Anderson v. Spoljarik

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO

WESTERN DIVISION

ARNOLD ANDERSON, Case No. 1:18-cv-380

Plaintiff, Cole, J.

Bowman, M.J.

v.

JEFF LAWLESS, et al.,

Defendants.

AMENDED REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION1

Plaintiff Arnold Anderson initiated this pro se lawsuit on December 5, 2017 in

Columbus, Ohio. However, venue was transferred to the Cincinnati division under S.D.

Ohio Local Rule 82.1(c) and 28 U.S.C. §1404. For the reasons stated below, the

undersigned recommends that the Defendants’ motion for summary judgment be granted

in part and denied in part, and that Plaintiff’s motion to strike Defendants’ motion,

Plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment, and Plaintiff’s motion to compel further discovery

be denied.

I. Background

During the brief time in which the case remained pending in the Eastern Division

of this Court, the Court screened Plaintiff’s claims under 28 U.S.C. § 1915A. (Docs. 6,

8). Some claims were dismissed, but the Court permitted an Eighth Amendment claim

1The Report and Recommendation (“R&R”) filed on February 12, 2020 was properly labeled as an “R&R”

and included only “recommendations” to the district court, but inadvertently omitted the standard “Notice”

for the filing of Objections. Although no Objections were filed by either party, this Amended R&R is filed to

ensure that all parties have been provided with the requisite Notice. Other than this footnote and the

attached Notice, this Amended R&R is an exact duplicate of the R&R previously filed.

and a First Amendment retaliation claim to proceed against three Defendants in their

individual capacities. Both claims arose on December 6-7, 2016, during a short period

of time in which Plaintiff was temporarily held in the custody of the Lawrence County,

Ohio, Sheriff’s Department at the Lawrence County Jail (“the jail”).

Plaintiff’s Eighth Amendment claim is based upon his allegation that on December

6, 2016, he was using the telephone when he and Officer Hatfield became embroiled in

a verbal dispute. Plaintiff generally alleges that in sequential incidents that took place

between December 6 and December 7, Defendants Hatfield, Spoljarik, and Akers used

excessive force against him. (See generally Doc. 6 at 2-6, citing complaint at 9-13). The

First Amendment claim is based upon Plaintiff’s allegations that the last use of force by

Defendant Spoljarik was in retaliation for Plaintiff’s attempted use of the jail’s grievance

system. (Doc. 6 at 9, citing complaint at 11).

II. Summary Judgment Standard

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56(a) provides that summary judgment is proper

“if the movant shows that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the

movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” A dispute is “genuine” when “the

evidence is such that a reasonable jury could return a verdict for the nonmoving party.”

Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248, 106 S. Ct. 2505 (1986). A court must

view the evidence and draw all reasonable inferences in favor of the nonmoving party.

Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574, 587, 106 S. Ct. 1348

(1986). The moving party has the burden of showing an absence of evidence to support

the nonmoving party’s case. Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 325, 106 S. Ct. 2548

(1986). Once the moving party has met its burden of production, the nonmoving party

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cannot rest on the pleadings, but must present significant probative evidence in support

of his case to defeat the motion for summary judgment. Anderson, 477 U.S. at 248-49.

The mere scintilla of evidence to support the nonmoving party’s position will be

insufficient; the evidence must be sufficient for a jury to reasonably find in favor of the

nonmoving party. Id. at 252. As Plaintiff is a pro se litigant, his filings are liberally

construed. Spotts v. United States, 429 F.3d 248, 250 (6th Cir. 2005). However, his

status as a pro se litigant does not alter his burden of supporting his factual assertions

with admissible evidence when faced with a summary judgment motion. Maston v.

Montgomery Cnty. Jail Med. Staff Personnel, 832 F. Supp. 2d 846, 851-52 (S.D. Ohio

2011) (citing Viergutz v. Lucent Techs., Inc., 375 Fed. Appx. 482, 485 (6th Cir. 2010)).

III. Findings of Fact

The parties’ versions of the relevant facts often differ in the record presented. In

accordance with the above standard, where the evidence is disputed, all reasonable

inferences have been drawn in favor of the Plaintiff.

The incidents at issue occurred at the jail on December 6 and 7, 2016, at a time

when it appears that Plaintiff had been convicted and sentenced and was no longer a

pretrial detainee.2 As relevant background, both parties cite to a separate incident that

occurred a week earlier at the jail. During a separate brief incarceration in November

2016, Plaintiff became ill with pancreatitis and was admitted to a local hospital. Upon his

2Plaintiff’s post-conviction status on the dates in question is highly relevant to his claims and the standards

applicable thereto. An excessive force claim against a free citizen arises under the Fourth Amendment,

whereas the Eighth Amendment governs excessive force claims filed by convicted persons. The

Fourteenth Amendment’s more generally applicable Due Process Clause governs excessive force claims

filed by pretrial detainees. See Hopper v. Phil Plummer, 887 F.3d 744, 751 (6th Cir. 2018).

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return to the jail on or about November 29, 2016, Plaintiff was involved in a fight with

another inmate, Clayton Hill, in which Hill bit Plaintiff’s ear. Plaintiff testified3 that Hill

attacked him after Defendant Spoljaric yelled out that Plaintiff was an informant who

obtained drugs from Hill. (Plaintiff Dep., Doc. 47-1 at 66).4 Defendants maintain that

Plaintiff instigated the fight. (Doc. 48-9 at 4-5, incident report). Although an unknown

officer completed an Ohio Uniform Incident Report indicating his intent to charge Plaintiff

with violations of Ohio’s criminal code for assault and disorderly conduct, it is unclear

whether that report was filed with any prosecutor.5 Plaintiff was never formally charged

with any offense.

Defendants cite to the November incident as evidence of Plaintiff’s propensity to

fight, although Plaintiff testified he has never been in any other fight with an inmate before

or since. For his part, Plaintiff points to the incident as marking the escalation of conflict

with Defendants, including the improper use of the jail’s restraint chair when Spoljaric

allegedly “dropped” the chair intentionally, in the same manner as allegedly occurred in

the incidents at issue in this lawsuit. (Dep., Doc. 47-1 at 59). Plaintiff obtained a jail

3Plaintiff seeks to strike Defendants’ motion for summary judgment and objects to the use of his deposition

testimony on grounds that he did not have the ability to review that testimony and did not sign the transcript.

Defendants have filed records that reflect that the court reporter attempted to contact Plaintiff but did not

receive a response. (Doc. 65 at 7-9). Although it is undisputed that Plaintiff is indigent and did not receive

at least one of the court reporter’s letters, the undersigned finds no basis to exclude the deposition transcript

from consideration.

4Plaintiff filed a supporting affidavit of Inmate Hill on 12/31/18, which Defendants moved to strike on

procedural grounds. The undersigned partially granted Defendants’ motion insofar as the affidavit was a

prematurely filed evidentiary exhibit, which could not be considered in the absence of relevance to any

pending motion. (Doc. 42, citing Doc. 31).

5Defendants erroneously state in their motion for summary judgment that as a result of the incident, “Plaintiff

was charged with two counts of assault on a peace officer, two counts of harassment, disorderly conduct

and resisting arrest causing injury to officers.” (Doc 48 at 24). In Defendants’ reply, counsel acknowledges

the misstatement and does not dispute Plaintiff’s position that no formal charges were ever filed. Counsel

explains: “These reports can be filed with the Prosecutor, but the report merely indicates the potential

charges that can ultimately be filed.” (Doc. 65 at 1, emphasis added).

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grievance form in November but did not explain his grievance other than writing that

Defendant Spoljaric “scared me when he smiled.” (Id. at 57). Plaintiff left the incomplete

form in his cell on December 2, 2016 when he was transferred from the jail to the

Correction Reception Center (“CRC”) to serve out his sentence on drug-related offenses.

The basis for this lawsuit arose four days later, on December 6, 2016, when

Plaintiff returned to the jail from CRC in order to attend a state court hearing on December

7. At that hearing, the state court denied Plaintiff’s motion for the appointment of counsel

on appeal and corrected an error in Plaintiff’s record regarding the severity of the offenses

on which he had been convicted.6 (Doc. 48-8). Plaintiff returned to CRC on December

7, 2016 to continue serving his sentence. (Doc. 47-1 at 21, 64).

When Plaintiff arrived at the jail, he had only a pre-existing abrasion on his ear

from the November 29 fight. (Id. at 64). Less than 24 hours later, he had numerous

injuries that - while mostly superficial - included swelling, cuts and bruises as well as a

broken finger. The primary dispute in this case is whether the injuries were caused by

the Defendants’ reasonable use of force, or by excessive and/or retaliatory force. The

record reflects a total of three incidents in which some force was used: (1) around 7 p.m.

on December 6, 2016 when two Defendants entered Plaintiff’s cell and became involved

in a physical altercation; (2) immediately after that altercation when Plaintiff was placed

in the jail’s restraint chair by all three Defendants for the first time; and (3) in the early

6Plaintiff was convicted after trial of one or more fourth degree drug offenses, but that his record erroneously

reflected third degree offenses. (Doc. 47-1, Anderson Dep. at 18-19; Doc. 48-8). Contrary to Plaintiff’s

testimony in this case, the state court transcript does not comport with Plaintiff’s account that he alerted the

state court judge that he had been beaten by jail deputies. (Id.)

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morning hours of December 7, in an incident between Plaintiff and Defendant Spoljaric

that led to Plaintiff being placed in the restraint chair for a second time.

The Altercation Between Plaintiff and Defendants Hatfield and Spoljaric

During the early evening of December 6, Plaintiff was sitting on a cooler in the

“isolation” cell talking on the phone to his girlfriend when Defendant Hatfield walked by.

Plaintiff interrupted his phone conversation to verbally engage Hatfield in what quickly

became an argument about the charges on which Plaintiff was being held. Plaintiff stated

that he would alert a local news station based upon his belief that the jail had no authority

to hold him. Plaintiff also tried to order a soda from Hatfield, and reacted angrily when

Hatfield said Plaintiff had no money by asking why his money “keep[s] disappearing off

my books.” (Doc. 47-1 at 23). The conversation grew more heated, and Plaintiff returned

to his telephone conversation and asked, “are you recording this?”

I said Hatfield, here’s the deal, you can’t tell me, and I was a smartass about

this because I knew Hatfield had an assault in Federal Court in a lawsuit

that they had just lost. That pissed Hatfield off from what I’m assuming.

Hatfield hollers at Spoljaric and Akers.

(Id.)7 According to Plaintiff, Officers Hatfield and Spoljaric subsequently entered his cell

and proceeded to yank him off the cooler and beat him.

Defendants maintain that Plaintiff was “yelling” and “banging the phone on the

receiver in the cell” and “causing commotion,” which noise elicited an instruction “to quit

7Plaintiff refers to a prior case in which Defendant Hatfield and two other Defendants were criminally

charged with civil rights violations, Case No. 1:14-cr-120-TSB based upon an August 16-17, 2014 incident

in which the Defendants were alleged to have used excessive force against an inmate identified as “L.K.”

Plaintiff includes a copy of the indictment as an exhibit in this case. (See Doc. 44-1). Hatfield and his co-

defendants were acquitted of all criminal charges in Case No. 1:14-cr-120 following a jury trial in October

2015. A closely related civil rights case presumably filed by the same inmate, Larry Kinstler, was resolved

through settlement and dismissed in March 2016. See Case No. 1:15-cv-139.

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causing a disturbance.” (Spoljaric Affidavit, Doc. 48-4 at 1). “Anderson refused to calm

down and continued yelling and hitting the phone on the receiver.” (Hatfield Affidavit, Doc.

48-2 at 1; see also Akers Affidavit, Doc. 48-3; Doc. 48-6 at 3). Plaintiff denies causing

any disturbance and denies being non-compliant with any orders. (Doc. 47-1 at 31). A

December 6 incident report by Hatfield bearing the time of 1913 omits the reference to

Plaintiff refusing a directive to “calm down” but does report that Plaintiff “was becoming

more agitated and had been screaming and yelling since he had been booked back into

jail today stating he cannot be held and we do not have a charge to hold him. He then

said tell it to WSAZ their [sic] going to call you.” (Doc. 54-1 at 17). The incident report

states that “due to Anderson’s behavior and starting to get the cell riled up and agitated,

officers were going to move him to the tank for observation.” (Id.) Hatfield states that

the officers’ intent was to prevent Plaintiff from “engag[ing in] fighting any of the inmates

putting their safety at risk due to Anderson’s irate behavior…” (Id.)

Defendants Spoljaric and Hatfield entered Plaintiff’s cell, an area that is not

monitored by video camera, while he was still on the phone. (Doc. 47-1 at 38). Plaintiff

testified that Hatfield and Spoljaric immediately began to assault him, with Hatfield

yanking him up off the cooler and both Defendants taking him down to the ground and

punching him repeatedly. However, Defendant Hatfield attests that only after Plaintiff

refused to stand and exit did he grab Plaintiff’s arm in an “attempt[] to escort him out of

the cell,” whereupon Plaintiff pulled away and “tackled” Spoljaric, falling on top of him and

punching him. (Hatfield Affidavit, Doc. 48-2; see also Doc. 54-1 at 17, incident report

stating that Defendants “advised” Plaintiff “to stand up and put down the phone, Anderson

refused then tensed up and lowered his head,” causing Hatfield to “physically grab him

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by his left arm.”). Hatfield states that only after Plaintiff pulled away and tackled Spoljaric

did Hatfield punch Plaintiff three times in order to regain control and to protect Spoljaric.

Defendant Akers entered soon after, by which point Hatfield had regained a hold

of Plaintiff’s left arm. With Akers securing Plaintiff’s right arm, the altercation ended.

Plaintiff was handcuffed and the officers began to escort him out of the cell. Defendants

allege that Plaintiff shoved Spoljaric as they started walking. However, Plaintiff states that

he merely “bumped” into a piece of metal near a threshold and that in response, “Spoljaric

took my hands behind me, pulled them up, pulled me back on top of him,” causing both

to fall. (Doc. 47-1 at 36). Plaintiff does not claim injury from his brief fall in the hallway.

Hatfield’s incident report refers to Plaintiff’s “scratch injuries” including “on his left

outer forearm” and forehead, as well as injury to “a pre-existing scratch on his right ear

from…11-29-16.” (Doc. 48-10 at 2). Hatfield states that Plaintiff permitted his left arm to

be cleaned “after photos were taken but refused to let officers clean his forehead.” (Id.)

The report states: “Anderson did cause officers to get his blood on ourselves due to him

resisting and fighting with officers also causing Deputy [S]poljaric to receive injury to his

right knee causing swelling and pain.” (Id.)

The December 6, 2016 use of the Restraint Chair

After the physical altercation, Defendants placed Plaintiff in a restraint chair that

Plaintiff testified was also positioned out of view of video cameras. Plaintiff accuses

Spoljaric of excessive force during and after he was placed in the restraint chair.

Spoljaric walks to the back of the restraint chair, leans the restraint chair

back and drops it to the floor approximately about 12 inches. I’m 240

pounds at the time. Then he walks around to my feet and places pink

shackles on my legs. He takes his hand to my left leg and pushed it inwards

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and as he shoving down he was clicking the chain – the locking mechanism

on the shackle – leg shackle.

(Doc. 47-1 at 39). Plaintiff claims that he screamed so loudly to other inmates asking

them to call the Ohio State Patrol that “Hatfield or someone in that booking area” shut off

the phones to the jail. (Id. at 40). Plaintiff alleges that he remained upside down in the

chair while Spoljaric tightened the leg shackle for some period of time, all the while “acting

as if he’s broke his key or his key was stuck in the shackle and that’s why it’s still at my

feet and I’m upside down in that chair.” (Id. at 41). Defendants subsequently righted the

chair back toward the camera. (Id. at 42).

In support of his account, Plaintiff has filed as exhibits the April 10, 2019 Affidavit

of Major William Winters and a letter written by an unidentified female inmate. Winters

was the Jail Administrator from August 2016 until March 2019. (Doc. 69-5). Winters

acknowledges receipt of the two-page undated letter from a “Jane Doe” witness.8 The

letter writer accuses Spoljaric of taking out his frustration on others whenever he is angry.

The inmate complains that Spoljaric took out the cable for a week as punishment for one

female inmate “responding to her brother who was at the time restrained in the chair &

was apparently [sic] from the screams & sounds of terror….” (Id.) The letter goes on:

[Spoljaric] had him placed right up against the dressing room or actually

inside the dressing room because when the male inmate (Ray Anderson)

spoke/screamed it seemed as if he was right up against our B-1 cat-walk

door. At that point inmate Roy Anderson had yelled out “Help!!”, “Can

anyone hear me!” He also stated very loudly with anguish that Officer

8Plaintiff asserts that the letter is missing the last page on which the inmate’s signature would have

appeared. Major Winters states that to “the best of his knowledge, belief, and recollection” more than two

years later, the two pages “were all that I received.” (Doc. 69-5 at 1). The undersigned previously denied

Plaintiff’s motion to compel the “missing” page despite acknowledging that “the letter appears to be

incomplete.” The order denied the motion to compel in part because the issue had only recently been raised

by Plaintiff and based upon the Court’s confidence in “the ability of both parties to resolve this minor issue

extrajudicially.” (Doc. 42 at 6).

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[Spoljaric] had broke his ankle & we could hear [Spoljaric] repeatedly

tighting up his cuffs &/ shackles making them tighter & tighter & the inmate

wasn’t even resisting b/c he was already IN THE CHAIR! What this officer

done to this inmate in my opinion was un-called for, cruel & inhumane.

Being placed in the chair due to unrulyness or being combative upon

booking or whatever is one thing. But to be placed in the chair, restrained,

having absolutely no free movement of your body & then to have an officer

of the law who you are suppost to trust & look up to for help take full

advantage of an inmate full bodily restrained & take it up on his self (the

officer) to decide to physically hit him in the head & face as well it just down

right disgusting! And I think it’s wrong just b/c we were concerned & scared

for the fellow inmate right smack against our cell) that we in b-1 have to be

punished for what officer [Spoljaric] wrongly chose to do.

(Doc. 69-12, spelling, grammar and punctuation original).

Plaintiff testified that he remained in the chair with his left leg twisted for three and

a half to four hours prior to being released shortly before midnight on December 6. (Doc.

47-1 at 42, 45). However, a printed “Inmate Chair Check” report reflects that Plaintiff was

placed in the chair at 1913 on December 6, 2016 and was released approximately 2 hours

later, at 2109. (Doc. 69-4).

During Plaintiff’s first restraint, Defendants moved the chair to the holding tank.

(Doc. 47-1 at 44). Spoljaric and Hatfield sprayed a solution on Plaintiff’s bleeding

(reinjured) right ear and on other injuries before taking pictures. (Doc. 47-1 at 51).

Hatfield’s incident report explains that he and Spoljaric cleaned a “left arm scratch after

photos were taken” but that Plaintiff “refused to let officers clean his forehead.” (Doc. 48-

10 at 2).

Plaintiff testified that during his first confinement in the restraint chair, he could

hear Hatfield and Spoljaric “taunting” him and threatening “to charge me with assault on

police officers, harassment by inmate, escape, all kinds of stuff,” including “resisting

arrest.” (Doc. 47-1 at 46). Hatfield’s incident report of 12/6/16 indicates that Plaintiff “is

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being charged with” four criminal offenses. (Doc. 48-10 at 2). Hatfield also completed an

Ohio Uniform Incident Report that asserted that Plaintiff had committed the following

criminal offenses: (1) Assault on a Peace Officer; (2) Harassment by Inmate; (3)

Disorderly Conduct; (4) Resisting Arrest – Causes Physical Harm to Law Enforcement

Officer By Means of Deadly Weapon. (Doc. 54-1). Notwithstanding those reports, no

charges were ever pursued and Plaintiff was never prosecuted.9 Both Hatfield and Akers

went off duty prior to Plaintiff’s release from the restraint chair by non-party officers on

December 6, 2016, but Defendant Spoljaric remained on duty.

Some evidence suggests that Plaintiff may have verbally complained to Winters,

the Jail Administrator, about the force used against him, although the timing of that

complaint remains unclear. Defendants have attached to their motion as an exhibit a

“Grievance Response” form from Winters that reflects a “Grievance Date” of 12/06/16 and

Grievance “Time” of 1945.10 In that form, Winters states that he has reviewed “the camera

system in front of [the] tank and locker room area” and that he “had another supervisor

view the film,” but saw “no evidence to where inmate Arnold Anderson was assaulted or

mistreated or bleeding as they [sic] have stated. I did observe he was left in a position

for a little too long and that will be addressed to officer Spoljaric. The complaint was

verbal.” (Doc. 48-16 at 1).11 Given Winters’ denial of any evidence of an assault or

9As with the state Incident Report dated 11/29/16, there is no indication whether formal “charges” actually

were filed with a prosecutor’s office. As Plaintiff points out, Hatfield’s statement in the incident report that

charges were “also” filed against Anderson on 11-29-16 was incorrect

10The referenced time and date are somewhat confusing, insofar as Defendants deny that Plaintiff filed any

grievance on December 6, and log books reflect he did not request a grievance form until just before

midnight on December 6, hours later than the time reflected in Winters’ “Grievance Response.” The

additional date of “11/16/16” is listed under the title “Jail Administrator.” (Doc. 48-16).

11In addition to Winters’ “Grievance Response,” Defendants have offered an unsworn but signed statement

from “Corporal Robert Bowles,” dated March 6, 2017, that states that Bowles walked into an office on an

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bleeding, it is unclear whether Winters reviewed Hatfield’s Incident Report, which

referenced Plaintiff causing “officers to get his blood on ourselves” during the incident.

(Doc. 48-10 at 2).

Second Use of Restraint Chair on December 7, 2016

Plaintiff testified that he remained free from restraint for only 30-60 minutes before

being placed in the restraint chair a second time by Spoljaric just after midnight in the

early morning hours of December 7. (Doc. 47-1 at 45).

After he was freed, Plaintiff knocked on the cell door to request Tylenol, but testified

that Spoljaric said “no, quit kicking the door” and shut the door abruptly so that the door

struck Plaintiff’s head. (Doc. 47-1 at 47). Plaintiff next requested a sick call and grievance

forms, which Spoljaric also denied. (Id. at 55, 59-60). Soon after, Spoljaric appeared

with a tazer along with Ironton Police Officer Jamie Pruitt. Plaintiff submitted to removal

from the holding tank and placement in the restraint chair a second time. (Id. at 47). Once

again, Spoljaric leaned the chair back, ostensibly to place leg shackles on Plaintiff, and

let it drop, causing further pain to Plaintiff’s head and neck. (Id. at 47-49). Spoljaric then

righted the chair and placed Plaintiff in the chair back in the holding tank. (Id. at 50).

In a December 7 incident report, Spoljaric explained the events as follows:

…I was walking past the TA when [Plaintiff] began knocking on the TA door.

At that time he politely asked me for a Tylenol. At that time I went to the

med room and opened the TA door…to give [Plaintiff] a Tylenol. At that

time [Plaintiff] began cussing me and demanding I do something about his

arm (that he was using fine and had no apparent major injuries.) I advised

[Plaintiff to take the meds or I would shut the door and he would not get any.

[Plaintiff continued to cuss and be rude. A[t] that time I attempted to shut

unknown date “believe[d]” to be sometime “in December of 2016” and recalls seeing Winters “reviewing

some recordings from the Jail cameras.” Bowles states that during “the short time that I was in the office,

I didn’t see anything,” but admits that he “didn’t watch the entirety of the video.” (Doc. 48-17).

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the door…and [Plaintiff] threw himself against the door and screamed

“Spoljaric what are you doing ouch quit.” [Plaintiff] then began hitting the

TA door with enough force to harm himself. To prevent injury to officers

and inmate a Taser was brought into the jail and [Plaintiff] was ordered to

the ground and cuffed behind his back without further incident.

(Doc. 48-12).

Plaintiff testified that he was left in the chair on December 7 for nearly six hours

without monitoring or any opportunity for circulation to be checked. (Id. at 54). At the

bottom of Spoljaric’s incident report is handwritten notation stating that the “Chair Check

will not Print went in @ 0039 out @ 0200.” (Id.) Although there is no typed Chair Check

report, a handwritten log indicates that Plaintiff was placed in the chair at 0039 and was

released approximately an hour and a half later at 0203, when he was given a sick call

form based upon his complaint of pain in his left arm. (Doc. 48-6 at 4).

Plaintiff testified that his left arm was so badly swollen from the restraint straps by

the time he was released that a paramedic who works at the jail, Deputy Ray Jones,

ordered an x-ray on Plaintiff’s arm when he arrived at work that morning. (Doc. 47-1 at

53). Plaintiff completed a sick call request complaining of an “abnormality to my left arm,

lesions on my head, right ring finger is bruised and swollen, knots on my chin. Cut on

back of left arm.” (Id. at 69-6, Doc. 47-2 at 10, ex. 4). However, he was transported back

to CRC by Hatfield prior to any x-rays being taken at the jail. (Doc. 69-6 at 1).

Plaintiff has submitted several records that confirm that he sought medical care

immediately upon his return to CRC. In an “Incident Report” authored by Lt. Erik Baratle

dated 12/7/16 at 1:10 p.m., for example, Lt. Baratle reports that Plaintiff “stated he was

beat up by deputies at the county,” and “has marks on his ear, arms and forehead.” (Doc.

69-7 at 2). Plaintiff also reported that he thought his jaw might be broken. Lt. Baratle

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states he “had the inmate write a voluntary statement,” and “had pictures taken of his

visible injuries and had the inmate get a medical evaluation.” (Id.) The report concludes

with a handwritten statement that the incident was “reported to Investigator Thompson

[illegible]..It was a documented UOF at County.” Plaintiff’s handwritten statement reads

in part:

I was on a …phone call talking to my fiancé and son. C/O Deputy Hatfield

came to panhole asking for razors from where I was sitting on a cooler & on

the phone. I had to look up, I ask if I could get some information on when

I’m going to court; and if I could buy soda; Hatfield told me to hand phone

up. I asked why. He yelled for C/O Deputy Spoljari[c]. He arrived with Joey

Akers at door. Hatfield came from left. Spoljari[c] hung phone up. Hatfield

slammed me to the floor. Spoljari[c] commenced punching me repeatedly

yelling give me your hands. [Illegible] stepped on my left hand. Cell was

full. After taken to chair. I was shackled with left leg twisted to right

shackled till couldn’t go anymore repeatedly squeezing [illegible] left arm

strapped dropped in chair placed in holding tank strapped; then back to

chair after released.

(Doc. 69-7 at 3).

Medical records from CRC similarly reflect Plaintiff’s report of “trauma to the head,

[left] arm and [left] chest when he was allegedly beaten by 2 county officers after he made

some type of remark. Has pain and swelling of lt arm and pain and swelling lt lower leg

area. He reports lacerations of the [left] forearm and forehead.” (Doc. 69-3 at 1; see also

Doc. 69-6). In examination notes, Dr. Cullen at CRC noted swelling in Plaintiff’s leg with

circular markings on the leg, dried blood, lacerations, and swelling in Plaintiff’s left

forearm, and a swollen right finger, as well as injuries of the face and neck. (Doc. 69-3

at 2). A second Medical Exam Report also dated 12/7/16 restates Plaintiff’s subjective

report that he “was beaten up by two deputies from Lawrence County Jail.” (Doc. 48-18).

That report includes objective findings of pain to Plaintiff’s left rib, left leg, left shoulder,

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bruises on Plaintiff’s forehead and left middle finger, knots on the back of his head, and

a superficial laceration to his left lower arm about three inches long. (Id.) Plaintiff was

treated with ibuprofen and triple antibiotic ointment bandages and x-rays were ordered.

(Id.)

The X-rays12 confirmed no fracture to Plaintiff’s left wrist but did reveal a fracture

to the fourth finger in Plaintiff’s right hand, which was treated with a splint. (Doc. 47-1 at

72; see also Doc. 69-3 at 3, 7 “X-ray showed Nondisplaced tuft fracture of right distal

fourth digit. No swelling or redness. Tenderness only”). Plaintiff testified that over time,

he has received medications for the nerve damage in his left arm and other medication

related to the injuries he suffered on December 6-7, 2016. (Id. at 71, 87-89, 99). Other

records reflect Plaintiff’s report of mental health symptoms in the months following the

alleged assault, including increased anxiety and fear of “going back to the jail due to what

happened.” (Doc. 69-3 at 10).

The Lack of Photographic or Video Evidence

Notwithstanding Winters’ December 6 “Grievance Response” indicating his review

of some video, the jail did not preserve any video records from December 6 or 7, 2016.

The jail suggests that it had no duty to do so,13 but Plaintiff argues that the failure to retain

video footage violated Ohio Corrections and Rehabilitation Department regulations.

12Defendants argue that “there is nothing in the record establishing that the Plaintiff ever had any x-rays” at

CRC after leaving the jail. Despite the apparent absence of the x-rays themselves, the referenced records

provide strong circumstantial evidence that x-rays were taken.

13Attached to Defendants’ motion for summary judgment is an unsworn and unsigned “Memo” dated

03/06/17 bearing the typed name of Jail Administrator Winters. The memo states that Winters reviewed

the video of Plaintiff “on 12/07/2017 and at that time there was no evidence to back up his statement that

he was assaulted n\by [sic] officers. I tried to review this footage again to copy for you but our system only

goes back for 30 days so this film is no longer able to recover.” (Doc. 47-2, Ex. 2). The latter reference to

“2017” is presumed to be a typographical error.

15

Those regulations require the retention for 10 years for any investigation files, including

those “involving an employee or offender’s alleged violation of policy, procedure, or Ohio

Revised Code.” (Doc. 54-1 at 3). Based upon a referral by CRC for “investigation,” as

well as the relatively serious criminal code violations reported by Hatfield, Plaintiff argues

that video evidence should have been retained. (See, e.g., Doc. 69-7 at 2, handwritten

notation on CRC report stating that incident was “reported to Investigator Thompson” as

“a documented UOF in County”). The undersigned expresses no opinion on this

evidentiary issue, finding it to be beyond the scope of this R&R.

In addition to the lack of video evidence, no photographic evidence exists despite

multiple photos having been taken. (See Doc. 69-4, 12/6/16 Inmate Chair Check report

that Defendants Hatfield and Spoljaric took “more photos” at 2037, implying the existence

of earlier photos; see also id., noting an additional photo was taken of “a mark on left leg”;

Doc. 48-6 at 3, stating that Hatfield and Spoljaric went “to get more Photos of Anderson”;

Doc. 48-10 at 2, noting “photos were taken”; Doc. 69-7 at 2, Incident Report by Officer

Erik Baratle at CRC dated 12/7/16 at 1:10 pm., stating Plaintiff’s report that he was “beat

up by deputies at the county,” and “has marks on his ear, arms and forehead” and “thinks

his jaw may be broken,” and directing photos to be “taken of his visible injuries”).

Winters’ 2019 Affidavit attempts to explain the lack of photographic evidence.

Winters states that he never saw any photographs taken on December 6, 2016, and that

jail records do not contain photos from that date. (Doc. 69-5). He further states his

“belie[f]” that photographs from that date “were not downloaded from the camera’s SD

card onto the external hard drive due to the SD card malfunctioning,” based on his

“recollection” that sometime “around December of 2016, the SD cards used in the camera

16

were malfunctioning and the pictures on the SD card were corrupt.” (Id., emphasis

added). Aside from the general reference to the month of December, the Affidavit does

not otherwise refer specifically to photos that may have been taken on December 7, 2016.

IV. Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment

A. Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies

The undersigned begins by addressing the procedural argument that the

Defendants are entitled to judgment based upon Plaintiff’s failure to exhaust his

administrative remedies. Pursuant to the PLRA, prisoners are required to fully exhaust

available institutional remedies prior to filing suit in federal court. See 42 U.S.C. §

1997e(a) (“No action shall be brought with respect to prison conditions under section 1983

of this title, or any other Federal law, by a prisoner confined in any jail, prison, or other

correctional facility until such administrative remedies as are available are exhausted.”).

The Supreme Court has held that the “PLRA’s exhaustion requirement applies to all

inmate suits about prison life, whether they involve general circumstances or particular

episodes, and whether they allege excessive force or some other wrong.” Porter v.

Nussle, 534 U.S. 516, 532 (2002).

It is well established that such exhaustion is “mandatory under the PLRA and

unexhausted claims cannot be brought in court.” Jones v. Bock, 549 U.S. 201, 211 (2007).

The PLRA requires “proper exhaustion of administrative remedies,” meaning all

applicable procedures and deadlines must be followed. Woodford v. Ngo, 548 U.S. 81,

84, 90-91 (2002). The exhaustion requirement’s goals can be achieved “only if the prison

grievance system is given a fair opportunity to consider the grievance.” Id. at 82. “That

cannot happen unless the grievant complies with the system’s critical procedural rules.”

17

Id. If a prisoner fails to exhaust available administrative remedies before filing a complaint

in federal court, or only partially exhausts them, then dismissal of the complaint is

appropriate. Hopkins v. Ohio Dep’t of Corr., 84 Fed. Appx. 526, 527 (6th Cir. 2003) (citing

42 U.S.C. § 1997e(a) and White v. McGinnis, 131 F.3d 593, 595 (6th Cir. 1997)).

“Exhaustion may not be completed after a federal complaint has been filed.” Hopkins, 84

Fed. Appx. at 527 (citing Freeman v. Francis, 196 F.3d 641, 645 (6th Cir. 1999)). “In a

claim by a prisoner, failure to exhaust administrative remedies under the PLRA is an

affirmative defense that must be established by the defendants.” Napier v. Laurel Cnty.,

636 F.3d 218, 225 (6th Cir. 2011) (citing Jones, 549 U.S. at 204); see also Does 8-10 v.

Snyder, ___ F.3d ___, 2019 WL 68853227 (6th Cir. December 18, 2019) (holding that the

defendants bear the burden of proof, reversing summary judgment based upon disputed

issues of fact concerning plaintiffs’ attempts to exhaust).

The Lawrence County Jail has a two-step inmate grievance policy (Policy # J-66-

2) intended “to address problems or complaints of any nature in reference to … treatment

during incarceration [at the Jail].” (Doc. 48-5). Defendants assert that a handbook

containing the policy is provided to all inmates entering the jail, although Plaintiff denies

such receipt.14 Pursuant to the policy,15 an inmate must request and submit an “Inmate

Grievance Form.” (Id.) If at the first step the complaint is not resolved by the Shift

Supervisor, the inmate may appeal to the Jail Administrator for a final decision. (Id.)

14Plaintiff filed a declaration that he has “never seen a Lawrence County Jail handbook or anything informing

me of a grievance procedure.” (Doc. 69-7). Plaintiff does not dispute that he was aware of the existence

of grievance forms, having partially completed a form in November, and having requested a form from

Spoljaric on December 6.

15The policy attached to Defendants’ motion reflects a “Revised” date of October 3, 2018. (Doc. 48-5 at 1).

18

Plaintiff asserts that Defendant Spoljaric was the Shift Supervisor at the time; Defendants

deny that assertion but do not identify who filled that role.

A jail log confirms that Plaintiff requested a grievance form near midnight on the

night of December 6, 2016, at 11:53 p.m. (Doc. 48-6 at 4, Lawrence County Jails Log for

12/6/16, stating “Anderson asked for Grievance”). However, Defendant Spoljaric attests

that he does not “recall” Plaintiff ever asking for a grievance form.16 (Doc. 48-4). Plaintiff

testified that Spoljaric denied his request for the form. (Plaintiff Dep., Doc. 47-1 at 59-64).

In any event, the jail has no record of Plaintiff actually filing a written grievance on

December 6 or December 7. In another contradiction, Plaintiff reports that he completed

a grievance form and slid it out under the cell door along with the sick call form provided

to him on December 7. (Doc. 69-7 at 1).

There is no dispute that Plaintiff filed a written complaint after he returned to CRC.

In that complaint, Plaintiff alleged he was beaten by jail staff in retaliation for filing a

grievance, and that he had filed grievances at the jail that went unanswered. (Doc. 69-7

at 4). In response, the Jail Inspector of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation &

Corrections undertook an investigation by contacting the jail. (Doc. 69-7 at 6). The Jail

Inspector informed Plaintiff that the jail denied that he had been beaten in retaliation for

filing a grievance:

Major Winters disputes this allegation. He reported he can find nothing

indicating you ever expressed a concern of being assaulted during your

incarceration at the Lawrence County Jail. Major Winters investigated your

16Defendants’ memorandum in support of summary judgment erroneously asserts that “Spoljaric maintains

that the Plaintiff never requested a sick call and/or grievance from him on December 6-7, 2016.” (Doc. 48

at 15, emphasis added). However, Spoljaric’s affidavit states only that he could not “recall” Plaintiff’s

request. Defendants argue that “even if Plaintiff was denied a grievance form, it does not excuse his failure

to exhaust.” (Doc. 48 at 15). But binding Sixth Circuit case law holds to the contrary. See Does 8-10 v.

Snyder, supra at **8-11.

19

alleged complaint once it was brought to his attention and was not able to

find any evidence of an assault between the jail staff and yourself. Major

Winters indicated he reviewed jail video and found no such assaults.

(Doc. 69-7 at 7). The ORDC response also explains that Major Winters also disputed a

separate complaint that Plaintiff’s grievances went unanswered. “Major Winters stated

your grievance was personally addressed by him. He further claims he told you no

violations had occurred.” (Id.)

Somewhat curiously in light of other evidence submitted by Defendants that

Winters denied Plaintiff’s verbal grievance on 12/6, Winters’ response to the investigative

inquiry from CRC on January 3 implies that he previously was unaware of any complaint

from Plaintiff. The response states that Winters reported “find[ing] nothing indicating you

ever expressed a concern of being assaulted during your incarceration at the Lawrence

County Jail.” (Doc. 69-7 at 7). After the issue was brought to his attention [presumably

by the State Jail Inspector], Winters reported that he reviewed “jail video” but “was not

able to find any evidence of an assault between the jail staff and yourself.” (Id.)

The Defendants are not entitled to summary judgment based upon Plaintiff’s

alleged failure to exhaust because they have not carried their burden “to establish the

absence of a genuine dispute of material fact” on the issue. Accord Does 8-10 v. Snyder,

2019 WL 6885327 at *7. In Snyder, the court explained that the PLRA’s “unavailability

exception” applies in several circumstances, including but not limited to “when prison

administrators thwart inmates from taking advantage of a grievance process…” Id. at *9,

quoting Ross v. Blake, 136 S. Ct. 1850, 1860 (2016)). The “unavailability exception” to

exhaustion also may apply when a grievance process is “incapable of use.” Id. at *10.

Whether or not Plaintiff was prevented by Defendants from exhausting the only

20

available jail grievance procedure remains in dispute. In addition, Plaintiff was held at the

jail for less than 24 hours. (Doc. 69 at 9). Even if Defendants had provided Plaintiff with

the grievance form near midnight on December 6, the Defendants have failed to establish

that Plaintiff had sufficient time to file the grievance, receive a written response from the

Shift Supervisor, and then pursue a formal appeal in the few hours that remained prior to

his return to CRC on December 7, 2016.17

B. Excessive Force Claim Against Defendant Akers

Turning to the merits, Defendant Akers argues that he is entitled to summary

judgment based upon Plaintiff’s admissions that Akers was not personally involved in the

alleged excessive use of force on December 6-7, 2016. The complaint alleges that Akers

“entered the cell to assist and stamped on the plaintiff[’s] right [hand]” which resulted in a

fracture. (Complaint at ¶37). However, Plaintiff’s deposition testimony clarifies that

Defendant Akers lacked any subjective intent to harm Plaintiff.

Specifically, Plaintiff testified that Spoljaric and Hatfield entered his cell first. (Doc.

47-1 at 27). Hatfield grabbed Plaintiff’s arm and yanked him off the water cooler on which

he had been seated while using the phone, and both Hatfield and Spoljaric began

assaulting him. Plaintiff was pinned by Hatfield and Spoljarik with his head on the floor

and his hand near the cell entrance by the time that Akers entered the cell. (Doc. 47-1 at

27-28). Based on his head position, Plaintiff could not see who stepped on his hand. He

testified that he felt excruciating pain when someone (presumed to be Akers) stepped on

17Plaintiff alternatively argues that the steps he took to grieve the issues immediately upon his return to

CRC were sufficient, but the undersigned finds no need to review this issue in light of Defendants’ failure

to carry their burden on the issue.

21

his hand. (Id. at 29). However, Plaintiff could not discern whether that contact was

accidental, or whether that action caused the fracture to his finger versus some other

portion of the use of force incident. (Doc. 47-1 at 28-29).

A…When Akers stepped into the cell, Hatfield was kneeing me or kicking

me or something in the back. Spoljaric is kicking me over here on the left

side. Akers is going -- I don’t know if it’s when I went down that fractured

my hand right here or if it’s when he stepped in and stepped on my hand.

Q You’re saying Hatfield stepped on your hand?

A Akers stepped through the door. I’m not sure. I can’t say for positive that

he stepped on my hand. I know there was excruciating pain through my

right hand.

Q And it could have been when you fell?

A It could have been when I went down. Yes.

(Doc. 47-1 at 25, lines 13-23).18

Plaintiff reiterates in opposition to summary judgment that he “cannot say if

defendant Akers intentionally stamped on plaintiff[’]s hand….” (Doc. 69 at 4). In other

testimony, Plaintiff clarifies that he does not hold Akers responsible for anything other

than for failing to intervene when Defendants Hatfield and Spoljaric used force. “Akers

never – when this, the initial use of force took place Akers was not involved. And I want

for the record, Akers did not do anything wrong other than failure to intervene.” (Doc. 47-

1 at 27, emphasis added). Akers was not present in the cell when Hatfield and Spoljaric

were assaulting him, and “did not witness this take down.” (Id. at 29).

18Plaintiff disagreed with counsel’s characterization of a “fall”, denying that he fell and testifying that he was

“slammed and kicked and beat down” by Hatfield and Spoljarik. (Id. at 28).

22

Defendant Akers attests that he assisted Deputy Hatfield in securing Plaintiff’s

hands behind his back and placing him in handcuffs after Defendant Hatfield and Spoljaric

skirmished with Plaintiff in the cell. (Doc. 48-3). In one discrepancy from Plaintiff’s

testimony, Defendant Akers attests that he was the deputy who tilted the restraint chair

back in order to allow Defendant Spoljaric to apply ankle restraints. (Id.)19 However,

Akers denies dropping the chair, and there is no dispute that his shift ended prior to

Plaintiff’s release from the chair. (Id.)

Defendant Akers is entitled to judgment as a matter of law based upon the lack of

evidence that he had any personal involvement or responsibility for any excessive use of

force by Defendants Hatfield and Spoljaric. The parties agree that Akers was not present

when Hatfield and Spoljaric entered Plaintiff’s cell. To the extent that Akers might have

caused Plaintiff any injury by stepping on Plaintiff’s hand, that occurred when Akers

entered the cell to assist after being summoned by his fellow officers during a brief

physical altercation. Subjective intent to harm is a central element of any Eighth

Amendment claim. Based upon the uncontested evidence and Plaintiff’s own testimony,

Defendant Akers had no subjective intent to harm Plaintiff on December 6, and his shift

concluded before Plaintiff’s release from the restraint chair on that date.

In opposition to summary judgment, Plaintiff argues that judgment should not be

entered in favor of Akers based upon Akers’ testimony that he leaned back the restraint

chair. But Plaintiff does not allege that “leaning back” the chair caused any harm. So to

the extent that a factfinder were to accept Akers’ version of events, he did nothing that

19Akers’ affidavit differs from Defendants’ Answer in which they “admit that…Spoljar[ic] did lean the chair

back to allow for the restraint of the Plaintiffs feet.” (Doc. 16 at ¶42).

23

would have violated the Eighth Amendment. Of course, Plaintiff testified that it was

Spoljaric who leaned the chair back and intentionally dropped it 12 inches to the floor,

resulting in pain and injury to Plaintiff’s head and neck. Thus, if Plaintiff’s version of events

is accepted, Akers still did nothing violative of the Eighth Amendment. Because Akers

did nothing wrong in either version of events, he is entitled to summary judgment.

Plaintiff’s additional assertions that Akers’ conduct violated jail policies or

procedures concerning the placement of the chair or Plaintiff’s medical treatment does

not preclude judgment in Akers’ favor. Plaintiff’s claim against Akers is limited to the

excessive use of force; the complaint does not allege that Plaintiff advised Akers of any

serious medical need.20

C. Eighth Amendment Claims Against Spoljaric and Hatfield

Plaintiff’s Eighth Amendment claims against Spoljaric and Hatfield are based upon

his testimony that those two Defendants entered his cell and physically assaulted him

without cause, and with a subjective intent to harm him, in reaction to Plaintiff’s verbal

“smart ass” remark to Hatfield. (Doc. 47-1 at 23). Plaintiff claims that both Hatfield and

Spoljaric used excessive force and caused physical harm during the assault in the cell,

and subsequently, when he was first placed in a restraint chair and Spoljaric “dropped”

the chair and applied excessively tight restraints with a subjective intent to cause him

pain.21 Plaintiff further alleges that Spoljaric (but not Hatfield) violated the Eighth

Amendment by restraining him a second time in the chair during the early morning hours

20Plaintiff testified that he first asked Spoljaric for Tylenol and a sick call form after his release from the

restraint chair hours later –by which time Akers’ shift had concluded.

21Defendant Hatfield was present during the first restraint on December 6 but Plaintiff does not allege his

involvement in the second restraint.

24

of December 7, when Spoljaric again intentionally dropped the chair backwards, secured

him with excessively tight restraints, and left him unattended for hours without checking

on his condition.

In Williams v. Curtin, 631 F.3d 380 (6th Cir. 2011), the Sixth Circuit summarized

the subjective and objective elements required to prove an Eighth Amendment claim:

Although prison discipline may require that inmates endure relatively

greater physical contact, the Eighth Amendment is nonetheless violated if

the “offending conduct reflects an unnecessary and wanton infliction of

pain.” Pelfrey v. Chambers, 43 F.3d 1034, 1037 (6th Cir.1995) (internal

alterations and quotation marks omitted). To make out a claim under the

Eighth Amendment, the prisoner must satisfy both an objective and a

subjective component. See, e.g., Moore v. Holbrook, 2 F.3d 697, 700 (6th

Cir.1993).

The subjective component focuses on the state of mind of the prison

officials. The relevant inquiry is “whether force was applied in a good faith

effort to maintain or restore discipline or maliciously and sadistically for the

very purpose of causing harm.” Hudson v. McMillian, 503 U.S. 1, 6, 112

S.Ct. 995, 117 L.Ed.2d 156 (1992) (internal quotation marks omitted).

Courts may consider “the need for the application of force, the relationship

between the need and the amount of force that was used, and the extent of

injury inflicted.” Whitley, 475 U.S. at 321, 106 S.Ct. 1078. Courts may also

consider the circumstances “as reasonably perceived by the responsible

officials on the basis of the facts known to them, and any efforts made to

temper the severity of a forceful response.” Id.

The objective component requires the pain inflicted to be “sufficiently

serious.” Wilson v. Seiter, 501 U.S. 294, 298, 111 S.Ct. 2321, 115 L.Ed.2d

271 (1991). This is a “contextual” inquiry that is “responsive to contemporary

standards of decency.” Hudson, 503 U.S. at 8–9, 112 S.Ct. 995 (internal

citation and quotation marks omitted). The seriousness of the injuries are

not dispositive; as the Supreme Court has held, “[w]hen prison officials

maliciously and sadistically use force to cause harm, contemporary

standards of decency always are violated ... whether or not significant injury

is evident.” Id. at 9, 112 S.Ct. 995; see also Wilkins v. Gaddy, 559 U.S. 34,

130 S.Ct. 1175, 1178, 175 L.Ed.2d 995 (2010) (per curiam).

Id., 631 F.3d at 383.

25

Defendants argue that there is insufficient evidence of any malevolent subjective

intent, citing the affidavits of Hatfield and Spoljaric that the only force they used was

“reasonably necessary” in order to secure a combative inmate who initiated a physical

attack when they entered his cell in order to remove him for “observation” and in order to

quell his verbal “commotion.” However, on summary judgment, the Court cannot merely

consider the Defendants’ affidavits and evidence; the Court also must consider any

contrary evidence, including but not limited to Plaintiff’s testimony. The record as a whole

reveals significant disputed issues of material fact concerning Defendants’ subjective

intentions both when they first entered Plaintiff’s cell on December 6, and when they later

placed Plaintiff in the restraint chair. In short, the undersigned cannot grant judgment to

Defendants Hatfield and Spoljaric because the record is unclear as to whether their

actions were undertaken “maliciously and sadistically” and amounted to the “unnecessary

and wanton infliction of pain.” See, e.g., Hammond v. Lapeer County, 133 F. Supp. 899

(E.D. Mich. 2015) (concluding that issues of fact precluded summary judgment on claims

by prisoner held on civil contempt that jail deputies applied force in violation of Eighth

Amendment standards), abrogated in part by Hopper v. Phil Plummer when it established

that Fourteenth Amendment standard, and not Eighth Amendment, should apply to civil

contemnors.

Although the objective component presents a somewhat closer issue, Defendants

also are not entitled to summary judgment on that element. Defendants argue that

Plaintiff offers insufficient evidence of “sufficiently serious” injury. In support for that

premise, Defendants cite a logbook entry that Plaintiff “refused medical treatment” while

at the jail. (Doc. 71 at 9). However, Plaintiff testified that the Defendants falsely recorded

26

that he refused medical treatment at the jail, and there are a number of records that

suggest that Plaintiff did in fact request such treatment prior to his departure from the jail

on December 7 as well as upon his arrival at CRC.

Medical records reflect lacerations, bruises, and swelling sufficiently serious for the

medical examiners to order x-rays, even though x-rays confirmed the absence of any

broken bones other than a finger in Plaintiff’s right hand. Although Plaintiff’s injuries

appear to have been relatively minor, the undersigned cannot say that the injuries were

so “de minimis” that no claim can lie, particularly in light of the unresolved issues

concerning Defendants’ subjective intentions.22 The Supreme Court has rejected a higher

threshold for injury, explaining that otherwise, “the Eighth Amendment would permit any

physical punishment, no matter how diabolic or inhuman, inflicting less than some

arbitrary quantity of injury.” Hudson v. McMillian, 503 U.S. at 9, 112 S.Ct. 995; see also

Wilkins v. Gaddy, 130 S.Ct. at 1177 (reversing dismissal of Eighth Amendment claim

where inmate alleged he was assaulted in retaliation for requesting a grievance form and

emphasizing that judicial inquiry should focus on “the nature of the force rather than the

extent of the injury.”).

Injury and force… are only imperfectly correlated, and it is the latter that

ultimately counts. An inmate who is gratuitously beaten by guards does

not lose his ability to pursue an excessive force claim merely because he

has the good fortune to escape without serious injury.

Id., 130 S.Ct. at 1178-79.

22Plaintiff also testified to continuing nerve damage in his arm, for which he complains he has been unable

to obtain an MRI and alleges a continuing exacerbation of mental health symptoms.

27

The alleged use of excessively tight restraints presents similarly close issues.

Although most cases of excessively tight restraints arise under the Fourth Amendment as

opposed to the Eighth Amendment, Sixth Circuit precedent makes clear that evidence of

swelling and bruising often is sufficient to overcome summary judgment on such claims:

Our precedent establishes that this evidence is sufficient for Baynes to

survive summary judgment. See Morrison, 583 F.3d at 402–403 (holding

that the plaintiff's testimony that she suffered wrist marks and bruising from

the handcuffs was sufficient to establish the necessary “physical

injury”); Martin v. Heideman, 106 F.3d 1308, 1310, 1312–13 (6th Cir.1997)

(reversing the district court's award of qualified immunity, ruling that a

genuine issue of material fact existed as to whether the defendant officer

used excessive force under the circumstances where plaintiff complained

of excessive force by being handcuffed so tightly that his hands became

numb and swollen during the ride to jail and wait in a holding cell).

Baynes v. Cleland, 799 F.3d 600, 609 (6th Cir. 2015); Morrison v. Board of Trustees of

Green Tp., 583 F.3d 394, 403 (6th Cir. 2009) (collecting cases and holding that bruising

can support excessive use of force claim based on handcuffing). Based upon Plaintiff’s

testimony, the undersigned concludes that summary judgment cannot be granted on

Plaintiff’s Eighth Amendment claims against Hatfield and Spoljaric.

D. First Amendment Claim Against Akers and Hatfield

In his First Amendment retaliation claim, Plaintiff alleges that the Defendants

retaliated against him asking for medication, a sick call form, and a grievance close to

midnight on December 6. Plaintiff testified that he made these requests to Defendant

Spoljaric, and that it was Spoljaric who subsequently placed Plaintiff back in the restraint

chair for 5-6 hours in retaliation for his requests. There is no dispute that neither Akers

nor Hatfield were present at the jail by the time Plaintiff was released from the restraint

chair the first time. (Doc. 47-1 at 45-47). Unsurprisingly since they appear to have left

28

the premises, Plaintiff does not allege that Hatfield or Akers took part in placing him in the

restraint chair a second time on December 7. Because neither of those Defendants

played any role in the alleged First Amendment violation, both are entitled to summary

judgment on this claim.

E. First Amendment Claim Against Spoljaric

By contrast, Defendant Spoljaric is not entitled to summary judgment on Plaintiff’s

First Amendment claim. Defendants argue that this Court should grant judgment in

Spoljaric’s favor because Plaintiff’s claims are “unsubstantiated” and based upon

“contradictory stories” between the Complaint and Plaintiff’s testimony.23 (Doc. 48 at 17).

However, in many cases discrepancies will arise after discovery between the complaint

and the evidence presented on summary judgment or at trial. Rule 56 requires a focus

on the evidence; a complaint is not evidence. The fact that the record as developed

(including but not limited to Plaintiff’s own testimony) differs slightly from the allegations

in the complaint may provide grounds for cross-examination but does not provide grounds

for granting summary judgment.

In addition to pointing out the inconsistencies between the complaint and Plaintiff’s

testimony, Defendants argue that Spoljaric should be granted summary judgment based

upon his testimony that he does not “recall” Plaintiff asking him for a grievance from.

Defendants assert that because there is no record of Plaintiff having turned in a written

grievance, there is “no basis to establish” that Plaintiff ever asked Spoljaric for a

23For example, the complaint alleges that Plaintiff requested a sick call and grievance form from Deputy

Brandt. (Complaint at ¶54). However, in his deposition testimony, Plaintiff clarified that he recalled asking

Defendant Spoljaric for the forms and that Spoljaric both denied his request and retaliated in anger.

29

grievance. Defendants’ arguments ignore Plaintiff’s contrary deposition testimony, which

creates a genuine issue of material fact that precludes summary judgment.

Defendant further argues that he should be granted summary judgment because

there is no evidence that Plaintiff successfully filed a written grievance while still at the

jail. Defendant argues that “the First Amendment protects an individual from retaliation

for filing, not merely requesting, a grievance form.” (Doc. 48 at 18). Thus, Spoljaric

argues that even if he retaliated against Plaintiff with physical violence after denying

access to the jail’s grievance form, he could not be held liable so long as Plaintiff did not

somehow obtain a copy of the form from some other source and file it prior to the

retaliatory violence.24 Aside from the logical absurdity of that proposition, the relevant

case law does not support it.25

Nothing in the First Amendment itself suggests that the right to petition for

redress of grievances only attaches when the petitioning takes a specific

form.” Holzemer v. City of Memphis, 621 F.3d 512, 521 (6th Cir. 2010)

(finding that a conversation constituted protected petitioning activity)

(quoting Pearson, 471 F.3d at 741). While we recognize concerns about

opening the floodgates to frivolous prisoner lawsuits, “we are not persuaded

that an oral grievance should not receive constitutional protection solely

because it is lodged by a prisoner as opposed to a civilian.” Mack, 839 F.3d

at 298. A “prisoner[ ] retain[s] the constitutional right to petition the

government for the redress of grievances.”

24Defendants argue that the only evidence of any grievance was Plaintiff’s verbal complaint to the Jail

Administrator after the incident occurred. Plaintiff testified that he made a verbal grievance to “Billy Winters

and Robert Bowles” on December 7, just before he was taken to state court. (Doc. 47-1 at 60-61). As

stated infra, Winters’ “Grievance Response” attached as an exhibit to Defendants’ motion is dated

December 6, coinciding with the date (but not the time) of the first incident and prior to Plaintiff being placed

in the restraint chair a second time. (Doc. 48-16).

25Defendant cites to case law that is based upon different “due process” claims filed by prisoners, rather

than the type of First Amendment retaliation claim at issue here.

30

Maben v. Thelen, 887 F.3d 252, 265 (6th Cir. 2018) (quoting Turner v. Safley, 482 U.S.

78, 84 (1987) (additional citation omitted)); see also Kennedy v. Bonevelle, 413 Fed.

Appx. 836, 839-840 (6th Cir. March 3, 2011).

F. Qualified Immunity

Defendants argue that they are entitled to qualified immunity because “no

constitutional violation occurred.” For the reasons stated, the undersigned concludes that

significant issues of material fact preclude granting summary judgment on Plaintiff’s

Eighth Amendment claims against Defendants Hatfield and Spoljaric and on Plaintiff’s

First Amendment claim against Spoljaric. For the same reasons, summary judgment

cannot be granted on qualified immunity on those claims.26

G. Injunctive and Declaratory Relief

Defendants argue that they are also entitled to judgment on all claims for injunctive

and declaratory relief, because Plaintiff was only briefly incarcerated at the county jail and

remains in the custody of the state. The undersigned agrees that Plaintiff’s request for

injunctive and declaratory relief appears to be moot, assuming that the state does not

intend to move Plaintiff back to the jail. At the same time, if this R&R is adopted by the

presiding district judge, the Court is likely to appoint counsel for Plaintiff prior to trial on

the remaining claims. In order to allow prospective counsel to be heard on the issue of

whether the claims for injunctive and/or declaratory relief are fully moot, the undersigned

recommends denying this portion of Defendants’ motion without prejudice to renew.

26Defendant Akers (alone) is entitled to qualified immunity based upon the lack of any evidence from which

a jury could find that he violated any clearly established constitutional right.

31

V. Plaintiff’s Motion to Strike and Motion for Summary Judgment

Plaintiff has filed a motion to strike Defendants’ motion for summary judgment as

well as a counter-motion seeking summary judgment in Plaintiff’s favor. The undersigned

finds no basis for striking Defendants’ motion or for excluding use of the transcript of

Plaintiff’s deposition.

Defendants declined to file any response to Plaintiff’s motion for summary

judgment, citing the motion’s untimeliness under this Court’s dispositive motion deadline.

Even if the undersigned were to fully consider Plaintiff’s untimely motion, the undersigned

would recommend denial of it for the same reasons that Defendants’ motion should be

denied. Thus, the existence of multiple genuine issues of material fact preclude the entry

of judgment to either party.

VI. Plaintiff’s Motion to Compel Additional Discovery

Plaintiff filed a motion to compel additional discovery, stating that he has “made

several attempts to propound the documents and answers and defendant have only

allowed discovery to toll and plaintiff unanswered.” (Doc. 54). In opposition to Plaintiff’s

motion, Defendants argue that Plaintiff has not fully exhausted “all” extrajudicial efforts to

resolve the discovery disputes and failed to first seek an informal telephone conference

prior to filing his motion.27 Without elaboration, Defendants further argue that they should

not be required to respond to requests to which they have previously responded.

Plaintiff’s motion to compel additional discovery will be denied at this time, without

prejudice to renew if this Report and Recommendation is adopted.

27Local Rule 37.1 states that any party “may” first seek an informal telephone conference. Moreover, due

to Plaintiff’s current incarceration this request for an informal conference is typically waived.

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VII. Conclusion and Recommendations

Accordingly, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT:

1. Defendants’ motion for summary judgment (Doc. 48) should be GRANTED in

part and DENIED in part;

a. For the reasons stated, the undersigned concludes that significant issues

of material fact preclude granting summary judgment on Plaintiff’s Eighth

Amendment claims against Defendants Hatfield and Spoljaric and on

Plaintiff’s First Amendment claim against Spoljaric;

b. In order to allow prospective counsel to be heard on the issue of whether

the claims for injunctive and/or declaratory relief are fully moot, the

undersigned also recommends denying Defendants’ motion for summary

judgment on that claim, but without prejudice to renew;

c. In all other respects, the Defendants’ motion should be granted;

2. Plaintiff’s motion to strike and motion for summary judgment (Docs. 61, 69)

should be DENIED;

3. Plaintiff’s motion to compel (Doc. 54) should likewise be DENIED.

s/ Stephanie K. Bowman

Stephanie K. Bowman

United States Magistrate Judge

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ARNOLD ANDERSON, Case No. 1:18-cv-380

Plaintiff, Cole, J.

Bowman, M.J.

v.

JEFF LAWLESS, et al.,

Defendants.

NOTICE

Pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(b), any party may serve and file specific, written

objections to this Report & Recommendation (“R&R”) within FOURTEEN (14) DAYS after

being served with a copy thereof. That period may be extended further by the Court on

timely motion by either side for an extension of time. All objections shall specify the

portion(s) of the R&R objected to and shall be accompanied by a memorandum of law in

support of the objections. A party shall respond to an opponent’s objections within

FOURTEEN DAYS after being served with a copy of those objections. Failure to make

objections in accordance with this procedure may forfeit rights on appeal. See Thomas

v. Arn, 474 U.S. 140 (1985); United States v. Walters, 638 F.2d 947 (6th Cir. 1981).

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