Bryson v. Oklahoma County ex rel. Oklahoma County Detention Center

2011 OK CIV APP 98, 261 P.3d 627, 2011 Okla. Civ. App. LEXIS 83, 2011 WL 3963582
CourtCourt of Civil Appeals of Oklahoma
DecidedJune 30, 2011
DocketNo. 108,534
StatusPublished
Cited by26 cases

This text of 2011 OK CIV APP 98 (Bryson v. Oklahoma County ex rel. Oklahoma County Detention Center) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Civil Appeals of Oklahoma primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Bryson v. Oklahoma County ex rel. Oklahoma County Detention Center, 2011 OK CIV APP 98, 261 P.3d 627, 2011 Okla. Civ. App. LEXIS 83, 2011 WL 3963582 (Okla. Ct. App. 2011).

Opinion

JOHN F. FISCHER, Viee-Chief Judge.

{1 Antonio A. Bryson appeals the judgment of the district court granting defendant Oklahoma County's motion for summary judgment. The appeal has been assigned to the accelerated docket pursuant to Oklahoma Supreme Court Rule 1.36(b), 12 O.S. Supp. 2010, ch. 15, app. 1, and the matter stands submitted without appellate briefing. We affirm the district court's order granting the County's motion for summary judgment with respect to Bryson's tort claims for assault, battery and negligence, Bryson's constitutional claims based on Okla. Const. art. 2, § 9 and the Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution, and Bryson's claim based on the use of force policy and failure to train. We reverse with respect to Bryson's 42 U.S.C. § 1988 claim based on the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution and his claim for violation of Okla. Const. art. 2, § 80, and remand for further proceedings.

BACKGROUND

T2 Bryson was arrested on April 1, 2007, and taken to the Oklahoma County jail. During processing Bryson was verbally abusive to officers and refused to take a TB exam. In order to search Bryson, Seott Miller, a detention officer employed by the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office, was asked to take Bryson to a changing area and "dress him out" in County jail clothing. When they returned to the processing area, Miller hand[630]*630cuffed Bryson to a bench. Bryson continued his verbal abuse of officers and was inciting other prisoners in the area. Bryson also asked Miller why he was verbally abusing prisoners during this time. Miller decided to move Bryson to a holding cell to keep him from agitating other inmates in the book-in area. Miller took Bryson's handcuffs off and ordered him to stand. Bryson refused. After waiting only a few seconds, Miller grabbed Bryson, stood him up, shoved him into a wall and eventually took him to the floor. Miller ordered Bryson to turn onto his stomach and when Bryson refused, Miller delivered two "knee strikes" to Bryson's back. Bryson turned onto his stomach, was handcuffed and removed from the area. As a result of this incident, the Sheriff's Office conducted an investigation and terminated Miller.

[ 3 Bryson's action is based on this altercation with Miller and asserts various tort and constitutional claims. He seeks recovery for actual damages in excess of ten thousand ($10,000) dollars and punitive damages. Except for the County, all defendants including Miller have been voluntarily dismissed by Bryson.

T4 The County's motion for summary judgment argues that Miller was acting outside the scope of his employment, and, therefore, the County cannot be held Hable for his actions. The County contends that even if Miller were acting within the scope of his employment, it cannot be held lable on the basis of respondeat superior for two reasons: more than vicarious liability is required to show a violation of 42 U.S.C. § 1983, and as to any State claims, the Governmental Tort Claims Act provides the County immunity from Bryson's suit. In addition, the County contends that Bryson can establish no independent policy, procedure, act or custom by the County that resulted in any constitutional violation, and that the Eighth Amendment does not apply to Bryson. Finally, the County argues that the Sheriffs use of force policy is constitutional, that Miller was properly trained and supervised by the Sheriffs Office, and that pursuant to Oklahoma law the County is not responsible for the operation of the County jail or the supervision of detention officers employed by the Sheriffs Office. Bryson's response admits most of the material facts asserted in the County's motion. However, Bryson disputes the fact that Miller was acting outside the seope of his employment, and that he was properly trained and supervised. Bryson's response also asserts as an undisputed material fact that the County jail was overcrowded and understaffed. The County did not reply to Bryson's response. The Order sustaining the County's motion was filed June 24, 2010.

STANDARD OF REVIEW

T5 Rule 183 of the Rules for District Courts of Oklahoma, 12 O.S. Supp.2010, ch. 2, app., governs the procedure for summary judgment in the district court. We review the district court's grant of summary judgment de novo. Carmichael v. Beller, 1996 OK 48, ¶ 2, 914 P.2d 1051, 1053. On review, we examine the pleadings and evidentiary materials submitted by the parties to determine whether there exists a genuine issue of material fact. Id. This Court bears "an affirmative duty to test all evidentiary material tendered in summary process for its legal sufficiency to support the relief sought by the movant." Copeland v. The Lodge Enters., Inc., 2000 OK 36, ¶ 8, 4 P.3d 695, 699.

T 6 The summary process requires that we determine whether the record reveals only undisputed material facts supporting a single inference that favors the movant's motion for summary judgment. Id. When considering a motion for summary judgment, the evidence and the inferences to be drawn from the evidence must be viewed in the light most favorable to the party opposing the motion. Hargrave v. Canadian Valley Elec. Coop., Inc., 1990 OK 48,¶ 14, 792 P.2d 50, 55. If the moving party has not addressed all material facts, or if one or more of such facts is not supported by acceptable evidentiary material, summary judgment is not proper. Spirgis v. Circle K Stores, Inc., 1987 OK CIV APP 45, ¶ 10, 743 P.2d 682, 685 (approved for publication by the Oklahoma Supreme Court). "Once defendant has introduced evi-dentiary materials indicating that there is no substantial controversy as to one fact material to plaintiff's cause of action and that this [631]*631fact is in defendant's favor, plaintiff then has the burden of showing that evidence is available which would justify a trial of the issue." Runyon v. Reid, 1973 OK 25, ¶13, 510 P.2d 943, 946. "Only if the court should conclude that there is no material fact in dispute and the law favors the movant's claim or liability-defeating defense is the moving party entitled to summary judgment in its favor." Copeland, 2000 OK 36, 18, 4 P.3d at 699.

ANALYSIS

1 7 Bryson's petition asserts six theories of recovery: (I) Assault, (II) Battery, (III) Violation of 42 U.S.C. § 1983, (IV) Violation of article 2, § 9 of the Oklahoma Constitution and the Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibiting eruel and unusual punishment, (V) Failure to train/supervise/control and (VI) Negligence.1

I. Assault, Battery and Negligence

18 The first two theories of recovery in Bryson's petition assert that Miller committed an assault and battery when removing Bryson to the holding cell. "[EJvery person has, subject to the qualifications and restrictions provided by law, the right of protection from bodily restraint or harm...." 76 0.8. 2001 § 6. Assault and battery require proof of harmful contact by the defendant or the apprehension of harmful contact. OUJI Nos. 19.1 and 19.6. See 12 0.8.2001 § 577.2 (calling for the use of Oklahoma Uniform Jury Instructions when applicable). "Contact" is the intentional touching of another person. OUJI No. 19.7; see 12 0.8.2001 § 577.2.

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Bluebook (online)
2011 OK CIV APP 98, 261 P.3d 627, 2011 Okla. Civ. App. LEXIS 83, 2011 WL 3963582, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/bryson-v-oklahoma-county-ex-rel-oklahoma-county-detention-center-oklacivapp-2011.