Opinion ID: 604458
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Malicious Application of Force

Text: 11 The family claims a reasonable jury could conclude that Officer Christian acted with deliberate disregard for Martinez's safety, therefore, summary judgment on that issue was inappropriate. They argue the evidence indicates that at the time Officer Christian fired the fatal shot Martinez already had begun to retreat from the fight. The family contends that, at a minimum, Officer Christian should have attempted to disable Martinez by shooting him in the lower extremities, and failure to do so violated prison policy concerning the use of deadly force. 12 Recently, the Supreme Court extended the application of the unnecessary and wanton infliction of pain standard, Whitley, 475 U.S. at 319, to all allegations of excessive force by a prison official. Hudson, 112 S.Ct. at 999. Thus, whenever prison officials stand accused of using excessive physical force in violation of the Cruel and Unusual Punishments Clause, the core judicial inquiry is ... whether force was applied in a good-faith effort to maintain or restore discipline, or maliciously and sadistically to cause harm. Id. The relevant factors that must be considered are: (1) the extent of injury suffered by an inmate, (2) the need for application of force, (3) the relationship between that need and the amount of force used, (4) the threat reasonably perceived by responsible officials, and (5) any efforts made to temper the severity of a forceful response. Id. 13 Here, the uncontradicted evidence established that on April 7, 1989, upon entering the exercise yard Martinez ran directly over to Lomeli and began hitting him. Officer Christian ordered both inmates to stop fighting, yet they continued to fight. Christian then fired a gas gun into the exercise yard in an attempt to stop the fighting, but the fighting continued. Once again Christian ordered both inmates to stop fighting. At that point, Lomeli fell face down to the ground and Martinez, who was wearing tennis shoes, began kicking at Lomeli's head, while Lomeli attempted to cover his face and head with his arms. 14 Christian indicated that he believed Lomeli could be seriously injured if Martinez continued to kick him in the head. In an attempt to stop the attack, Christian fired his rifle at Martinez, and says he aimed for his shoulder in an attempt to disable him. Christian stated that he did not aim low on Martinez for fear of hitting and injuring Lomeli who was still lying on the ground. Christian testified that he shot at Martinez as he was kicking Lomeli. We cannot tell from the video tape whether Martinez was kicking Lomeli. The family, however, has failed to come forward with any evidence that would tend to controvert Christian's testimony. Thus, we accept Officer Christian's testimony concerning the alleged kicking as undisputed. 15 According to Christian, after the fatal shot was fired, Martinez took two or three steps back and fell to the ground. Although it is impossible to determine from the tape recording of the event the exact point that the shot was fired, the video confirms Christian's statement that Martinez took two or three steps backward and fell. While the video tape is somewhat inconclusive, there is no evidence in the record tending to contradict Christian's account. 16 Department of Corrections section 3276(b) provides in relevant part that: 17 (b) Use of Firearms. The greatest of caution and conservative judgment shall be exercised when carrying and using firearms. 18 (1) Institution Use. In institutions where inmates or parolees are located, firearms shall only be used when absolutely necessary to prevent or stop ... physically assaultive behavior, ... or other disturbances and disorders which present an immediate danger of ... loss of life ... bodily injury.... 19 (3) Last Resort. Firearms shall be used only as a last resort after other reasonable and available resources have been considered and exhausted or are determined to be clearly inappropriate in view of the immediate need to use armed force. 20 (5) Warnings. A warning shall be given before shots are aimed at a person acting in a less than an immediate life endangering manner. In institutions where inmates or parolees are located, such warning may be by display of the firearm and shouting or blowing a whistle, or firing a shot into the air or in another safe direction in keeping with the surroundings. 21 Unfortunately, the use of force in this case was quick and deadly. Nevertheless, the Eighth Amendment standard is a very high one, and difficult to meet in a disciplinary situation. Officer Christian complied with departmental regulations. Based upon his undisputed deposition and affidavit testimony and the portions of the video tape that corroborate his account, we conclude that all the evidence is to the effect that Officer Christian applied force in a good-faith effort to restore discipline, rather than maliciously and sadistically to cause harm. Summary judgment on this issue was appropriate.