Dorn v. Brooks

CourtDistrict Court, W.D. Arkansas
DecidedJanuary 17, 2020
Docket5:18-cv-05149
StatusUnknown

This text of Dorn v. Brooks (Dorn v. Brooks) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, W.D. Arkansas primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Dorn v. Brooks, (W.D. Ark. 2020).

Opinion

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS FAYETTEVILLE DIVISION

KENNETH DORN PLAINTIFF

v. Civil No. 5:18-cv-05149

DEPUTY AARON BROOKS; SHERIFF TIM HELDER; and MAJOR RANDALL DENZER DEFENDANTS

OPINION AND ORDER In this civil rights action filed pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983, Plaintiff Kenneth Dorn contends his constitutional rights were violated when he was incarcerated in the Washington County Detention Center (WCDC). Specifically, Dorn contends excessive force was used against him on March 27, 2018. Dorn names as Defendants Deputy Aaron Brooks, Washington County Sheriff Tim Helder, and Major Randall Denzer. The case is before the Court on Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment (ECF Nos. 40-42). Dorn filed a response (ECF Nos. 59-61). Defendants’ Motion will be granted. I. BACKGROUND Dorn was arrested and booked into the WCDC on May 29, 2017. (ECF No. 42-2 at 1). On March 1, 2018, Dorn entered a plea of guilty and was sentenced to a term of imprisonment. Id. at 5. The alleged excessive force occurred following his conviction. Dorn was transferred to the Arkansas Department of Correction (ADC) on March 29, 2018. Id. at 11. A. Dorn’s Version of the Altercation On March 27, 2018, Dorn was involved in an altercation with Deputy Brooks and Deputy 1 Fennel. Dorn, who was at the time in administrative segregation in T-block, testified he and Inmate Freddy Jones were on their hour out in K-block. (ECF No. 42-10 at 47 & 53). Dorn testified he made a twenty-minute phone call and just shortly after that the guard opened the flap and told them their hour was up. Id. at 47. Dorn disagreed and said he was going to press the

intercom and alert the sergeant to make sure their hour was up. Id. at 47. Dorn testified he pressed the button two or three times, but no one answered it. Id. at 52. The intercom is located right next to the door to the block. Id. If their hour was not up, Dorn stated he wanted to request his time at a later date. (ECF No. 42-10 at 47). Dorn testified that when he pressed the intercom button, Deputy Brooks and Deputy Fennel entered K-block and Deputy Brooks started yelling at him to get his stuff and that they “don’t got time for this.” Id. at 48. After Deputy Brooks told Dorn his time was up, Dorn conceded that he yelled at the officers and probably used profanities. Id. at 54-55. In response, Dorn claims Deputy Brooks and Deputy Fennel each grabbed one of Dorn’s arms right above the elbow. (ECF No. 42-10 at 48). Dorn testified he did not threaten Deputy

Brooks but did tell him he was a “stupid ass.” Id. at 55. Dorn stated that Deputy Brooks responded: “chill the f--- out.” Id. Dorn testified he communicated to Deputy Brooks that “he wasn’t going to order [me] around.” Id. at 60. Dorn indicated he talks with his hands and so was moving them but not “like I was going to fight” Deputy Brooks. Id. Dorn testified he “snatched away” from Deputy Brooks and said: “Look, . . . I’ll press the intercom. I am going to do the right thing.” (ECF No. 42-10 at 49). At that time, Dorn indicated both deputies grabbed him, and Deputy Brooks threw him to the ground. Id. Dorn testified he resisted getting handcuffed, refused to comply with orders, and kept kicking his legs.

2 Id. at 62, 77, 81. Dorn testified he never “threw a punch at Deputy Brooks.” Id. at 78. According to Dorn, Deputy Brooks then hit him on the head two times. Id. at 62. Dorn testified that he continued to resist and at some point rolled onto his back and then Deputy Brooks again hit him on the head twice. (ECF No. 42-10 at 63). Dorn testified that he

covered the side of his head and that is when all the other deputies arrived. Id. One of the officers pulled his taser out and told Dorn to turn over. Id. At this point, Dorn complied, was handcuffed, and was put in a restraint chair. Id. Dorn was advised he was being charged with second degree battery for having hit Deputy Brooks in the face twice. Id. Dorn denied this saying he had not touched Deputy Brooks. Id. Dorn argues that if Deputy Brooks felt threatened, he should have had the other officers assist him, used pepper spray, or used his taser. In short, Dorn believes Deputy Brooks should have done anything other than striking Dorn in the side of the head. Id. at 65. Dorn testified that as a result of the use of force, he had “three knots on [his] head.” Id. at 84. Dorn denies being seen by medical but indicates he did not need medical treatment. Id. at 84-88. The knots went away after a week or two. Id. at 87.

According to Dorn, Deputy Brooks had always been “combative” towards him and every conversation has been “negative.” (ECF NO. 42-10 at 48). Dorn believes Deputy Brooks has a problem with everyone that Dorn was related to. Id. at 58-59. In fact, the day before the altercation at issue in this case, Dorn testified he and Deputy Brooks “got into it over a blanket.” Id. at 56. Deputy Brooks was doing blanket and towel call. Id. Dorn wanted to switch his blanket but had just been given a towel and did not need a new one. Id. According to Dorn, Deputy Brooks started demanding the towel and was yelling and cussing Dorn. Id. Dorn told Deputy Brooks to “shut the f—up” and walked away. Id. Deputy Brooks grabbed Dorn, tried to

3 cuff him, and slammed him against the wall. Id. at 57. Dorn was moved to administrative segregation. Id. B. Deputy Brooks’ Version of the Altercation Deputy Brooks submitted the following use of force incident report:

at approximately 4:17 p.m., Deputy Fennel #483, Deputy Montano #529 and I were instructed to put the detainees back from their hour out who were located in K- Block. The detainees were Dorn, Kenneth . . . and Detainee Jones . . . .

When Fennel and I approached the door, I heard Detainee Dorn yelling profanities. When I lifted the flap Dorn stated, “if you come in my f------ block I’ll beat your ass, you better not come in here.” Deputy Fennel and I then entered K-Block to instruct Dorn and Jones to gather their belongings because their time was up. At this time Dorn continued arguing that I wasn’t going to order him around. While this was happening, Dorn continued to make aggressive motions, putting his hands up, pulling up his shirt and making verbal threats. Fennel and I instructed Dorn at least 5 times demanding that he gather his belongings. Dorn ignored all instructions.

After arguing with Dorn for a moment, Fennel and I decided to physically restrain him by his arms. When we grabbed Dorn, he immediately began to resist so we took him to the ground. While on the ground Dorn still ignored commands and continued acting aggressive. During this Dorn was kicking at Deputy Montano and swung at my face and missed, at this point I escalated my use of force to attempt to gain control of the situation. I struck Dorn in the face twice, after this Dorn stopped and held his head.

When I tried to get off Dorn he was holding my left leg between his legs, when I broke my leg free and went back near Dorn, to handcuff him he reached up and struck me on the right side of my face. At this time I continued my use of force and struck Dorn again still attempting to restrain him. After I struck Dorn he stopped fighting but still ignored verbal commands and would not turn over. I then place[d] my knee on the front of his shoulder to immobilize him until other officers arrived. Once Deputy Thurman #503 arrived I got off of Dorn while Thurman placed him in handcuffs. I then gathered my belongings and was not involved with placing Dorn or Jones in the restraint chair.

(ECF No. 42-5 at 1). In Deputy Fennel’s report, he indicated Dorn’s anger appeared to be mainly directed at 4 Deputy Brooks. (ECF No. 42-5 at 2).

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