Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-ca11-15-12677/USCOURTS-ca11-15-12677-0/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
John Jackson
Appellant
Christopher McCann
Appellant
Amy Rachel
Appellee

Document Text:

[DO NOT PUBLISH]

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS

FOR THE ELEVENTH CIRCUIT

________________________

No. 15-12677

Non-Argument Calendar

________________________

D.C. Docket No. 1:13-cv-00522-WS-M

AMY RACHEL,

as administratrix of the estate of

Gregory Rachel, deceased,

 Plaintiff-Appellee,

 versus

CHRISTOPHER MCCANN, 

JOHN JACKSON, 

 Defendants-Appellants.

________________________

Appeals from the United States District Court

for the Southern District of Alabama

________________________

(February 4, 2016)

Before WILSON, JORDAN, and JULIE CARNES, Circuit Judges.

PER CURIAM: 

USCA11 Case: 15-12677 Date Filed: 02/04/2016 Page: 1 of 3
2

Officers Christopher McCann and John Jackson appeal the district court’s 

denial of their motions for summary judgment on the basis of qualified immunity

in an action brought by plaintiff-appellee Amy Rachel (Plaintiff), the 

administratrix of the estate of Gregory Rachel (Rachel), who died in police 

custody. In her complaint, Plaintiff averred McCann and Jackson used excessive 

force to effect Rachel’s arrest, were deliberately indifferent to Rachel’s serious 

medical need, and were liable under state law for his wrongful death. 

In support of her claims and in response to McCann’s and Jackson’s 

summary judgment motions, Plaintiff proffered evidence that McCann and Jackson 

repeatedly kicked and beat Rachel while he lay prone and non-resisting on the 

ground. She also presented evidence that they subsequently failed to summon a 

medical unit for assistance, instead kneeling and sitting on Rachel, hog-tying him, 

and keeping him on his stomach with his stomach bowed towards the ground, 

without regard for his breathing, pulse, or consciousness. And, after witnessing 

Rachel “seize” and fall unconscious, they made no effort to transport him to an 

emergency room, summon medical assistance, or check his breathing or pulse. 

After reviewing the evidence and drawing all reasonable inferences 

therefrom in favor of Plaintiff, as we must at this stage in the proceedings, we 

substantially agree with the district court’s findings of fact and holdings of law. 

USCA11 Case: 15-12677 Date Filed: 02/04/2016 Page: 2 of 3
3

Accordingly, McCann and Jackson are not entitled to qualified immunity, and the 

district court properly denied their motions for summary judgment. Thus, the 

order of the district court is 

AFFIRMED.

USCA11 Case: 15-12677 Date Filed: 02/04/2016 Page: 3 of 3