Opinion ID: 3021238
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: jurisdiction

Text: The district court had proper jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1343. Appellant timely filed a notice of appeal under Rule 4(a) of the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure. Jurisdiction is proper on appeal under 28 U.S.C. § 1291. 1 The district court’s order was entered in favor of Laux pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 54(b). Brandon v. Lotter, 976 F. Supp. 872, 878 (D. Neb. 1997). 2 The Honorable Richard G. Kopf, United States District Judge for the District of Nebraska. 3 Title 42 U.S.C. § 1986 permits survival of an action against a person who had the power to prevent or aid in preventing a wrong actionable under the civil rights acts and who neglected or refused to do so. Id. The action survives, however, only if the victim died as a result of the wrong. Id. -2- Facts4 Teena Brandon was a twenty-one-year-old woman who dressed “like a male.” On December 24, 1993, John Lotter and Marvin Nissen (also known as Tom Nissen) raped and brutally assaulted Brandon. The incident began at a gathering in Richardson County, Nebraska, at which heavy alcohol consumption took place. During the evening Lotter told Brandon that he wanted to have sex with her. After Brandon refused Lotter’s advances, he grabbed Brandon’s hands while Nissen pulled her pants and underwear to the floor. Later, the two men cornered Brandon in the bathroom and Lotter held the door closed while Nissen hit Brandon in the head, kicked her in the ribs, and stepped on her. The men then dragged Brandon out to their car and drove to a remote location where they each raped her. After the rape, Nissen again brutally beat Brandon and threatened her not to tell anyone about the incident. The men then took Brandon to Nissen’s house where she escaped by climbing out of a bathroom window. The following day, Brandon went to the authorities and was interviewed by Deputy Olberding and appellee Laux, the then-duly elected sheriff of Richardson County. Brandon gave a three-page written statement detailing the rape and assault. Brandon also stated that she was willing to sign a complaint and testify against Lotter and Nissen. Laux asked Brandon crude questions about the incident, telling Brandon that they were necessary in order to present the case to the County Attorney. Laux also questioned Brandon why she dressed “like a male” and why she socialized with females instead of males. Brandon canceled two follow-up appointments with Laux because she feared his abusive treatment. 4 We briefly summarize the material facts, which are largely undisputed, in the light most favorable to appellant based on the district court’s order granting summary judgment, see Brandon, 976 F. Supp. at 873–76, and the record on appeal. -3- Upon realizing that they could go to prison for assaulting and raping Brandon, Lotter and Nissen immediately began to discuss killing Brandon, to prevent her from testifying against them. Lotter and Nissen were the only two persons who participated in those discussions. On December 28, 1993, a Falls City police officer interviewed Lotter and Nissen regarding Brandon’s allegations, thereby putting Lotter and Nissen on notice that they were suspected of a crime. On December 30, 1993, the sheriff’s office completed the paperwork necessary to obtain arrest warrants for Lotter and Nissen, but warrants were not issued. Later that evening, Lotter and Nissen formed their specific plan about how to kill Brandon. The following day, on December 31, 1993, Lotter and Nissen broke into the home of Lisa Lambert where Brandon was staying and, upon finding Brandon, Lotter shot her and Nissen stabbed her, fatally. Lotter and Nissen also killed Lambert and Phil Devine, who were present at Lambert’s home. On or about September 8, 1995, appellant filed the instant action against Lotter, Nissen, and Laux in the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska asserting claims under 42 U.S.C. §§ 1983, 1985, 1986, and 1988. Amended Complaint ¶ VII. With respect to Laux, appellant alleged that Laux knew that Lotter and Nissen had conspired to deprive Brandon of her civil rights by killing her for being a woman in violation of 42 U.S.C. § 1985 and neglected or refused to prevent this conspiracy in violation of 42 U.S.C. § 1986. Id. ¶¶ XXXIV–XLI. Laux moved for summary judgment and for judgment as a matter of law. The district court granted Laux’s motion for summary judgment, holding that Laux was entitled to qualified immunity.