Mother Of Ashtian Barnes, A Black Man Killed by Police, Wins Key Supreme Court Ruling

The Supreme Court unanimously ruled on Thursday that Janice Hughes, the mother of Ashtian Barnes, a Black man killed by a police officer in Houston, can move forward with her excessive force lawsuit. The court rejected the "moment of the threat doctrine," which had been used by lower courts to limit consideration to only the moments when force was used, instead of the full context leading up to it. Justice Elena Kagan wrote, "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." This decision clarifies that lower courts must consider the "totality of the circumstances" in such cases, ensuring that crucial context isn't overlooked.

Barnes, 24, was killed in April 2016 when his vehicle started moving during a traffic stop. Roberto Felix Jr., the officer involved, jumped onto the car's door sill and shot Barnes twice, resulting in his death at the scene. Hughes claims that Felix used excessive force in violation of the Fourth Amendment, a claim now allowed to proceed. Her attorney, Adam Fomby, expressed relief over the ruling, stating it "reinforces the fundamental principle that constitutional accountability applies" to officers.

However, the ruling leaves some issues unresolved. In a separate concurring opinion, Justice Brett Kavanaugh, joined by three other conservative justices, highlighted the high-risk, split-second decisions officers often face, emphasizing the need to consider these pressures in court evaluations.

Despite the favorable ruling, Hughes still faces challenges as her case continues. Lower courts could still find in Felix's favor, particularly if he successfully claims qualified immunity, which shields officers from liability if their actions were not clearly established as unlawful at the time.

In a previous interview, Hughes explained her motivation, saying, “My son was a victim,” and voiced broader concerns about a lack of accountability, noting that five years after George Floyd’s death, “nobody’s policing the police.”

Link: NBCNews