Courtright v. City of Battle Creek

In response to a phone tip that Courtright had “come out of his room [at the Traveler’s Inn] with a gun and threatened to shoot” the dog of “another resident” at the hotel, Battle Creek Officers Wolf and Rathjen were dispatched to the Traveler’s Inn. Courtright claims that he “was nowhere near his room when the alleged incident was said to have taken place,” and that he tried to explain that to the officers. Courtright was nonetheless arrested. He claims he told the officers that prior rotator cuff injuries and shoulder surgeries precluded him from placing his hands behind his back and that he repeatedly complained of pain to the officers after he was handcuffed. He claims the officers disregarded his complaints. The officers and the city appealed the denial of their motion to dismiss. The Sixth Circuit affirmed, rejecting an assertion of qualified immunity. Courtright alleged a plausible claim that the officers violated his clearly established constitutional rights. View "Courtright v. City of Battle Creek" on Justia Law