The opinion
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA
JONATHAN CODY, II, : Civil No. 1:24-CV-927
:
Plaintiff, :
:
v. :
:
MARC HOWELL, et al., :
:
Defendants. : Judge Jennifer P. Wilson
MEMORANDUM
Before the court is the motion to dismiss the complaint, filed by Defendants
Marc S. Howell, Stephen Marte, Even McKenna,1 Austin Snyder, Brandon
Braughler, City of Harrisburg Police Department,2 and the City of Harrisburg,
(collectively “Defendants”) seeking to dismiss the complaint filed by Plaintiff
Jonathan Cody, II (“Cody”) as barred by the statute of limitations, subject to the
defense of qualified immunity, and failing to state a claim upon which relief can be
granted. (Doc. 8.) The complaint alleges constitutional violations for use of
1 Defendant McKenna’s name is spelled “Even” in the captions of the parties’ papers and as
“Evan” in the body of Defendants’ motion and brief in support. The court will use the spelling
included in the case caption.
2 The City of Harrisburg Police Department is not a Defendant in the action before this court.
(See Doc. 1-3.) However, the court includes the City of Harrisburg Police Department for
completeness because Defendants include this entity in the text of its motion and because City of
Harrisburg Police Department was named as a Defendant in Plaintiff’s praecipe for writ of
summons. (Docs. 8, p. 2; 8-2.) The court reiterates, the City of Harrisburg Police Department is
not named in the complaint.
excessive force and conspiracy to violate constitutional rights against Defendants.
For the reasons that follow, the motion will be granted in part and denied in part.
FACTUAL BACKGROUND AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
According to Plaintiff’s allegations, the instant claims arise from an incident
that occurred on February 6, 2022, when Defendant Marc Howell (“Howell”)
“operated a motor vehicle while on duty for the Harrisburg Police Department and
unexpectedly turned into a pedestrian crosswalk which was being used by Plaintiff;
this caused Plaintiff to strike the vehicle.” (Doc. 1-3, ¶ 9.) Cody explained how
Defendant Howell “had caused [him] to physically strike the police car to prevent
himself from being run over in a well marked and legally protected pedestrian
lane.” (Id. ¶ 10.) Defendant Howell then ordered Cody to remain on the sidewalk,
and Cody complied with this order. (Id. ¶ 11.) A second officer arrived and began
speaking with Cody. (Id. ¶ 12.) At this time, “[e]veryone appeared relatively
cordial . . . and the Plaintiff waited for a supervisor to arrive to take his complaint
about Defendant’s Howell’s driving.” (Id.)
More officers arrived and began discussing the incident with Defendant
Howell. (Id. ¶ 13.) After the officers began discussing the incident, “Defendant
Howell began falsely claiming that Plaintiff had deliberately hit his police car with
something as it just happened to pass by Plaintiff on the street.” (Id. ¶ 14.) At this
point, “Defendants seemed to form an alliance and discuss the incident[.]” (Id. ¶
16.) Defendants began “openly mock[ing] Plaintiff’s perceived sexual orientation
by, among other things, overly emphasizing and repeating how Plaintiff enunciated
certain words in an exaggerated and stereotypically ‘gay’ manner[.]” (Id.).
Defendants also “made much of referring to Plaintiff’s carry case as a female type
of ‘purse,’ and they made a point acting sarcastically amongst each other about
whether Plaintiff was a ‘he’ and ‘she.’” (Id.)
Cody then “stated he was blameless and insisted the police take his
complaint.” (Id. ¶ 17.) Defendant Howell then lost “his composure and shouted
for the other officers to arrest the Plaintiff.” (Id.) Cody’s “arrest was
ordered . . . and agreed to by the other officers as part of a conspiracy to stifle
Plaintiff’s complaint about Defendant Howell’s driving and conceal that he was a
complainant since a police supervisor was en route to investigate the incident.”
(Id. ¶ 18.) Then, “[i]n furtherance of this conspiracy, [Defendants] essentially pile
on piled-on [sic] the Plaintiff with great physical force and controlled violence[,]”
including striking, kneeing, elbowing and slamming Cody into a rock wall, and
“inflict[ing] pain by forcing his hands/arms (which were already handcuffed
behind his back) to be pushed far past the normal range of motion towards his head
so that it caused excruciating pain and made it impossible to walk normally.” (Id.
¶¶ 19, 20.) Cody’s “feet were shackled with steel leg irons and he was practically
dragged to a police car and placed in the back of it.” (Id. ¶ 20.)
Once in the police car, “Defendants cooperated with one another to
deliberately aim and spray a chemical agent/irritant directly into the Plaintiff’s
eyes, from too close of a distance, so that Plaintiff would be too incapacitated to
continue complaining about Defendant Howell’s driving into the cross-walk, etc,
once a supervisor arrived on scene.” (Id. ¶ 22.) Another officer arrived on the
scene and attempted to administer first aid “because Plaintiff was begging for help
with his eyes. However, the said officer was prevented by the named Defendants
from reaching the Plaintiff and/or administering first aid.” (Id. ¶ 23.)
Cody was then “unlawfully transported against his will and confined in a jail
cell until the following morning despite his repeated requests for first aid and
medical care.” (Id. ¶ 24.) The next day, Cody was taken out of jail in a wheelchair
and “abandoned.” (Id. ¶¶ 25, 26.) After leaving the jail, Cody called an
ambulance and was “transported to a hospital where he received treatment for
injuries inflicted by the named Defendants which included but were not limited to
conjunctivitis, corneal abrasion and arthralgia.” (Id. ¶ 27.)
Cody alleges “upon information and belief” that from his arrest until June
25, 2023, when charges against him were dismissed, that Defendants “willfully
combined, conspired and agreed with each other and others to threaten, intimidate
and injure the Plaintiff in order to prevent him from freely exercising and enjoying
his rights and privileges[.]” (Id. ¶ 28.) On a date not mentioned in the complaint,
“Defendant Howell filed various criminal charges against Plaintiff which had no
basis in fact or law under the circumstances and those charges were later dismissed
by the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas.” (Id. ¶ 29.)
Cody alleges one count of negligent operation of a motor vehicle against
Defendant Howell and the City of Harrisburg. (Id. ¶¶ 33–41.) He alleges one
count of unreasonable and excessive force under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against the
individual officer Defendants. (Id. ¶¶ 42– 47.) He alleges one count of
conspiracy–unreasonable and excessive force under 42 U.S.C. §§ 1983 and 1985
against the individual officer Defendants. (Id. ¶¶ 48–51.) Finally, Cody alleges
one count of assault and one count of battery under Pennsylvania state law against
the individual officer Defendants. (Id. ¶¶ 52–58.)
Cody commenced this action in the Dauphin County Court of Common
Pleas by filing a praecipe for writ of summons on January 8, 2024. (Doc. 9, p. 3.)3
The writ of summons named Marc Howell and City of Harrisburg Police
Department as Defendants. (Id. at 16.) According to the Dauphin County Court of
Common Pleas docket, the writ of summons was served on Defendant Howell and
the Police Department on January 10, 2024. (Id. at 3, 4.) Defendants attempted to
remove the case to this court on February 21, 2024, however, the court remanded
the case to the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas as prematurely removed
3 For ease of reference, the court uses the page number contained in the CM/ECF header.
because no complaint had yet been filed. (Id. at 46, 47.) On May 6, 2024, Cody
filed the instant complaint, naming Marc S. Howell, Stephen Marte, Even
McKenna, Austin Snyder, Brandon Braughler, and the City of Harrisburg as
Defendants. (Doc. 1-3.) The complaint was served on all Defendants on May 10,
2024. (Doc. 9, p. 69.) On June 5, 2024, Defendants removed the action to this
court. (Doc. 1.)
On June 12, 2024, Defendants filed the instant motion to dismiss. (Doc. 8.)
Defendants filed a brief in support on June 26, 2024. (Doc. 10.) On July 1, 2024,
Plaintiff filed a response in opposition to the motion to dismiss. (Doc. 13.)4
Defendants filed a reply brief on July 15, 2024. (Doc. 14.) Thus, this motion is
ripe and ready for disposition.
JURISDICTION AND VENUE
This court has jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331 and 1343 because
Plaintiff brings claims arising under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. This court also has
supplemental jurisdiction over the state law tort claims under 28 U.S.C. § 1367
4 The court notes that this response is not compliant with Local Rule 7.6 which provides that
“[a]ny party opposing any motion, other than a motion for summary judgment, shall file a brief
in opposition within fourteen (14) days after service of the movant’s brief.” Middle District of
Pennsylvania Local Rule 7.6 (emphasis added.) The instant “response” responds paragraph by
paragraph “admitting” or “denying” the statements in Defendants’ motion. (Doc. 8.) Although
not styled as a brief, Defendants do not argue the court should not consider the “response” for
failure to comply with Local Rules. Thus, the court will construe the “response” as a brief in
opposition. The court further notes that the CM/ECF docket lists the response as an “affidavit.”
(Doc. 13.) As there is no indication that Plaintiff’s counsel drafted the “response” under oath or
affirmation, this labelling is inaccurate.
because they are related to the federal claims. Venue is appropriate under 28
U.S.C. § 1381 because all actions or omissions alleged in the complaint occurred
in the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
In order “[t]o survive a motion to dismiss, a complaint must contain
sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to ‘state a claim to relief that is plausible
on its face.’” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009) (quoting Bell Atl. Corp.
v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 570 (2007)). A claim is plausible on its face “when the
plaintiff pleads factual content that allows the court to draw the reasonable
inference that the defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged.” Id. (quoting
Twombly, 550 U.S. at 556). “Conclusory allegations of liability are insufficient” to
survive a motion to dismiss. Garrett v. Wexford Health, 938 F.3d 69, 92 (3d Cir.
2019) (quoting Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678–79). To determine whether a complaint
survives a motion to dismiss, a court identifies “the elements a plaintiff must plead
to state a claim for relief,” disregards the allegations “that are no more than
conclusions and thus not entitled to the assumption of truth,” and determines
whether the remaining factual allegations “plausibly give rise to an entitlement to
relief.” Bistrian v. Levi, 696 F.3d 352, 365 (3d Cir. 2012). Additionally, under
Third Circuit precedent a complaint will only be dismissed “for failure to state a
claim on statute of limitations grounds…when the statute of limitations defense is
apparent on the face of the complaint.” Wisniewski v. Fisher, 857 F.3d 152, 157
(3d Cir. 2017).
DISCUSSION
Defendants raise three arguments challenging Cody’s complaint. First,
Defendants argue that Cody’s Claims against Defendants Marte, McKenna,
Snyder, Braughler, and the City of Harrisburg are time barred because these
Defendants were “not named or served under the Writ of Summons after Plaintiff’s
statute of limitations ha[d] expired.” (Doc. 10, p. 5.) Second, Defendants argue
the individual officer Defendants are entitled to qualified immunity. (Id. at 7.)
Third and finally, Defendants argue that the complaint fails to state a claim for
negligent operation of a motor vehicle and conspiracy. (Id. at 8–12.) Specifically,
Defendants argue that Cody’s negligent operation of a motor vehicle claim lacks
sufficient pleading regarding the cause element and Cody’s conspiracy claim is
conclusory. (Id.) Defendants ask the court to deny leave to amend. (Id. at 12.)
Cody responds that the statute of limitations period did not begin to run until
June 2023, when the charges against him were dismissed. (Doc. 13, p. 6.) Thus,
the complaint, filed on May 6, 2024, is timely. (Id.) Cody also argues the officers
are not entitled to qualified immunity because the complaint “avers intentional
violations of so called ‘bright lines’ being crossed by the officer[.]” (Id. at 7.)
Finally, Cody argues that the complaint adequately pleads both negligent operation
of a motor vehicle and conspiracy. (Id. at 9–11.) The court will address each
argument in turn.
A. Statute of Limitations
Defendants argue that the claims against Defendants Marte, McKenna,
Snyder, Braughler, and City of Harrisburg should be dismissed as filed outside the
statute of limitations because the writ of summons did not name them as
defendants. (Doc. 10, p. 5.) According to Defendants, the statute of limitations for
this action is two years, and it began to run as of February 7, 2022, at the
conclusion of the underlying incident. (Id. at 5-6.) Therefore, the complaint, filed
on May 6, 2024, was not timely. (Id. at 6.) Defendants also argue that the service
of the writ of summons on the Harrisburg City Police Department cannot be
imputed to the City of Harrisburg because a police department is not a proper party
in a § 1983 action. (Id. at 6.)
Cody’s argument in response is:
[T]he Complaint specifically explains that the conspiracy is alleged to
have lasted until about June 15, 2023, when charges against Plaintiff
were eventually dismissed. As such the Complaint apparently gives
Defendants fair notice of its claim and factual allegations that – when
accepted as true- that the alleged conspiracy continued until about June
15, 2023. [sic] As such, the statute of limitations does not bar such
claims.
The Complaint was timely filed against all Defendants since it was filed
prior to the expiration of two years after the alleged conspiracy ended.
The statute of limitation will not expire on these claims until June 15,
2025.
(Doc. 13, p. 6) (emphasis in original). Defendants respond that Cody has “all but
admitted that his Complaint was filed after the applicable statute of limitations for
alleged excessive use of force and that only his conspiracy claim is not potentially
time barred[.]” (Doc. 14, p. 3) (emphasis in original).
The court agrees that Cody has conceded the statute of limitations argument
regarding the negligent operation of a motor vehicle against the City of Harrisburg
and unreasonable and excessive force against Defendants Marte, McKenna,
Snyder, and Braughler because Cody only makes arguments regarding the statute
of limitations with respect to the conspiracy claim. As noted by both parties, the
statute of limitations for a § 1983 claim is two years. Brougher v. Univ. of
Pittsburgh, 882 F.2d 74, 79 (3d Cir. 1989). Additionally, the statute of limitations
applicable to Plaintiff’s state law negligence, assault, and battery claims is also two
years. 42 PA. CON. STAT. ANN. § 5524. The statute of limitations begins to run “as
soon as the right to institute and maintain suit arises.” Haugh v. Allstate Ins. Co.,
322 F.3d 227, 231 (3d Cir. 2003). Thus, the statute of limitations for the § 1983
claim and state law claims began running on February 6, 2022, the date of the
incident, and expired on February 6, 2024. Defendants Marte, McKenna, Snyder,
Braughler, and City of Harrisburg were not named in a complaint until May 6,
2024. Thus, the state law and § 1983 unreasonable and excessive force claim
against Defendants Marte, McKenna, Snyder, Braughler, and City of Harrisburg
will be dismissed with prejudice.
Regarding the conspiracy claim, Cody appears to argue that the statute of
limitations did not begin to run on this claim until the final overt act of the
conspiracy. Cody does not cite any law for this proposition. For a conspiracy
claim under § 1985, the statute of limitations “runs from the date of each overt act
causing damage to Plaintiff.” Bougher, 882 F.2d at 80. Thus, Cody’s argument
that the statute of limitations did not begin to run until June 25, 2023, the date his
charges were dismissed, is incorrect because the charges being dismissed did not
cause him any injury.5 Here, the final overt act alleged which could have caused
Cody any damage was the filing of criminal charges against him. However, there
is no date connected to the filing of criminal charges, although this information is
likely within Cody’s knowledge. Without this date, the court cannot find from the
face of the complaint when the statute of limitations for the conspiracy claim
accrued, and thus, when it expired. Therefore, on the record currently before the
5 The court notes that a public records search of Cody’s criminal docket reveals that the charges
against him were not dismissed, but rather that Cody plead nolo contendere to the summary
offense with which he was charged. The Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas sentenced
him to a sentence of “no further penalty.” A nolo plea is different than the charges being
dismissed. The court also takes note that Attorney Laguna is listed as Cody’s counsel of record
in the criminal proceeding. This information is notable given that Attorney Laguna has accused
Defendants’ counsel of violating their duty of candor toward the tribunal in this case. By making
a “duty of candor to the court” argument after failing to advise the court that his client entered a
nolo plea in the underlying criminal case, it appears that Attorney Laguna is in the proverbial
glass house.
court, the court will not dismiss the conspiracy claim on statute of limitations
grounds.
In conclusion, the motion to dismiss based on the statute of limitations is
granted as to Count 1 against City of Harrisburg, and Counts 2, 4, and 5 against
Defendants Marte, McKenna, Snyder, and Braughler. These counts will be
dismissed with prejudice as to these Defendants because amendment would be
futile. Jablonski v. Pan American World Airways, Inc., 863 F.2d 289, 292 (3d Cir.
1988).
B. Qualified Immunity
Defendants’ argument in support of their entitlement to qualified immunity
is as follows:
There is no doubt that Defendants, except for the City, are government
officials that were performing discretionary functions as police officers.
See generally [Doc. 1-3.] As to Officer Howell, it is not sufficiently
clear that every reasonable official would not have arrested an
individual for striking the police car they were driving. Indeed, Plaintiff
avers that Defendant Officers “piled-on the Plaintiff with great physical
force and controlled violence.” [Doc. 1-3, ¶ 19.] Plaintiff admits that
the force used was controlled, or in other words, reasonable.
(Doc. 10, p. 8) (emphasis in original.) Plaintiff’s opposition argument goes as
follows. First, Plaintiff argues that his complaint “avers intentional violations of so
called ‘bright lines’ being crossed by the officer who’s [sic] motive for doing so
was essentially to stop the Plaintiff from continuing with his complaint about the
officer having driven recklessly and hitting him while he was in a pedestrian
crosswalk.” (Doc. 13, ¶ 19.) Second, Plaintiff presents arguments relating to the
definition of the phrase “controlled violence.” Plaintiff argues:
“Controlled violence is a description which can be used to have the
reader envision a person being deliberately shot in the face. Whether
shooting another in the face is ‘reasonable’ or not, is another issue
entirely. The Complaint obviously speaks for itself, and must be read
as a whole with each paragraph that is incorporated along with the
others.
(Id. ¶ 24.) Plaintiff also contests Defendants’ contention that he “admitted” that
the use of force against him was “reasonable” because:
Nowhere in the Complaint does Plaintiff use the word reasonable to
describe the assault, nor can that reasonably inferred. [sic] “Controlled
violence” is used in one paragraph of the Complaint to summarize other
alleged facts which specifically alleged police intentional [sic] and
deliberately ‘proceeded to strike, knee and slam Plaintiff into a rock
wall; then they inflicted great pain by forcing his hands/arms (which
were already handcuffed behind his back) to be pushed far past the
normal range of motion towards his head so that it caused excruciating
pain…etc.” [(Doc. 1-3, ¶ 20.)] Officers prevented another officer from
administering first aid when the Plaintiff begged for it. [(Id. ¶ 23.)]
Defendants’ averment that Plaintiff admits this conduct was
‘reasonable’ seems to have violated the duty of candor toward the
tribunal with this averment.
(Id. ¶ 25.)
The doctrine of qualified immunity recognizes that despite their participation
in constitutionally impermissible conduct, government officials “may nevertheless
be shielded from liability for civil damages if their actions did not violate ‘clearly
established statutory or constitutional rights of which a reasonable person would
have known.’” Hope v. Pelzer, 536 U.S. 730, 739 (2002) (quoting Harlow v.
Fitzgerald, 457 U.S. 800, 818 (1982)). Qualified immunity “protects government
officials ‘from liability for civil damages insofar as their conduct does not violate
clearly established statutory or constitutional rights of which a reasonable person
would have known.’” Pearson v. Callahan, 555 U.S. 223, 231 (2009) (quoting
Harlow, 457 U.S. at 818). The doctrine “protects all but the plainly incompetent or
those who knowingly violate the law.” Kisela v. Hughes, 584 U.S. 100, 104
(2018) (quoting White v. Pauly, 580 U.S. 73, 79 (2017)).
Courts follow a two-pronged test to determine whether qualified immunity
applies. Pearson, 555 U.S. at 232. First, the court must determine whether the
defendants violated the plaintiff’s statutory or constitutional right. District of
Columbia v. Wesby, 583 U.S. 48, 63 (2018) (citing Reichle v. Howards, 566 U.S.
658, 664 (2012)). Second, the court must determine whether the right at issue was
clearly established at the time of the violation. Id. (citing Reichle, 566 U.S. at
664). The court may exercise its discretion in deciding “which of the two prongs
of the qualified immunity analysis should be addressed first in light of the
circumstances in the particular case at hand.” Pearson, 555 U.S. at 236.
Defendants asserting that they are entitled to qualified immunity have the burden
to prove that the doctrine applies. Halsey v. Pfeiffer, 750 F.3d 273, 288 (3d Cir.
2014). Finally, because “the ‘driving force’ behind the creation of the qualified
immunity doctrine was a desire to ensure that ‘insubstantial claims’ against
government officials [will] be resolved prior to discovery[,]” the Supreme court
has “stressed the importance of resolving immunity questions at the earliest
possible stage in litigation.” Pearson, 555 U.S. at 231–32.
At this juncture, the court cannot determine whether qualified immunity
applies because the parties’ arguments are not helpful to the court in determining
the legal issue before it–whether the officers violated Plaintiff’s constitutional
rights during the February 2022 encounter. For example, “[t]o state a claim for
excessive force as an unreasonable seizure under the Fourth Amendment, a
plaintiff must show that a ‘seizure’ occurred and that it was unreasonable.” Kopec
v. Tate, 361 F.3d 772, 776 (3d Cir. 2004). In determining whether a seizure is
unreasonable, a court must consider “whether under the totality of the
circumstances, ‘the officers’ actions are objectively reasonable in light of the facts
and circumstances confronting them, without regard to their underlying intent or
motivations.” Id. (quoting Graham v. Connor, 490 U.S. 386, 397 (1989)) (internal
quotations omitted). In assessing whether a use of force is reasonable, courts may
consider “the severity of the crime at issue, whether the suspect poses an
immediate threat to the safety of the officers or others, and whether he actively is
resisting arrest or attempting to evade arrest by flight.” Id. at 776–77. Further
considerations include:
the possibility that the persons subject to the police action are violent
or dangerous, the duration of the action, whether the action takes place
in the context of effecting an arrest, the possibility that the suspect may
be armed, and the number of persons with whom the police officers
must contend at one time.
Id. at 777. Neither party provides any discussion of whether the force used against
Plaintiff is reasonable in the Fourth Amendment context or any discussion of any
of the above factors. The court will not engage in this analysis without meaningful
input from the parties to include references to case law and the specific facts of the
complaint. Thus, the court will deny the motion to dismiss on qualified immunity
grounds without prejudice.
C. Failure to State a Claim
Defendants challenge two of Cody’s claims as failing to state a claim upon
which relief can be granted. The court will address each claim.
1. Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle
Defendants argue that Cody has failed to state a claim for negligent
operation of a motor vehicle “because any injury that occurred as a result of
Officer Howell’s operation of the police car occurred when Plaintiff struck the
police car.” (Doc. 10, p. 8) (emphasis in original). Further, Defendants argue “[i]t
is not plausible, accepting all of Plaintiff’s allegations as true, that Defendant
Howell’s operation of the motor vehicle caused any injury to Plaintiff.” (Id. at 9.)
Defendants end by noting that “Plaintiff alleges both that Plaintiff ‘struck’ the
police care, and that Defendant Howell was lying when he stated Plaintiff hit his
police car with something–which is it?” (Id.)
Cody responds that “Defendant apparently misrepresents the black and white
text set forth of record in Plaintiff’s Complaint. The Defendant seems to have
violated the duty of candor toward the tribunal with this averment by toying with
semantics which completely ignore the averments contained within the
Complaint.” (Doc. 13, p. 9.) Cody also notes that the answer to Defendants’
question about whether Plaintiff “struck” the car is a question for the jury, and “the
complaint has obviously given Defendants fair notice of its claim and factual
allegations since the Defendants are already framing questions to argue why they
are not responsible for the vehicle collision with a pedestrian who was lawfully
crossing the street in a marked pedestrian crosswalk.” (Id. at 10.) Defendants did
not address this argument in reply.
To state a claim for negligence under Pennsylvania law, a plaintiff must
allege (1) that the defendant owed a duty of care to the plaintiff, (2) that the
defendant breached that duty, (3) that the defendant’s breach proximately caused
the plaintiff’s injuries, and (4) that the plaintiff suffered actual loss or damage as a
result of the defendant’s actions. Brewington ex rel. Brewington v. City of
Philadelphia, 199 A.3d 348, 355 (Pa. 2018).
The complaint fails to state a claim for negligent operation of a motor
vehicle because Cody alleges that he struck the vehicle and does not allege any
injury he suffered as a result of Defendant Howell’s operation of the vehicle.
Specifically, Cody alleges that Defendant Howell’s operation of the police car
caused Cody to strike the car; not that Defendant Howell struck him with the car
and caused injury. (Doc. 1-3, ¶¶ 9, 10.) Further, Cody alleges that “Defendant
Howell almost hit him in the pedestrian crosswalk[.]” (Id. ¶ 15.) These averments
are insufficient to state a claim because they merely allege that Cody struck the
vehicle, not that Defendant’s actions were the direct or proximate cause of his
injuries. Moreover, Cody does not articulate any injury resulting from striking
Defendant Howell’s vehicle other than a conclusory statement that he suffered an
injury. (Id. ¶ 36.) Therefore, the motion to dismiss will be granted with leave to
amend as to Count 1 because amendment is not futile. See Fletcher-Harlee Corp.
v. Pote Concrete Contractors, Inc., 482 F.3d 247, 251 (3d Cir. 2007).
2. Section 1983 Conspiracy
Defendants argue that Cody has not stated a claim for conspiracy under
§ 1985 because Cody alleges only conclusory statements that Defendants formed a
conspiracy or alliance. (Doc. 10, p. 9.) Cody responds that “Defendant apparently
misrepresents the black and white text set forth of record in Plaintiff’s complaint
and seeks to have the Court improperly ignore the averments contained within the
Complaint.” (Doc. 13, p. 10.) In reply, Defendants further explain that “Plaintiff
has not averred any overt act to further the conspiracy which would serve as a
foundation for the claim, let alone one so late in time that his claim is not time
barred.” (Doc. 14, p. 4.)
Section 1985(3) provides a cause of action for a person “injured by a
conspiracy formed ‘for the purpose of depriving, either directly or indirectly, any
person or class of persons of the equal protection of the laws, or of equal privileges
and immunities under the laws.’” Farber v. City of Paterson, 440 F.3d 131, 134
(3d Cir. 2006). To state a claim for conspiracy under § 1985(3), a plaintiff must
allege:
(1) a conspiracy; (2) for the purpose of depriving, either directly or
indirectly, any person or class of persons of the equal protection of the
laws, or of equal privileges and immunities under the laws; and (3) an
act in furtherance of the conspiracy; (4) whereby a person is injured in
his person or property or deprived of any right or privilege of a citizen
of the United States.
Id. (quoting United Bhd. of Carpenters & Joiners v. Scott, 463 U.S. 825, 828–29
(1983).) When enacted, § 1985(3) “was not intended to provide a federal remedy
for ‘all tortious, conspiratorial interferences with the rights of others,’ or to be a
‘general federal tort law.’” Id. at 135 (quoting Griffin v. Breckenridge, 403 U.S.
88, 101–02 (1971).) “Thus, a plaintiff must allege both that the conspiracy was
motivated by discriminatory animus against an identifiable class and that the
discrimination against the identifiable class was invidious.” Id.
Further, “[a]fter a plaintiff establishes that the object of the conspiracy was
the deprivation of a federally protected right, ‘the rule is clear that’ the plaintiff
‘must provide some factual basis to support the existence of the elements of a
conspiracy: agreement and concerted action.’” Jutrowski v. Twp. of Riverdale, 904
F.3d 280, 295 (3d Cir. 2018) (quoting Capogrosso v. Supreme Court of N.J., 588
F.3d 180, 184-85 (3d. Cir. 2009).) To do so, a plaintiff “must demonstrate that ‘the
state actors named as defendants in the complaint somehow reached an
understanding to deny [the plaintiff] his rights.” Id. In doing so, a plaintiff must
do more than allege conclusions because the court does not consider “any
conclusory allegations that there was ‘a corrupt conspiracy,’ ‘an agreement,’ or ‘an
understanding in place[.]’” Great W. Mining & Min. Co. v. Fox Rothschild LLP,
615 F.3d 159, 178 (3d Cir. 2010). A plaintiff may plead “circumstantial evidence”
including that “the alleged conspirators ‘did or said something . . . to create an
understanding,’ ‘the approximate time when the agreement was made, the specific
parties to the agreement[,] the period of the conspiracy or the object of the
conspiracy.’” Jutrowski, 904 F.3d at 295 (quoting Great W. Mining, 615 F.3d at
178–79.) In the context of an alleged conspiracy between police officers, this
“may manifest as ‘conversations’ between officers about the incident, ‘allegedly
distorted’ stories that ‘emerged,’ an ‘awareness of conflicting stories’ and
‘irregularities in the series of official investigations’ into the incident.” Id.
Although not argued by Defendants, Cody has failed to allege sufficient
facts to state a claim for conspiracy to deprive him of constitutional rights because
he has failed to allege a discriminatory motive. Cody does not allege that the
object of the conspiracy was motivated by discrimination against an identifiable
class. Cody alleges the object of the conspiracy was “stif[ling] Plaintiff’s
complaint about Defendant Howell’s driving and conceal[ing] that he was a
complainant since a police supervisor was en route to investigate the incident.”
(Id. ¶ 18). Cody also alleges that the officers mocked him for his “perceived
sexual orientation[.]” (Id. ¶ 16.) However, Cody does not allege that this is the
reason why the officers began to conspire against him, but rather, explicitly alleges
that the officers conspired against him to prevent him from lodging a complaint
against them. This is insufficient to state a claim under § 1985(3).
However, Cody has sufficiently pleaded the element of conspiracy or
agreement. Cody states that after the officers began speaking with one another,
Defendant Howell “began falsely claiming that Plaintiff had deliberately hit his
police car with something[.]” (Id. ¶ 14.) He also alleges that his arrest was
ordered and agreed to by the officers. (Id. ¶ 18.)
Additionally, Cody has alleged some overt acts, such as the actions taken by
the officers on February 6, 2022. (Id. ¶ 19.) However, the complaint does not
allege any specific facts extending the conspiracy beyond the incident on February
6, 2022, other than the filing of charges against him. (Id. ¶ 28.) Accordingly, the
motion to dismiss will be granted with leave to amend as to Count 3. See Fletcher-
Harlee Corp., 482 F.3d at 251.
CONCLUSION
For the reasons above, the motion to dismiss will be granted in part and
denied in part. An order follows.
s/Jennifer P. Wilson
JENNIFER P. WILSON
United States District Judge
Middle District of Pennsylvania