CIVIL RIGHTS, OFFICIAL MISCONDUCT

Plaintiff claimed that he was racially profiled and treated as a terrorist by flight attendants. He was arrested and later charged with interfering with the flight crew. He was found not guilty and then brought suit against airline. Federal jury returned multi-million dollar verdict against airlines but judge granted motion for new trial on liability and damages. Issues related to applicability and interpretation of Montreal Convention were prominent.

70-year-old man shot and killed by police officers when he refused to drop long metal pipe and moved rapidly toward them. Police had responded to report of assault with a deadly weapon and heard witnesses say that they had been struck by decedent. First officer’s taser shot failed and second officer did not have taser gun. Bean bag shotgun was in police vehicle but was not used.

Plaintiff shot in head by law enforcement officer and survived, but with major injuries. Officer believed plaintiff was pointing gun at him.

While at his home, off-duty police officer drew weapon and ordered door-to-door salesman to the ground and had him arrested. Plaintiff claimed racial profiling and included officer’s employer as a defendant.

Plaintiff was in business of repossessing vehicles. When attempting to hook up a car in school parking lot, law enforcement detained him even after he showed them his credentials. School district also named as defendant.

Mother of two young children ordered to leave home by child welfare agency claimed that removal order was result of malfeasance, misrepresentation, and abuse of process. Sought emotional distress damages against county.