Opinion ID: 2055513
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Immunity of defendant county based on conduct of sheriff's department employees.

Text: This issue relating to the investigators presents a close question, principally because the parties as adversaries have elected to stand back-to-back when firing. The county ignores plaintiff's complaints against the investigators. The plaintiff's allegations against these persons are more conclusory than factual, and are lacking in convincing detail. Both parties ignore the controlling principles of law laid down in Vander Linden v. Crews, 231 N.W.2d 904 (Iowa 1975). See also Williams v. Crews, 564 F.2d 263, 264-65 (8th Cir. 1977) (applying Vander Linden case law). What showing must be made to establish malice in an action for malicious prosecution depends on the status of the defendant. We have held in reviewing appeals from actions for malicious prosecution involving defendants who were not public officials that there is no burden on plaintiff to show hatred or express malice on the part of the defendant, and that malice may be inferred from a lack of probable cause. See Schnathorst v. Williams [240 Iowa 561, 36 N.W.2d 739 (1949)], supra, at pp. 746-747 of 36 N.W.2d; Lukecart v. Swift & Co. [256 Iowa 1268, 130 N.W.2d 716 (1964)], supra. In Vander Linden I [( Vander Linden I v. Crews ), 205 N.W.2d 686, 691 (Iowa 1973)], we suggested a different standard of malice would apply when the defendant is a public official, holding that such a defendant would not be immune from suit where actual malice is alleged. Actual malice is synonymous with express malice, which has been defined as malice in fact, or wrongful motive. . . Black's Law Dictionary, 4th Ed., 1968, p. 1109. See Giltner v. Stark, 219 N.W.2d 700, 708 (Iowa 1974). The element of actual malice essential to an action for malicious prosecution involving a defendant who is a public official cannot simply be inferred from a lack of probable cause, but must be the subject of an affirmative showing defendant's instigation of criminal proceedings against plaintiff was primarily inspired by ill-will, hatred or other wrongful motives. If the defendant's purpose in instigating proceedings was otherwise proper the fact he felt indignation or resentment toward the plaintiff will not subject him to liability. See Prosser on Torts, 4th Ed., § 119, pp. 847-848. Vander Linden II, 231 N.W.2d at 906. Plaintiff in this case did not plead actual malice as required by Vander Linden I, 205 N.W.2d at 691. But the county did not attack the sufficiency of the petition, either in district court or here. Examining the motion for summary judgment in the most charitable light, the county's claim may be interpreted to mean that this prosecution was commenced by the assistant county attorney filing the trial information, see sections 801.4(12), 804.1, The Code 1979, therefore no one else could be held responsible. This view, if held, would overlook our cases that recognize peace officers who instigate or procure a prosecution may be held liable for malicious prosecution, other elements, including actual malice, being present. [1] See Paige v. City of Chariton, 252 N.W.2d 433, 438 (Iowa 1977); Sarvold v. Dodson, 237 N.W.2d 447, 448 (Iowa 1976). None of the county's factual assertions or affidavits relate to the conduct of the investigative officers, or respond to the complaints made against them in plaintiff's answers to interrogatories. In short, the county makes no attempt to demonstrate there is no fact issue with respect to the investigators' activities and motives. Perhaps our inquiry should end here, but we turn briefly to plaintiff's assertions. Viewed in the most favorable light, plaintiff's factual statements raise an inference that detective sergeant Wayne Sewick, motivated by ill will, hatred or other wrongful motive may have engineered the investigation to help a relative of his perfect an insurance claim for theft loss. However unsatisfactory this record is for plaintiff, and however vulnerable may be his case at trial under the Vander Linden II principles, we hold on this issue the county's motion for summary judgment cannot be sustained. We do not find facts de novo in an appeal from summary judgment. Lyon v. Willie, 288 N.W.2d 884, 894 (Iowa 1980). The county made no attempt to address the allegations relating to the acts and conduct of the investigators. This was the county's burden to carry. Sherwood v. Nissen, 179 N.W.2d 336, 339 (Iowa 1970). No defense to an insufficient showing on the part of the movant is required. Id. We hold trial court was right in recognizing the county's immunity from liability resulting from the assistant county attorney's actions. We hold trial court erred in granting summary judgment for the county as to the alleged conduct of the investigators. Only a partial summary judgment should have been granted. See Lamantia v. Sojka, 298 N.W.2d 245, 248 (Iowa 1980). This case is therefore affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded for further proceedings in conformity with this opinion. AFFIRMED IN PART, REVERSED IN PART, AND REMANDED.