Harrington v. Duszak

In section 1983 action alleging that defendants-police officers used excessive force during plaintiff's arrest, Dist. Ct. did not abuse its discretion in admitting evidence that plaintiff's gun fell from his body after plaintiff had fled scene, where said evidence was relevant as providing circumstance of arrest and was not unduly prejudicial. Also, Dist. Ct. did not err in prohibiting defendant from arguing that defendants had racial bias, since plaintiff had failed to present any evidence that defendants' actions in arresting him were racially motivated. Finally, Dist. Ct. did not err in denying plaintiff's motion for sanctions due to defendants' alleged error in failing to tender nine citizen complaints against one defendant, where: (1) four complaints had been filed beyond timeframe set forth by plaintiff in his discovery request; (2) defendants produced one complaint; and (3) remaining four complaints were not actually complaints, but rather were informational reports. Also, said documents would not have altered jury's verdict in favor of defendants.