Court Opinion

ID: 170587
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2010-08-14 18:11:08+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:25:08.206604
License: Public Domain

FILED
                                                             United States Court of Appeals
                                                                     Tenth Circuit

                      UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS                April 17, 2008
                                                                 Elisabeth A. Shumaker
                                    TENTH CIRCUIT                    Clerk of Court

 CHAUNCEY GRUENWALD,

          Plaintiff-Appellant,
 v.

 LEONARD MADDOX, SST-COI, El
 Dorado Correctional Facility, in his
 official and private capacity; JASON
 MYERS, SST-COII, El Dorado
 Correctional Facility, in his official
 and private capacity; ROLAND
 BUCHANAN, SST-COI, El Dorado
                                                      No. 07-3245
 Correctional Facility, in his official
                                              (D.C. No. 06-CV-3340-MLB)
 and private capacity; PATRICK
                                                        (D. Kan.)
 MANSFIELD, Correctional Officer,
 El Dorado Correcrional Facility, in
 his individual and official capacity;
 RAY ROBERTS, Warden, El Dorado
 Correctional Facility, in his
 individual and official capacity;
 WILLIAM L. CUMMINGS, Secretary
 of Corrections Designee, in his
 individual and official capacity,

          Defendants - Appellees.

                             ORDER AND JUDGMENT *

      *
       After examining appellant’s brief and the appellate record, this panel has
determined unanimously that oral argument would not materially assist the
determination of this appeal. See Fed. R. App. P. 34(a)(2) and 10th Cir. R.
34.1(G). The case is therefore ordered submitted without oral argument. This
order and judgment is not binding precedent, except under the doctrines of law of
the case, res judicata, and collateral estoppel. It may be cited, however, for its
persuasive value consistent with Fed. R. App. P. 32.1 and 10th Cir. R. 32.1.
Before O’BRIEN, EBEL, and GORSUCH, Circuit Judges.

      Plaintiff Chauncey Gruenwald, a Kansas state prisoner proceeding pro se,

challenges the district court’s dismissal of his section 1983 civil rights complaint.

Our jurisdiction arises under 28 U.S.C. § 1291 and we affirm in part, reverse in

part, and remand.

                                I. BACKGROUND 1

      This case arises out of events that occurred on August 27, 2006, at the El

Dorado Correctional Facility (EDCF). The precursor to these events was a

“condition 30” that was called against Gruenwald for misuse of state property.

As part of the condition 30, Defendant Patrick Mansfield, a correctional officer at

EDCF, responded to Gruenwald’s cell. Upon Mansfield’s arrival Gruenwald

asserted to Mansfield that he was willing to cooperate and be restrained in order

to facilitate his pending removal from the cell. Mansfield neither acknowledged

nor responded to Gruenwald’s gesture.

      Thereafter, Defendants Leonard Maddox and Jason Myers, also correctional

officers at EDCF, arrived at Gruenwald’s cell. Gruenwald again stated to these

officers a willingness to be restrained, or “cuff[ed] up.” At some point, however,

      1
        For purposes of Defendants’ motion to dismiss, all allegations in
Gruenwald’s complaint are presumed to be true and are to be construed in the
light most favorable to Gruenwald.

                                         -2-
Gruenwald placed a pillow in the food slot of his cell’s door. Gruenwald did this

in an effort to prevent the officers from spraying mace through the food slot and

into his cell. Despite Gruenwald’s continued willingness to be cuffed up, Maddox

and Myers engaged in an effort to remove the pillow from the food slot.

Eventually, it is alleged, Gruenwald aided the efforts to clear the food slot, and

mace was sprayed into his cell.

      As mace filled his cell, Gruenwald’s eyes began to burn and his breathing

became strained. Maddox chided Gruenwald, asserting “it burns, don’t it?” After

the introduction of the mace, the officers eventually cuffed Gruenwald on

Mansfield’s command and escorted him to a shower for detox. While in the

shower, Maddox “slammed [Gruenwald’s] head into the wall and placed one arm

around his neck.” Thereafter, “with his right hand [Maddox] pulled

[Gruenwald’s] forehead back and proceeded to grab [Gruenwald’s] throat with his

left hand forcing his face under the running shower water.” Gruenwald yelled

that Maddox was choking him and that he was not attempting to resist. However,

“his cry for help was low and to[o] faint” so he attempted to defend himself by

“side stepp[ing]” Maddox. This maneuver caused the pair to tumble to the

ground, at which time Gruenwald again let out cries that he was being choked

despite the fact that he was not resisting.

      Subsequently, Defendant Roland Buchanan, another correctional officer at

EDCF, entered the scene and stated that everyone needed to relax. Buchanan

                                          -3-
helped Gruenwald and Maddox to their feet and informed Gruenwald that

shackles would be placed around his legs. Without incident, Gruenwald complied

with this demand and was again placed under the shower. While Gruenwald was

under the shower this second time, Maddox again pressed Gruenwald’s head

against the wall, which along with the down pouring water, prevented Gruenwald

from breathing. Gruenwald responded by attempting to force his body to the

floor. Despite these efforts, Gruenwald was placed on his feet and again forced

into the shower as Maddox gouged his left eye and forced his head under the

water.

         The detox being complete, Gruenwald was carried upstairs to a cell and

placed on the floor. While being held by Myers, Gruenwald’s hands were cuffed

behind his back and he was laid out on his stomach. Abuse ensued. As Buchanan

held Gruenwald’s face to the floor, Maddox began beating Gruenwald’s back with

closed fists. Maddox’s blows grew harder and harder. Gruenwald yelled that he

was not resisting and requested that Maddox stop. Maddox ignored Gruenwald’s

pleas and continued to pummel Gruenwald’s back. Eventually the officers exited

the cell, with Myers warning Gruenwald that if he moved, “we’ll do this again.”

         After the officers exited, Gruenwald was ordered to the cell’s door in order

to have his cuffs removed. “[Gruenwald] refused, stating he wanted to see the

lieutenant or captain to show [them] what was done to his body and that he

wanted pictures taken of him as evidence.” Upon this request, Buchanan,

                                          -4-
Maddox, and Myers again entered Gruenwald’s cell and placed him on the floor.

The trio then discussed how they would remove Gruenwald’s cuffs and exit the

cell. Evidently some plan was concocted and one of the defendants grabbed

Gruenwald’s legs and pulled him towards the door. Gruenwald resisted, asserting

“you can beat me all night but I will have photos taken to show what you have

done to me.”

      It is alleged that officers proceeded to beat him. While Myers held down

Gruenwald’s body and Buchanan held down Gruenwald’s face, someone struck

Gruenwald two times on the right side of his head. Thereafter, Gruenwald was

pulled towards the door as Maddox twisted his left ankle. Gruenwald yelled,

“he’s trying to break my foot, he’s trying to break my foot, he’s hurting me.” In

response to Gruenwald’s screams, Buchanan responded that the perpetrator of the

foot incident had exited the cell. Buchanan further remarked that he was now the

only officer holding Gruenwald down and that he was going to remove the cuffs.

Buchanan did so and leaped from the cell slamming the door shut.

      Unhappy with the abuse he sustained and the resulting injuries he suffered, 2

Gruenwald filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the District of

Kansas on December 8, 2006. Gruenwald subsequently amended his complaint on

      2
         Gruenwald asserts in his amended complaint that he “suffered significant
injuries” and has had to seek physical therapy and medication “to help reduce or
alleviate symptoms of pain and difficulty while functioning daily with the use of
[his] back and left knee.”

                                        -5-
April 12, 2007. In his amended complaint, Gruenwald asserted causes of action

against Buchanan, Maddox, and Myers in both their individual and official

capacities, for violating his Eighth Amendment rights by “maliciously and

sadistically” using physical force against him. Gruenwald asserted a similar

cause of action against Mansfield, in both his individual and official capacities,

for failure to intervene. In addition to his Eighth Amendment claims, Gruenwald

asserted assault and battery claims arising under Kansas law against Buchanan,

Maddox, and Myers. Finally, Gruenwald also named as Defendants Roger

Werholtz (Kansas Secretary of Corrections), Ray Roberts (Warden of EDCR), and

William Cummings (Kansas Secretary of Corrections Designee), in both their

individual and official capacities, asserting that their actions constituted

deliberate indifference and resulted in the abuse that Gruenwald sustained.

      Defendants Buchanan, Maddox, and Myers filed a 12(b)(6) motion to

dismiss Gruenwald’s complaint against them on the basis of qualified immunity.

The district court granted this motion. According to the court, Gruenwald’s

allegations against Buchanan, Maddox, and Myers, even if assumed to be true, did

not amount to a violation of the Eighth Amendment. In this regard, the district

court concluded that Gruenwald alleged “no facts sufficient to show that Maddox,

Myers, and Buchanan’s use of force [against him] was either ‘wanton and

unnecessary’ or that these defendants acted maliciously and sadistically.”

                                          -6-
         Similarly, Gruenwald’s claims against Defendants Mansfield, Roberts,

Cummings, and Werholtz were dismissed pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §

1915(e)(2)(B)(ii) for failure to state a claim. 3 In relation to Mansfield (who was

charged with the failure to intervene), the district court reasoned that given its

conclusion that Buchanan, Maddox, and Myers did not violate Gruenwald’s

Eighth Amendment rights, it necessarily followed that neither did Mansfield. As

for Roberts, Cummings, and Werholtz, the district court similarly dismissed

Gruenwald’s claims against these Defendants, asserting that Gruenwald did not

allege that these individuals were personally involved in the events, and under

section 1983, they could not be held responsible under a theory of respondeat

superior. 4

         Gruenwald now appeals. 5 On appeal, Gruenwald’s brief may be fairly

construed to assert a claim that the district court erred in dismissing his various

causes of action.

         3
        These Defendants were not named until Gruenwald’s amended complaint,
which, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(a), was evaluated by the district court.
         4
         On the basis of sovereign immunity, the district court also dismissed all
of Gruenwald’s claims for monetary damages against all Defendants acting in
their official capacities. Furthermore, the court dismissed Gruenwald’s claims for
injunctive relief, reasoning that Gruenwald did not allege there was any ongoing
activity to be enjoined. Having dismissed all of Gruenwald’s federal claims, the
court exercised its discretion pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1367(c)(3) and dismissed
Gruenwald’s various state tort claims as well.
         5
             Gruenwald has sought leave from this court to proceed in forma pauperis
(IFP).

                                           -7-
                                  II. DISCUSSION

       This court reviews de novo a decision to dismiss for failure to state a claim.

“Dismissal of a pro se complaint ... is proper only where it is obvious that the

plaintiff cannot prevail on the facts he has alleged and it would be futile to give

him an opportunity to amend.” Gaines v. Stenseng, 292 F.3d 1222, 1224 (10th

Cir. 2002) (quotation omitted). In addition to construing a pro se complaint

liberally, this court “must accept the allegations of the complaint as true and

construe those allegations, and any reasonable inferences that might be drawn

from them, in the light most favorable to the plaintiff.” Id. (citation omitted).

    A. Eighth Amendment Claims Against Buchanan, Maddox, and Myers

      On the basis of qualified immunity, the district court granted Buchanan,

Maddox, and Myers’ motion to dismiss Gruenwald’s claims against them in their

individual capacities. “Our analysis of qualified immunity involves two steps.

The threshold inquiry is whether the alleged facts (or, on summary judgment, the

evidenced facts) taken in the light most favorable to the plaintiff show a

constitutional violation.” Simkins v. Bruce, 406 F.3d 1239, 1241 (10th Cir. 2005)

(citing Saucier v. Katz, 533 U.S. 194, 201 (2001)). “If no constitutional right

would have been violated were the allegations established, there is no necessity

for further inquiries concerning qualified immunity.” Saucier, 533 U.S. at 201.

“On the other hand, if a violation could be made out on a favorable view of the

                                         -8-
parties’ submissions, the next, sequential step is to ask whether the right was

clearly established.” Id.

      The use of excessive force by a correctional officer violates a prisoner’s

rights under the Eighth Amendment’s Cruel and Unusual Punishments Clause

when the prisoner is subjected to an “unnecessary and wanton infliction of pain.”

Whitley v. Albers, 475 U.S. 312, 319, (1986); Gregg v. Georgia, 428 U.S. 153,

173 (1976). “[W]henever prison officials stand accused of using excessive

physical force in violation of the Cruel and Unusual Punishments Clause, the core

judicial inquiry is that set out in Whitley: whether force was applied in a

good-faith effort to maintain or restore discipline, or maliciously and sadistically

to cause harm.” Hudson v. McMillian, 503 U.S. 1, 6-7 (1992). Under this

approach,

             the extent of injury suffered by an inmate is one factor
             that may suggest whether the use of force could
             plausibly have been thought necessary in a particular
             situation, or instead evinced such wantonness with
             respect to the unjustified infliction of harm as is
             tantamount to a knowing willingness that it occur. In
             determining whether the use of force was wanton and
             unnecessary, it may also be proper to evaluate the need
             for application of force, the relationship between that
             need and the amount of force used, the threat reasonably
             perceived by the responsible officials, and any efforts
             made to temper the severity of a forceful response. The
             absence of serious injury is therefore relevant to the
             Eighth Amendment inquiry, but does not end it.

Id. at 7 (quotations, citations omitted).

                                            -9-
      With this standard in mind, our review of the complaint indicates that

Gruenwald sufficiently alleged that Buchanan, Maddox, and Myers committed an

Eighth Amendment violation, and that the district court failed to take

Gruenwald’s well-pleaded allegations as true or to construe them in the light most

favorable to Gruenwald.

      Throughout Gruenwald’s complaint, Gruenwald alleges the various attacks

upon him were unnecessary due to his stated willingness to cooperate and be

restrained. At one point, Gruenwald alleges that Maddox stated, of the mace, “it

burns, don’t it?” Given Gruenwald’s apparent cooperativeness at the time of this

incident, Gruenwald’s complaint suggests there was no need for the mace incident

to occur.

      True, at other times during the events, it appears by Gruenwald’s own

admissions that he resisted the officers’ actions. However, it is equally true that

at other times, Gruenwald alleges that he displayed no resistance whatsoever yet

was mercilessly beaten. Indeed, it appears the most savage attack of the overall

event occurred when Gruenwald was returned to a cell, held to the floor by

Buchanan, and then repeatedly pummeled in the back by Maddox, all the while

screaming that he was not resisting. At this time, the officers could not have

reasonably perceived that Gruenwald, who was handcuffed and held to the floor,

was any threat to them. Based on the allegations in Gruenwald’s complaint, there

                                        - 10 -
simply does not appear to have been any rhyme or reason for this particular

attack, aside from a malicious and sadistic purpose.

      The district court appeared to place great weight on the fact that Gruenwald

failed to allege that he suffered a significant injury. 6 Specifically, the court

appeared to believe that the force used against Gruenwald was de minimis, and

therefore could not amount to an Eighth Amendment violation. However, the

injuries suffered by Gruenwald cannot be sufficiently distinguished from injuries

that the Supreme Court specifically asserted were not de minimis in Hudson:

“bruises, swelling, loosened teeth, and a cracked dental plate.” 503 U.S. at 10.

In this regard, in addition to stating in his complaint that he suffered “significant

injuries” that resulted in “chronic pain,” Gruenwald attached to the complaint a

statement from another correctional officer in which the officer indicated that

Gruenwald suffered noticeable injuries on his back, throat, left eye, forehead, and

both ears. Also attached was a signed affidavit from a fellow inmate indicating

that after the incident, he observed Gruenwald with “black eyes, swelling, bruises

on his back and the area behind his ribs ..., cuts on his upper and mid back, marks

on his wrists where the cuffs dug in and broke the skin, and ... severe redness

covering the greater portion of his body.” It cannot be gainsaid that such a

      6
        For the first time on appeal, Gruenwald alleged that the attack resulted in
a chipped vertebrae. Although we may not consider this new evidence for
purposes of the instant appeal, the evidence may nevertheless be considered upon
remand to the district court.

                                          - 11 -
compilation of injuries is not de minimis. With all of this in mind, we conclude

that Gruenwald’s complaint sufficiently states a claim that he was subjected to an

“unnecessary and wanton infliction of pain” in violation of his Eighth

Amendment rights.

      The court is mindful that correctional officers have a significant

responsibility in instituting order and discipline in our nation’s prisons.

Nevertheless, this responsibility does not come with the attendant right to use

prisoners as personal punching bags. There no doubt may be times when

prisoners agitate correctional officers or act in an otherwise unruly fashion.

However, the Eighth Amendment demands that correctional officers respond to

such incidents in a fashion that is appropriate for the situation.

      Because Gruenwald’s allegations demonstrate that the officers violated his

Eighth Amendment rights, the court has little difficulty in concluding that his

claims clear the second hurdle of the qualified immunity analysis as well. This

hurdle asks whether “it would be clear to a reasonable officer that his conduct

was unlawful in the situation he confronted.” Saucier, 533 U.S. at 202. We

conclude that it would have been clear to a reasonable officer in the shoes of

Buchanan, Maddox, or Myers, that the malicious and sadistic infliction of pain

exhibited in this case was unlawful. Accordingly, we reverse the district court’s

                                         - 12 -
decision granting Buchanan, Maddox, and Myers’ motion to dismiss Gruenwald’s

Eighth Amendment claims against them in their individual capacities. 7

                B. Eighth Amendment Claim Against Mansfield

      Gruenwald’s amended complaint asserts a cause of action against Mansfield

for Mansfield’s alleged failure to intervene and stop Buchanan, Maddox, and

Myers’ use of excessive force. Although the district court was not explicit, it

appears the court dismissed Gruenwald’s claim against Mansfield pursuant to 28

U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(ii) for failure to state claim. In this regard, the court

reasoned that if Gruenwald failed to state Eighth Amendment claims against

Buchanan, Maddox, and Myers, he surely failed to state such a claim against

Mansfield.

      We review de novo the district court’s dismissal of an in forma pauperis

complaint under § 1915(e)(2)(B)(ii) for failure to state a claim. Kay v. Bemis,

500 F.3d 1214, 1217 (10th Cir. 2007). As with a motion to dismiss, we accept

Gruenwald’s allegations as true and construe them, and any reasonable inferences

to be drawn from them, in the light most favorable to Gruenwald. Id. at 1217.

      7
         To the extent the district court dismissed Gruenwald’s claims seeking
monetary damages against all Defendants in their official capacities, we agree
with the district court that the doctrine of sovereign immunity required such a
result, and therefore affirm the dismissal of these claims.

                                        - 13 -
Since Gruenwald is proceeding pro se, his complaint must be construed liberally.

Id. at 1218 (quotation omitted).

      “[A] law enforcement official who fails to intervene to prevent another law

enforcement official’s use of excessive force may be liable under § 1983.” Mick

v. Brewer, 76 F.3d 1127, 1136 (10th Cir. 1996). Specifically, “an officer who is

present at the scene and who fails to take reasonable steps to protect the victim of

another officer’s use of excessive force, can be held liable for his nonfeasance.”

Fundiller v. City of Cooper City, 777 F.2d 1436, 1442 (11th Cir.1985); see also

Mick, 76 F.2d at 1137 (asserting that an officer may be liable for a failure to

intervene if he “watched the incident and did nothing to prevent it.” (emphasis

added)). In the instant case, however, Gruenwald failed to allege in his amended

complaint that Mansfield witnessed any of the events that underlie the instant

action. Aside from indicating that Mansfield was the first officer to respond to

his cell as part of the condition 30 and that after the introduction of the mace

Mansfield ordered his fellow officers to cuff Gruenwald, Gruenwald’s complaint

makes no further mention of Mansfield’s whereabouts during the events. Even

construing Gruenwald’s complaint liberally, the simple conclusory allegation that

Mansfield failed to intervene–when not once does Gruenwald allege that

Mansfield witnessed any of the events in question–is insufficient to state claim.

See Hall v. Bellmon, 935 F.2d 1106, 1110 (10th Cir. 1991) (asserting “conclusory

allegations without supporting factual averments are insufficient to state a claim”

                                         - 14 -
(internal citations omitted)). Accordingly, we affirm the district court’s dismissal

of Gruenwald’s Eighth Amendment claims against Mansfield.

             C. Claims Against Roberts, Werholtz, and Cummings

      For substantially the same reasons articulated by the district court, we

affirm the court’s dismissal of Gruenwald’s claims against Roberts, Werholtz, and

Cummings.

                         D. Claims for Equitable Relief

      For substantially the same reasons articulated by the district court, we

affirm the court’s dismissal of Gruenwald’s claims for equitable relief.

                              E. State Tort Claims

      Gruenwald asserted a number of state tort claims against Buchanan, Myers,

and Maddox. Having dismissed all of Gruenwald’s federal causes of action, the

district court dismissed these claims pursuant to its discretion under 28 U.S.C. §

1367(c)(3). Based on our conclusion that the district court erred in dismissing all

of Gruenwald’s federal causes of action, we remand for the district court to

reconsider whether it should exercise supplemental jurisdiction over Gruenwald’s

pendent state law claims.

                                        - 15 -
                                 III. CONCLUSION

      We REVERSE the district court’s decision granting Buchanan, Maddox,

and Myers’ motion to dismiss Gruenwald’s claims against them in their individual

capacities and REMAND those claims for further proceedings. With this in mind,

we also REMAND for the district court to reconsider whether to exercise

supplemental jurisdiction over Gruenwald’s pendent state law claims. We

AFFIRM the district court’s decision in all other respects. Gruenwald’s motion to

proceed IFP is GRANTED, and we remind him that he is obligated to make

partial payments on the filing fee until the fee has been paid in full.

                                        ENTERED FOR THE COURT

                                        David M. Ebel
                                        Circuit Judge

                                         - 16 -
07-3245, Gruenwald v. Maddox
O’BRIEN, Circuit Judge, concurs in the result.