Opinion ID: 7702
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: facts

Text: Beryl Eugene's (Eugene) son attended Landis Elementary School in Alief Independent School District (A.I.S.D.) during the 19901991 school year. On September 28, 1990, Eugene attended a meeting at the school concerning her son. She voiced complaints because she believed that her son's placement in a special education program was racially motivated—he is black, and Alief is 1 predominantly white. She also complained that her son's medication had been mishandled by school personnel. Her son's teacher, a special education counselor, the assistant principal, and the school nurse initially came to the meeting. The nurse left after a short time and the assistant principal, concerned that Eugene was angry, summoned the principal, Paula Conley (Conley), and a school security officer, R.F. Griffin (Griffin). Eugene decided to withdraw her son from school and asked that someone go get her son. The counselor left the conference room to get her son from his class. Eugene stated that she needed to use the restroom, left the conference room and started down the hall toward the classrooms. Eugene claims that she did not know that the hall led to the classrooms, and that she was simply looking for a restroom. Conley told Griffin to stop Eugene. Conley then pushed Eugene, and again told Griffin to stop her. Eugene claims that, when pushed by Conley, she attempted to explain that she simply needed to go to the bathroom. Griffin then pushed Eugene, and Eugene pushed back. Griffin then tripped Eugene, pushed her to the ground, and tried to handcuff her. When she resisted, Griffin began to choke her. She then bit his hand to make him let go of her neck. Griffin then told Eugene that she was under arrest, and she allowed him to handcuff her. Eugene was not aware that Griffin was a police officer during the confrontation. Eugene was charged with assault on a police officer and found guilty by a jury. The state district judge, however, entered a verdict of not guilty as a matter of law. 2 Less than one year after her acquittal, Eugene filed suit against A.I.S.D., Conley and Griffin in state district court, alleging violations of her constitutional rights under the Texas and federal constitutions, as well as state common law causes of action.1 The defendants removed the case to federal district court. A.I.S.D., Conley and Griffin then moved for summary judgment on five grounds: (1) Eugene did not assert any constitutional violations actionable under 42 U.S.C. § 1983; (2) Eugene could not recover against A.I.S.D. because she did not show that an official policy or custom of A.I.S.D. caused her rights to be violated; (2) Conley and Griffin were entitled to qualified immunity; (4) no cause of action existed for violations of the Texas state constitution; and (5) Eugene's claims were barred by limitations. The district court granted Appellees' motion for summary judgment on the first four grounds, and entered judgment in favor of Appellees. Eugene appeals from that judgment.