Opinion ID: 160676
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Summary Judgment to Mr. Stuart

Text: Mr. Stuart, the district attorney for Osage County, was named as a defendant in the proceedings because of a conversation that had taken place between him and Tina Kastning’s attorney, Steve Lamirand, prior to the seizure of the horses. Before Tina Kastning seized the horses, she contacted Mr. Lamirand, who then called Mr. Stuart, asking him if a criminal matter was at stake given certain facts. Mr. Stuart told Mr. Lamirand that the repossession of partnership assets was a civil matter and that if Tina Kastning took possession of the horses he would not prosecute her. During the proceedings below, the district court granted summary judgment to Mr. Stuart on the basis that he “did not participate in or condone the horse seizure.” Aplts’ App., Ex. D, at 2 (district court order, filed Jan. 30, 1997). The district court also noted that summary judgment was proper because Mr. Stuart was “not an employee of Osage County or a policy maker for the purposes of a § 1983 violation.” Id. (district court order, filed Jan. 30, 1997). On appeal, the plaintiffs seek to reverse this order but only for purposes of injunctive relief – i.e., to enjoin the sheriff’s department’s policy. Once again, because the plaintiffs did not have standing to seek this relief, they can sustain no such claim. -10-