Glass v. Robinson

District Court, D. Arizona·Decided January 27, 2022·No. 2:19-cv-04883·Unknown

Opinion

WO

Samantha Glass, No. CV-19-04883-PHX-ROS

Plaintiff, ORDER

v.

Christopher Robinson, et al.,

Defendants. Plaintiff Samantha Glass brought this suit against Gilbert police officer Defendant Christopher Robinson under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, alleging Robinson used excessive force during an encounter with Glass in March 2018.1 (Doc. 13). Robinson arrived at the apartment complex where Glass’s ex-boyfriend and her daughter resided to investigate a possible vehicle burglary. (Doc. 60 at 1). Robinson found Glass sitting on a second-floor landing waiting for her ex-boyfriend to return. (Doc. 60 at 2). Glass was intoxicated. (Doc. 60 at 3). During the encounter, Robinson decided he had grounds to detain Glass. (Doc. 60 at 3). Glass resisted when Robinson attempted to handcuff her. (Doc. 60 at 4). At one point during the encounter, Robinson used a “leg sweep” while holding Glass’s arm, which caused Glass to fall to the ground face-first. (Doc. 60 at 5). Glass suffered a wound to her face as a result. (Doc. 60-2). Glass contends Robinson did not have probable cause to effect the arrest and used unreasonable force in arresting her, which she claims violated her rights under the Fourth Amendment. (Doc. 64 at 7). 1 All facts set forth in this Order are undisputed unless otherwise noted. Before the Court is Robinson’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment. (Doc. 59). Robinson asks the Court to grant summary judgment on all aspects of the case except Glass’s claim that the leg sweep constituted an unreasonable use of force in violation of the Fourth Amendment. (Doc. 59 at 13). Specifically, Robinson argues, “[t]he undisputed facts show that: (1) Officer Robinson had probable cause to arrest Plaintiff; (2) Plaintiff resisted arrest; and (3) Officer Robinson was entitled to use force to overcome Plaintiff’s resistance.” (Doc. 59 at 13). Defendant’s motion will be granted in part. Defendant Christopher Robinson is a Gilbert, Arizona police officer. (Doc. 59 at 1). On March 9, 2018, Robinson responded to the address of an apartment complex regarding a possible vehicle burglary. (Doc. 60 at 1). Robinson was informed by dispatch that a witness saw a Caucasian female wearing shorts and a hoodie jump the gate to the apartment complex and try to break into a red pickup truck. (Doc. 60 at 1). Robinson was also informed the woman appeared intoxicated, and was at one point sitting in a vehicle outside the gate of the complex. (Doc. 60 at 1). When Robinson arrived at the complex, he observed the vehicle the woman was reported to be sitting in had a flat tire. (Doc. 60 at 2). Objects scattered around the vehicle, such as a car jack, indicated someone may have tried to change the tire unsuccessfully. (Doc. 60 at 2). Robinson encountered Plaintiff Samantha Glass, who matched the description of the identified female, sitting on a second-floor landing. (Doc. 60 at 2). The interaction between Robinson and Glass was recorded by a body-worn camera. (Doc. 60 at 2). The parties agree the body-cam video, which is included in the summary judgment filings, (Doc. 60-2), accurately depicts the interaction between Robinson and Glass. (Doc. 60 at 2; Doc. 65 at 2, 7). During the interaction, Glass explained she was waiting for her boyfriend to return to his apartment. (Doc. 60 at 2). Glass appeared intoxicated. (Doc. 60 at 3; Doc. 60-2). During the interaction, Robinson put on gloves and told Glass he was going to put her in handcuffs. (Doc. 60 at 3; Doc. 60-2). When Glass subsequently attempted to leave the area, Robinson grabbed her arm and attempted to force it behind her back. (Doc. 60 at 3; Doc. 60-2). Glass struggled against Robinson’s grip. (Doc. 60-2). Robinson then told Glass she was not free to leave and Glass continued to resist. (Doc. 60-2). At one point, Glass’s head went down and her arm raised up. (Doc. 60-2). The parties dispute whether this gesture was an attempt to strike Robinson with her elbow. (Doc. 60 at 4; Doc. 65 at 4). Robinson then performed a “leg sweep,” which caused Glass’s face to strike the concrete floor. (Doc. 60-2). The face-first contact with the floor split Glass’s lip, which caused her blood to spill on the ground and on her legs. (Doc. 60 at 5; Doc. 60-2). She began to cry. (Doc. 60-2). Glass does not dispute Robinson had probable cause to arrest her after he had instructed her not to leave and she continued to struggle to get free. (Doc. 65 at 6). Rather, she argues there was no probable cause to justify Robinson grabbing her wrist. (Doc. 65 at 6). Glass was transported to the hospital. (Doc. 60 at 5). Robinson performed a blood draw pursuant to a search warrant which showed a blood alcohol concentration (“BAC”) of 0.199. (Doc. 60 at 5). Glass later pled guilty to failure to obey a police officer and to extreme DUI, which is satisfied by a BAC greater than or equal to 0.15. (Doc. 60 at 5). Summary judgment may be granted on any claim or defense if there is no genuine issue of material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c); Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 321 (1986). Material facts are those which may affect the outcome of the case and a dispute as to a material fact is “genuine” only if there is sufficient evidence for a reasonable trier of fact to decide in favor of the nonmoving party. Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248 (1986). On a motion for summary judgment, the Court draws all reasonable inferences that may be taken from the underlying facts in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party. See Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co., Ltd. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574 (1986). And, on a motion for summary judgment, “the district court does not assess credibility or weigh the evidence, but simply determines whether there is a genuine factual issue for trial.” House v. Bell, 574 U.S. 518, 559–560 (2006). The moving party has the initial burden of production for showing the absence of any material fact. Celotex Corp., 477 U.S. at 331. Robinson seeks partial summary judgment, requesting the Court find as a matter of law “(1) he had probable cause to arrest Plaintiff; (2) Plaintiff resisted arrest; and (3) he was entitled to use force to overcome Plaintiff’s resistance.” (Doc. 59 at 1-2). In other words, Robinson seeks to limit the issue for trial to solely the question whether the leg sweep was objectively unreasonable. (Doc. 59 at 2). Robinson’s briefing is inconsistent and alternates between presenting arguments under the legal standard applicable to investigatory stops, i.e., Terry stops, and the legal standard applicable to arrests. (Doc. 60 at 8-11). Robinson’s briefing also fails to distinguish between facts available to Robinson at the time of the interaction with Glass, which could support probable cause, and facts that only became clear after the fact, which cannot. (Doc. 60 at 9-10). See Rosenbam v. Washoe Cty., 663 F.3d 1071, 1076 (9th Cir. 2011). But, based on the undisputed facts and the governing law, Robinson had reasonable suspicion to detain Glass. Immediately thereafter, Glass concedes probable cause developed for her arrest based on her “disobeying an officer’s lawful order.” (Doc. 64 at 7). Although Robinson seeks attorney fees and costs incurred in bringing the motion for partial summary judgment, he has not identified any valid basis

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