Opinion ID: 511045
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Directed Verdicts

Text: 18 This court reviews the propriety of a directed verdict de novo. West America Corp. v. Vaughan-Bassett Furniture Co., Inc., 765 F.2d 932, 934 (9th Cir.1985). We must view the evidence in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party and draw all inferences in favor of that party. Blanton v. Mobil Oil Corp., 721 F.2d 1207, 1219 (9th Cir.1983), cert. denied, 471 U.S. 1007, 105 S.Ct. 1874, 85 L.Ed.2d 166 (1985). A directed verdict is proper where the evidence permits only one reasonable conclusion as to the verdict; it is inappropriate if there is substantial evidence to support a verdict for the nonmoving party. Peterson v. Kennedy, 771 F.2d 1244, 1256 (9th Cir.1985), cert. denied, 475 U.S. 1122, 106 S.Ct. 1642, 90 L.Ed.2d 187 (1986).
19 Brian Meehan argues that proof of Buhler's presence during the raids of December 21, 1982, and March 10, 1983, combined with his failure to intervene on Meehan's behalf, is sufficient to withstand a directed verdict. He relies on Byrd v. Brishke, 466 F.2d 6 (7th Cir.1972), for the proposition that damages are recoverable under section 1983 for nonfeasance where there is a duty to act. Byrd was beaten by several unidentified officers. There was testimony that other, identified, officers were aware that Byrd was being beaten but did not intervene. The Seventh Circuit held that the evidence was sufficient to allow the case to go to the jury. The court reasoned that a police officer is under a duty to prevent other officers from summarily punishing a third person. If an officer is aware of such conduct, he must prevent it. 466 F.2d at 11. 20 The directed verdict in this case was granted on the ground that Buhler did not directly engage in the raids. Buhler did not obtain the search warrants. He entered the premises only after they were secured by SEB agents. He is not alleged to have physically abused Brian Meehan or to have destroyed any of his property. Nor is there any evidence that Buhler had any prior knowledge of the alleged illegal activity of the SEB members. Testimony in Byrd indicated that the officers were aware of the illegal conduct. The officers' location near the screaming victim was established. Here Brian Meehan testified that he could be heard screaming and yelling, but Buhler was not present during that time. 21 The only evidence connecting Buhler to alleged misconduct is Brian Meehan's testimony that SEB agents struck him while stating this is a present from Buhler and that Buhler later approached him and said Brian, you don't look so hot. No evidence exists showing that Buhler instructed or authorized that conduct. Absent such evidence, the directed verdict in favor of Buhler was proper.
22 A local government may only be held liable under section 1983 when execution of a government's policy or custom, whether made by its lawmakers or by those whose edicts or acts may fairly be said to represent official policy, inflicts the injury. Monell v. New York City Dept. of Social Services, 436 U.S. 658, 694, 98 S.Ct. 2018, 2037-38, 56 L.Ed.2d 611 (1978). A governmental entity cannot be held liable under section 1983 solely because it has a tortfeasor in its employ; that is, the local government cannot be held liable under section 1983 on a theory of respondeat superior. Id. at 691, 98 S.Ct. at 2036; Guillory v. County of Orange, 731 F.2d 1379, 1381 (9th Cir.1984). 23 Meehan argues that hostile acts prior to the March 10, 1983, raid, and the raid itself, sufficiently establish an unconstitutional policy of harassment or nonintervention. Meehan cites to City of Oklahoma v. Tuttle, 471 U.S. 808, 105 S.Ct. 2427, 85 L.Ed.2d 791 (1985), for the proposition that a single incident is sufficient to establish a policy or custom. However, the Tuttle Court concluded that: 24 Proof of a single incident of unconstitutional activity is not sufficient to impose liability under Monell, unless proof of the incident includes proof that it was caused by an existing, unconstitutional [local government] policy, which policy can be attributed to a [local government] policymaker. 25 Id. at 823-24, 105 S.Ct. at 2436. Local government liability under section 1983 attaches where--and only where--a deliberate choice to follow a course of action is made from among various alternatives by the official or officials responsible for establishing final policy with respect to the subject matter in question. Pembaur v. Cincinnati, 475 U.S. 469, 483-84, 106 S.Ct. 1292, 1300, 89 L.Ed.2d 452 (1986) (emphasis added). 26 No evidence supports Meehan's contention that the County had an official policy of harassment or of nonintervention. Proof of unconstitutional assaults by SEB agents on December 21 and March 10, standing alone, does not support a finding of liability against the County. See City of St. Louis v. Praprotnik, --- U.S. ----, 108 S.Ct. 915, 924, 99 L.Ed.2d 107 (1988); Collins v. City of San Diego, 841 F.2d 337, 341-42 (9th Cir.1988). AFFIRMED. 2