Opinion ID: 424928
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Plaintiff Tedder

Text: 25 Paul William Tedder complains about the procedures used at twelve separate Adjustment Committee hearings conducted during 1979 and 1980. Defendants Hosier, Shehorn, Santos, and Wheat sat as members of the Adjustment Committee during some of those hearings, and all refused to disqualify themselves despite Tedder's protests that they were prejudiced against him because they were defendants in pending lawsuits Tedder had filed. 26 Tedder did not make advance written requests to call witnesses. The Committee denied his oral requests made during some of the hearings. The Adjustment Committee found Tedder guilty at all twelve hearings: 27 (1) August 4, 1979--For violating A.R. 804 Sec. (II)(A)-(4) (using improper language), punishment of seven days in segregation was reduced by the warden to a verbal reprimand. 28 (2) August 10, 1979--For violating A.R. 804 Secs. (II)(A)-(1) & (3) (refusing properly authorized work or housing assignments), a sentence of fifteen days in segregation was imposed. 29 (3) September 30, 1979--For violating A.R. 804 Secs. (II)(A)-(1) & (3), a sentence of fifteen days in segregation and fifteen days of C-grade status was imposed. 30 (4) November 3, 1979--For violating A.R. 804 Sec. (II)(A)-(1), a sentence of fifteen days in segregation, fifteen days of C-grade status, and loss of audio-visual privileges was imposed. 31 (5) November 18, 1979--For violating A.R. 804 Secs. (II)(A)-(1) & (3), the same sentence Tedder received on November 3 was imposed. 32 (6) February 2, 1980--For violating A.R. 804 Secs. (II)(A)-(1), (2) (being disrespectful to an employee) & (4), a sentence of fifteen days of C-grade status was imposed. 33 (7) February 4, 1980--For violating A.R. 804 Secs. (II)(A)-(1) & (3), the same sentence Tedder received on November 3 was imposed. 34 (8) February 17, 1980--For violating A.R. 804 Secs. (II)(A)-(1) & (3), a sentence of fifteen days in segregation, thirty days of C-grade status, and loss of audio-visual privileges was imposed. 35 (9) March 2, 1980--For violating A.R. 804 Secs. (II)(A)-(1) & (3), the same sentence Tedder received on February 17 was imposed. 36 (10) March 16, 1980--For violating A.R. 804 Secs. (II)(A)-(4) & (8) (inciting a riot), a sentence of fifteen days in segregation, thirty days of C-grade status, and loss of audio-visual privileges was recommended by the Committee. The warden reduced segregation time to seven days and approved the other punishments. 37 (11) March 23, 1980--For violating A.R. 804 Secs. (II)(A)-(1) & (3), the same sentence Tedder received on November 3 was imposed. 38 (12) March 23, 1980--For violating A.R. 804 Secs. (II)(A)-(1), (2) & (4), the same sentence Tedder received on February 17 was imposed. 39 In the sections Basis for Decision/Evidence Relied Upon, the Committee wrote: 40 (1) August 4, 1979--Based on all evidence available, the Adj. Comm. is convinced the resident made improper and threatening remarks to the captain. 41 (2) August 10, 1979--Based on all availble [sic] information presented to this committee, and residents testimony the committee is convinced resident is guilty of refusing to leave segregation. 42 (3) September 30, 1979--Based upon all available information this committee believes resident guilty. 43 (4) November 3, 1979--Based upon the evidence presented by the officer's report the resident of [sic] found guilty of refusing a new housing assignment and has thereby violated an institutional rule.(5) November 18, 1979--Based on resident's testimony and all evidence presented, the committee is convinced that resident is guilty of refusing to leave segregation. 44 (6) February 2, 1980--Based upon the evidence presented we find the resident guilty of cursing and not doing what he was told. 45 (7) February 4, 1980--Residents testimony given and all evidence presented has convinced the committee the resident is guilty of refusing proper housing assignment, cursing a [sic] officer, and disobeying prison rules, and disobeying a direct order. 46 (8) February 17, 1980--Based on all evidence available, the Adjustment Committee is convinced the resident is guilty of refusing proper housing. 47 (9) March 2, 1980--Based on all evidence available, including the residents statements and the statement of the officer that Tedder did refuse to leave segregation, the Adj. Committee is convinced the resident is guilty of refusing proper housing, and disregarding a prison rule. 48 (10) March 16, 1980--Based on all available evidence including the fact the reporting officer does identify resident Tedder as using vulgar and abusive language the Adjustment Committee is convinced the resident is guilty of using vulgar language and creating a disturbance. 49 (11) March 23, 1980--Based on all evidence available including the statement of the reporting officer that the resident refused to leave segregation, the Adj. Comm. is convinced the resident is guilty of refusing proper housing. 50 (12) March 23, 1980--Based on all evidence available, including the reporting employees statements that the resident did refer to the employee as 'you fuckers' and referred to Ms. Ruck as a 'bitch whore,' the Adj. Comm. is convinced the resident is guilty of disregarding a prison rule, disrespect, and using vulgar language. 51 The jury awarded Tedder no compensatory damages. The district court entered judgment in Tedder's favor for $1 nominal damages for denial of impartial decisionmakers and inadequate summaries of the evidence and reasons for the Committee decisions.