Photo: GoFundMe
An excessive force lawsuit filed by the mother of a Black man killed by police during a traffic stop in Houston can move forward, the Supreme Court ruled.
On Thursday (May 15), SCOTUS justices unanimously determined that a lawsuit filed on behalf of Ashtian Barnes, a 24-year-old Black man who was fatally shot by an officer in April 2016, can proceed, per NBC News.
The ruling reaffirmed an existing precedent that the "totality of circumstances" has to be taken into account when reviewing a use-of-force case. Justices rejected a lower court's ruling on the "moment of the threat doctrine," which solely focuses on the moment force was used and not the moments leading up to it.
"Today we reject that approach," Justice Elena Kagan wrote for a unanimous court. "To assess whether an officer acted reasonably in using force, a court must consider all the relevant circumstances, including facts and events leading up to the climactic moment."
Barnes' shooting unfolded as the vehicle he was driving started moving forward while he was speaking to Roberto Felix Jr., a traffic enforcement officer with the Harris County Precinct 5 Constable's Office. Felix shot Barnes twice. He died at the scene.
The lawsuit was filed by Barnes' mother, Janice Hughes, who claims Felix used excessive force in violation of the Constitution’s Fourth Amendment.
Thursday's ruling made it clear to courts around the country that the events leading up to an officer's use of deadly force must be considered when assessing a claim.
Adam Fomby, one of Hughes' lawyers, said his team was "deeply gratified by the Supreme Court's decision," adding that it "reinforces the fundamental principle that constitutional accountability applies to law enforcement."
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