Case ID: f-appx_181/html/0615-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "PER CURIAM.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

William E. BLAKEMAN, Appellant, v. Sheriff Leo KENNEDY, Appellee.
    No. 05-1018.
    United States Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit.
    Submitted: May 19, 2006.
    Decided: May 23, 2006.
    William E. Blakeman, Fort Madison, IA, pro se.
    Les V. Reddick, Kane & Norby, Dubuque, IA, for Appellee.
    
      Before MELLOY, FAGG, and BENTON, Circuit Judges.
   PER CURIAM.

Iowa inmate William E. Blakeman appeals the district court’s adverse grant of summary judgment in Blakeman’s 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action. Having reviewed the record de novo, see Jolly v. Knudsen, 205 F.3d 1094, 1096 (8th Cir.2000) (standard of review), we conclude dismissal was proper, see Auman v. United States, 67 F.3d 157, 161-62 (8th Cir.1995) (appellate court reviews judgments, not opinions, and may affirm on any ground supported by record regardless of whether counsel urged it or district court considered it).

We conclude Blakeman’s recitations are insufficient to demonstrate Kennedy had personal knowledge of Blakeman needing and not receiving seizure medication. See Cambetos v. Branstad, 73 F.3d 174, 176 (8th Cir.1995) (general responsibility for supervising operations of prison is insufficient to establish personal involvement required to support liability); Fruit v. Norris, 905 F.2d 1147, 1151 (8th Cir.1990) (supervisors are not liable for Eighth Amendment claims brought under § 1983 on respondeat superior theory; supervisors must be personally involved in, deliberately indifferent to, or tacitly authorize constitutional violation).

To the extent Blakeman’s complaint can be read to sue Kennedy in his official capacity, and assuming Kennedy qualifies as a policymaker, we conclude Blakeman identified no unconstitutional custom or policy which caused him to be denied needed seizure medication. See Ware v. Jackson County, 150 F.3d 873, 880 (8th Cir.1998) (official policy involves deliberate choice to follow course of action made from various alternatives by official who maintains final authority to establish governmental policy); Morton v. City of Little Rock, 934 F.2d 180, 182-84 (8th Cir.1991) (official-capacity claim against individual city official must be based on existence of city policy or custom causing constitutional violation).

Finally, we conclude the district court did not abuse its discretion in denying Blakeman’s initial motion for appointed counsel. The issue of Kennedy’s involvement was not complex and it was within Blakeman’s knowledge. See Davis v. Scott, 94 F.3d 444, 447 (8th Cir.1996) (factors district courts should consider in deciding whether to appoint counsel in civil case include factual and legal complexity of the case, presence or absence of conflicting testimony, and plaintiffs ability to investigate facts and present claim). Accordingly, we affirm. 
      
      The Honorable Edward J. McManus, United States District Judge for the Northern District of Iowa.