City of Sparks, NV
08/13/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/13/2024 10:55
City Attorney Wes Duncan Announces Ninth Circuit Victory in Excessive Force Case filed against the City of Sparks
In a published decision issued on August 9, 2024, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals overturned what they deemed to be the erroneous findings of the District Court and agreed with the City of Sparks that the Sparks Police Officers' use of force to end a lengthy and dangerous car chase was reasonable and justified.
On May 5, 2020, at around 12:10 AM, Joseph Williams led several Sparks Police Officers on a high-risk vehicle pursuit that lasted 42 minutes and reached speeds of around 70 miles per hour before the Officers utilized non-fatal deadly force to stop the threat Williams posed to the officers and the public at large. During this pursuit, Williams recklessly ran several red lights and stop signs, drove on the freeway without his lights activated, attempted to ram one of the Officer's patrol vehicles and drove across the dirt median driving the wrong way on the freeway into oncoming traffic. Additionally, several times throughout this car chase, Williams stopped his vehicle in an attempt to trick the Officers into exiting their patrol vehicles, before he abruptly sped off. Ultimately, while in the dirt shoulder on the side of the freeway, Williams struck three separate patrol vehicles-including driving up and over the hood of one of them-at which time the Officers attempted to stop Williams' vehicle. However, Williams continued to accelerate in an attempt to flee, revving his engine and spinning his tires while his vehicle was on top of a patrol car's hood. In response to the danger posed by Williams to their personal safety and the danger to the community, the Officers fired their weapons at Williams. After the Officers stopped firing their weapons, Williams stopped revving his engine, exited his vehicle, and was taken into custody.
As a result of his actions that night, on August 10, 2021 Williams was convicted of Assault with a Deadly Weapon, a category B felony, and Eluding a Peace Officer, a category B felony. He is currently serving a prison sentence of four to ten years.
On May 2, 2022, Williams sued the Sparks Police Officers, alleging excessive force and other related claims. Last week, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals held that Williams' dangerous actions warranted the Sparks Police Officers' use of force and directed that judgment be granted entirely in the Officers' favor, overturning the District Court's findings.
"This published opinion strengthens local law enforcement's ability to protect the public," says City Attorney Duncan. "I am pleased that the Ninth Circuit agreed with our office's position that the police officers acted reasonably in responding to this threat. Our office will continue to refuse to settle unfounded cases filed against the men and women of the Sparks Police Department."
The case was successfully argued by Senior Assistant Civil Attorney Mariah Northington.
On May 5, 2020, at around 12:10 AM, Joseph Williams led several Sparks Police Officers on a high-risk vehicle pursuit that lasted 42 minutes and reached speeds of around 70 miles per hour before the Officers utilized non-fatal deadly force to stop the threat Williams posed to the officers and the public at large. During this pursuit, Williams recklessly ran several red lights and stop signs, drove on the freeway without his lights activated, attempted to ram one of the Officer's patrol vehicles and drove across the dirt median driving the wrong way on the freeway into oncoming traffic. Additionally, several times throughout this car chase, Williams stopped his vehicle in an attempt to trick the Officers into exiting their patrol vehicles, before he abruptly sped off. Ultimately, while in the dirt shoulder on the side of the freeway, Williams struck three separate patrol vehicles-including driving up and over the hood of one of them-at which time the Officers attempted to stop Williams' vehicle. However, Williams continued to accelerate in an attempt to flee, revving his engine and spinning his tires while his vehicle was on top of a patrol car's hood. In response to the danger posed by Williams to their personal safety and the danger to the community, the Officers fired their weapons at Williams. After the Officers stopped firing their weapons, Williams stopped revving his engine, exited his vehicle, and was taken into custody.
As a result of his actions that night, on August 10, 2021 Williams was convicted of Assault with a Deadly Weapon, a category B felony, and Eluding a Peace Officer, a category B felony. He is currently serving a prison sentence of four to ten years.
On May 2, 2022, Williams sued the Sparks Police Officers, alleging excessive force and other related claims. Last week, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals held that Williams' dangerous actions warranted the Sparks Police Officers' use of force and directed that judgment be granted entirely in the Officers' favor, overturning the District Court's findings.
"This published opinion strengthens local law enforcement's ability to protect the public," says City Attorney Duncan. "I am pleased that the Ninth Circuit agreed with our office's position that the police officers acted reasonably in responding to this threat. Our office will continue to refuse to settle unfounded cases filed against the men and women of the Sparks Police Department."
The case was successfully argued by Senior Assistant Civil Attorney Mariah Northington.