WORLD
The U. S. Supreme Court sided with police on Tuesday and threw out a lower court ruling that had upheld $4 million in damages awarded to a homeless couple who sued after being shot 15 times in a backyard shack by Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies who were searching for another man.
The U.S. Supreme Court sided with police on Tuesday and threw out a lower court ruling that had upheld $4 million in damages awarded to a homeless couple who sued after being shot 15 times in a backyard shack by Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies who were searching for another man.
The justices ruled 8-0 in favor of the deputies, Christopher Conley and Jennifer Pederson, and the county, nixing an earlier decision by the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The appeals court had ruled in favor of the couple, Angel and Jennifer Mendez, who resided in the wooden shack and sustained serious injuries in the 2010 incident.
The high court's ruling means that the 9th Circuit must review the case for a second time to determine whether the couple can recover damages because of the officers' failure to obtain a search warrant.
The case was decided by the justices at a time of heightened concern over use of excessive force by U.S. police after a series of high-profile fatal shootings in recent years.
Writing for the court, Justice Samuel Alito faulted the appeals court's reasoning. The appeals court had said the deputies were not immune from the lawsuit because they had provoked a violent confrontation. The district judge who awarded the damages found that the deputies did not use excessive force at the moment of the shooting but were nevertheless liable for damages because of the provocation.
Alito said that police officers cannot be held liable for excessive force under the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures, for provoking the confrontation.
"A different Fourth Amendment violation cannot transform a later, reasonable use of force into an unreasonable seizure," Alito wrote.
The incident took place in Lancaster, a city within Los Angeles County, after 12 officers responded to a call that a wanted parolee named Ronnie O'Dell had been spotted in the area. Deputies decided to search a shack at the rear of a house and conducted a warrantless raid. The two deputies opened the door to the shack unannounced, saw Angel Mendez holding what they thought was a rifle and shot 15 times.
Angel Mendez was in fact holding a BB gun that he used to kill rodents. His right leg was amputated below the knee as a result of the shooting. Jennifer Mendez, pregnant at the time, was shot in the back.
(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)
DNA TV Show: Why did BJP pick Rekha Gupta as the next Delhi Chief Minister?
Groom’s rejection of Rs 5 lakh dowry wins in-laws' praise: ‘If educated people don't...'
Tina Ambani redefines beauty in pastel pink lehenga at Aadar Jain-Alekha Advani's mehendi ceremony
‘It started happening to...’: Akshaye Khanna opens up about premature balding in 20s
'Me watching...': Tanmay Bhatt posts sarcastic video amid Ranveer Allahbadia controversy
Who is Rekha Gupta, the new Chief Minister of Delhi?
Rekha Gupta named Delhi Chief Minister, set to succeed Atishi
Amid affair rumours with Abhishek Bachchan, Nimrat Kaur says 'words fail me...'
NHAI clarifies on new FASTag rules, says customers can recharge...
Meet man, who topped IIT-JEE Advanced 2018 with AIR 1, now lives abroad, works at…
Man sues PVR, INOX for wasting time with 25-min ads, wins Rs...
Red Coral and Yellow Sapphire: A Powerful Combination or Not?
Ahead of annual salary hike, Narayana Murthy's Infosys offers lower...
Parthiv Patel's self deprecating humour wins hearts, he was asked about Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma
Ramadan 2025 date: When will crescent moon sighting take place in India and Saudi Arabia?
Mamaearth co-founder Ghazal Alagh says every successful brand has one thing in common, it is...
Neo Ayurveda Resolves 20-Year Migraines and Normalizes TSH in Just 30 Days
After backlash, Netflix cuts Urvashi Rautela's role from Daaku Maharaaj? Here's what we know
Mukesh Ambani's popular brand enters quick e-commerce delivery in UAE, teams up with...
On the Epic 8th Anniversary, Lystloc Launches Advanced LystCRM Solution & Face Rec API
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg gets richer by Rs 118 crore after selling...; his net worth reaches Rs...
Nagaland Lottery Result February 19: Dear Cupid Wednesday lucky draw, check full list
Pak vs NZ, Champions Trophy 2025: Disaster for Pakistan? Fakhar Zaman is off the field in first over
Who was Milind Rege? Former Mumbai stalwart and selector who passed away at 76
Food vlogger, Chatori Rajani's 17-year-old son Taran Jain dies in road accident
Pak vs NZ Dream11 predictions: Check best picks for ICC Champions Trophy 2025's opening match
Varun Dhawan suffers injury, shares photo of deep cut on his finger: 'This one gets...'
Meet man, who joined NVIDIA in 1997, helped it become USD 3 trillion company amid US-China AI war
Asap Rocky found not guilty of shooting at former friend, Rihanna reacts: 'The glory belongs to...'
LIC Smart Pension Plan: Invest Rs 1 lakh and get Rs... every month on maturity, here's how
Influencer recreates Katrina Kaif's dialogue from Tees Maar Khan and it's absolutely on point
Future of Pilot Ejection: Martin-Baker's advanced technology comes to India
Meet Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy, Sudha Murty's granddaughters, their famous parents are...
FWICE urges Maharashtra government to make Vicky Kaushal, Rashmika Mandanna's Chhaava tax-free
Priyanka Chopra gives major Rangeela vibes as she channels her 'inner Urmila Matondkar'
Jamie Lever mimicking Govinda's wife Sunita Ahuja will start your day with laughter
Watch: Priyanka Chopra lands in Mumbai days after brother’s wedding, helps a person on streets by…
'They have a lot more money': Trump questions USD 21 million fund for voter turnout in India
Bank Holiday Today: Banks to remain closed on February 19 in THIS state due to...