Document: 432 U.S. 183 97 S.Ct. 2283 53 L.Ed.2d 209 Ruby JONES, Petitioner,v.Douglas HILDEBRANT et al. No. 76-5416. June 16, 1977. PER CURIAM. 1 Petitioner is the mother of a 15-year-old boy who was shot and killed by respondent Hildebrant, while acting in his capacity as Denver police officer. brought suit her own behalf state court. Respondent defended on ground that he petitioner's son fleeing felon using no more force than reasonably necessary. The amended complaint asserted three claims for relief: battery; negligence; intentional deprivation federal constitutional rights. Although not specifically pleaded, first two were admittedly based Colorado wrongful-death statute, Colo.Rev.Stat.Ann. § 13-21-202 (1973),1 third, 42 U.S.C. 1983. While petitioner alleged damages $1,500,000, she stipulated to reduction prayer relief with respect claims, since statute limited maximum recovery $45,000, 13-21-203 (1973). trial court also ruled 1983 claim "merged" into and, accordingly, dismissed claim. remaining went jury, which returned verdict $1,500.2 2 On appeal, Supreme Court affirmed. 191 Colo. 1, 550 P.2d 339 (1976). Her petition certiorari presented single question review here: 3 "Where black child intentionally white policeman under color law brings pursuant 1983, what measure damages? Particularly, can cancel displace an action 1983?" 4 We granted consider thus explicitly whether State's limitation would control 429 1061, 784, 50 776 (1977). 5 majority opinion proceeds assumption if wrongful death applied claim, be $45,000. It held this did apply even one count 6 A necessary position seem suing recover injuries same are covered action. at very least susceptible interpretation. But oral argument, we advised counsel sole pecuniary loss resulting from son's death, such but personal liberty. described argument right raise without interference State; it has nothing do "wrongful death" defined law. Tr. Oral Arg. 4-5; see id., 8-13. 7 (1) An law, may certain named survivors decedent sustain direct upon decedent. "classified property tort cannot classified 'for done person' ", Fish v. Liley, 120 156, 163, 208 930, 933 (1949).3 Petitioner, however, articulates here quite different does fit mold. rights, those son's,4 any "property loss," but, rather, child's sees fit.5 8 (2) This set forth complaint,6 hinted briefs Colorado, only casually referred insofar actual conferred recoverable terms statute. refers passing liberty herself, its principal thrust "really son," her.7 discussion, occurs subsequent portion concluded remedies incorporated vindicate civil rights violations "that result death," intimate similar limitations exist where living plaintiff wrong her. know how have had found mother's child. 9 then shift posture case all mooted argument. imposed said resulted violation appear make sense injuries.8 proceeded discussing intimate, or decide, asserts otherwise cognizable require remedial assistance 10 Petitioner's assumes underlying support undisputed, takes issue amount recovery. possible, probable, court's turned application damages, children provides recompense. Whatever merits right, opinion, logically subject contained permitting wrongs interest theirs. In presenting solely nature, wholly pretermitted been deprived respondent's shooting son. 11 (3) sum, presents tip iceberg. neither court, Court, nor fairly subsumed presented. See Court's Rule 23(1)(c). writ therefore improvidently granted. Belcher Stengel, 118, 514, 269 12 so ordered. 13 Mr. Justice WHITE, whom BRENNAN MARSHALL join, dissenting. 14 Physical abuses some circumstances constitute giving rise criminal liability laws, victim, Screws United States, 325 91, 65 1031, 89 L.Ed. 1495 (1945); victim survives abuses, now clear sustained. Monroe Pape, 365 167, 81 473, 492 (1961); Johnson Glick, 481 F.2d 1028 (CA2), cert. denied sub nom. John Johnson, 414 1033, 94 462, 38 324 (1973); Howell Cataldi, 464 272 (CA3 1972); Tolbert Bragan, 451 1020 (CA5 1971); Jenkins Averett, 424 1228 (CA4 1970); Collum Butler, 421 1257 (CA7 Allison California Adult Authority, 419 822 (CA9 1969). There remains whether, independently conjunction affords parents cause killing their enforcement officer does, further case. 15 never addressed these issues.1 Beginning Brazier Cherry, 293 401 (CA5), denied, 368 921, 82 243, 136 (1961), Courts Appeals permitted survivor suits actions maintainable See, e. g., Spence Staras, 507 554 1974); Hall Wooten, 506 564 (CA6 1974). Hampton City Chicago, 484 602, 607 1973) (Stevens, J.), 415 917, 1413, 39 471 (1974). Fifth Circuit widow against husband enacting 1988, "Congress adopted currently effective general survival." F.2d, 405. despite contrary. Shaw Garrison, 545 980 16 apparent availability recurring far evident correct ruling tied Congress intended create separate independent afforded supra. State relevant seeking fix remedy cf. Moor County Alameda, 411 693, 702-703, 93 1785, 1792, 36 596 (1973), means serve provided inadequate implement purposes Thus, "both rules utilized, whichever better serves policies expressed statutes. Cf. Cir., 401. rule drawn sources, responsive need whenever impaired." Sullivan Little Hunting Park, 396 229, 240, 90 400, 406, 24 386 (1969). taken approach allowing punitive them. Caperci Huntoon, 397 799 (CA1), 393 940, 299, 21 276 (1968); Basista Weir, 340 74, 84-88 1965). supra, 558; Gill Manuel, 488 799, 801-802 1973); Annot., A.L.R.Fed. 608 17 Despite importance available when wrongfully life, dismisses because view critical issues properly before us. I disagree. 18 included filed 1983.2 That merged complaint. rejected "her should dismissed", 5, 339, 342 (1976), doing each "four distinct theories (advanced) her" Colo., P.2d, 342. 19 One arguments §§ 1988 together permit reliance statutes authorize free agreed "s permits incorporation states' non-abatement order effectually legislation", 6, 343-344 (footnotes omitted), "Colorado's engrafted action". Id., 7, 344. disagreed remedy, holding limiting survivors; dismissed. Chief Pringle Groves dissented, saying they "believe Colorado's judicial net applies founded . ." 9, 345-346. 20 course arriving conclusion, expressly other grounds offered First, bring suit, "without due process law." 343. Second, contrary congressional intent, "theory impliedly exists remedies." 8, 345.3 claimed entitled "separate claim" "she rights" freedom physical abuse intimidation, equal protection laws violated." Ibid. rejecting "(t)hese deprivations really son" lie another. could "sue rights", life. treated survivor's deceased's action, provide 22 Finally, notion "directly attempt(ed) restrict (petitioner's) decisions relating procreation, contraception, child-rearing involved Griswold Connecticut, 381 479, 85 1678, 510 (1965), Meyer Nebraska, 262 390, 43 625, 67 1042 (1923)." 345. conceding "the family member represents loss" petitioner, interfered rearing, designed compensate collateral losses others." Accordingly, sufficiently vindicated statutory children. 23 obvious proceedings courts dismissal associated unsuccessfully challenged just mentioned. seems me preserved certiorari, following questions: 25 questions "what damages" "can 1983" pose correctness rulings law; sue suffered deceased; reach "collateral" injuries. These directly doubt misunderstood scope litigation reached decided appeal. 26 Nor think read majority's common-law pleading style, ineluctably supports conclusion abandoned claims. At parent articulated several times: "a taken"; "liberty children"; "(t)o child"; "constitutional infringement parent." 8-10. light statements ones throughout 27 Similarly, made dependent error rule. Recovery include, urged, parent's "civil well killing. 45. 28 appears invasion characterized being related understood them consist part indicated, conceded pressed client's survivorship apparently felt constrained lower opinions, reversed overruled, articulate alone. "in hindsight" assert citing 1977), proposition victim. 17-18, 20, 22. Because submission including injury hypertechnical hold here. Of course, bound concessions legal open Court. Oregon ex rel. Land Board Corvallis Sand & Gravel Co., 363, n. 3, 582, 586, 29 event, record, am understand basis dismissing raised petition. important decide respectfully dissent judgment dismissal. Section 13-21-202: "When person caused act, neglect, default another, would, ensued, party injured maintain thereof, then, every case, corporation liable, shall liable notwithstanding injured." jury instructed loss, Herbertson Russell, 150 110, 371 422 (1962). financial sustained son, include value services might rendered earnings minor, after becoming adult, less expenses incurred raising him. award included, funeral expenses. upheld instructions award, 341 1. issues, us except bear 2, acknowledged vindication rights; essence, behalf. 20. clear, well, manner drafted, parties' perception closest rather 13-20-101 generally C. McCormick, Law Damages 336 (1935); F. Harper James, Torts 24.1-24.3 (1956). sued individually administratrix decedent's estate. relies (1923), progeny deprivation. As contention be: "(T)his occasions child, 4-5. "a. life; "b. abuse, coercion, death; "c. children's laws." App. 3. Nowhere allege referring assertions complaint, quoted raised, rejected, another passage: "Furthermore, attempt (1923). her, we, nonetheless, rejects injuries: "The key death." Reply Brief Plaintiff-Appellant 7. Scheuer Rhodes, 416 232, 1683, 40 (1974), representatives students 1970 slayings Kent University alleging victims. officials absolutely immune suits. representatives' maintained disapprove remanding courts. grounded third stated: "During times mentioned Complaint, Douglas Hildebrant Plaintiff security secured Constitution to: emphatic: "Though States areas believe belief perceived Congressional intent pre-empt carefully wrought remedies, adequacy violation, overwhelming acceptance courts." 345 omitted).

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