Facts

Tyrone Pumphrey was sitting in his parked car outside his girlfriend's apartment in Pittsburg, California. While he was calling his girlfriend from inside his car, Pittsburg police officers Colton Harvey and Dillon Tindall parked behind him, approached, and asked for Pumphrey's registration and insurance. The officers asked if Pumphrey was on probation or parole, and Pumphrey replied that he was one probation for a DUI. The officers ultimately arrested Pumphrey because he did not have a license and was on probation. Pumphrey was transported to and detained at Martinez Jail in Contra Costa County.

Pumphrey brought a civil rights action against, officers Harvey and Tindall, and Contra Costa County. Pumphrey settled with the Pittsburg officers in September 2021, such that the only remaining named defendant was Contra Costa County.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS: Plaintiff contended that once he was detained at Martinez Jail, he was attacked by Contra Costa County deputies in his cell. Specifically, county deputies slammed plaintiff into the ground, and punched and kicked plaintiff in the ribs after he was already subdued with his hands behind his back. County deputies also slammed plaintiff's head on a counter during medical intake, and later dragged plaintiff to his cell and pinned him with their body weight. Plaintiff claimed that he lost consciousness, and when he regained consciousness, plaintiff was ignored when he requested medical care. Plaintiff brought claims for excessive force in violation of his Fourteenth Amendment rights, asserting that defendant used unreasonable and excessive force amounting to extrajudicial punishment, despite plaintiff being unarmed, and that the force was intended to cause injury to plaintiff without legitimate penological goal.

DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS: Defendant Contra Costa County contended that on June 8, 2019, plaintiff Tyrone Pumphrey was arrested by the Pittsburg police officers and subsequently brought to the Martinez Detention Facility. At the Martinez Detention Facility, plaintiff was booked and placed in a holding cell with several other inmates. Shortly after being placed in the holding cell, Contra Costa County Sheriff's deputies heard a loud commotion coming from the holding cell. The deputies ran to the holding cell to investigate and upon arrival observed plaintiff and another inmate in a physical altercation. The deputies verbally commanded both inmates to stop fighting and to get on the ground. The other inmate followed the deputies' command and moved across the room to separate himself from plaintiff. Plaintiff, however, clenched his fists, took a fighting stance, and then charged the other inmate. The deputies used reasonable force to prevent the attack on the other inmate, took plaintiff to the ground, overcame his resistance, and were able to restrain him by placing him in handcuffs. After plaintiff was restrained, he was evaluated by the Martinez Detention Facility's medical staff and cleared to be returned to another holding cell. Defendant Contra Costa County denied all of plaintiff's allegations that he was subjected to unreasonable and excessive force in violation of his Fourteenth Amendment civil rights.

Result

Defendant's motion for summary judgment was granted.