Opinion ID: 671494
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Warden Leapley.

Text: 40 We have concluded that both Leapley and Weber are entitled to qualified immunity because Ricker has failed to allege a violation of a clearly established constitutional right. We also conclude that the district court erred in denying Leapley qualified immunity on the facts. The court reasoned that whether Leapley knew of the lab test results before December 6, 1990, is a disputed question of fact. However, Leapley presented uncontroverted evidence that he promptly expunged the conviction from Ricker's record after learning of the lab test results in March 1991. With no evidence to the contrary, Ricker is unable to prove that Leapley knowingly or recklessly deprived Ricker of his due process or Eighth Amendment rights, or was deliberately indifferent to Ricker's disciplinary situation. Qualified immunity is an issue of law that is normally decided prior to trial. See Hunter v. Bryant, --- U.S. ----, ----, 112 S.Ct. 534, 537, 116 L.Ed.2d 589 (1991) (per curiam). Warden Leapley was entitled to a qualified immunity dismissal at this stage of the case. 41 The order of the district court is reversed and the case is remanded with instructions to dismiss Ricker's complaint against Leapley and Weber. 42