Opinion ID: 498022
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Whether Morris's conduct was reasonable.

Text: Florida Statutes Sec. 776.05 provides: 9 A law enforcement officer, or any person whom he has summoned or directed to assist him, need not retreat or desist from efforts to make a lawful arrest because of resistance or threatened resistance to the arrest. He is justified in the use of any force which he reasonably believes to be necessary to defend himself or another from bodily harm while making the arrest or when necessarily committed in retaking felons who have escaped or when necessarily committed in arresting felons fleeing from justice. 10 McDaniel and Morris contend that Morris's conduct was reasonable because Morris was acting under the specific authorization of section 776.05. They cite Nelson v. Howell, 455 So.2d 608 (Fla. 2d D.C.A.1984), a recent decision holding that even a private citizen attempting to make a felony arrest may use such force as is necessary, including deadly force, to prevent a felon from escaping. They conclude that if a private citizen may use deadly force in preventing a felon from escaping, then a law enforcement officer must also be permitted to use deadly force in preventing a felon from escaping. 11 Fitzgerald agrees that Nelson v. Howell holds that a private citizen may use such force as is necessary to prevent a felon from escaping. Fitzgerald points out, however, that the Nelson court determined that a jury is to decide when deadly force is reasonable under the circumstances. The Nelson court stated: The crucial issue in this case is whether it was necessary under the circumstances, or reasonably believed by the [defendant] to be necessary under the circumstances, to shoot the [plaintiff] to prevent his escape. We believe this is a judgment call which should be made by a jury. Nelson v. Howell, 455 So.2d 608, 610 (Fla. 2d D.C.A.1984). We agree with Fitzgerald's reading of Nelson v. Howell. The language of the statute provides that He is justified in the use of any force which he reasonably believes to be necessary.... Whether Morris's use of deadly force under these circumstances was reasonable was a question for the jury. 12 The jury did not find Morris's use of deadly force to be reasonable under these circumstances. In reviewing the jury's verdict, we cannot reweigh the evidence. Lindsey v. American Cast Iron Pipe Co., 772 F.2d 799 (11th Cir.1985). The jury's assessment of the reasonableness of Morris's conduct is a factual finding by which this court is bound, unless McDaniel or Morris can show an absence of probative facts to support it. Mary S. Krech Trust v. Lakes Apartments, 642 F.2d 98 (5th Cir. Unit B 1981). They have not shown an absence of probative facts; therefore, we affirm the district court on this issue. 13