983 aiur o ri ai t
e
t net ls s c
edge
ro
e e i t t sr l l de c i ng t s i i l -nci en ' la lt e e i t co ' pos t
xc pton o hi u e. n s rbi hi ' ng e i d t' i biiy xc pton, he ul
s
t ed he
hypot tca e m pl ofIa c t t ta m s ispolce f c w ih tr r sa d pl t a m ed
he i l xn e 4 iy ha r t i or e t i ea m nd e oys he r
o f c r i t t publc t c pt e f e i f l nswiho t a ni t o f c r i t c tt i l
f i e s n o he
i o a ur l e ng e o
t ut r i ng he f i e s n he ons iutona

lmiai ont us ofde dl f c ' I a 1 ( tngCivofCant Ohi v. ri,489
i tton he e
a y ore. d. t 361 cii t
'
on, o Hars
U. 378, n.0( 989).l ohe wods t Cour rcog z dt ti c ranç ae'
S. 390 1 1 ) n t r r ,he
te nie ha,n e ti i r'
r
cic sa s t E
r um tnce , he s
unconsiutonalc eq nc so f lng t tan coul be s pa e l
tt i
ons ue e f aii o r i
d
o t nty

obviust tact c dbela et rj1 wiho pr ofapr -xitngpatr of
o ha iy oul ibl mde 983 t ut oof
ee si ten
vi ai ns' 1 Bas d on t pl ntf' al gai i t i t ntc s ,t c t ncl st t
olto .' d. e
he ai ifs le tons n he nsa a e he our co ude ha
a aleg f iur by t Ciy ofSt unt t t a n Bo k oro he of i e s doesnotf l w ihi
ny l ed a l e
he t
a on o r i coc
t r fc r
al t n

t C row r ngeofCa o shypot i d sngl-ncde la lt ' 1 Thomasale no
he d r a
na
nt n'
hesze i e i i nt ibiiy. d.
'
lges
f st s
act o uggestbot a pat l obvi need ûf m or or di f entt ai ng' of St on polce
h
enty
ous
lor e
f er r ni '
aunt
i

of i r a a r s tng lkelhood ofc tt i lvi a i ns s h t tt Ciy of St unt çc n
fce s nd e uli i i
onsiutona ol to , uc ha he t
a on d a

r as bl be s i t ha be n delbe a ey i fer n t t nee ' Ca on,48 U. a 390
e ona y
a d o ve e
i r t l ndif e t o he d. nt
'
9 S. t

(oonot omit .I ta unde t plitf sf cua al to ,i s e t Boc k'
f t e ted) nse d, r he anif a t l legains t e ms hat oc s
a tonsw e e as oc a ed w ih s m e m i gui r a tc a t ch e r t rt n w ih a m or
ci
r s it
t o
s ded om n i ta m nt a he ha t
e
fm da e a a pe v i m iunde s a ng a t c tt i na rght i ge r . Fo t s
t m nt l nd r as ve s
r t ndi s o ons iuto l i s n ne al r he e
r a ons t pl i iff is t s i i hi c pl n f c uala l ga i t twoul s
e s , he a ntf a l o ubm t n s om ai t a t le tons ha
d uppor a
t

fndi ofj 1 la lt a i tt CiyofSa o unde af iur t tai t r Thus
i ng
983 ibiiy gans he t tuntn
r al e o r n heoy.
,
ba e o t fr goi anayss t cour c l t tt c antfist saea va ej
s d n he o e ng l i,he t oncudes ha he ompli al o tt ny ibl
1 3 c a m sa ns t Ciy a t r f e t tt c pl i m us be di m i s
98 l i gai t he t nd, he e or , ha he om a nt t
s s ed.
C onc usi
l on

Theco t e td t pli ifa t Augus 3he rng t t a
ur alre he a ntf t he
t a i o he bove e i ne de i e i
m nto d fcinces
i hi co pl i i w asf t sve y r a o t tt co ts i d t pl i i fw ih a to
n s m a nt t
or hi r e s n ha he ur upple he a ntf t ddii nal
tm e t pl a r l va f t i hi c pl nt H o e r t pl i if spos - a i br e m i s s
i o e d e e nt ac s n s om ai . w ve , he a ntf '
the rng i f s e
t m a k. Conc us y a l ga i a r c t tonsofe e e sofl lc e ofa ton f i t
he r
l or le tons nd e ia i
l m nt
ega aus s c i a l o
s ts y t f t pl di sa
a i f he ac ual ea ng t ndar i pos d on pl i if by t Supr e Cou t Be lA t.Com .
dm e
a ntf s he
em
r. l l

v.Two y,550U. 544, (
mbl
S. 555 2007) Be aus Tho pr e snof t t ce eag nune
. c e mas esnt acs hat rat e i
is ofmae ilf twihrs c t j 1 la lt t c tmus dimist pli ifs
sue
tra ac t epe t o 983 ibiiy,he our t s s he antf'
c
ompl i .
ant
The c tr ogni st tu e t f ct ale d i t c pl i ,t pl i ifha be n
our ec ze ha nd r he a s l ge n he om a nt he a ntf s e
te e unf il The c tdoe notdoubtt tt pl ntf , a r ul oft eve sove t l s
r at d a r y.
our
s
ha he ai if as es t he nt
r he a t

fryy as s fee ic n e in e i wild su to o hsl e a dij r t hsrp tto a d
o t e r, u fr d n o v ne c ,1 l, irp in f i i , n nu y o i e uain n
1
f
t hi sandi i t c m uniy. H owe ,no o t s s f rng r g l ca be atr bu e t t
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